WSLC Reports Today -- June 14, 2006

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WSLC Reports Today
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Links are functional at date of posting, but sometimes expire. Some links require free registration. WSLC Reports Today links to stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 ▪ Tell Congress to block foreign control of U.S. airlines -- The Bush administration wants to allow foreign ownership of U.S. airlines and is usurping Congress by changing a rule that effectively overturns a decades-old act of Congress -- one that affects our country’s economy, defense and jobs. Tell your Representative TODAY to block this change!
▪ In today's Minneapolis S-T -- New rule on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines is opposed

Don't forget... ▪ Come to the Hotel Workers Rising kickoff rally TOMORROW in Seattle

Justice for Sale news:
▪ In today's Seattle Times -- BIAW attorney's Supreme Court campaign cashes in before deadline -- Real-estate developers and others in the construction industry gave more than $100,000 to state Supreme Court candidate John Groen in the final weeks before strict new limits on campaign donations went into effect, giving him a big campaign cash advantage over incumbent Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, who chose to abide by the new law before its June 7 effective date. Groen is the only candidate who chose not to follow the new limits.
▪ In today's Seattle P-I -- True justice transcends rival politics (op-ed by the opposing attorneys in Rossi's election challenge) -- There is a growing politicization surrounding the selection of judges. It is a dangerous trend that is bad for the courts and bad for the people.

Where the Jobs Are:
▪ In today's News Tribune -- Help wanted: Construction workers -- Local construction firms are having a hard time finding enough skilled workers and managers to handle the work available.
▪ In the Columbian -- U.S. needs electricians, plumbers, machinists (column by AWB's Don Brunell) -- Why are students today fixated on college when only about a third of this year's high school graduates will actually complete a college education? Part of the reason: It's not cool to be a craftsman like a cable installer or an electrician even though you can make a darn good living -- and you won't have a huge debt from four years at college. -- Learn about apprenticeship!

Local news:
▪ In today's Seattle P-I -- Eyman initiative limiting property taxes quashed by judge -- Judge rules I-747 was unconstitutionally misleading, making voters believe they were changing the tax increase cap from 2% to 1%, when in fact, I-747 changed it from 6% to 1%. The ruling was a victory for Whitman County, which brought the suit along with several citizen organizations.
▪ In today's Yakima H-R -- Thai workers sue Global Horizons, two Valley growers -- They say they were underpaid, housed in substandard conditions and promised work that didn't materialize. The suit seeks class action status for all Thai workers brought to the Yakima Valley in 2004.
▪ In today's Everett Herald -- Job agency seeks new start -- A Snohomish County Labor Council official says his organization will help the Workforce Development Council get back on track.
▪ In today's PSBJ -- Port of Seattle chief to announce plans today -- Mic Dinsmore, whose 14-year tenure as chief executive is the longest in the agency's history, is expected to announce how much longer he will remain at the agency at a luncheon address at the Seattle Rotary Club.
▪ In the Daily News -- Wal-Mart confirms plans for Woodland store; public comment accepted
▪ Today from AP -- Airbus superjumbo hits snag; A 380 could be delayed by seven months

Political news:
▪ In today's Everett Herald -- Don't raid education funds when we need them most (Burbank op-ed opposing I-920, repeal of the state's estate tax) -- Wouldn't we rather give the children of our state a chance of passing the WASL rather than give the children of the very few another silver spoon?
▪ In the Seattle Times -- Where's Dean Logan? Somewhere smiling (editorial) -- He is a competent professional and solid public servant... It is fair to say he was hounded out of office by an overbearing County Council and an orchestrated political campaign designed to discredit him.
▪ In today's King Co. Journal -- Eastside preparing for visit from Bush -- The president will host $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th) in the Medina home of a Microsoft exec.
▪ In today's Seattle Weekly -- Republican Party goes sharp right under new boss Tebelius -- Will the militancy of the GOP grass roots alienate the moderate Washington electorate?
▪ At Postman on Politics blog -- Pastor questions Eyman's motives, says he broke agreement -- In response, Eyman claims Joseph Fuiten, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Network and the pastor who worked most closely with Eyman on the anti-gay rights referendum, is trying to blackmail him into handing over the names of all the people who signed the R-65 petitions.

National news:
▪ Today from AP -- AFL-CIO plans $700 million investment in rebuilding New Orleans
▪ In today's LA Times -- UAW to tap strike fund for ambitious drive to recruit new members

Earlier this week: MONDAY, 6/12 -- TUESDAY, 6/13
Last week: Monday, 6/5 -- Tuesday, 6/6 -- Wednesday, 6/7 -- Thursday, 6/8 -- Friday, 6/9

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2006
Tell Congress to block foreign control of U.S. airlines

We all recall the loud protest regarding the Bush administration's aborted effort to allow Dubai to take over East Coast ports. Well, they're at it again.

This time, the Bush administration wants to allow foreign ownership of U.S. airlines and is usurping Congress by making this important policy change simply by changing the rules, rather than putting the policy to a vote of our elected representatives. The Department of Transportation plans a rule change that would change an act of Congress -- a decades-old law barring foreigners from owning more than 25 percent of a U.S. airline and from making operating decisions.

The Bush administration is doing this because European Union nations -- including France!... (shudder) -- have demanded it as a condition for further negotiations on an "open skies" treaty that would allow U.S. carriers and airlines in 25 E.U. nations to fly any route between the covered countries.

Why is this so important? Good question. According to congressional testimony, U.S. airlines bring in $9 billion more from foreign passengers and shippers than American travelers and companies pay to foreign carriers.

The potential downside is tremendous. Capt. Duane E. Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, says the administration's rule change will threaten the jobs of 61,000 union pilots at 39 airlines in the United States and Canada, that a foreign company gaining control of a U.S. airline would only hire its own nationals.

"The DOT and the administration are attempting to steamroll the democratic process and recklessly force a radical policy change without exploring how allowing foreign entities to control U.S. airlines would affect our country’s economy, defense and jobs," Woerth said in a statement released Tuesday. "The administration has once again displayed remarkable short-sightedness in its zeal to appease European interests rather than safeguard the interests of U.S. citizens. With no guarantee that (the "open skies" treaty) will go forward even if this policy change is made, the Administration may be about to sacrifice key U.S. airline industry and worker interests for absolutely nothing."

TAKE ACTION! Today or tomorrow (June 14 or 15), the U.S. House of Representatives will consider the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation. An amendment will be offered by Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) to the bill that would prevent the Bush administration for one year from implementing any rule changes that would grant foreign investors greater control of U.S. airlines so that Congress can consider the issue.

Send a message to your representative -- especially if you live in the district of Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th) -- urging them to vote "yes" on the Oberstar-LoBiondo amendment to the Transportation Appropriations bill. Tell them they must prevent Bush's Department of Transportation from its dangerous efforts to usurp congressional authority and give foreign investors and companies greater control over U.S. airlines.

If you have news items regarding unions or workplace issues in Washington state that you would like to see posted here, please submit them via e-mail to David Groves or via fax to 206-285-5805.