WSLC Reports Today
Updated DAILY... Almost Every Day™ 

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.

TUESDAY,  APRIL 15

REMEMBER LEE IACOCCA?  HE IS THE MAN WHO RESCUED CHRYSLER CORPORATION FROM IT'S DEATH THROES? HE HAS A NEW BOOK, AND HERE ARE SOME EXCERPTS.
 
'AM I THE ONLY GUY IN THIS COUNTRY WHO'S FED UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING?
 
WHERE THE HELL IS OUR OUTRAGE? WE SHOULD BE SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER. WE'VE GOT A GANG OF CLUELESS BOZOS STEERING OUR SHIP OF STATE RIGHT OVER A CLIFF, WE'VE GOT CORPORATE GANGSTERS STEALING US BLIND, AND WE CAN'T EVEN CLEAN UP AFTER A HURRICANE MUCH LESS BUILD A HYBRID CAR.

Local News:

• Longshoremen to close ports on West Coast to protest war -- US Labor Against War -- dockworkers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have decided to stop work for eight hours in all U.S. West Coast ports on May 1, International Workers' Day, to call for an end to the war.
• Washington school children celebrate Dalai Lama --Reuters -- The Dalai Lama, wearing a traditional cinnamon-hued robe and brown walking shoes, addressed a crowd of 14,400 school-age children in central Seattle. Underlying a theme of compassion and how it can help end violence and sibling rivalry, he also emphasized the love of mothers, the need to nurture children, forgiveness and a wide range of issues related to compassion during his 25-minute address.
• JOBS 08 -- Bellingham Herald Job Profile -- Our Jobs site details the outlook for job seekers with different levels of training, as well as a look at the hottest job sectors.
• Dalai Lama: How parents can raise healthy, involved children -- Seattle PI -- Overall, the goal of the UW program is to create a healthy and positive bond between parents and their kids, which founders believe is the foundation of a strong family. According to the Dalai Lama, that also is the most basic seed of compassion.
• Fired Everett teacher 'delighted' with deal  -- Everett Herald -- The case had "some young journalism teachers thinking, 'Is this what I want to get into?' " he said. "I would qualify it more as a sigh of relief than something you would feel emboldened about. At least this is a step in the right direction." Powers said she appreciated the help from her union, lawyers and co-workers to get her job back. Many wore buttons and T-shirts and were prepared to use personal leave days to attend the hearing.
• Port official to head state teachers union -- Seattle PI -- John Okamoto, the chief administrator officer for the Port of Seattle, will take over as executive director for the Washington Education Association, which represents 81,000 teachers, support workers and higher education faculty members. Okamoto replaces Armand Tiberio, who resigned Jan. 1 to take a job with the National Education Association.
• Appraisers say WaMu cut corners to increase its mortgage business -- Seattle Times -- As loan volume increased, so did the pressures — and the incentives — for WaMu appraisers to work faster and bypass safeguards that could have protected the bank against the high-risk mortgages now dragging it down, Albertini and other appraisers say. "It's the elimination of oversight in pursuit of profit. ... That's a formula for a breakdown," said appraiser Richard Hagar, who works with Albertini and regularly trains other colleagues and law-enforcement fraud investigators on appraisal standards.

Political and Legislative:

