THURSDAY, JULY 19  ▪  Pirates of the Health Care-ibbean rally Aug. 4 targets Regence -- The Seattle rally and march will decry Regence Blue Shield's 19% to 40% rate increases, despite having more than $890 million excess surplus, an increase of 78% since 2003.

Grocery talks:
▪  Yesterday's posting -- Grocery chains must "fix the bread gap, share the success!" -- UFCW members hold a sidewalk demonstration of the gap between CEO salaries and their wages -- in loaves of bread -- today outside Seattle's lower Queen Anne Safeway store. (Check out the event's YouTube "Fix the Bread Gap" video at www.ShareTheSuccess.org.)
▪  In today's Orange Co. Register -- Southern California workers vote on contract Sunday -- Union leaders have vowed for three years that the next contract will scrap the two-tier system. Asked if the union met its objective, one union official said: "We accomplished our main goal."
▪  In today's LA Times -- A collective (bargaining) sigh of relief -- The tentative 4-year contract deal between grocery stores and their union takes the pressure off workers and shoppers. People familiar with the agreement say it includes the first scheduled raises since 2002; raises the top wage rate for all employees, not just veterans; and slashes the amount of time newer workers have to wait to get health insurance for themselves and their families.

Local news:
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- State unions go after top brass -- Despite the billions that Democrats have poured into salaries, schools and state parks, unions have expressed their discontent with state leaders in the form of no-confidence votes, rebukes and public criticism. (State Republican Party Boss) Luke Esser says the complaints reflect poorly on Gov. Chris Gregoire's leadership.
▪  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Closed-door unions (editorial) -- The problem with a judge's decision (requiring public disclosure of state-employee contract bargaining session notes) is that it doesn't kick in until after it's too late for citizens to do anything about those deals.
▪  In today's Olympian -- State needs more socials workers to keep track of children, DSHS says -- Even with the addition of 388 positions in the Children’s Administration between 2005 and 2009, officials say more are needed to reduce caseloads and allow more frequent visits.
▪  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Carpenters' picket line draws complaints in Spokane -- Tenants and customers of some downtown Spokane buildings have been complaining about loud and raucous protests. The Carpenters are protesting "substandard practices" by a contractor.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Swedish Medical Center closes sleep center; layoffs to come
▪  At ShiftBreak.com -- Food servers, Unite Here fight back against company grab of gratuities (MP3) 
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Fear, rumors are life for illegals doing America's "dirty work" (Jamieson column) -- Early Tuesday, Latino workers at a West Seattle seafood-processing complex thought immigration officials were closing in and ran for their lives. It turned out to be only a rumor.

Oregon news:
▪  In today's Oregonian -- Beaverton city workers close to deal -- The agreement avoids a strike vote set for next week, but delays for two years some difficult decisions about health care benefits.
▪  In today's Salem S-J -- Oregon PERS Board considers pension boost for retirees -- About 25,000 retirees could get a 2% bump next month, their first cost-of-living adjustments in four years.

Election news: 
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Rep. Strow to seek Island Co. seat -- The 10th District Republican will apply for the appointment to finish a departing Island County Commissioner's term.
▪  In the Columbian -- Realtors back simple majority -- It will support a proposed constitutional amendment on this fall's ballot allowing school districts to pass levies by a simple majority vote and will contribute $10,000 toward its passage.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Reichert challenged on two fronts (editorial) -- The public will benefit from a vigorous primary debate between two Democrats, Darcy Burner and state Sen. Rodney Tom of Medina, who entered the race this week.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Presidential candidates shift as GOP field alters -- John McCain's decline and the rising profile of Fred Thompson as a prospective contender forces rewritten strategies.

Health care news:
▪  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Free health coverage expands -- Starting Sunday, any family of four living on $51,625 or less a year will qualify for cheap, or free, health insurance for their kids.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Health care at stake for low-income kids -- Our state will get millions more a year for uninsured children if a bill making its way through the U.S. Senate becomes law.
▪  In today's Wash. Post -- Bush: No deal on children's health plan -- Bush rejects entreaties by his GOP allies that he compromise with Democrats on legislation to renew the popular program.