Local news:
▪  In today's Tri-Coty Herald -- Construction worker shortage expected in Mid-Columbia -- A shortage of skilled construction workers likely will emerge as baby boomers retire, Mid-Columbia construction industry officials say. Mike McClain, business representative of Local 66 of Sheet Metal Workers International Association, said it's already become hard to find young workers.
▪  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Apprentice representing UA local 598 at national games -- Marcus Therson may be an apprentice steamfitter, but he's about to show his skill on a national stage. Since May, the apprentice steamfitter with Local 598 of United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters has won a string of contests to earn selection to the national apprentice contest sponsored by the union's parent organization in Ann Arbor, Mich.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Inadequate policing puts state's water quality in jeopardy -- The number of people at the state Department of Ecology who are policing water quality is less than half what's needed to do the job of protecting the health of Puget Sound and local lakes and rivers.
▪  In today's News Tribune -- Western States Hospital's CEO abruptly resigns -- No comment on why Andy Phillips, CEO of the Lakewood mental hospital since 2004, has left effective immediately.

Election 2008:
▪  In Saturday's Seattle P-I -- Some Dems assail BIAW, take its cash -- The Building Industry Association of Washington may be Public Enemy No. 1 to the state Democratic Party and Gov. Gregoire, but that hasn't stopped more than a dozen other powerful Democrats from accepting the group's campaign cash.
▪  At the Washington Post -- AFL-CIO hits McCain on DHL deal -- A mailing to 100,000 "union swing voters" in Ohio attacks McCain for his involvement in the sale of an Ohio DHL plant, that is leading to the loss of about 8,000 jobs in that state.
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- How do Obama, McCain compare on health care? -- The Economic Policy Institute offers a new analysis of the candidates’ health care proposals, and the result is clear: Obama’s proposal would cover more people, more efficiently. 

Health care news:
▪  In today's Spokesman-Review -- No child uninsured -- With thousands of children still lacking health coverage, the state launches an effort to boost enrollment in a program for low-income families.
▪  Today from AP -- Drug price increases draw attention of lawmakers -- Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly raising the prices of specialty medications by 100 percent or more -- sometimes much more -- attracting scrutiny from lawmakers who have pledged to lower health care costs
▪  In today's NY Times -- Can it happen here? (Krugman column) -- Can Democrats deliver on their commitment to provide every American access to affordable, comprehensive health care? In principle, it should be easy. In practice, supporters of health care reform, myself included, will be hanging on by their fingernails until legislation is actually passed.

National news:
▪  In today's LA Times -- Verizon, 2 unions agree to new 3-year contract -- The telecommunications giant and the CWA and IBEW have new contracts, avoiding a strike today by 65,000 workers.
▪  Today from AP -- Union workers authorize a strike at Qwest -- CWA District 7 says 93% of voting members have authorized its leaders to call a strike if needed. A contract covering about 20,000 union workers at Denver-based Qwest expires 12:01 a.m. next Sunday, a little more than a week before the Democratic National Convention in that city.
▪  In Education Week -- More NEA unions join AFL-CIO -- The locals, from California, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, will add 3,000 dues-paying members to the AFL-CIO and will take the total number of NEA members in the labor group up to 12,000.
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- 4,700 Machinists on strike in Kansas (AFL-CIO Bargaining Update) -- IAM members at Hawker Beechcraft went on strike after their contract expired at its Wichita and Salina plants. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008
Show Solidarity: Attend important labor rallies in coming days

Several unions affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council have planned important rallies in the coming weeks that members of ALL unions are urged to attend. This is your opportunity to show solidarity with other unions in their struggles for fair treatment, safe conditions and respect at work. Please make every effort to attend:

State Capitol Rally with state employees
The Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28 urges members of all unions to join them for a State Capitol Rally in support of a real raise for state employees on TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Tivoli Fountain. It will be followed by a march to the Capitol steps at about 12:45 p.m.  For more information, visit www.wfse.org.

AFGE Rally for officer/staff safety at federal prisons
The American Federation of Government Employees Local 1102 is hosting a picket in front of the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, 2425 S. 200th St., from noon to 4 p.m. on THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 to honor their fallen Brother, Correctional Officer Jose Rivera. Please join them as they advocate for increased officer and staff safety at federal prisons nationwide. Officer Rivera was stabbed to death June 20 by two inmates at United States Penitentiary Atwater in Atwater, California. The inmates stabbed him with homemade knives as he was locking cell doors in preparation for the 4 p.m. headcount.

"Final Countdown Rally" for IAM contract with Boeing
The International Association of Machinists District Lodge 751 and its members invite all union members and other supporters to its “Final Countdown Rally” in support a successful conclusion to contract negotiations with The Boeing Co. The rally begins at 12:30 p.m. on SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in SeaTac. From there, participants will march to nearby Angle Lake Park. The Machinists would be proud to have other trade unionists stand with them at this important rally.

These negotiations are reaching a critical stage. The existing contract will expire Sept. 3 and the union expects to vote on Boeing's final proposal. If IAM members vote to reject this offer, the union will be on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4.

"The last two contracts in 2002 and 2005 were very difficult for Machinists Union members to achieve," said IAM 751's Larry Brown. "Our members sacrificed pay raises and benefits to help Boeing through the tough times after 9/11 and now we intend to share in the success we have helped to create."

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