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June 16, 2009 |
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
WSLC 2009
Convention Aug. 6-8 in Wenatchee
The 2009
Convention of the Washington State Labor Council will begin
Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Wenatchee Coast Hotel and Convention Center and is expected to be completed by noon
on Saturday,
Aug. 8. The WSLC will present an agenda of
distinguished speakers on national issues such as sweeping reforms of labor
law and our
health care and immigration systems, and how to "Bring Change
Home" and finish
what we started in last fall's election. The theme also refers to changes
being made in Washington state -- including significant changes to the
WSLC's political program -- to better promote a progressive pro-worker
agenda. Make plans now to attend and represent your WSLC-affiliated local
union! Read more.
How Washington state competes for aerospace
(Guest column by Rick Bender, Bob Drewel and Tayloe Washburn) -- As a competitive location, our state already has a lot going for it: major assembly facilities, a highly skilled and productive work force, great research universities and talented people are attracted here because they want to enjoy our quality of life. But Washington is going to have to do even more to remain competitive in the future. This is why civic, business, education, nonprofit and labor leaders -- and citizens from across the state -- are coming together under the Washington Aerospace Partnership.
►
From AP -- Boeing
shut out of orders race at Paris Air Show -- Boeing didn't score a
single jet order and Airbus didn't fare that much better on Monday's opening
day, where the mood among industry leaders was as damp as the weather.
► In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing has a 777 tanker ready in case size matters to Air Force -- In addition to offering a 767-based tanker, Boeing says it's also is looking to pitch a tanker derived from its larger 777 widebody jet, assembled here in Everett, for the multibillion-dollar contract.
► In the PSBJ -- Puget Sound-area 787 parts makers expressing relief after two-year delay -- Restarting local production of 787 parts and assemblies will bring new activity and jobs to a state industry that is facing lower production rates for some of Boeing’s older models.
Local news:
►
In the Oregonian --
Green
jobs with a tarnish -- (Guest
column by WSLC President Rick Bender and Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom
Chamberlain) -- Green jobs have been held
as the panacea of the economic collapse. We are told this is the industry
that is going to save America's jobs and move us into the future. But the
saga of SolarWorld offers a cautionary tale about how "clean
energy" employers -- like most other corporations -- are eager to
scurry over the border in search of a way to get cheaper labor while taking
advantage of the taxpayers in that state, gobbling up tax breaks and
lowering the standard of living at the same time. Also
posted here.
► In the Longview Daily News -- Struggling contractors slashing bids on public works contracts -- Bids on public works contracts are coming in well below estimates, even in cases were estimates were adjusted downward for the economy. It’s one of the few ways taxpayers and public agencies are benefiting from the recession.
► In today's Tri-City Herald -- New firm to handle workers' comp claims at Hanford -- After years of complaints from injured workers about poor communications and slow decisions, the DOE has chosen a new contractor to administer its program: Penser North America Inc. of Lacey.
► In the Longview Daily News -- Rainier School District, teachers' union continue contract talks -- Talks continue in an attempt to bridge the mile-wide gap between what the sides are proposing.
► At SeattlePI.com -- Legislators slam Nickels, but are they to blame? -- Some say he is in a no-win situation when the Seattle delegation is too often the gang that can't shoot straight.
Health Care Reform:
► At AFL-CIO Now -- Health care -- We can't wait! -- The nation has “an historic opportunity” to reform health care and bring down the spiraling costs that are driving families to the brink of -- and too often into -- bankruptcies, forcing employers to drop worker coverage and threatening the federal budget, says the national campaign director of Health Care for America Now!
► In today's Columbian -- Health care -- we can wait (column by AWB boss Don Brunell) -- Obama wants Congress to rush health reform legislation, implying that the "crisis" means there is no time to analyze the details, says the AWB president, echoing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
► In today's NY Times -- As Obama pushes health issue, cost concerns arise -- As the president spoke at the annual AMA conference, it became clear that one of the major health plans on the table would cost at least $1 trillion over 10 years yet leave tens of millions of people uninsured.
