WSLC Reports Today
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Links are functional at date of posting, but sometimes expire. Some links require free registration.  WSLC Reports Today links to stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative.  The intention is to inform.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007
Trumka: 2008 election is our chance to change the world

Globalization isn't just a fact of life, it's a corporate-driven set of trade and economic rules designed to help Wall Street, but not America's working families, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka said in Thursday's keynote address at the Washington State Labor Council convention in SeaTac.

He challenged the hundreds of union leaders and rank-and-file members in attendance to begin mobilizing now for next year's critical presidential and congressional elections, by saying, "Come next year, we're gonna change those rules!"

Noting the convention theme, "50 Years of Solidarity" celebrating the 50th anniversary of the WSLC's formation, Trumka pointed out that many of the local organizations of unions that withdrew from the AFL-CIO have rejoined state and local labor councils through Solidarity Charters.

"Once again, you've proven that union members are wiser than their leaders, and I thank you for that," Trumka said.

ALSO THURSDAY

WSLC President Rick Bender opened the convention Thursday with updates regarding the outcome of legislation affecting Washington's working families during the 2007 legislative session, and what delegates can expect to be next year's priority issues.

One of those priorities, he said, will be the Worker Privacy Act, which will bar employers in this state from forcing their workers to attend meetings related to religious views, politics, or unionization. Employers would still have the freedom to conduct such meetings, but their employees could choose not to participate without facing retribution under the legislation.

Noting the Washington state has set a national example on issues ranging from the minimum wage to family leave, Bender asked delegates, "Wouldn't we be proud to be the first state to pass this legislation?" 

Mary Beth Maxwell, Executive Director of American Rights at Work, led a panel of speakers on the topic of union organizing, and expressed optimism that the Employee Free Choice Act will be passed and federal labor law reformed to restore the free dome to form unions. "It's not a question of if, but when it will pass," she said. 

Also Thursday:

• Apollo Alliance Director Jerome Ringo gave convention delegates a status report on the effort to build a clean-energy economy that creates jobs, protects the environment and decreases America's dependence on foreign oil

• A panel of transportation speakers explained the importance of passing the regional transportation package in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties this fall

• The organizational Mother Jones Award was presented to UNITE HERE Local 8, which was recognized for its creative organizing and campaign efforts in all aspects of its organization.

FRIDAY

Sen. Patty Murray opened Friday's session of the WSLC 2007 Convention by recalling the success of the Council since its formation in 1957 and congratulating delegates for being part of an organization that has made Washington state a better place to live and work. She urged that the same level of solidarity continue for the next 50 years. (Click here for a transcript of Sen. Murray's speech.)

"We can achieve more together than we ever could apart," Murray said. "When working families stand together, America wins."

Murray earned a standing ovation reminded delegates that she was a proud co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, historic labor law reform that passed the House but failed to garber the 60 Senate votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster.  She vowed to continue that fight.

"Every 23 minutes an employer fires or retaliates against an employee for supporting unionization. That is unacceptable," she said.

Later Thursday, King County Executive Ron Sims brought the crowd to its feet when he shouted, "War is always a challenge, but it is time for our troops to be brought back home."

Sims also described the success in his county of reducing health care costs by empowering county employees to take control of their own health care outcomes by focusing more on preventative care and leading healthy lifestyles. He is practicing what he preaches having lost a significant amount of weight since the last time he addressed the convention.

"I remember celebrating the day I went from 'obesity' to 'overweight,' and frankly, I've still got a way to go to get from 'overweight' to 'fitness'," Sims said. "But there has got to be personal responsibility in health care and we have to articulate that."

Also Friday: 

• Delegates heard from panelists on immigration rights, next year's state health care legislation, and this fall's ballot initiatives. 

• The individual Mother Jones Award was presented Susan Veltfort of AFSCME Local 1857, the Bruce Brennan Award for outstanding advocacy in support of apprenticeship and job training went to Mark Maher of Cement Masons Local 528, and a special Bread and Roses Award was presented to Seattle Labor Chorus choir master Janet Stecker. 

• Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown described the many successes that labor achieved this past session, including passage of paid family leave legislation: "People should not have to choose between their job and their child."

On Saturday, delegates will consider, debate and pass resolutions guiding WSLC policies and priorities in the coming year. The approved resolutions will be posted here next week.