►  At SeattlePI.com -- St. Louis Machinists buck leader in approving Boeing contract -- The union negotiating committee unanimously recommended against approval, primarily because the deal replaces the defined-benefit pension plan with a 401(k) plan for new hires.

Election news:

►  In today's Seattle Times -- AWB sets up new PAC to push Eyman initiative -- The Association of Washington Business has set up its own PAC to pass Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1053. They’ve already raised nearly $200,000.

Also see: Do employers REALLY support Eyman's I-1053? Amid severe recession-related budget cuts to higher education, transportation and other state funding priorities strongly supported by many of our largest private employers, the AWB board voted UNANIMOUSLY for this starve-the-beast strategy to avoid taxes? Not Boeing. And not Microsoft. In fact, none of the AWB board members the WSLC contacted would admit to attending the meeting and voting to endorse I-1053. Read more.

►  From AP -- Sen. Murray goes after Rossi at Democratic Convention -- "Unlike some others in this race, I have never hemmed or hawed or hedged my bets and wondered whether this was the right thing to do for me and my family," Murray said Saturday. On a voice vote, convention delegates did not back Initiatives 1105 and 1100, which seek to privatize the state-run liquor sales.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- For Reichert challenger DelBene, it's all about the economy -- Susan DelBene is positioning herself as a seasoned businesswoman who's focused on putting the economy back on track. 

►  In today's (Everett) Herald -- Up to 7 initiatives could make ballot -- If the seven measures are on the ballot, it will tie the all-time high set in 1914, the first year residents could file initiatives.

►  In the Seattle Times -- Retired, then rehired: How college workers use loophole to boost pay -- At least 40 university or community-college employees retired and were rehired within weeks, often returning to the same job without the position ever being advertised. That has allowed them to double dip by collecting both a salary and a pension. The pattern of quickie retirements has continued despite the Legislature's efforts to crack down.

The war on public employees:

►  In the (Everett) Herald -- Local government cuts are real; workers doing their part (column by AFSCME Council 2 President Chris Dugovich) -- As we enter another round of proposed cuts, we don’t want a thank you and a pat on the back -- we want acknowledgement and a commitment to equitable and shared sacrifice. Local government workers have proven time and time again that we place public service first. We ask that our elected officials join us in communicating to the press and public that our employees are doing their part, that elected officials and managers are doing their part, and that the cuts to our families and members have an impact that goes beyond the loss of service.

►  In the Olympian -- WFSE sues over furloughs -- The Washington Federation of State Employees sues to block the 10-day furloughs, or temporary layoffs, that lawmakers and Gov. Gregoire plan to cut payroll costs by $38 million in the state general fund. A hearing is set for Friday in Thurston County Superior Court on an injunction request by the WFSE, which represents about 40,000 state workers. The series of one-day furloughs is supposed to start July 12.

►  At SeattlePI.com -- Voter-approved teacher raises, state pensions busting budget -- Roughly a quarter of projected revenue shortfalls are due to anticipated costs of restoring money to two voter-approved initiatives reducing class sizes and giving teacher raises pegged to inflation.

►  In today's NY Times -- Labor's new critics: old allies in public office -- During good economic times, many labor-friendly politicians happily voted for pension sweeteners and other benefits for unions. But now, with cities and states struggling to close budget gaps, public employees are a favorite target. Last year, 51% of cities froze or reduced pay, while 25% laid off workers, 24% reduced health benefits and 22% revised union contracts to reduce pay and benefits. States are reportedly $452 billion behind in their pension contributions while also having $554 billion in liabilities for retiree health care. Even with the resistance from public sector unions, some elected officials are realizing that getting tough with the unions can be good politics in down economic times, as government employees’ benefits are held up as examples of excess -- and as taxpayers (and voters) demand greater accountability.

Local news:

►  In the Kitsap Sun -- Kitsap fire districts opt for overtime over new hires -- Only six firefighters were hired in Central Kitsap, just two in Bremerton and none of the six in Poulsbo. In the meantime, some vacancies at the departments aren’t being filled.

►  In the Spokesman-Review -- Council's list can help unemployed find new career -- Each year, the WDC reviews 516 job categories to determine which are in demand and which aren't, based on projected job openings and the number of trained workers that will be available to fill them. Now, the flow of some training dollars ride on the outcome of this "demand/decline list.”

National news:

►  At Politico -- UPS, FedEx worlds apart on labor law -- A brutal labor law battle between UPS and FedEx could be headed for a showdown this week as Congress faces a deadline to make a move in the bitter, long-running dispute. The two shipping giants have been engaged in a down-and-dirty lobbying campaign over a proposal that would make it easier for labor to organize FedEx. Memphis-based FedEx has spent millions of dollars, and its chief executive has even threatened to cancel an order of new Boeing planes if the proposal passes. UPS has been quieter about its lobbying but is getting support from the Teamsters, who represent many of its employees. The 230-word provision making it easier to unionize FedEx is part of the House FAA reauthorization legislation but is absent from the Senate version. And the difference has become a major sticking point in finishing the bill before the current law expires Saturday.

►  In today's NY Times -- Robert Byrd, respected voice of Senate, dies at 92 -- Robert C. Byrd, who used his record tenure as a U.S. senator to fight for the primacy of the legislative branch of government and to build a modern West Virginia with vast amounts of federal money, dies.