WSLC Reports Today -- August 16, 2006

WSLC Reports Today
Updated DAILY... Almost Every Day™ by 9 a.m.

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, AUGUST 16 ▪ Concrete suppliers try to break solidarity in IUOE strike -- Mediated talks break down as management continues to insist on taking away the Operating Engineers' federal right to honor other unions' picket lines. Now in its 16th day, the strike has begun to shut down construction projects all around King County. No new talks are scheduled.
▪ In today's Seattle P-I -- Mediation hits wall in concrete strike -- Honoring other unions' picket lines is the biggest issue, says one IUOE member, noting that Teamsters were honoring his strike: "If they go on strike, we have to go to work or we'd be fired. I'm not crossing a picket line." Says management: "There needs to be, I think, some compromise there."
▪ In today's Seattle Times -- Talks fail to crack concrete dispute -- Mediator says he'll keep trying.

Political news: ▪ More Labor Neighbor walks planned for Saturday, Aug. 26
▪ Today from AP -- Court asked to ax 3,000 pages of Eymans car-tab initiative signatures -- The WSLC is among the organizations challenging the validity of these petitions because the signature-gatherers did not sign them, as required under a 2005 fraud-prevention law.
▪ Today at the Horse's Ass blog -- I declare: Suit seeks to toss 3,000 petitions for Eyman's I-917
▪ In today's Seattle P-I -- Partisan prince (editorial) -- (For Republicans Mike!™ McGavick and Sen. Bill Frist) to charge Cantwell with partisan obstructionism is to forget who linked such disparate measures in the legislation in the first place. As Frist cast the choice, a sales-tax exemption particularly valuable to the state's working- and middle-class residents came shackled to a tax break for the nation's wealthiest elite and a gut-punch wage cut for folks who depend on tips.
▪ In today's Seattle P-I -- State justices defend rulings; challengers' special-interest money at issue
▪ In today's Wash. Post -- Jimmy Carter's son wins Nevada Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
▪ In today's Wash. Post -- First Lady is "critical asset" at Republican fundraisers -- Laura Bush, who jokes that she does not much like politics, headlines three events today in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. (She'll hit Bellevue and the Tri-Cities on Aug. 30 to raise more money for Mike!™)

Local news:
▪ In today's Olympian -- Unions, state near final stage of negotiations -- The unions want to finish in time to let their members vote on new two-year contracts before the end of September, and the largest union might be in position to finish talks first. When the WFSE returns to negotiations Tuesday, it plans to continue bargaining until it reaches a deal, possibly within three days.
▪ At the Olympian's blog -- Is it just you or is the dues ceiling higher these days? -- WFSE confirms that, as it has for decades, the maximum dues increased along with wages by 1.6%.
▪ In today's Everett Herald -- Citizens help choose state's budget priorities (editorial) -- Gregoire is to be commended for the depth of civic engagement she has fostered. She makes a convincing case that she's truly more interested in representing citizens at large than listening to special-interest lobbyists. Having heard directly from so many citizens on so many topics, Gregoire is in a better position to make budget choices that reflect the public's priorities.
▪ In today's News Tribune -- Limiting state spending growth mitigates boom-bust cycle (Dick Davis column) -- From higher pay and better benefits to more money for a host of good and not-so-good causes, the 2007 legislative session is sizing up to be a demand-side romp.
▪ In yesterday's Daily World -- Environmentalists, labor find common ground in Blue-Green Coalition

National news:
▪ Today from AP -- Labor tries to heal their differences -- A year after their breakup, the AFL-CIO and the breakaway Change to Win alliance are negotiating an agreement that would allow them to coordinate their massive effort to educate and mobilize workers for the mid-term elections.
▪ In today's News Tribune -- Cash-balance pensions could (will) hurt workers -- More traditional pension plans could switch to “cash balance” pension plans, thanks to last week's federal appeals court ruling that IBM's cash-balance pension didn’t violate age-discrimination laws. The GAO reports that most workers, regardless of age, get lower benefits under these plans.
▪ In today's Seattle Times -- Pension changes: What you need to know -- A bill about to be signed into law includes the most sweeping changes to U.S. pension laws in more than 30 years.
▪ In today's Wash. Post -- Wal-Mart defends itself, this time to its own workers -- The retailer sends letters to its 18,000 workers in Iowa, lambasting critics and political leaders for attacking the company during a nationwide bus tour sponsored by labor unions. The move marks the first time the company has solicited support from its own employees to help polish its image and is the first step in an aggressive new campaign dubbed the Voter Education Program.
▪ Today from AP -- WTO reverses ruling in U.S.-Canadian softwood dispute
▪ In today's NY Times -- Daily average of at least 110 Iraqis killed in July -- Is it Civil War yet?

