'Family of labor' backs airport TSOs (WSLC Reports

December 17, 2009

Dec. 16: Don't punish state employees

Dec. 15: Help small banks to create jobs

Dec. 14: Thanks for backing health care

^{RSS
2.0 feed}

Updated DAILY... Almost Every Day!™ by 9 a.m. Pacific
CLICK HERE to get each day's news e-mailed to you.
Links are functional at date of posting, but sometimes expire.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

'Family of labor' backs airport TSOs

Dozens of representatives of unions in Washington state gathered at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday to express their solidarity and support for tens of thousands of Transportation Security Officers organizing with the American Federation of Government Employees at some 450 airports across the nation. "We are here to show the Transportation Security Workers that the AFL-CIO is a family of labor, and that an injury to one is an injury to all," said Rick Bender, president of the Washington State Labor Council. Read more.

Health care reform news:

► At NYTimes.com -- Labor leaders mull strategies on health bill -- The scuttling of the public option from the Senate health care bill has infuriated organized labor and left their leaders in a bind about how to proceed. Top labor officials of several unions met with their executives Wednesday, and others plan to meet on Thursday, to devise their strategies, now that the Senate has dropped the public option, a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers. It was the central provision for which labor has been fighting. The AFL-CIO executive council met Wednesday. The steering committee of Health Care for America Now, a coalition of labor and liberal groups, plans to meet today.

► At Huffington Post -- SEIU urges changes in Senate bill, calls out Obama -- SEIU President Andy Stern urges Congress and the White House to make major improvements to the Senate legislation, suggesting that the labor community could not support the current incarnation.

► In today's LA Times -- Health bill held up by single Democrat, GOP tactics -- Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska is holding out mainly for tougher anti-abortion language. Meanwhile, Republicans halt debate temporarily by insisting that a 767-page amendment be read aloud.

► At NYTimes.com -- Pelosi to Senate: We're waiting... -- If Senate Democrats want their version of health care legislation to carry the day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says they have a tall order to fill: prove they have written the better bill. Pelosi says House Democrats could live without a public option, like the one in their bill -- if the Senate has a better idea.

► At Publicola -- Sens. Cantwell, Murray vote "no" on allowing cheaper drug imports -- A proposal to allow cheaper prescription drugs to be imported into the U.S. from countries like Canada failed to get the 60 votes it needed last night. It lost 51-48. On the nay list: Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. And oh, what the heck, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT).

► From AP -- Democrats vow to close Medicare "doughnut hole" -- Medicare's coverage gap for prescription drugs -- $3,610 next year -- has steadily gotten bigger since the benefit's inception. But if Democrats have their way on health care overhaul, the dreaded "doughnut hole" will shrink by $500 right away and go away altogether by 2019.

Local news:

► In today's Tri-City Herald -- Hanford workers' new cancer package OK'd -- The secretary of Health and Human Services has agreed to expand automatic compensation of $150,000 to more Hanford workers who may have developed cancer because of exposure to radiation.

► In today's (Everett) Herald -- Everett Transit employees bring busload of generosity to families -- Some charities ring bells; others put out bins. Employees of Everett Transit and members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 883 use a 35-foot red Everett Transit bus. This holiday season, dozens of volunteers stood outside a south Everett Fred Meyer and asked people to donate toys, food and clothing. This year, the community reached deep.

► From AP -- Washington ranks 2nd in new board-certified teachers -- More than 1,200 teachers earned their National Board Certification in 2009, making Washington teachers the second most successful group in the nation at achieving national certification this year. North Carolina is No. 1.

► In today's Seattle Times -- Airport rail station opens Saturday -- Starting Saturday, light-rail riders will finally get to take a train all the way to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The airport stop will not be Link's busiest station, but for thousands of non-commuters, it provides a major incentive to use the new rail system at least occasionally.

► At SeattlePI.com -- Taxi drivers worry about jobs after airport switch -- About 400 fear they'll lose their jobs next year after a Port of Seattle decision to switch taxi companies at Sea-Tac Airport.

► In the Seattle Times -- The next new thing: Focusing on community colleges (Lynne Varner column) -- The nagging unemployment rate is a battle best fought with education. Community colleges are the heavy tanks in that necessary battle. These institutions remain within financial reach, while four-year colleges have raised tuition beyond what most working-class and even some middle-class families can bear. In addition, community colleges have an open door and community-inspired mission that place them on the front line of education and job training.

