UPDATED DAILY -- M-F by 9 a.m. Pacific

Links to commercial press stories are functional at the date of posting. In some cases, links "expire" when the source would like to begin charging you for old news. WSLC Reports Today  links to all stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform.  The creation of a link does not constitute an endorsement of that story's content.

Reports for November 12-15, 2002

Previous weeks' news:  Nov. 4-8 -- Oct. 28-Nov. 1 -- Oct. 21-25

FRIDAY, November 15 -- Election: Fairhurst takes lead, House Dems gaining 3 seats
...plus -- Former Tacoma labor leader Leonard Marcoe dies 
NOTICE -- Today's Kick-Off event for UFW Fair Trade Apples is POSTPONED
— In today's Olympian -- L&I ordered to air ergonomic records -- At issue is claim by BIAW and other corporate interests that Wal-Mart was unfairly "exempted" from the state rule to attract development of its regional distribution center in Yakima. (Read out Feb 1 "No safe harbor for ergo" posting for more.) 
— In today's Seattle Times -- Locke on budget: New approach, maybe new taxes
...plus -- Constitutional appeal of Ref. 53 goes back to court with measure's passage
— In today's South County Herald -- Boeing "family" found solutions that worked (editorial)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Both sides winners in Boeing-SPEEA talks (editorial)
...plus -- Boeing christens its new 777-300
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Fluor plans 400 layoffs by mid-January in shift to field work
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Prosser, city workers (IBT 839) reach tentative agreement
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Union (IBT 231), Whatcom County to restart contract talks today
Today at AFLCIO.org -- Congress leaving workers behind with Homeland Security bill
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Bush plan would privatize 850,000 federal jobs
— In today's Washington Post -- Washington's untouchable issue -- Now that a compromise has been struck over the president's homeland security department, we wonder why the press hasn't grappled with the following question: If federal personnel rules are so restrictive that Bush demanded they be waived for his new agency, why are they okay for the rest of the government? 
...plus -- Gore reemerges, "crushed" by 2000 election and supporting single-payer health insurance!
— Today from AP -- Judge overseeing port labor dispute warns both sides against seeking sanctions

THURSDAY, November 14 -- Big business’ anonymous hit pieces target state's Democrats
...plus -- Election update: Oke looks like he'll win GOP control of Senate
At SEIU925.org -- As contract expires for 5,000 UW employees, march planned Friday
CORRECTION: The UFW "First Fruits of Justice" Open House is Friday, Nov. 22. (Learn more.)
— In today's Olympian -- Home-care workers merit pay increase (editorial)
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- No sanctions as feds decide ILWU, PMA share blame for slow pace
— In today's P.S. Business Journal -- Port labor talks resume; ILWU cites PMA split as roadblock
...plus -- Small business group says Bush's voluntary ergonomics guidelines go too far (?!)
— In today's News Tribune -- Pace of work at Port of Tacoma getting back to pre-lockout levels
...plus -- SPEEA likely to accept Boeing contract
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Boeing talks take different routes (contrasts IAM, SPEEA)
— In today's South County Journal -- Trade issues center on Boeing, jobs
— In today's Seattle P-I -- A smidgen of good news in state budget
...plus -- Eyman won't fight for I-776 enforcement, instead focuses on marketing I-800
— In today's Everett Herald -- Marysville coach strike is averted
...plus -- Snohomish County officials fear withering effects of Eyman's proposed I-800 (already)
At AFLCIO.org -- Sweeney: Homeland Security bill strips workers of their rights
— In today's Washington Post -- House passes Homeland Security bill
...plus -- New agency, new rules -- and a cost (mistrust of President Bush among federal workers)
— In today's N.Y. Times -- United Airlines chief declares Dec. 2 as bankruptcy deadline
...plus -- The apple falls close to the tree -- As more recent and better data have become available, economists have marked up their estimate of the impact of parents' socioeconomic status on their children's likelihood of economic success. It turns out that five or six generations are probably required, on average, to erase the advantages or disadvantages of one's economic origins.

