THURSDAY, JUNE 7  ▪  Wages at issue as IBEW seeks deal with electrical contractors -- Local 46's NECA contract for some 3,000 King County and Peninsula electricians expired in May, but talks continue. The parties are still "far apart on wage increases," says the union.

Local news:  ▪  UFCW to host Seattle Town Hall on disappearing middle class -- UFCW Locals 21, 44 and 81 invite you to join other workers, elected officials and community leaders for a special Seattle Town Hall Forum, "Is the Puget Sound Losing Its Middle Class?" at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 10 at Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. (8th and Seneca). Learn more.
▪  In today's Olympian -- State workers' union rolls expand as payment nears -- More state workers are unionizing just in time to get an earlier raise and pick up a check for $756 next month.
▪  At the Olympian's State Government blog -- Health Care Authority rejoins union fold -- About 80 health insurance benefits specialists join with the Washington Federation of State Employees. Changes to the phone banks that help state workers and Basic Health Plan clients riled the workers, and they turned in enough union cards to form a new bargaining unit without a vote.
today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing plans 787 party for 50,000 -- It will be unveiled July 8 at the Everett plant, but attendance is limited and not open to the public. So Boeing is inviting local employees and retirees to watch the rollout live on the giant screens at Seattle's Qwest Field.
▪  At Postman on Politics -- Boeing lobbyist Al Ralston leaves company to run corporate think tank -- He'll run the Washington Research Council, replacing Richard Davis who quit for an AWB job.
▪  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Appropriations bill would hit Hanford vit plant -- The House bill cuts the budget for the massive vitrification plant under construction to $590 million, a cut of $100 million. But offsetting the budget reduction is an increase of $73 million for work elsewhere at Hanford.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- UW, Sound Transit agree on extension for $1.6 billion -- Construction could begin on a 3.15-mile rail-service extension from downtown to the university by late 2008.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Group continues challenge to Seattle newspapers -- The Committee for a Two-Newspaper Town won't drop claims without a promise to publish both papers for 12 years.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Eastside graduates chasing dreams of vocations and trades -- As graduation approaches, many students aren't looking toward campuses and dormitories. Many are looking forward to vocational or trade schools. Or just vocations and trades.
▪  In today's Oregonian -- Oregon Legislature bans loans with triple-digit rates -- The bill caps all consumer loans at about 36%; payday lenders say it will kill them. The legislation, which takes effect July 1, transforms Oregon from one of the most payday friendly states to one of the most strictly regulated -- with the exception of 10 states that effectively ban payday lending.

Immigration news:
▪  Today from AP -- Immigration bill fails key test vote -- By a vote of 33-63, the Senate fell far short of the 60 votes that would have been needed to limit debate and put it on a path to passage.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Immigration measure survives challenges -- Many amendments were defeated Wednesday. But just after midnight, by a single vote, an amendment was approved to shut down the proposed guest-worker program after five years. Just days after the Senate cut the size of the guest-worker program in half, the change could upset the bill's bipartisan balance.
▪  Today from AP -- Immigration amendment would end temporary worker program after 5 years -- It passes the Senate 49-48; Sen. Patty Murray votes "Yes" and Sen. Maria Cantwell votes "No." 

National news:  ▪  EFCA Call-In Week: Call Sens. Murray, Cantwell NOW! -- Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray are hearing from opponents of the Employee Free Choice Act.  They need to hear from you!  Call toll-free at 1-800-718-1008, and tell them working men and women appreciate their support for the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 1041).
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- Jobless workers need stronger assistance plans -- AFL-CIO tells Congress that the successful unemployment insurance and Trade Adjustment Assistance programs should be made stronger so they fulfill the promise to get jobless workers back on their feet.
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- 2,000 staff members at Rutgers University join AFT -- The New Jersey win comes on the heels of 1,200 dealers at Bally’s Atlantic City voting to join the UAW this week, and 1,450 dealers at Caesars and Trump Plaza who voted for UAW representation in March. 
▪  In today's NY Times -- Chinese auto parts enter global market -- China is moving up from basic goods like textiles, toys and shoes and toward higher-value industrial goods that pay better wages, but also compete more directly with products from countries like Mexico and the U.S.
▪  Today from AP -- Bush approval hits low point -- At just 32%, public approval of the job Bush is doing now matches its all-time low, with widespread discontent over how he is handling the war in Iraq, efforts against terrorism and domestic issues, according to a new AP-Ipsos poll.