National news:

► At AFL-CIO Now -- House passes jobs bill; tell Senate to act NOW -- The House’s bill would help state and local governments retain teachers and firefighters and maintain services critical in this time of economic hardship. It also would create jobs by funding public works projects like school construction, rail, transit, water systems and highways. And by extending unemployment insurance and COBRA health care coverage, it gives critical help to those suffering from the jobs crisis at a time when the economy needs consumer demand. The House bill is paid for out of bank bailout funds, so it will not impact the deficit. The bill must next be approved by the U.S. Senate. But unless we light a fire under that august body, nothing will move before the end of the year and the unemployment insurance for millions of jobless workers will expire.

► At Huffington Post -- Jobs bill squeaks through House despite Democratic defections -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi muscled a $154 billion jobs bill through the House on Wednesday evening just before Congress departed for a holiday recess. With the vote in serious doubt until seconds before it was gaveled to a close, Pelosi worked the floor furiously, imploring her caucus to stick with her and move the measure through. The bill passed 217-212. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) joined Washington's three Republican representatives in voting "no."

► In today's Washington Post -- Airline unions ask House panel for changes in bankruptcy law -- A group of unions representing airline workers is seeking changes to U.S. bankruptcy laws that would make it harder for airlines to scrap labor agreements in court. The Coalition of Airline Pilots Association and other unions told a House Judiciary panel Wednesday that current law gives airlines an unfair advantage over workers in the bankruptcy process.

► In today's Washington Post -- Same-sex benefits for federal employees advance, quietly -- Perhaps boring is a sign of progress. When the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Wednesday for legislation extending employee benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, nary a contrary word was heard.

► From AP -- As wage theft rises, states and cities crack down -- Across the nation, the long-simmering problem of employers who don't pay their workers appears to be getting worse, especially for immigrant laborers. In the absence of aggressive federal action, some states and local governments have begun to tackle the issue on their own.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009
"Family of labor" backs airport TSOs
Unions gather to support security screeners' organizing drive with AFGE

Dozens of representatives of unions, elected officials and other community supporters in Washington state gathered at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on Wednesday to express their solidarity with tens of thousands of Transportation Security Officers organizing with the American Federation of Government Employees at some 450 airports across the nation.

"We are here to show the Transportation Security Workers that the AFL-CIO is a family of labor, and that an injury to one is an injury to all," said Rick Bender, president of the Washington State Labor Council. "We want the TSO workers here at SeaTac Airport to know that our affiliated unions are standing with you as you take this historic step to unionize with the American Federation of Government Employees. We will stand with you in Solidarity now, and we will be there for you as you move forward with your organizing efforts across the country, and then work with you to secure a contract to protect your rights as workers."

The event, organized by Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and the M.L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, included several area unions presenting Statements of Solidarity to local AFGE representatives at the airport.

"Transportation Security Officers are the front line of homeland security," reads the WSLC Statement of Solidarity. "Just as you work hard every day to protect us, and everyone who utilizes our nation’s airlines, we will support you in your struggle for justice on the job."

See more photos of Wednesday's event here.

BACKGROUND: Every year, more than 600 million people travel by air in the United states. Transportation Security Officers are the workers who staff security check points at our nation's airports and are responsible for screening all luggage and passengers. TSOs are the front-line defenders of our air safety in this country.

When the Transportation Security Administration was created in 2001, the Bush administration denied TSOs the right to bargain collectively. TSOs are not covered under the General Schedule System that regulates pay for other federal employees. Instead, they have an evaluation-based "pay-for-performance" system that many of the TSOs consider to be arbitrary, punitive and unfair, and that does not contribute to the improvement of TSO skills.

TSOs have virtually no whistleblower protections and are in constant fear of management retaliation. They are subject to unfair hiring practices, inconsistent agency regulations, and unjust leave restrictions and policies. Because of concerns about the low pay, discrimination and management harassment, TSOs suffer from low morale and the Transportation Security Administration has the worse attrition rates in the entire federal government.

But now, the Obama administration is committed to restoring TSOs’ right to organize and bargain collectively. And the one union that has been there, organizing TSOs from the beginning has been the American Federation of Government Employees. Today, more than 11,000 TSOs are already members of the AFGE, which has been fighting to improve their pay and working conditions despite their lack of bargaining rights.

As TSOs at SeaTac International Airport and other airports around our nation organize their union with AFGE, solidarity from other union members working at the airports and members using the airports will be crucial to their efforts!

TAKE ACTION! What can YOU do to support the TSOs' effort to gain a voice at work with AFGE?

Talk to the TSOs. If you are a union member who works at the airport or for an airline -- or if you are planning to travel soon -- talk to the TSOs about the benefits of union membership. Encourage them to get involved in AFGE's campaign and find out how the union can improve their pay and working conditions.
Check out the AFGE TSA web site -- www.TSAUnion.net -- to stay informed about the campaign, the election process and future opportunities to show solidarity with the TSOs.