At AFL-CIO Now:  ▪  U.S.-South Korea trade talks end with arrests of union activists -- The WSLC’s Robby Stern and Jeff Johnson, along with several leaders of the South Korean labor movement, were arrested (not just cited, Mike!™) while protesting the trade talks in Seattle.

Local news:
▪  In the Vancouver Columbian -- Wal-Mart's bargains carry hidden costs (column by WSLC President Rick Bender) -- Americans are starting to see the link between companies like Wal-Mart and their tax bills, their rising health care costs, and the economic destruction of their communities.
▪  At L&I's website -- L&I seeks Apprenticeship Programs Manager -- The successful applicant to the Department of Labor & Industries will develop and manage the state's apprenticeship program, including budget monitoring, field staff management, strategic planning, and more.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Garbage strike is likely over -- Waste Management truck mechanics (Teamsters Local 174) will vote tonight on a proposed contract.
▪  In today's Oregonian -- Vancouver OKs employee health care contribution -- The City Council approves a 3-year contract with the Joint Labor Coalition, a collection of four unions representing maintenance workers, machinists, building inspectors and code enforcement officers.
▪  In the Spokesman-Review -- Child care workers protest rates -- Calling for higher state subsidies, unionized child care workers (SEIU 925) deliver hundreds of diapers to the governor's office.
▪  In yesterday's Aberdeen Daily World -- Weyerhaeuser cuts weekend shifts at Harbor mills
▪  In today's Bellingham Herald -- L&I taking names to test new employer-reporting system for injuries
▪  In today's Kitsap Sun -- No clear winner in citizens' survey about new NASCAR racetrack

Justice for Sale:
▪  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Gerry Alexander, Tom Chambers for State Supreme Court (editorial endorsements)
▪  In today's News Tribune -- National PAC targets state Chief Justice Alexander -- Virginia-based "tort reform" group pours $355,000 into ad campaign against Gerry Alexander.
▪  In today's News Tribune -- BIAW judicial ads strike low blows (editorial) -- The BIAW ads accuse widely respected Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of being all but senile. The builders' lobbying group supports John Groen, a BIAW associate handpicked by the BIAW for his ideological emphasis on property rights. Groen's ability to be impartial on cases involving property rights and/or the BIAW -- which frequently challenges state regulations -- is suspect, to say the least. 
▪  Today at the Tri-City Herald blog -- Campaigns PAC-king it in over Supreme Court -- Check out BIAW's novel excuse for why they don't put their organization's name on their offensive attack ads. Hint: it's the government's fault!

Other political news:
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Voter error may kill 1 in 5 ballots -- Thousands of Snohomish County's primary ballots will not be counted because voters failed to follow instructions. In a test sample, one in five voters voted along strict party lines but failed to indicate party affiliation, so their votes won't count. -- If you want your vote to count, you must pick a party!
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Cantwell widens her lead; McGavick's DUI goof may be a factor -- Cantwell has surged to a 17-point lead over McGavick in a Sept. 6 survey of Washington voters.

National news:  ▪  AFL-CIO launches "AFL-CIO en Español" -- The comprehensive Spanish- language website offers online information about issues affecting Latino working people.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Safe ports (editorial) -- The Port Security Improvement Act of 2006 (the fight for which is being led by our own Sen. Patty Murray) is moderate bipartisan legislation that contains several common-sense proposals and deserves passage.
▪  Today from AP -- Unions to accounting firms: Backdating? -- The AFL-CIO, one of the largest shareholders in public companies, is seeking to learn about the role that big accounting firms may have played in the burgeoning stock options timing affair.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- GOP inaction on immigration gives Dems an opportunity (Harrop column) -- Democrats who vow to enforce employer sanctions are drawing broad support across the U.S.
▪  Today from AP -- Teacher strike keeps schools shut in Detroit -- Thousands of striking teachers defy a judge's order to return to work Monday, as school officials and the union resume talks.
▪  In today's Chicago Sun-Times -- Chicago Mayor Daley vetoes "big-box" living wage ordinance
▪  In today's LA Times -- China's trade surplus swells to record $18.8 billion in August
▪  In today's NY Times -- President Bush's reality (editorial) -- If a strategy to end the violence in Iraq exists, it seems unlikely that President Bush could see it through the filter of his fantasies.

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.

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