WEDNESDAY, November 13 -- Celebrate with UFW: "Fair Trade Apples" on sale in Seattle
...plus -- Election update: Pat Sullivan now leads, Fairhurst pulls to within 112
At SPEEA.org -- Negotiations team recommends acceptance of Boeing contract offer
— In today's South County Journal -- SPEEA leaders like Boeing offer
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing may shelve Sonic Cruiser for now
— In today's Everett Herald -- Reports of Sonic Cruiser's demise baffle Boeing Co. (column)
...plus -- Eyman's latest initiative creates "superminority" (editorial)
— In today's Olympian -- Eyman's latest product raises constitutional concerns
...plus -- Microsoft's "permatemp" settlement OK'd; ruling allowing legal fees stands
...plus -- German high court rules that Wal-Mart prices are unfair
— In today's News Tribune -- I-776 vs. light rail: What Tim Eyman doesn't understand (editorial)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Car-tab fees will be collected despite I-776
...plus -- Mukilteo superintendent paid $320,00 to resign -- for dating an employee
— In yesterday's Vancouver Columbian -- Foreign ships' crew face more lockdowns
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- Oregon PERS shortfall at $9.72 billion
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- West Coast port talks to resume today after week's hiatus
— In today's Baltimore Sun -- Supreme Court won't hear case on including union organizing in dues
— In today's L.A. Times -- Bush's Homeland Security bill foes give up
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Help wanted at the SEC as scandal-tainted Webster resigns, too

TUESDAY, November 12 -- Support St. Clair hospital workers fighting for a fair contract
...plus -- Employees at Seattle Keiro Nursing Home vote to join UFCW
...plus -- One week later, election outcome still uncertain in some races
— In today's South County Journal -- Boeing offers proposals for new SPEEA contracts
— In today's News Tribune -- SPEEA weighs Boeing contract
...and yesterday -- PCCLC's Patty Rose: Union woman, born and forever
...plus -- Politicians' failure to implement initiatives fuels voters' ire -- Eyman op-ed: The overriding message from the approval of I-776 and the rejection of Referendum 51 is politicians have lost the public's trust. So what is Sound Transit's response to this unambiguous message? Sound Transit will sue the voters because it doesn't like the voters' decision on Election Day.
— In today's L.A. Times -- West Coast port talks covering pensions to begin
— In yesterday's Daily World -- Port of Grays Harbor hopes to avoid more layoffs; eyes ILWU pact
— In yesterday's Columbian -- S.W. Washington Health District layoffs will be fewer than predicted
— In today's Seattle Times -- United flight attendants agree to cuts to save company
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Lawmakers move toward compromise on Homeland Security worker rights
...plus -- Toll-less in Seattle for ages, but ready to move forward -- As in much of the West, the lack of tolls in the Puget Sound area has been a point of pride and a symbol of the open road. After two decades of steadily increasing traffic, however, Seattle's roads are clogged, bridges are in disrepair, and regional planners and some commuters have begun to consider tolls to be part of a solution.
— In yesterday's Washington Post -- Social Security privatization put on the back burner
— In today's Wall Street Journal -- Embattled accounting-oversight czar Webster likely to step down

Previous weeks' news:  Nov. 4-8 -- Oct. 28-Nov. 1 -- Oct. 21-25

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Election: Fairhurst takes lead, House Dems gaining 3 seats

With the latest counts of mail-in ballots, labor-endorsed Supreme Court candidate Mary Fairhurst has overtaken Jim Johnson and now has a 2,132-vote lead in the race for State Supreme Court.

With an estimated 64,000 mail-in ballots remain to be counted statewide, and more than half of those in King County where Fairhurst has won a strong majority, she now appears likely to have won the election. The last day for counties to certify election results is next Wednesday, Nov. 20. (Click here for a county-by-county summary of votes remaining to count and when the next updates are scheduled.)

