Legislative news: 

►  In Sunday's Everett Herald -- Sells' bill adds to stir over Boeing (Jerry Cornfield column) -- Businesses, including Boeing, detest the Worker Privacy Act, claiming it will infringe on their basic right to chat with their employees. (Editor's note: Not "chat"... indoctrinate under threat of firing.) Some worry that the bill's passage might be another reason for Boeing to pull up its stakes and leave. In a rare expression of bluntness, Sells says, "Their mantra is 'Do it our way or we're leaving.' My question is, when are they going to make a commitment to stay here? Where is their commitment to the community and the state instead of trying to bully people?" (Reporters should ask: why is Boeing fighting to maintain the ability to force workers -- under threat of firing -- to listen to employer communications about matters of personal conscience? Why? Because they need to do that? Is it something their contractors need to do? Why? Learn more about the Worker Privacy Act.)

►  In the Columbian -- Washington can't afford to curtail support for Basic Health Plan (op-ed by WSLC VP Mike Phillips and Dr. Shane Dunaway) -- By the end of 2009, there will be some 89,000 new uninsured people in Washington just related to increased unemployment. Basic Health is needed now more than ever to help families maintain stability during this time of uncertainty.

►  At TVW.org -- More unemployment news: Gregoire signs agreement for $25 extra -- The governor signs an agreement allowing the state Employment Security Department to comply with the federal stimulus package. What’s that mean: Come May 3, expect $25 more per weekly unemployment check. That’s on top of the $45 per week the state is providing.

►  At TheOlympian.com -- More reasons why tax increases are almost a certainty -- Twenty-eight  Washington economists have signed a letter to Gov. Gregoire, Speaker Chopp and Majority Leader Brown urging them to consider tax increases rather than strictly cuts to bridge the budget shortfall that swung to $8 billion with the lowered revenue outlook through June 2011.

►  In the Walla-Walla U-B -- Deceased lawmaker's daughter to serve in his place -- Laura Grant-Herriot will replace the late Bill Grant as a state representative in the 16th District.

►  In the News Tribune -- Gregoire files paperwork showing interest in seeking third term -- She files paperwork indicating that she’s a candidate for governor in 2012. Gregoire hasn’t decided whether to seek a third term, but she also isn’t giving up that option, says a spokesman.

►  In Sunday's News Tribune -- No sacred cows (editorial) -- We invited 24 current and former state officials, policy analysts and interest group representatives to suggest what lawmakers would do if they’re really serious about leveraging the economic crisis to make hard choices. Some of their responses -- WSLC: Disclose who's getting tax breaks? -- WA State Budget & Policy Center: Taxes should be part of mix -- EOI: Time for an income tax -- WA Policy Center: Privatize state services -- EFF: Ditch prevailing wages -- BIAW: Privatize workers' comp 

►  In the News Tribune -- Now's the time to rethink minimum wage (Dan Voelpel column) -- SB 5362, sponsored by Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-Wenatchee) would freeze the minimum wage at $8.55, but committee Chairwoman Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) won’t give it a hearing.

Boeing news: 

►  In the Everett Herald -- Layoffs raise questions about Boeing's plans for Everett lines -- Boeing previously said layoff plans would focus on "overhead" positions, but 452 area Machinists got 60-day layoff notices on friday. IAM District 751 President Tom Wroblewski says the skills of those members are invaluable if Boeing wants to deliver the 480 jets scheduled this year. Many who received layoff notices work in final assembly on the 767 and 777 jet lines, he said. 

►  In the Everett Herald -- Split tanker deal between Boeing, Northrop Grumman? -- An influential congressman and some observers say the Air Force will remain years away from replacing its tanker fleet unless the Pentagon splits the multibillion-dollar deal between the rivals.

Employee Free Choice Act news: 

►  In today's Denver Post -- Yes on EFCA: Workers deserve the right to unionize (op-ed by AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka) -- Voters overwhelmingly supported candidates for the White House and Congress who endorsed EFCA and support a level playing field between workers and bosses. But with this, as with a host of other issues, the business interests and their right-wing allies will use every loophole and hire every lobbyist they can to keep their power.

►  VOTE at Parade.com -- Does America still need unions?

National news:  

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Buy American is not about protectionism, it's about building jobs -- The attack by corporations and their media mouthpieces on the Buy American provision in the economic recovery package illustrates just how far removed Big Business is from the needs of U.S. workers—and, ultimately, from what will benefit the nation. On the PBS “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” AFL-CIO international economist Thea Lee honed in on the false arguments pushed by corporate interests who mutter darkly about how Buy American provisions will lead to “trade wars.”

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Online union-made car guide -- If you’re in the market for a new car and you want to support good union jobs at the same time, check out a website by the United Auto Workers that lists vehicles made by union workers in this country. 

►  Today from AP -- UAW reaches health care trust fund deal with Ford -- The UAW says it has a agreement on how to pay for retiree health care expenses, but no details were released.

►  In today's NY Times -- Obama finds resistance in his party for Social Security changes -- Obama signaled in his campaign that he would support addressing its looming financing shortfall, in part by applying payroll taxes to incomes above $250,000. But that would ignite intense opposition from Republicans. Liberal Democrats are already serving notice that they will be equally vehement in opposing any reductions in scheduled benefits for future retirees.

►  From Democracy Now -- Some accuse SEIU's Stern of scheming to control union-owned bank -- Amalgamated Bank’s profits provided more than $23 million to UNITE HERE for its everyday operations last year. Some leaders of the union are now accusing SEIU leader Andy Stern of scheming to seize control of the bank in a corporate-style takeover.

►  In the LA Times -- Labor's time has come, but trouble stirs within -- With a labor-friendly Obama administration, labor's long-sought legislative goals are finally in reach. But union divisions threaten to derail that agenda. (re: UNITE HERE conflict and SEIU-UHW struggle) 

►  In today's LA Times -- Cleanup at Los Angeles, Long Beach ports begins to pay off -- Older polluting trucks are being barred and electric ones rolled out in the effort to cut emissions.