► At TheOlympian.com -- Lawmaker to tell of state success in White House health-care meeting -- Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Kent) will join a group at the White House tomorrow for a meeting with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to talk about our state's experiences with health care reform.
Employee
Free Choice Act:
► In the Chicago Tribune -- In need of real labor reform (guest column by former Labor Secretaries Ray Marshall and Robert Reich) -- The principles that are the foundation of the EFCA -- giving workers a direct path to form unions, toughening penalties against employers who break the law and helping workers secure a first contract in a reasonable period of time -- are ones we must never waiver on. The reasons are clearly obvious. The 1935 National Labor Relations Act extended the basic right for workers to organize and bargain collectively, yet it has failed to keep up with the massive union-busting campaigns by big business over the past several decades.
► Today in The Hill -- Labor groups call business "two-faced" on EFCA -- In an ad running in today's Capitol Hill newspapers, American Rights at Work asserts that business are willing to engage arbitration when it suits their interests, but not when it benefits labor groups.
National news:
► In today's NY Times -- Work-sharing may help companies avoid layoffs -- A new program aims to help employers weather the recession by reducing their workers’ hours and pay. For employees, state unemployment funds help make up the difference.
► In today's LA Times -- LA, Long Beach port traffic falls in May -- Traffic at the nation's busiest seaport complex showed another steep drop in May compared with the same month in 2008, although some economists say the ports could begin to recover late this year.
TUESDAY,
JUNE 16, 2009
WSLC 2009 Convention is Aug. 6-8 in Wenatchee
The 2009
Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will begin
Thursday, Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. at the Wenatchee Coast Hotel and Convention
Center. Convention business is expected to be completed by noon on Saturday,
Aug. 8.
With the theme "Bring Change Home," the Council will present an agenda of distinguished speakers on national issues such as sweeping reforms of labor law and our health care and immigration systems, with the idea that we need to finish what we started in last fall's election by making sure these long-overdue changes are made in the best interests of working families.
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You say you want a resolution? Well, you know... the Washington State Labor Council's Constitution says that proposed resolutions should be submitted 30 days prior to convention, which would be by July 7. However, "late" resolutions are accepted right up until the first day of convention and also will be considered by delegates. That said, affiliates are urged to submit these resolutions at the earliest possible time to facilitate reproduction and distribution to the convention body. These resolutions are a key part not just of the WSLC convention, but of the organization itself. It is through the debate and passage of these resolutions that WSLC positions and policies are established. Any WSLC-affiliated union may submit resolutions. See the resolutions approved in 2008 for examples of the diverse issues that are covered. The resolutions are first referred to various committees that will meet Thursday afternoon and consider whether to recommend changes or corrections. Debate and voting on the resolutions, and any committee amendments, will begin Friday afternoon and continue Saturday morning, as necessary. |
The theme also refers to new efforts to make sure that the progressive change that's happening in Washington, D.C., also happen here in Washington state. After a challenging legislative session in which corporate interests superceded those of working families, the WSLC will be making significant changes in its political program to better target labor's support to the legislators who have truly earned it, regardless of party affiliation. Those changes will be discussed at the convention.
The annual WSLC Convention is an opportunity for union officers, staff and rank-and-file delegates to hear from distinguished union and government leaders, attend informative workshops, develop relationships with other unions -- and have some fun.
"The Tournament in ‘09," the annual golf fund raiser to benefit the Foundation for Working Families and community service agencies throughout Washington state, will be Wednesday, August 5 with a 7 a.m. shotgun start at the Highlander Golf Club in East Wenatchee. For registration information, contact the FWF at 206-281-8901 x14, or download the tournament flier/registration form.
The convention's special guest speakers and expert panels will be announced later, but affiliated AFL-CIO local unions should start making plans to attend the convention. The official WSLC Convention Call, which indicates the number of delegates to which each affiliate is entitled, has already been mailed. If you are interested in representing your union as a delegate or alternate to the convention, contact your local union.