Meanwhile, the latest numbers have labor-endorsed 47th District House challenger Pat Sullivan gaining more votes and now leading by 90. Assuming the trend of Sullivan gaining with every new King County count continues, it now appears that Democrats will increase their House majority by three seats from 50-48 to 53-45. (Sullivan's opponent Rep. Jack Cairnes hints in today's Seattle Times that he may challenge the results because of problems King County had mailing ballots to voters in a timely fashion. GOP Chairman Chris Vance said before Election Night that he would support such a challenge if there were any close races his party lost.)

With labor-endorsed Sen. Georgia Gardner (D-42nd) having lost her seat and Sen. Bob Oke (R-26th) having apparently survived a very close race with labor-endorsed challenger Betty Ringlee, the Republicans will take control of the State Senate with a 25-24 majority.

Following are the close races with new tallies in which the Washington State Labor Council made an endorsement -- endorsed candidates are listed in bold, incumbents marked with an asterisk. Results are as of 7 a.m. Friday (see results from earlier this week and from last week for other close races):

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Former Tacoma labor leader Leonard Marcoe dies

Leonard Paul Marcoe, a prominent former labor leader with the Carpet and Linoleum Layers union in Tacoma and father-in-law of former Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Al Brisbois, passed away this week. Following is his obituary:

Leonard Paul Marcoe, a man of quiet dignity, passed away November 12, 2002, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Marge, whom he loved for over 62 years. Children: Marian Swanson (Darth), Larry Marcoe (Marlene), Ron Marcoe (Connie), Joanne Marcoe (Al Brisbois), Paulette Eltrich (Joe), Winona Rice (Bill), 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dolora.

Leonard was a 1936 Graduate of Bellarmine and a World War II Navy Veteran. A carpet and linoleum layer by trade, he was president of his Carpet and Linoleum Layers local for eight years, and a political activist as well. He retired from the Apprentice Division of the state Department of Labor and Industries.

Leonard will be remembered for his love of his family and his ministry to others. He was active with Friends of Bill W. and Bellarmine Boosters. Other interests were camping, reading, gardening, hunting, nature, and traveling.

Viewing is Friday 2 to 7 p.m. followed by the Rosary at Piper-Morley Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 424 So. 30th St. in Tacoma. Reception following in the school.

Memorials to: St. Joseph’s Hospice, Holy Rosary School, and Fr. Joe’s Mercy Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Kick-Off event for UFW Fair Trade Apples is POSTPONED

The following alert has been posted by the United Farm Workers:

The Community Event that was scheduled for Seattle U. has been postponed!!!

Due to quality issues caused by bad weather conditions, the first shipment of UFW Fair Trade Union Label Organic apples have been POSTPONED.  We apologize for the inconvenience and disapointment.  We promise to keep you informed as events progress.  Thank you for your commitment and continued solidarity!

Please help us spread the word. We will try to have someone at Seattle University to catch folks that didn't read this email in time.  Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.

Next Friday's Open House celebration (and this Saturday's Pre-Open House Party) at the UFW's new Seattle office will still happen as scheduled. Learn more.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Big business’ anonymous hit pieces target state's Democrats

Rep. Laura Ruderman (D-45th) used to work for Microsoft.  Now the company says she is forcing sex predators to move to her district.

Last legislative session, Ruderman was an outspoken advocate for the pharmaceutical and biotech firms in her district during debate on creating a state prescription drug purchasing pool. Now the drug companies are financing last-minute political “hit pieces” to her constituents.

What gives? After targeting incumbents with scurrilous political attacks, do these corporations really send their lobbyists to the same lawmakers expecting their help and advocacy?

The answer is yes. As they have for years, big business has again pooled its resources to form anonymous political groups and pay for last-minute campaign mail attacking Democratic candidates — all in coordination with the State Republican Party.

This time, several Democrats including Ruderman and Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47th) have narrowly survived these attacks from Hewlett Packard, Puget Sound Energy, Voicestream Wireless, et corporate al.