AFL-CIO Congressional Records Available click here for more

• HOV SOL ROSSI-- Horsesass -- Real estate salesman Dino Rossi will introduce his transportation plan Tuesday morning, and I can’t help but wonder what it might include. More freeways and wider bridges? Foot-ferries and monorails? An utterly #@$%*&! ridiculous deep bore tunnel? Well one thing I’m pretty damn sure it won’t include are HOV lanes, because as he told KUOW’s Ross Reynolds back in January of 2003, Rossi doesn’t believe in rewarding drivers for (gasp) carpooling.
• Clinton says she would correct husband's NAFTA mistakes -- AP -- "As smart as my husband is, he does make mistakes," Clinton said. The Democratic presidential candidate said she would fix problems that have led to job losses, or would tell Canada and Mexico the United States is pulling out of the agreement. Trade policy is a key issue in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary on April 22. Many workers blame U.S. trade policy for taking away U.S. jobs.
• Union members urge Democrats to seat Michigan, Florida delegates -- Michigan Live -- Union workers picketed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Monday to pressure party leaders to seat delegates from Michigan and Florida at the party's summer convention. About 40 members of the Michigan and Florida Building and Construction Trade Councils and other unions wore signs and handed out leaflets, creating the odd spectacle of union members, a core constituent of Democrats, demonstrating outside party headquarters.
• Hawaii Governor vetoes bill on union recognition -- Honolulu Advertiser -- Gov. Linda Lingle followed through with her promise yesterday and vetoed a bill that would authorize the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board to recognize union representation when a majority of workers sign union cards — an alternative to union elections by secret ballot....The bill is similar to the Employee Free Choice Act now before Congress.
• Montesano Republican to challenge Rep. Van De Wege -- The Daily World -- A retired Navy commander who telecommutes from his rural Montesano home will run as a Republican against first-term state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim. Robert Randall “Randy” Dutton announced his intention to run for Van De Wege’s seat.

Regional:

• Officials give up jobs, not details -- Oregonian -- Many state and local officials have filed Statement of Economic Interest forms since 1974. But the vote that created the ethics commission and established financial disclosure rules allowed local jurisdictions to opt out -- and six mostly rural counties and 97 small cities did. The 2007 Legislature ended that patchwork system. Now nearly 5,000 officials, ranging from the governor and state agency heads to planning commission members in tiny eastern Oregon towns, have to file the annual reports, along with quarterly reports that list trip expenses paid by third parties, honoraria and certain forms of income. The change -- especially to include family members -- caught many rural officials by surprise, resulting in a flurry of resignations over disclosure they say is invasive and unnecessary.

Columbian Trade Deal:

• The Ludlow legacy, Part 1: Colombia -- Seattle Times -- Ninety-four years ago on April 20, America made international news when a government-sanctioned paramilitary unit murdered Colorado union organizers at a Rockefeller-owned coal mine. The Ludlow Massacre was "a story of horror unparalleled in the history of industrial warfare," wrote The New York Times in 1914 — and the abomination was not just the violence, but the way political and corporate leaders colluded on their homicidal plans to protect profits. Sanitized history teaches that our government has since changed. Quite the contrary, as the Bush administration last week moved to legitimize the methods of Ludlow through its Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Colombia resembles Colorado in the early 20th century, only with more frequent slaughters. In the past two decades, more than 2,500 Colombian labor organizers have been assassinated, making Colombia the world's most dangerous place for unionists.
• Another Democrat not yet ready to approve Colombia deal -- Postman on Politics -- Congressman Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, has serious concerns about the pending free trade deal with Colombia. Baird said that while the Colombia Free Trade Agreement has been improved, he says reports of violence against labor leaders in the country must be stopped. And he is unwilling to vote for the trade pact until that happens.
• Washington Dems unsure of Colombia trade deal -- Postman on Politics -- Democrats in Washington’s Congressional delegation run from cold to lukewarm on the pending trade deal with Colombia. I wrote yesterday about Republican support for the deal, and efforts to get House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to schedule a vote on the agreement.

McCain Myth Busters: 

• Check out the latest on the AFL-CIO's website:

  McCain Revealed. There you will find the real story about Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the Republican nominee for president. McCain has built a media-friendly reputation as a “maverick” and moderate. But there’s nothing moderate about McCain, a loyal ally of Bush who has consistently and perniciously voted against the interests of working families in his decades-long career in Washington.

   

  Click here to go to a page full of previously posted articles on John McCain. 

