Employee Free Choice Act news:

►  At Politico.org -- Prospects dim for EFCA -- Key Democrats now say they can't support the bill unless significant modifications were made, including some ardently opposed by labor unions. The bill, as written, appears to have a slim chance of moving forward, and labor union supporters now fear it may be on hold until after next year’s midterm elections.

►  In today's Wall St. Journal -- Labor may be open to changes on EFCA -- "We certainly understand that it would be unusual if a bill was passed as it was introduced word for word," said Karen Ackerman, political director of the AFL-CIO. "There's a lot of discussion yet to take place. We'll see what happens over the next few months." While indicating that the AFL-CIO might be open to some changes, Ackerman also said the federation would use its political muscle to press lawmakers to back labor law reform or risk losing endorsements for 2010.

The Boeing Times:

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Silly bill would forbid Boeing from threatening to leave (editorial) -- (The Times repeats corporate talking points against the Worker Privacy Act without explaining why compulsion and threat of firing are a necessary component of speech. But they did get this right...) The supposed reason (that Democratic leaders called the cops) was a statement that if politicians didn't pass the bill they would get "not another dime from labor." But it wasn't illegal to say that. A "threat" not to donate money is fully within labor's rights, or anyone's.

►  At HorsesAss.org -- Silly derivative traders of the written word -- Nothing says “silly” like dismissing the concerns of regular folks. After nearly four decades of class warfare waged against the earning power of regular citizens, a key worker’s rights issue is demoted to a mocking editorial by The Seattle Times. It’s okay for corporate lobbyists to put out the word to kill legislation that was likely going to pass, because the media, economic and political elites of this state deem it acceptable practice. Nothing silly about that, for certain. It’s probably the most not-silly thing I can recall while living in this state for the last 19 years, at least in terms of revealing in very stark terms who pulls what levers.

►  From AP -- Boeing might get political to help FedEx defeat labor bill -- After FedEx threatened to drop plans to buy Boeing jets should Congress make it easier for FedEx workers to join a union, “We expect that Boeing will aggressively lobby Congress," says an analyst.

Legislative news:

►  In yesterday's Olympian -- Three unions pull out of tax group -- The Washington Federation of State Employees, the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Washington State Labor Council have pulled out of the political coalition that has been exploring ways to put a tax package on the November ballot.

►  At SeattleTimes.com -- Senate Democrats may ask state workers to pay more for health care -- State workers would pick up no more than 18% of the cost of their health insurance, said Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina), the vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. The workers currently pay 12% of their health-care costs. Senate staff says the increase could save the state about $100 million to $200 million in the 2009-2011 biennium.

►  In today's Olympian -- Senate plans $4.3 billion for transportation -- Among local winners are the Yelm highway bypass project, widening of I-5 south of Tumwater from Maytown to Centralia, noise-wall projects along I-5 east of Lacey, and a bike lane at Martin Way and I-5 in Lacey.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Senate answers Snohomish County's wishes for road projects -- The Senate budget includes a second Keystone-Port Townsend ferry, Highway 522 widening, U.S. 2 safety improvements, and a new bridge across the Snohomish River on Highway 9.

►  In the Kitsap Sun -- Senate: Smaller car ferries, limited fare hikes -- Its transportation budget includes four 64-car ferries, 2.5% annual fare hikes, and keeps service at its current level.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- House Speaker Chopp warming to tunnel replacement for viaduct -- He says it has "decent odds" of passing, but questions who'll pays for costs beyond $2.4 billion.

►  At TheNewsTribune.com -- Rep. Dawn Morrell wins No. 3 leadership post for House Democrats -- House Speaker Frank Chopp's reputed favorite for the job, Rep. Mark Ericks, was rejected. Morrell then won the runoffs against Pat Sullivan of Covington and Timm Ormsby of Spokane.

Local news:

►  In today's Everett Herald -- County sets no-strike policy for some workers -- Most of the thousands of unionized home health care workers here have already agreed to a "no walkout" or "no strike" clause, says SEIU Local 775. The new law, which his union supports, would likely affect several hundred home health care workers who have not joined a union.

►  In the Kitsap Sun -- Bremerton City Council hears plan to avoid layoffs -- City employees would have the option of working only 36 hours a week, taking 8 furlough days or foregoing pension payments. The city hopes at least six longtime employees take early retirement incentives.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Faults found in Everett firefighting -- L&I: The department commander wasn't in control of the scene of a $1 million blaze that gutted the Stewart Title Co. building.

National news:

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Obama's budget will rebuild economy on solid foundation -- A new ad by Americans United for Change -- a coalition of unions including the AFL-CIO, community, environmental and other groups -- urges viewers to call Congress to support Obama’s budget because it "will rebuild our economy on a solid foundation. Jobs, health care, education, clean energy reform. On this foundation we can build real, long-term economic prosperity for all Americans."

►  At KaiserNetwork.org -- Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. workers uninsured, compared with 1 in 7 in mid-'90s -- A study released this week attributes the increase to costs, noting that total premiums for employer-sponsored plans have increased six to eight times faster than wages.