Legislative news:
▪  In today's Olympian -- Gov. Gregoire proposes workers' comp tax holiday -- Businesses and workers could get a $315 million tax break next year: a 6-month suspension of the medical-aid portion of L&I taxes. Hearings scheduled: 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at L&I office in Tukwila; 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Ridpath in Spokane; at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at L&I office in Tumwater; and at 1 p.m. Dec. 18 at L&I's office in Yakima. Union members: Mark your calendars, attend and support this plan!
▪  In yesterday's Daily News -- True campaign finance reform is a tricky matter (editorial) -- The most effective election law reforms generally are aimed at making the process more transparent.
▪  In today's King County Journal -- Mercer Island's Clibborn to chair House Transportation -- Rep. Hunter will head House Finance and Rep. Simpson will head the Local Government Committee.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Key transportation post goes to foe of tunnel -- The high costs of digging a tunnel "and the risk of not knowing what's underground" convinced her it was not a good idea, Clibborn said. "I hope we can work together to come up with something we can all agree on."
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Dunshee gains budget leadership -- Rep. Fromhold will be chair of the Capital Budget Committee as Dunshee becomes Sommers' vice chair of House Appropriations.
▪  From AP -- Eyman returns with another initiative -- Tomorrow's special report: Sun comes up.

Today's quiz -- Which party cares about government efficiency?
▪  In today's Olympian -- Audits improve efficiency (editorial) -- With solid support from the public and Gregoire, Sonntag and his staff have a mandate to ferret out inefficiencies and save tax dollars.
▪  Today at AFLCIO.org -- Bush appointee cutting budget for finding government waste, fraud -- The former government contractor who has taken over the GSA compares the Inspector General and his staff to terrorists, claiming they have “gone too far” in efforts audit government contracts.

Local news:
▪  In today's King County Journal -- Boeing hiring to continue into 2007 -- It added 401 workers in the Puget Sound area last month and expects to continue hiring, thanks to surge in 737 sales.
▪  In today's King County Journal -- Crane cracks blamed on weather -- Rain water accumulated inside the legs of the crane and suddenly froze last week. L&I now wants all cranes inspected.
▪  In today's Kitsap Sun -- Hood Canal bridge project ahead of schedule

National news:
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- "AFL-CIO determined to restore workers' right to organize"
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Postal service, NALC take their differences to arbitration -- NALC president William H. Young says outsourcing was the main issue preventing an agreement. He said the Postal Service "has signaled its intention" to use contractors for "existing city carrier work," such as delivering mail to homes and businesses in the nation's metropolitan areas.
▪  In today's NY Times -- With the Democratic Congress, groups gear up for fight over paid sick days -- Studies show that nearly half of American workers do not receive paid sick days, but the GOP and business lobbyists complain that creating a new requirement would drive up their costs.
▪  In today's NY Times -- 2 Las Vegas hospitals bar nurses in contract dispute -- Hundreds of SEIU nurses turned away from work in what management vows will be at least a five-day lockout.

All union organizations affiliated or chartered with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, are invited and encouraged to submit nominations of members to serve on WSLC Standing Committees. These are active, high-profile committees that have developed national reputations for their advocacy on behalf of union members and working families, and they are a great way to become involved in the efforts of your State Labor Council.

Following is a list and description of each standing committee with vacancies or expired positions (the number of vacancies as of December 31, 2006, is in parentheses). Follow the links for a list of current committee members.

Economic Development and Transportation (6) -- This committee examines the state's economy and transportation issues, and explores, in cooperation with state agencies and other organizations, how best we can maintain a viable infrastructure that promotes a strong economy based on family-wage jobs.  Meetings are held quarterly.

Education, Training and Apprenticeship (3) -- This committee meets quarterly, in conjunction with Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council meetings, in various locations around the state. This committee concentrates on public and vocational education and statewide apprenticeship programs.

WISHA Monitoring (9) -- This committee monitors the enforcement and implementation of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, one of the strongest occupational safety and health laws in the country.  Committee members sometimes testify on proposed job safety and health legislation, and participate in seminars and workshops on job safety and health issues. This committee meets quarterly.  Meetings last through lunch.

Women's Committee (7) -- This committee maintains an interest in issues of special concern to working women, encourages rank-and-file union women to seek and obtain leadership roles within their unions, and raises funds for leadership training scholarships for rank-and-file union women.  It sponsors workshops and conferences related to these issues.  Membership is not limited to women.  This committee meets quarterly.

Nominees must be members of affiliated or chartered unions. Committee members may be reappointed.  Background information about nominees will be helpful in making appointment decisions.  All nominations must identify the local union membership of the nominee.  Please include a home address, daytime phone number, and legislative district for each nominee.

The WSLC hosts committee members for lunch or dinner in connection with meetings and reimburses members for travel expenses. The Council does not pay for time lost from work to attend committee meetings.

Being appointed to a Washington State Labor Council standing committee is both an honor and an obligation. Members are expected to participate in committee meetings and programs. Committee members will have an opportunity to meet members of other unions about issues of concern to organized labor and help develop policy recommendations for the WSLC. Members should also expect to work with the WSLC officers and staff to increase affiliation with the Council.

Please submit your nominations (download the form) by February 15, 2007. Any committee member whose term expires December 31, 2006, but wishes to be reappointed to that committee must submit their name on this form. If you need further information or assistance, contact Janet Hays at 206-281-8901.