Local news:
▪  In today's Olympian -- 600 lose jobs at Centralia coal mine; power plant to continue -- TransAlta Corp. announces it has closed its Centralia coal mine, putting 600 employees (IUOE members) out of work and dealing a significant blow to the Lewis County economy.
▪  Today from AP -- Paccar to eliminate Renton shift -- Both plants will be left with one daily shift because of an expected downturn the company blames on new federal emissions regulations.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Paccar plans worker cuts -- The company doesn't say how many will get laid off, but IAM District Lodge 160 says the reduction could amount to 160 to 170 workers out of 480 in its unit alone. The layoffs could also affect workers in other units, represented by another Machinists local as well as by the Sheet Metal Workers and Painters unions.
▪  In today's News Tribune -- Nurses to picket at St. Joseph -- Registered nurses will picket outside the Tacoma hospital today in hopes of drawing attention to concerns -- including staffing levels and wage increases -- they have with the proposed contract now under negotiation between the nurses’ union and the hospital. (Learn more at the Washington State Nurses Association site.)
▪  In today's NY Times -- Boeing not afraid to say "sold out" -- With airlines lining up to buy Boeing planes, the company is trying to manage what could be too much of a good thing. Granted, it is a potential problem that is much easier to tackle now that its archrival, Airbus, is stumbling.
▪  In the Stranger -- Shut up and drive: Metro transit union accused of squelching worker complaints ▪  In yesterday's Everett Herald -- More city workers in Marysville budget -- Annexations have increased the city's need for engineers, maintenance workers and inspectors.

Legislative news:
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Legislature gathers for first time -- Most state legislators will attend "committee days," which offer a sneak preview of what might emerge as hot issues in 2007.
▪  In the Nov. 24 Olympian -- Labor groups have fresh goals for state Democrats -- Democrats, who remember losing big majorities in the 1994 elections -- when they overreached with tax increases and failed to inspire labor volunteers with other efforts -- don't want to repeat history.
▪  In the Nov. 20 Seattle Times -- State considers new rules on crane safety -- Rep. Steve Conway says lawmakers are focusing on the frequency of crane inspections and operator certification.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Lawsuit over funding schools is huge (Virgin column) -- This case has the potential to affect not just Washington's public school system but state government budgets and what individuals and businesses pay in taxes in this state. It has the potential to reverberate across not just educational but economic, civic, community and business circles. Or not.

National news:
▪  In Sunday's News Tribune -- Free trade endangered in new Congress (editorial) -- Washington state is a working demonstration of how international trade offers a big net advantage to those who don’t run away from it. Our congressional delegation has a duty to get that message out.
▪  In today's Wash. Post -- Union (AFGE) looks to Democrats on TSA screeners' rights -- Baggage and passenger screeners are not allowed to bargain over terms and conditions of employment. AFGE hopes to get the Democratic majority to take another look at whether that ban is justified.
▪  Today from AP -- Supreme Court hears pay-discrimination lawsuit -- At issue is whether employees must complain about pay discrimination within six months or forfeit their claim.
▪  In today's Wash. Post -- Pastor chosen to lead Christian Coalition resigns in dispute over agenda -- Pastor wants to reduce poverty and fight global warming, but the group resists his efforts.