But others like Rep. Brock Jackley (D-26th) were not so lucky.

Most of us are familiar with negative political campaign mail, often described as “hit pieces.” Voters usually get them days before the election, when it is too late for the candidate targeted to respond publicly to the charges.

Our state has one of the nation’s best campaign disclosure laws designed to discourage anonymous political attacks. But frankly, it takes more time and energy than the average person can spare to comb through these reports and answer the simple question: Who sent me this?

When the Washington State Labor Council and most other labor organizations send mail about candidates, the mail clearly identifies the union as the source of the information.

But with few exceptions, when corporations pay for political mail, they hide behind phony political organizations with names like “People for Good Government” or “Citizens for Family Wage Jobs.”  Often these groups are set up to send a single piece of mail and are never heard from again.

In the days preceding last week’s general election, a number of Democratic state legislators in hotly contested races were targeted with corporate hit pieces from something called People for Honorable Representation.

The mail announced a “Public Safety Alert” with mugshots of several scary looking men, and warned: “Are sex offenders coming to your neighborhood?” The cookie-cutter piece goes on to name the Democratic candidate and say they “voted to force local neighborhoods… to accept sex predator group homes – and also stripped your rights to stop them.”

Without getting bogged down in the details of the bill cited in the hit piece, it suffices to say that it was prime sponsored by a Republican Senator and easily passed both houses with bipartisan support, once on a 49-0 vote. And no corporations – nor anyone else, for that matter – testified against the bill. 

Check with the Public Disclosure Commission and you will find the People for Honorable Representation hit piece was financed by another group called United for Washington. Check yet another report and you find out who funds that group. Dozens of corporations contributed, so here’s just a partial list of the corporations that gave at least $5,000 to United for Washington during the last election cycle:

This sex-predator hit piece is considered “issue advocacy” because it didn’t expressly say to vote against Rep. Brock Jackley, or even to vote for his opponent. It merely says to call Brock Jackley on the toll-free Legislative Hotline and tell him what you think.

But clearly the idea is to keep Brock Jackley from being re-elected. And in his case, as he appears to have lost by fewer than 500 votes, it may have worked. The mailing’s “issue” has nothing to do with the corporations behind it, and it is deliberately timed to land in mailboxes just days before the election.

In fact, the Washington State Republican Party sent out a remarkably similar mailing to the constituents of Sen. Darlene Fairley (D-32nd) citing the same bill: “Thanks to Senator Fairley... sex offenders are now on their way to a halfway house near you.”

We know this because they sent a copy to Sen. Fairley’s house.

It’s not surprising when the opposing party organization distorts a candidate’s voting record for political reasons. But it is surprising when corporations send this type of dirty mail because there is a good chance they will be sending tassel-toed lobbyists asking for favors two months later.

Perhaps the corporations that fund United for Washington think they absolve themselves from responsibility for their PAC’s dirty business because they just sign the checks and don’t write the mail.

Perhaps these corporations think their lobbyists will be forgiven if they also cut campaign checks to the targeted legislators. After all, playing both sides of the fence is a long-standing corporate tradition. Capitol One, for example, hedged its bet against Rep. Simpson by also cutting his campaign a check. But those contributions are limited to $625 per election, and Capitol One can give an unlimited amount of cash to fund United for Washington hit pieces.

Perhaps the corporations simply hope the legislators won’t notice the source of the hit piece, or won’t hold an individual business accountable for the actions of the dozens of contributors to United for Washington.

Well, unless these corporations are held accountable for the United for Washington dirty-mail factory, nothing will change.  Every two years, they will continue to send distorted last-minute hit pieces targeting exclusively Democrats, in coordination with the Republican Party.

Everything the Washington State Labor Council mails to union members is accurate and focuses exclusively on labor issues. And most importantly, IT HAS OUR NAME ON IT.

