Boeing news: 

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing looking at Everett, other sites for second 787 line -- A standoff between Boeing and the Machinists union that could thwart Everett's chances to win the second 787 Dreamliner production line became clearer at an aerospace conference in Lynnwood on Monday. Boeing is pushing for a no-strike deal that would influence the decision, which may come by the end of the year. But the IAM sees no need to reopen the current contract and is working toward the next scheduled contract in 2012.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- What will keep Boeing here? -- Although Boeing's Fred Kiga said the company's trouble with unions isn't the state's only problem, he emphasized Boeing's need to minimize work stoppages. One thing on which Boeing, the Machinists and the politicians could agree: This is a matter for Boeing and the Machinists and no one else.

►  At SeattlePI.com -- Washington aerospace leaders buzzing about S.C. union vote -- Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon says the purpose of some union members wanting to decertify in South Carolina is clear: "They don't want there to be any mistake that The Boeing Co. realize that if you think you have a labor issue in Washington state, our doors are open." 

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Washington worries as South Carolina welcomes Boeing -- Boeing recently finalized its purchase of Vought’s 787 factory in South Carolina. Workers there celebrated the move Monday, unveiling the new “Boeing” sign on the North Charleston factory.

►  In the Charleston Business Journal -- Boeing to pick assembly plant "by year's end" -- Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager for the 787 program, says the company is likely to make a decision about the location of its second assembly line in the next five months.

USPS news: 

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Take action today to save bargaining rights for postal workers -- An amendment to a short-term financial assistance bill for the USPS would destroy collective bargaining between the USPS and its unions. The APWU and the NALC are mobilizing to defeat the amended bill (S. 1507) when it comes to a vote before the full Senate later this week. Click here to visit APWU’s website and to send a message to your senators.

►  In today's Federal Times -- USPS may close 1,000 post offices -- The USPS is studying roughly 1,000 of its 37,000 post offices for possible closure -- the latest cost-cutting step from an agency dealing with a projected $7 billion deficit this year and larger losses in 2010.

►  From AP -- Six post offices in Washington state could face closure -- Postal officials have a list of nearly 700 potential closures. The six from Washington state on the list: Federal Station in Seattle, Midway Office in Kent, MLK Station and South Tacoma Station in Tacoma, Union Gap Branch Office in Yakima and Trentwood Station in Spokane. More may be added.

Health care news:

►  At the WFSE Political Blog -- Health care terrorists -- Conservative "think tanks" -- funded by lobbyists and corporate interests -- are orchestrating a nationwide effort to mobilize protesters to disrupt Congressional Town Hall meetings during the August recess. Crowds of angry, disruptive and threatening protesters are turning town hall meetings across the nation into a circus. "Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety -- welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting," writes Politico, "the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress."

►  In today's NY times -- Health plan opponents make voices heard -- Angry, boisterous protests with shouting, heckling and booing are being organized by Republican opponents of health care reform. Democrats said they expected supporters of the health care overhaul to mobilize against Republican events later in the month. But Republicans have seemed to get the early jump because Democrats scheduled numerous events, including forums and town-hall-style meetings, to discuss the proposed health care legislation. (What's good for the goose...)

►  In today's LA Times -- An above-the-fold debate that must be fought below the belt (Dan Neil column) --  In the race to frame the debate on health care reform, Democrats are being outsmarted and outdated by conservatives. This is a gunfight to which the reform agenda has brought a dull spoon. The reform message is so jellied with politesse, so measured, so anti-inflammatory it might as well be made out of Advil. It's time to stop pulling punches.

►  Case in point, in today's Wash. Post -- Lifting a burden of worry (HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius) -- As the political debate about how to pay for and pass health reform grows louder, we shouldn't lose sight of the reason we're even having this conversation: We have a huge, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the lives of all Americans, insured and uninsured alike.

►  In today's LA Times -- Obama give powerful drug lobby a seat at health care table -- Once condemned by the president, the pharmaceutical industry has become a White House partner.

Local news: 

►  At SeattlePI.com -- County's rising health costs spark debate over who should pay -- The rates for health coverage for each King County employee have gone up 28% since 2005 to more than $1,015 per person. But under the latest labor agreement, the county is picking up the entire tab for its 13,000 employees' premiums through 2012. That fact has become an issue in the county executive's race, with several candidates saying county employees should contribute a portion of their monthly premiums like most other local government workers.

►  In today's News Tribune -- State helps if hours get cut -- The Washington Employment Security Department’s Shared Work program offers employers a way to retain employees by applying for a special type of UI benefits. Between January and June last year, the program served 218 employers in 13 sectors. In the same period this year, it served 1,921 employers in 18 sectors. 

►  In today's Peninsula Daily News -- BPA proposes reduced rate for Port Townsend paper mill -- BPA has proposed selling energy at a reduced rate to Port Townsend Paper Co., the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. based in Columbia Falls, Mont., and the Alcoa Inc. Ferndale plant.

►  At TheNewsTribune.com -- Prospects of ballot spot for R-51 look good, so far -- After Day 2 of checking signatures, the error rate is still fairly low, with a couple percentage points as a buffer.

►  At TheNewsTribune.com -- Gregoire chief of staff Cindy Zehnder to leave job -- She and the governor are talking about the possibility of moving elsewhere in Gregoire's administration.

Election news: 

►  At HeraldNet.com -- Unions launch campaign against Ross Hunter (brief) -- A coalition of unions launched an effort online today to keep state Rep. Ross Hunter from becoming the next King County executive. Its biggest weapon will be Hunter's record in Olympia -- or at least the unions' interpretation of that record. The Web site is called www.BadDealHunter.com. Groups involved in the effort include Washington State Labor Council, Washington Education Association, SEIU 775 and 1199NW, UFCW Local 21 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 66.

►  At TheOlympian.com -- Olympia Port Commissioner Telford endorses Jeff Smith as successor -- Paul Telford supports Jeff Davis, a longshoreman with the most jobs-oriented agenda.

AFL-CIO news: 

►  Today at Politico -- Incoming AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka vows tougher labor politics -- Richard Trumka admits that unions were outmaneuvered on a key element of the Employee Free Choice Act -- a bill making it easier for workers to organize. But the all-but-certain incoming president of the AFL-CIO says that legislative black eye will also carry a price — and warns that the business community and both parties ought to prepare for a more aggressive brand of labor politics once he’s in charge. 

►  In today's Charleston (WV) Gazette -- Incoming AFL-CIO chief Trumka talks health care -- "Union workers are 30 percent more likely to have health benefits and pensions than nonunion workers. Union workers are also more likely to vote and participate in community affairs," he says, then adding, "WHO rankings place the United States 37th, between Costa Rica and Slovenia" in the quality of its health-care system.

National news: 

►  In today's NY Times -- Income loss persists long after layoffs -- Economists say income losses for workers who are let go in a recession can persist for as long as two decades, a depressing prognosis for the several-million people who have lost their jobs in the current one.

►  In today's Washington Post -- Economic policy is working, Obama says -- In public appearances this week, Obama will attempt to regain the initiative on the economy after what one official called several "rocky" weeks of declining support for the president and his major policy efforts.