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006
Concrete suppliers try to break solidarity in IUOE strike
Management wants to take away workers' federal right to honor picket lines

Help on the picket lines!

IUOE Local 302 is asking for help in staffing the picket lines. There are about 100 members on strike at several locations and the picketing is stretched thin. The Union would welcome any help from unions inside or outside the building trades. An injury to one is still an injury to all!

Picketers can meet at Glacier Northwest site, 5975 E. Marginal Way (by the 1st Avenue Bridge in Seattle), any time. IUOE Local 302 members will be there to welcome you every morning starting at about 6 a.m. Come join us for an hour, a day, or however long it takes.

Click here for more information or a list of other locations being picketed.

Today is the 16th day of a strike by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 members against Cadman, Glacier Northwest, Salmon Bay and Stoneway. These companies are the main suppliers of rock, sand, gravel and concrete to King County construction projects. The walkout that began at midnight July 31 is now delaying projects across the county.

Federal mediation has failed to resolve one of the biggest issues of the strike -- contract language that retains Local 302 members' right to support other crafts that are forced to go out on strike. Barry Meade, vice president and general manager of Cadman, told the Seattle P-I today that management has offered "limited sympathy-strike language," adding "there needs to be, I think, some compromise there."

"We don't limit our federal rights and our ability to show solidarity with our fellow workers," said Allan Darr, Business Manager for IUOE 302. "We should have the right given us under federal law to honor picket lines." He said all other unions at the struck plants have contract language allowing them to honor picket lines, and so have IUOE members in their previous contracts.

Darr said that the union has provided five different proposals, all of which have been dismissed out of hand. No more talks are scheduled at this time.

"It appears the union is the only side that wants this strike settled," said IUOE picket captain John Downs. "Frankly, I'm embarrassed and disappointed by the behavior of the employers. It appears they are in no hurry to reach an agreement."

Contractors around King County whose projects are being delayed or shut down by the unavailability of concrete, sand, rock and gravel have begun laying off construction workers, said Chris Elwell, executive secretary of the Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council. But he added that his office and individual unions continue to strongly support the striking IUOE members.

The employers' refusal to drop their demand on honoring other unions' picket lines prevented the mediated talks from ever advancing to the other big issue in the strike -- wages.

“This strike is unnecessary," Darr said. "With the cost of living at an all-time high creating an undue burden on our members, coupled with unprecedented growth in commercial, residential and heavy highway construction enhancing the companies’ bottom line, this strike is not necessary.”

He says the union remains willing to return to the bargaining table.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006
More Labor Neighbor walks planned for Saturday, Aug. 26
Volunteers needed to distribute leaflets to fellow union members
for endorsed candidates Lynne Dodson and Rodney Tom

First of all, a big THANK YOU to all of the WSLC affiliates and individual union members who have participated in the early walks and phone banks across the state. Because of your efforts, we have already contacted thousands of union households in support of candidates who, when elected, will be advocates for working families in Olympia -- and in the “other” Washington.

On Saturday, August 26th, we will be stepping up our efforts and canvassing in support of two great candidates -- Lynne Dodson in the 43rd LD and Rodney Tom in the 48th LD. The Aug. 26 Labor Neighbor walks will begin at 10 a.m. with a brief training and then volunteers will be dispatched from the WSLC Seattle office, 314 First Ave. West in lower Queen Anne near the Key Arena, to the district of their choice (either the 43rd or 48th LDs).

All canvassing will be completed by 3 p.m. when there will be food and refreshments for everyone back at WSLC’s office. If you or your union would like to help, please RSVP by filling out our online Volunteer Form or contacting WSLC Field Mobilization Director Benjamin Lawver at 206-281-8901 ext 17. Please include the legislative district and number of volunteers with your RSVP so we are sure to have materials ready and enough food for everyone.

WHAT: Labor Neighbor Canvass for Lynne Dodson & Rodney Tom

WHEN: Saturday, August 26 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: WSLC Seattle office -- 314 First Ave. West

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.