• Democrats Sue FEC over McCain Finances -- NPR -- The Democratic National Committee has sued the Federal Election Commission, saying the commission failed in its obligation to investigate Republican John McCain's campaign finances. It's another consequence of the FEC's being nonfunctional in the midst of the biggest fundraising season in history — unable to act because it lacks the necessary number of commissioners. 
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• Biden: McCain would put urgent global issues on back burner -- AP -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden says Republican Sen. John McCain would continue President Bush's practice of pursuing the war in Iraq at the expense of other urgent global issues. "When it comes to Iraq, there is no daylight between John McCain and George W. Bush. They are joined at the hip," Biden said in excerpts of remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday at Georgetown University.

National News:

• Delta, Northwest Deal Reveals A Desperate Industry -- CNN -- But the $17.7 billion merger deal was done without an agreement between pilots on how to integrate the carriers' seniority lists, a compromise some analysts - as well as CEO Anderson - have said was crucial to a successful consolidation. While Delta pilots said they would consider the deal, but Northwest pilots have vowed to fight the merger. The two groups are at odds over how to best integrate their seniority lists, which decide a pilot's route, equipment, and ultimately, the size of the pilot's paycheck. "Our goal is to work for a healthy, viable, and profitable airline that provides long-term career growth and security for our pilots," said Captain Lee Moak , chairman of the Delta pilots union.
• Delta and Northwest in $3 Billion Deal -- NY Times -- The deal could be followed quickly by another, airline executives and industry analysts said. A leading candidate is a combination of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, which have explored the idea. The airlines now may try to get the deal wrapped up within the next 30 days, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Monday night. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are private. The Delta-Northwest agreement came despite failed efforts to get pilots at both airlines to agree on how to combine their own ranks, an issue that could lead to labor unrest and disruptions to flight operations in the coming years. Northwest pilots immediately said they would oppose the deal.
• Union rejects mediator   -- Detroit Free Press -- The UAW rejected a request by American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. to bring a federal mediator into negotiations to end a nearly seven-week strike at the Detroit auto parts supplier. The two sides remained far apart as talks continued over the weekend, a local union official said. One example of the differences is apparent in the company's latest proposal, which included separate wage and benefit structures for workers in its forging and axle operations.
• AFL-CIO PayWatch: Mortgage Company CEOs Fueled Crisis --AFL-CIO Blog -- What makes the excessive pay for the CEOs of mortgage-related companies so egregious is that for many Americans, their home is their most valuable asset and an important source of financial security for their retirement. And for a growing number of working families, the American Dream of homeownership has become a nightmare. American workers are being hit by a double-whammy as they lose not only their homes, but also their retirement savings, as pension funds bear the brunt of overwhelming losses faced by financial institutions.
• Costs hammer U.S. food sellers --  AP -- The U.S. is wrestling with the worst food inflation in 17 years, and analysts expect new data due Wednesday to show it's getting worse. That's putting the squeeze on poor families and forcing bakeries, bagel shops and delis to explain price increases to their customers.
• Retailing Chains Caught in a Wave of Bankruptcies -- NY Times -- Since last fall, eight mostly midsize chains — as diverse as the furniture store Levitz and the electronics seller Sharper Image — have filed for bankruptcy protection as they staggered under mounting debt and declining sales. But the troubles are quickly spreading to bigger national companies, like Linens ‘n Things, the bedding and furniture retailer with 500 stores in 47 states. It may file for bankruptcy as early as this week, according to people briefed on the matter.
• AFTRA rejects SAG offer for joint talks -- NY Times News Service -- On Sunday, SAG's national board voted to let AFTRA join its negotiations with producers on a new contract for feature film and prime-time TV. SAG gave AFTRA, whose own talks with producers are set to begin April 28, until Wednesday to respond. In its letter, AFTRA said it didn't appear there has been resolution of the "underlying problems" that prompted its national board to suspend the 27-year-old agreement under which the unions have bargained in tandem.

