Local news:  ▪  What NLRB's ruling means for nurses (WSNA.org)
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- State ranks 8th in job growth -- We still don't suck (and never did). Mr. Mulally? Has anyone seen Mr. Mulally?
▪  Today from AP -- Deliveries approach 2002 highs -- The 100 commercial airplane deliveries reported in the third quarter are the first time Boeing has reached that mark since 2002.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Airbus woes threaten 787 rival -- The twice-delayed A380 program prompts the company to consider moving production to France and scrapping its midsize A350.
▪  In today's Olympian -- Gregoire trumpets efforts for efficiency
▪  At The Olympian's blog -- Again, what do non-union state workers get for raises?
▪  In the Aberdeen Daily World -- Weyerhaeuser denies all Cosmopolis requests for relief
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- A win for port security -- In a celebration at the Port of Everett, officials (including ILWU 32 President Mark Sullivan) praise a bill to improve safety.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Bush administration foes step out -- Across the state, more than 250 events are held, including in Seattle, Bellingham, Everett, Tacoma, Olympia and Spokane.

Political news:
▪  In today's Longview Daily News -- Sen. Mark Doumit resigns -- The Democrat resigns mid-term to become director of the Washington Forest Protection Association. Democratic PCOs will meet to nominate three Democrats, and county commissioners will appoint Doumit's replacement. Reps. Blake and Takko say they're interested, but plan to stay focused on their House races.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Reichert touts law record, but critics don't see it that way -- Some says his actions reveal an ambitious self-promoter, an inexperienced manager prone to poor decisions, and even a close-minded detective more obstacle than asset to a serial murder investigation.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Reichert's supervision questioned in '96 arson -- He knew that a sergeant under his command was meddling in a felony arson investigation, but kept him on the job.
▪  In today's Spokesman-Review -- McMorris, Goldmark square off in Spokane debate 
▪  In the Columbian -- Property rights measure raises concerns -- State and local fishing organizations warn that Initiative 933, the property rights initiative, would roll back a decade of stream protection rules and threaten habitat restoration efforts on waterways statewide.
▪  In today's Olympian -- Initiative 933 won't solve property issue (editorial) -- I-933 goes too far and is too costly. Vote “No” on I-933 and send the property rights issue back to the Legislature.
▪  In yesterday's Seattle Times -- GOP candidates face competitive legislative races in Eastside 

Do-Nothing Doc Probes Foley:
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Foley investigation pulls Washington's Rep. Hastings into spotlight
▪  In the Bellingham Herald -- Hastings' challenge: Keep Foley probe on track -- Hastert handpicked the Pasco Republican for the ethics post, and Hastings has been a longtime Hastert supporter.
▪  In the Seattle Times -- A House crying out for ethics (editorial) -- Hastings, the do-nothing leader of the Ethics Committee, has a chance to step up and find out exactly who knew what, when, and then lead his committee to action. Meaningful action will take fortitude and independence. Hastings hasn't demonstrated any of either but he has a clear opportunity to surprise us.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Doc shortchanges Eastern Washington voters (Yakima H-R editorial) -- Doc's refusal to meet with the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board is the first time in our memory that a sitting office-holder has refused our request for an endorsement interview. For Hastings to say it is not important enough to give an hour of his time is both arrogant and disrespectful to the Central Washington voters who have supported him in the past.

Immigration Reform The Great Fence of America update:
▪  In yesterday's Yakima H-R -- Nation asked for immigration reform but got a fence instead (editorial)
▪  In today's Washington Post --  In border fence's path, congressional roadblocks -- No sooner did Congress authorize construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border than lawmakers rushed to approve separate legislation ensuring it will never be built, at least not as advertised.

Other national news:
▪  Today from AP -- 12,000 (USW) strike Goodyear; company says it won't close 16 affected plants
▪  Today from Bloomberg -- SEIU shows slow growth one year after split from AFL-CIO -- AFL-CIO organizing director Stewart Acuff says that while the rift has damaged solidarity and hurt relationships, the fallout hasn't been as bad as initially predicted.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Falling into the doughnut hole (editorial) -- The new Medicare prescription drug program contains a gap in coverage that will force millions of elderly Americans to pay for their medicines out of pocket until they qualify for catastrophic coverage.
▪  In today's News Tribune -- Publisher of LA Times fired after refusing to cut more staff

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.

Copyright © 2006   Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO