FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
WSLC calls for an end to the United States occupation of Iraq

Delegates representing the affiliated unions of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO -- the largest union organization in Washington state, representing some 500 union organizations and 400,000 rank-and-file union members -- have adopted a resolution calling for the United States government to begin a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq immediately.

Resolution 19, approved Aug. 23 at the WSLC's 2006 Convention in Wenatchee, urges that "the U.S. government begin immediately a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops, taking into account the safety of those troops, and to the extent possible, the safety of the Iraqi people, so the U.S. soldiers and reservists can return to their homes and families."

Among the reasons cited are the false pretenses under which the Bush administration invaded Iraq, the failure to find any weapons of mass destruction or the capability to deploy them, the mounting casualties among U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians, the hundreds of billions of dollars spent in Iraq while pressing domestic needs are not funded, corporate contracting abuse by war profiteers, Iraqi trade unionists who have called upon their American counterparts to urge an immediate U.S. troop withdrawal, and the overwhelming public disapproval for the Bush administration's war in Iraq.

According to an August 2006 poll by Princeton Survey Research, 63% of Americans disapprove of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, while 31% approve. When asked, "In general, do you think the Iraq war has made Americans safer from terrorism, or not?" fully 63% say America is now less safe, while just 32% believe we are safer.

Resolution 19 marks the second time that WSLC delegates have formally called for an end to the U.S. occupation in Iraq.  In August 2004, WSLC delegates approved a similar resolution, making the Washington State Labor Council one of the first AFL-CIO state federations in the country to do so.

Resolution 19 points out that, since the 2004 resolution was adopted, "the situation in Iraq has grown increasingly worse with more U.S. forces being sent to Iraq; an admission by several active high-ranking military officers in the field of battle that Iraq is now suffering from a civil war; and more U.S. soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians are needlessly dying and suffering as a result of the occupation."

The WSLC will now forward Resolution 19 to the AFL-CIO and recommend its adoption at the national level. In July 2005, the national delegates to the AFL-CIO adopted Resolution 53, which called for a rapid withdrawal of “the brave men and women deployed in Iraq.”  Resolution 53 also addressed the needs of returning veterans and union members, and emphasized the commitment of the AFL-CIO to support Iraqi trade unionists.

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Also see: WSLC endorses HR 676, single-payer universal health care

In the coming days, other resolutions approved at the WSLC Convention will be described here at WSLC Reports Today. See all of the 2006 WSLC resolutions.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
WSLC seeks applicants for WIA Labor Liaison position

The following position has been posted by the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, with a start date in October, or as soon as possible.  Please send cover letters and resumes to the WSLC, Attn: Jan Hays, 314 First Ave. West, Seattle, WA, 98119:

WIA Labor Liaison Director

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position serves as the liaison between organized labor and the Rapid Response / Dislocated Worker services of the state of Washington and its 12 workforce areas.  The WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Labor Liaison is responsible for representing the interests of workers in the development and implementation of federal, state and local policy.  He/she will assist unions with unemployment issues; understand and use state and federal law and policy to intervene on behalf of workers and organized labor, when appropriate; investigate and prepare Trade Act petitions and appeals; be knowledgeable about and represent our members interests in training related to dislocated worker programs.  The WIA Labor Liaison will work with Labor Representatives on the 12 local Workforce Development Councils in the state, and the 12 local Rapid Response teams, as well as the State Dislocated Worker Unit Staff. 

The WIA Labor Liaison position reports to the President of the WSLC.

DESCRIPTION OF DUITIES:

1. Work directly with the DWU of Employment Security in the gathering of information, contact data, etc. for implementation of Rapid Response activities in the event of a plant closure, downsizing, or layoff event.

2. Develop and present information to workers affected by plant closure/layoff in Rapid Response presentations.

3. Provide technical assistance to the State’s Dislocated Worker Unit and local Workforce Development Councils ( WDC ’s) related to employment and training issues, and collective bargaining issues in layoff/downsizing events

4. Provide technical assistance to local WDC ’s in placing and training Peer Outreach Workers, as needed, and in the development of layoff aversion strategies, including layoff aversion strategies such as prefeasibility studies and incumbent worker strategies.

5. Perform outreach activities to WSLC affiliates and others to inform represented workers about the services available through WIA and other employment and training programs for dislocated workers.

6. Improve the quality of business and labor participation throught he formation of Labor/Management Committees to oversee and recommend local action by the employment and training agencies in a particular layoff/downsizing event.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of and experience with the labor movement, and the ability to effectively advocate for labor.
  

• Ability to work independently within the framework of federal, state local employment and training statute and policy, and the policies and procedures of the WSLC
  

• Ability to represent labor’s position relating to services delivered by employment and training agencies
  

• Ability to work with ever-changing leadership of all affiliates and others
  

• Excellent communications skills – listening, interpersonal, written and verbal
  

• Ability to translate bureaucrat-speak to rank and file members
  

• Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed, and for extended periods of time
  

• Good driving record

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Salary Range: $1,237-$1,329 per week

• Benefits: health care, pension, deferred compensation program; auto, auto insurance paid by employer

• Start Date: October, or as soon as possible

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
Strike by Waste Management truck mechanics is imminent

The following press release was distributed Thursday afternoon by Teamsters Local 174:

A strike of 45 Teamster truck mechanics is imminent at several Waste Management facilities in King and Snohomish Counties because of the employer’s unfair labor practices and failure to bargain in good faith on a contract for the mechanics that expired December 31, 2005, according to Dan Scott, Sec Treas. of Local 174.

The mechanics are responsible for the safety and maintenance of several hundred trucks that pick up garbage and recycling for hundreds of thousands of households and businesses in King and Snohomish Counties .  

The 350 Waste Management drivers in most of King and parts of Snohomish County have the legal right to refuse to cross picket lines in the event the mechanics strike.  

“Waste Management negotiators walked away from the bargaining table at 2:30 AM September 7,” Scott said, “despite repeated warnings by the union that a settlement was long overdue.”  

“By their delaying tactics,” Scott said, “Waste Management is needlessly risking a disruption of garbage services, creating substantial expense for the company and severe inconvenience, and health risks for communities throughout the area.”  

The mechanics are still on the job, but could decide to take action against the company at any moment. On August 7 the union issued a 10-day notice to engage in economic action.  

“This company appears to have adopted a strategy of stall and delay in labor negotiations,” Scott said. “For nearly 3 months Waste Management refused to sign and implement the drivers’ contract which was agreed to by the company and ratified by Local 174 members May 7. It was only under the threat of a strike in early August that they finally signed the contract they negotiated in May.”