Health Care:

• Co-Payments Soar for Drugs With High Prices --  NY Times -- Health insurance companies are rapidly adopting a new pricing system for very expensive drugs, asking patients to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for prescriptions for medications that may save their lives or slow the progress of serious diseases. With the new pricing system, insurers abandoned the traditional arrangement that has patients pay a fixed amount, like $10, $20 or $30 for a prescription, no matter what the drug’s actual cost. Instead, they are charging patients a percentage of the cost of certain high-priced drugs, usually 20 to 33 percent, which can amount to thousands of dollars a month.
• Union Plus Offers Prescription Savings for Union Members -- AFL-CIO Blog -- A new prescription drug program from Union Plus could save union members and their families an average of 20 percent on brand-name drugs and up to 55 percent on generics. The new online prescription discount card—part of the Union Plus Health Savings program—is free for union members and its benefits apply to all family members in your household.
• Healthcare system unprepared for aging boomers, study finds -- LA Times -- The American medical system is woefully unprepared for the flood of aging baby boomers, according to a sweeping federal study released Monday, which predicted crisis-level shortages in healthcare workers and serious gaps in training. The Institute of Medicine report -- "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce" -- estimates that there currently is only one physician certified in geriatrics for every 2,500 older Americans and that turnover among nurse's aides averages 71% annually.
  

From a new report by Families USA -- this is just a snapshot... 

click here for the full report: Dying For Coverage

Democracy: The Cornerstone of Community

By Paul Lee

(Paul is a shop steward at OPEIU Local 8)

           Saturday April 5^th was the date that I discovered the power of democracy and why it is so integral to the formation of community. This year the 37^th Legislative District held their caucus at Cleveland High school , home of the fighting Eagles. The energy was high and people seemed enthusiastic. We heard from party notables and elected officials. Both Clinton and Obama supporters were out in force! But something happened that night that was truly transcendent.  

            It was about 4:30PM and all the festivities had ended, people had already given their speeches, and voted on their ballots. The janitors had arrived and cleared the chairs of the floor. We were instructed to make our way into the lunchroom and wait there for the final votes to be tallied. As time pressed on, we all became tired and anxious. Then suddenly, the caucus chair announces over the microphone that Pat Wright of the Total Experience Gospel Choir was going to share a couple of songs with us. I began to feel the spirit in the room begin to lift as everyone shared in singing some old time hymns. Following Pat were others that shared jokes with us, which also included Dawn Mason former State Representative from our district. Soon people were reciting poems and sharing stories, the kind that are usually reserved for the kitchen table. I don’t think it was just me that noticed what was beginning to happen. Others began talking about what a special experience this caucus process was becoming. By the time the votes were tallied, which was about 11PM I don’t think there was a person in that room that wanted to leave. We all wanted to share what had happened in the room and spread it out to our other neighbors and community.

             As I reflect on what I experienced that day, I realized that democracy is all about giving voice to each and every common man. Perhaps what draws me to the process is this notion that each person’s voice is regarded equally and that this empowers people to stand up and be heard.

Do you want to know how Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted on a move to repeal the federal minimum wage?

Are you interested in Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-N.Y.) vote on a measure to rein in the soaring cost of prescription drugs for seniors and working families?

How about finding out where Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) stood on a bill that would restore the freedom of airport screeners to join a union?

Or maybe you just want to know if your U.S. House member voted with working families last year?

All that information and more about your U.S. senators and representatives is just a click or two away in the AFL-CIO's final 2007 House and Senate Voting Records. The congressional scorecards track 19 Senate votes and 24 House votes from the first session of the 110th Congress.

Workers Memorial Materials Available Online Now -- AFL-CIO Blog -- 

Each year, thousands of workers are killed on the job and millions more are injured or become ill because of their jobs.

This April 28, workers in the United States and around the world will honor those killed and injured on the job and call for improved workplace safety on Workers Memorial Day.

You can start planning and organizing a Workers Memorial Day event in your workplace or community with materials now available online from the AFL-CIO.