►  FYI -- The Washington State Labor Council has been proud that LIUNA's state and local unions have remained affiliated with the WSLC during this split at the national level.

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Laborers returning to AFL-CIO -- LIUNA President Terry O’Sullivan: "Despite the historic success of the 2008 federal elections, too much is not getting done on Capitol Hill. A united union movement can better focus Congress -- and particularly the U.S. Senate -- on helping to lead our nation, rather than being locked in inaction."

►  In the NY Times -- Laborers' International Union to rejoin AFL-CIO -- The laborers are the second union to come back to the AFL-CIO. Last year, the union of hotel, restaurant and clothing workers known as UNITE HERE also rejoined. While Change to Win has helped its unions become more sophisticated and aggressive in organizing drives, critics say it never became a viable challenger to the 55-year-old AFL-CIO as a new model for organized labor.

Election news:

Primary election ballots due Tuesday!

Ballots can be dropped off at designated locations until 8 p.m. Tuesday. If you put it in the mail, it must be postmarked no later than Tuesday in order to be counted. Click here to find ballot drop-off locations in your county.

►  At TheNewsTribune.com -- Labor Council sends message to Democrats -- The State Labor Council was stingy with its first round of endorsements, snubbing many Democrats. But the real test was whether the labor coalition would hold its ground Wednesday, when it voted on a second round of endorsed candidates. Did it? Not really. Chopp, Murray, Morrell, Marr, Kilmer and Seaquist are among those endorsed last week by delegates at their convention in Tacoma, nearly doubling the council’s list of incumbent endorsements. Labor Council President Rick Bender says the council got its message across to Democrats -- “that you can’t take us for granted” -- with its first round of endorsements. But it didn’t want to go so far as to hand Republicans a chance at taking over the Legislature, he said.

►  At TheOlympian.com -- Denny Heck wins labor endorsement -- The Washington State Labor Council has endorsed Democrat Denny Heck in the 3rd Congressional District, reversing a snub earlier in the year when it gave an early endorsement to then-rival Democrat Craig Pridemore. Heck's campaign says it welcomes the support, which came during the council's convention last week in Tacoma. The news comes as Heck launches his first television ad.

►  From AP -- Rossi moves right ahead of primary -- U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi has moved noticeably to the right in recent weeks, unveiling a string of positions and endorsements that sketch a more conservative candidate than when he twice ran unsuccessfully for governor. He supports total repeal of health care reform and the regulatory crackdown on Wall Street. His endorsements include the anti-gay and religious conservative Family Research Council, the tea party-inspired group FreedomWorks and two of the Senate's most conservative Republicans, South Carolina's Jim DeMint and Oklahoma's Tom Coburn.

►  In the Bellingham Herald -- Rossi attacks Murray on earmarks, but lobbied for them in Olympia -- Rossi was no stranger to Olympia's version of earmarks during his two terms in the state Senate. They were known as "bacon bits," little pieces of pork for their districts that even Rossi lobbied to include in the state budget. 

►  From AP -- Obama to campaign for Murray Tuesday in Seattle -- It's part of the president's 3-day, 5-state tour to support Democrats. The White House says he'll be talking about strengthening the economy and creating jobs

►  In today's (Everett) Herald -- Rep. Dunshee also plans campaign for parks job -- As the Snohomish Democrat campaigns for another two-year House term, he's planning to apply to become the director of the state parks system.

►  In Saturday's (Everett) Herald -- Unions use tricky tactics in top-two primary -- Groups on the left try a new tactic to oust Democratic Sen. Jean Berkey: touting a conservative candidate.

Local news:

►  In Sunday's Olympian -- State, workers clash --  State government and its employee unions started contract talks over health insurance last week, and a union official says their early negotiation postures are miles apart. Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office wants employees to pay a larger share of their health care costs, said Greg Devereux, WFSE executive director. Workers now pay 12% of insurance premiums, and unions offered up a proposal that would keep that ratio intact, but the state reportedly told employees they would have to pay a larger share of premiums -- 25% -- if they want to avoid higher costs at the doctor’s office. The federation said increasing employees’ average share of premiums to 25% is a nonstarter and the Democratic governor just wants to satisfy her critics who say state employees haven’t given up enough in the budget crisis. "We think the governor just wants a pound of flesh," Devereux said.

►  In the Seattle Times -- Tax revenue down; state could see broad budget cuts later this year -- Across-the-board cuts in state spending are all but certain despite $540 million in federal aid approved by Congress. Gov. Gregoire says tax collections in June and July were $125 million below projections and she expects the revenue forecast will predict more declines ahead. She is telling agencies to prepare for cuts of between 4% and 7%, which could mean whacking up to $500 million from the budget between October and the end of the fiscal year next June.

National news:

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Trumka: "We are going to rebuild American with jobs" -- In the political showdown between Wall Street and Main Street, California is a key battleground. With the third highest jobless rate in the country and a towering budget deficit, California needs leaders who can create and save jobs, not just spout  ”more of the same corporate bull,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told a crowd of thousands at a mass jobs rally in L.A.

►  In The Hill -- AFL-CIO chief assails candidates Whitman, Fiorina as "clueless CEOs" -- "In the elections for governor and senator, who do the Republicans throw at the problem? Two clueless CEOs: Meg Whitman, who was too shady even for the board of Goldman Sachs; and Carly Fiorina, who laid off 30,000 HP employees, shipped jobs overseas, got fired -- with a $20-plus million golden parachute -- and was labeled one of the worst CEOs of all time," Trumka said.

►  In today's NY Times -- Return of the killer trade deficit (editorial) -- The U.S. must work to correct its bulging trade deficit. But first, major economic players must do more to bolster demand.