We are prepared to face the music if our advocacy for labor-endorsed challengers angers an incumbent legislator who wins re-election. We accept responsibility for — and take pride in — our political advocacy. We are able to agree and disagree in an honest, principled manner. There is no question where labor stands on an issue or which candidates we support.

That’s the way it should be.

Have corporations grown so cynical that they will acquiesce to these vicious anonymous attacks as “politics as usual”? And have our elected lawmakers become so forgiving of dirty tricks that such behavior has no consequence?

We hope not.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Election update: Oke looks like he'll win GOP control of Senate

As Kitsap and a handful of other counties released fresh counts of mail-in ballots Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Bob Oke (R-26th) widened his narrow lead over labor-endorsed challenger Betty Ringlee from 150 to 281 votes. With only a few hundred votes remaining to count in that district, it appears Oke will win and hand 25-24 control of the State Senate over to Republicans.

Meanwhile, as expected, State Supreme Court candidate Jim Johnson slightly increased his lead over labor-endorsed Mary Fairhurst as more returns were counted in rural and Eastern Washington counties. With an estimated 130,000 votes remaining to be counted statewide, some 95,000 are in King County where Fairhurst has decisively outpolled Johnson, so she stands a very strong chance of defeating the BIAW-and-GOP-funded Johnson. King County is scheduled to post new results this afternoon at 4 p.m.

The last day for counties to certify election results is next Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Here are the races with new counts as of Thursday at 7 a.m. (see yesterday's update for more results in other close races):

SUPREME COURT
Position 3
Jim Johnson — 662,626 — 50.03%
Mary Fairhurst — 661,669 — 49.96%
(Margin: 957)

STATE LEGISLATURE
26th LD State Senator
Betty P. Ringlee; (D) 19,961 —49.65%
* Bob Oke; (R) 20,242 —50.34%
(Margin: 281)

26th LD State Representative, Position 2
* Brock Jackley; (D) 19,719 —49.40%
Lois McMahan; (R) 20,191 —50.59%
(Margin: 472)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Celebrate with UFW: First "Fair Trade Apples" on sale in Seattle

The historic campaign to create and market organic "Fair Trade Apples" has reached a milestone as apples bearing the United Farm Workers label will soon go on sale at Madison Market Natural Foods Coop, 1600 E. Madison in Seattle.

The Fair Trade Apple Campaign, endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council, is based on the premise that consumers will support a fair and just agricultural system, which protects our rural environment, sustains agricultural farm land, checks the loss of farms and farm work by bringing greater income back to the farm gate, and ensures workplace fairness through a contract between growers and farm workers.

You can help celebrate this tremendous UFW victory by:

• POSTPONED! A Seattle Community Kick-Off Event originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 has been postponed. When it has been rescheduled, we will post that information at this site.
  

• For those of you who like hands-on projects, you are invited to join the UFW for a Pre-Open House Party on Saturday, Nov. 16 from noon to 6 p.m. Stop by for an hour or the whole day to press Fair Trade Union Label organic apple cider and make decorations. Please bring a potluck dish to share and your musical instrument to play. Please extend this invitation to your members and constituents! For more info, call (206) 789-1947 or apple@ufwmail.com.
  

• You are also invited to attend the UFW's "First Fruits of Justice" Open House and Fundraiser beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at the union's new Seattle office, at the corner of 65th and 23rd in Ballard at the Trinity United Methodist Church. The Open House will include light refreshments (featuring our union label apples!), a short program, piñatas and a raffle. Please RSVP to (206) 789-1947 or apples@ufwmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Election: Pat Sullivan now leads, Fairhurst pulls to within 112

With the latest counts of mail-in ballots, labor-endorsed 47th District challenger Pat Sullivan has taken the lead over incumbent Rep. Jack Cairnes and Supreme Court candidate Mary Fairhurst has pulled to within 112 votes of Jim Johnson in the race for State Supreme Court. In the important 26th District State Senate race that will determine which party gets 25-24 control of that body, labor-endorsed challenger Betty Ringlee gained another 52 votes and is now 150 behind incumbent Sen. Bob Oke.

An estimated 150,000 mail-in ballots remain to be counted statewide—including some 90,000 in King County where ballots were mailed later than normal and therefore were returned later—so election results will continue to evolve in the coming days. (Click here for a county-by-county summary of votes remaining and when the next updates are scheduled.)

Following are the competitive races in which the Washington State Labor Council made an endorsement -- endorsed candidates are listed in bold, incumbents marked with an asterisk -- that have updated results as of 7 a.m. Wednesday (see last week's updates for previous results):

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Support St. Clair hospital workers fighting for a fair contract

More than five months ago, Service Employee International Union Local 6 members at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood began negotiations for a new contact, one that respects their union and the work they do. Today you can help St. Clare caregivers win that fair contract, with a call to their boss.

The 300 service, technical and maintenance employees of St. Clare Hospital—part of the Franciscan Health System, which also operates St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way—have been negotiating for a new contract since July with bargaining set to resume this Thursday.

For nearly 10 years, the St. Clare workers have had an open shop. Currently, a solid majority of workers belong to SEIU 6 and have called for a union shop. The caregivers simply are asking management to respect their decision. The workers also need improved health insurance coverage for their families, and wages and premiums that respect the work they do.

To date, management has refused to budge from its union-busting “open shop” position, and they also haven’t come close to meeting the caregivers’ other needs. The Franciscans already have union shops at St. Joseph Medical Center, with SEIU 6 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1001 members, and also with members of the Washington State Nurses Association. So why not at St. Clare?

In spite of strong support from numerous elected officials and the Pierce County Central Labor Council, management has stuck to its guns. The caregivers have conducted informational picketing, and are prepared to take additional steps to win a fair contract – but they need your help.

CALL TO ACTION: Call Franciscan President/CEO Joseph Wilczek (pronounced “will-check”) at 253-426-6989 or send an email to him at josephwilczek@chiwest.com and his executive assistant at andreapurvis@chiwest.com. Tell Mr. Wilczek: "No open shop at St. Clare Hospital! Respect your caregivers, and settle a fair contract!"

For more information about this campaign, contact SEIU 6's Jonathan Rosenblum at jrosenblum@seiu6.org.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Employees at Seattle Keiro Nursing Home vote to join UFCW

The employees of the Seattle Keiro Nursing Home stood together and voted 96-36 for union representation with UFCW Local 1001 on Oct. 30, despite an extensive anti-union campaign by Keiro's administration. Many employees were motivated to support the union because of concerns about low wages and unfair treatment.

"I want the union because I want fair representation if I'm accused of a mistake," said Bella Lavi, who has worked for several years as a scheduler at Keiro. "Management has played favorites in the past and people have lost their jobs with no investigation and no one to represent them. We voted for the union to get the pay we deserve, keep our benefits, and protect our jobs."

With 89% voter turnout and 72% voting in favor of representation, Keiro employees are in a strong position to bargain for substantial improvements. Contract negotiations will begin shortly. Seattle Keiro is located at 16th Avenue and Yesler Way in Seattle. 

UFCW Local 1001 represents more than 9,000 health care workers across the state.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
One week later, election outcome still uncertain in some races

One week after the election as late mail-in ballots continue to be counted, a number of races for state legislature are still up in the air, including a remarkably close race for State Supreme Court, a House contest with a two-vote margin and the all-important 26th District race for State Senate which will determine which party has a 25-24 majority in the 2003 session.

An estimated 162,000 mail-in ballots remain to be counted statewide—including some 75,000 in King County, some of which will be counted and announced late this afternoon—so election results will continue to evolve in the coming days. (Click here for a county-by-county summary of votes remaining and when the next updates are scheduled.)

Following are the competitive races in which the Washington State Labor Council made an endorsement -- endorsed candidates are listed in bold, incumbents marked with an asterisk -- that have updated results as of 7 a.m. Tuesday (see last week's updates for previous results):