A tentative convention agenda will be posted at this site as soon as it is available. For general convention questions, call the WSLC at 206-281-8901.
TUESDAY,
JUNE 16, 2009
How
Washington state competes for aerospace
The
following guest column by Washington State Labor Council President Rick
Bender, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Director Bob Drewel and
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Tayloe Washburn,
the co-chairs of the Washington
Aerospace Partnership, appears in the latest edition of the Puget Sound
Business Journal:
One of the most effective strategies for maintaining family-wage jobs in Washington state, both during the current economic downturn and in the future, is to retain what we already have: the highest concentration of aerospace companies on the planet.
We can accomplish this by showing that Washington is the best place to be for aerospace — where companies and their suppliers can efficiently manufacture high-quality products that deliver value to their customers.
The aerospace industry provides vital jobs for the economy of Washington. Aerospace companies support more than 200,000 jobs in our state and pay more than $5 billion annually in wages.
There are 650 aerospace companies operating in 28 of Washington’s counties. Boeing is the biggest, of course, but hundreds of aerospace companies here are small — employing fewer than 50 people. These companies manufacture parts, tools and composites; do design and subassembly; and make repairs. Other companies provide goods and services that support aerospace companies.
In Klickitat County, for example, Innovative Composite Engineering produces everything from space shuttle actuator mounts to cooling tubes. Barani Design, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, designs 787 Dreamliner cockpits. In East Wenatchee, Paine Electronics manufactures aerospace electronics.
Aerospace workers are also critical to the social fabric of our state. They are generous contributors of time and money to charitable, civic and cultural programs.
Our perch on top of the aerospace world is not something that we can take for granted. Other regions are challenging Washington like never before. They want the high-paying jobs and the improved quality of life that comes with aerospace.
The world economic structure is also changing at a maddening pace. Global companies — such as Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon — can locate their operations anywhere in the world. They choose to site new facilities where they can most efficiently manufacture quality products, or deliver the services needed by their customers.
As a competitive location, Washington already has a lot going for it. Major assembly facilities are already here. We have a highly skilled and productive work force. There are great research universities in Washington. And, talented people are attracted to companies here because they want to enjoy the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.
But Washington is going to have to do even more to remain competitive in the future.
This is why civic, business, education, nonprofit and labor leaders — and citizens from across the state — are coming together under the banner of the Washington Aerospace Partnership.
We are mounting a coordinated and strategic approach to create a manufacturing environment that is even more attractive to the aerospace industry. And, we are going to aggressively market our region to make sure the world knows that Washington is committed to remaining the best place in the world to build airplanes.
The Washington Aerospace Partnership's most urgent task is to mobilize support for Boeing’s bid to build the military’s refueling tankers. We will coordinate efforts with the congressional delegation, with the Washington Council on Aerospace recently created by Gov. Chris Gregoire to coordinate state government departments, with the Aerospace Futures Alliance, an aerospace industry-sponsored group, and other interested groups.
Key objectives of the Partnership are to:
Develop an aerospace industry vision/agenda that is supported by government, business, labor and nonprofit leaders throughout Washington.
Raise public awareness of the aerospace industry’s importance to the state’s economy and quality of life.
Broaden the base of individuals and organizations involved with the Partnership.
Build support for consensus-based public policies that will enhance the state’s competitive position as an aerospace center.
Coordinate efforts with other states that have shared objectives (e.g., Kansas on the refueling tanker contract).
Advocate with state and federal decision-makers for policies that support aerospace activities here.
Communicate with aerospace companies around the world about the benefits of operating in Washington state.
There is no time to lose in getting this statewide effort under way. It is essential that we act swiftly and aggressively to ensure our state continues to attract successful enterprises, especially in the aerospace industry. In turn, we will all benefit from the jobs and economic opportunities that these enterprises create.
Copyright © 2009 -- Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO