News for
the week of May 18-22, 1998If you have news related to the labor movement in Washington state that you would like to share via WSLC Reports Today, we encourage you to submit it by e-mail, by fax (206-285-5805) or by phone (206-281-8901)
News for
the week of May 18-22, 1998Thursday, 5/21/98 — Northwest Airlines workers plan informational picket Friday at
SeaTac Airport
Wednesday, 5/20/98 — Positions available with Seattle
Organizing Center, KCLC's Union Cities Program
Tuesday, 5/19/98 — Minimum wage news:
Initiative 688 reaches signature-gathering milestone
Volunteers desperately needed at this weekend's Folklife
Festival
New
study: '96-'97 minimum wage hike boosted earnings without job loss
Monday, 5/18/98 — Banana workers leader assassinated in
Honduras
News from previous weeks:
May 11-15 — May 4-8 — April 27-May 2 — April 20-24
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Some 1,300 members of the International Association of Machinists Local 1040, whose jobs include reservations and ticket agents, mechanics, cleaners, ground crew, janitors and others, are affected locally and could join more than 26,000 nationally and go on strike if an agreement isn't reached soon with Northwest management.
The union says workers agreed to hundreds of millions of dollars in concessions in their contract five years ago and now the company refuses to reward its workers for their sacrifices.
Positions available with Seattle Organizing Center, KCLC's Union Cities Program
Following are job announcements for positions available in the Seattle area: Union Cities Organizer for the King County Labor Council, and four positions with the new Seattle Organizing Center: Training and Salting Coordinator, Community Outreach Organizer, Mobilization Organizer, and Communications Coordinator.
The Union Cities Organizer works under the direction of the Executive Secretary of the King County Labor County Council. The Union Cities Organizer coordinates closely with the Director/Lead Organizer and staff of the Seattle Organizing Center, a joint organizing project of the National AFL-CIO, the King County Labor Council, local and international unions.
Responsibility areas:
— Coordinate and implement the King County Labor Council's Union Cities program with all affiliated organizations;
— Assist unions in developing and expanding their organizing programs in order to join the Seattle Organizing Center;
— Coordinate activities among volunteers and staff of local unions and the King County Labor Council who are working on Union Cities-related projects;
— Coordinate Common Sense Economics trainings for affiliates;
— Customize and develop campaign-specific curricula with unions belonging to the Seattle Organizing Center.
— Report directly to the King County Labor Council's Executive Secretary and Executive Board on progress in carrying out Union Cities work;
Qualifications:
— At least three years' union or community organizing experience;
— Solid commitment to the principles of trade unionism and social and economic justice;
— Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
— Able to motivate people, coordinate volunteer activity and delegate responsibility;
— Able to develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of people and organizations;
— Proficient in computer skills, including database management and word processing;
— Willing to work long hours, including nights and weekends;
— Own vehicle available for work (mileage is provided)
Job information: This is a full-time, salaried position with the King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Union membership in OPEIU Local 8. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. Start date for this position is late June, 1998. Send cover letter, resume and three references to: Ron Judd, Executive Secretary, King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, by letter: 2800 First Avenue, Room 208, Seattle, WA, 98121; or by e-mail. The application deadline: June 12, 1998
The King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.
The Center's training and salting coordinator will be responsible for working with SOC unions to create salting and organizer training programs that support organizing drives. S/he will work closely with the staff and members of participating unions and the King County Labor Council. S/he will report to the SOC Director/Lead Organizer.
Duties and Responsibilities:
— Work with each SOC union to determine salting and training needs;
— Create a multi-union salting program that includes systems to recruit, train, place and support large numbers of salts;
— In coordination with the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute, develop and lead trainings for staff and member-organizers;
— Recruit for Organizing Institute and other training programs that support SOC campaigns.
— Work closely with leadership, members and staff from participating unions, central labor bodies, the King County Labor Council and allied organizations;
— Coordinate activities with other SOC staff.
Qualifications:
— Three years' experience in labor or community organizing;
— Solid commitment to the labor movement and the struggle for social and economic justice;
— Proven ability to develop and drive a program;
— Excellent writing, public speaking, and one-on-one communication skills;
— Ability to motivate people, coordinate volunteer activity and delegate responsibility
— Ability to plan and coordinate a wide variety of trainings;
— Ability to work with a diverse group of people from a wide range of organizations inside and outside the labor movement in politically sensitive situations;
— Ability and desire to work collaboratively as part of a team;
— Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects, and to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment;
— Proficiency with word processing, database and e-mail programs;
— Willingness to work long and irregular hours and weekends;
— Spanish and/or Asian language skills a plus.
Job information: This is a new, full-time, salaried position with the AFL-CIO. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. Start date for the position is late June. Send cover letter, résumé and three references to: Jonathan Rosenblum, Director/Lead Organizer, Seattle Organizing Center, by letter: 2800 First Avenue, Room 220, Seattle, WA, 98121; or by e-mail. Application deadline: June 12, 1998.
The AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.
Job Description: The Seattle Organizing Center (SOC) is an initiative of the AFL-CIO, the King County Labor Council (Seattle), and Seattle-area unions. The Seattle Organizing Center will link unions and their campaigns in coordinated, large-scale drives aimed at organizing King County workers into unions.
The Center's community outreach organizer will be responsible for building broad community support for the right to organize and for union organizing campaigns associated with the project. S/he will work closely the staff and members of participating unions, community organizations, and the King County Labor Council. S/he will report to the SOC Director/Lead Organizer.
Duties and Responsibilities:
— Work with SOC union leadership, staff and members to develop community outreach strategies and capacity;
— Develop and implement outreach strategies that involve religious, civil rights, environmental and other community groups in the fight to organize unions;
— Develop community-based themes around the right to organize that will support SOC campaigns;
— Coordinating with the King County Labor Council and its Worker Center, plan and implement campaigns to win the active and open support of local politicians for SOC organizing campaigns;
— Work closely with Jobs With Justice to expand the Workers Rights Board and to develop non-traditional structures to defend the right of workers to organize;
— Build and deepen labor-community partnerships and alliances in the struggle for social and economic justice;
— Coordinate activities with other SOC staff.
Qualifications:
— Three years' experience in labor, community or political organizing, or other social advocacy work;
— Solid commitment to the labor movement and the struggle for social and economic justice;
— Proven ability to develop and drive a program;
— Excellent communication skills
— Ability to motivate people, coordinate volunteer activity and delegate responsibility
— Ability to work with a diverse group of people from a wide range of organizations inside and outside the labor movement in politically sensitive situations;
— Ability and desire to work collaboratively as part of a team;
— Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects, and to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment;
— Willingness to work long and irregular hours and weekends;
— Spanish and/or Asian language skills a plus.
Job information: This is a new, full-time, salaried position with the AFL-CIO. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. Start date for the position is late June. Send cover letter, résumé, and three references to: Jonathan Rosenblum, Director/Lead Organizer, Seattle Organizing Center, by letter: 2800 First Avenue, Room 220, Seattle, WA, 98121; or by e-mail. Application deadline: June 12, 1998
The AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.
The Center's mobilization organizer will be responsible for setting up and running single and multi-union mobilization programs to activate large numbers of union members to support SOC campaigns. S/he will work closely with the staff and members of participating unions and the King County Labor Council. S/he will report to the SOC Director/Lead Organizer.
Duties and Responsibilities:
— Work with each SOC union to develop mobilization strategies and capacity;
— Oversee the construction and maintenance of the multi-union mobilization database;
— Plan large and small direct actions and city-wide events;
— Build and lead a rapid response team to defend and expand worker's organizing rights;
— Work closely with leadership, members and staff from participating unions, central bodies and Jobs With Justice;
— Coordinate activities with other SOC staff.
Qualifications:
— Three years' experience in labor or community organizing or other social justice work;
— Solid commitment to the labor movement and the struggle for social and economic justice;
— Proven ability to develop and drive a program;
— Excellent communication skills;
— Ability to motivate people, coordinate volunteer activity and delegate responsibility
— Ability to work with a diverse group of people from a wide range of organizations inside and outside the labor movement in politically sensitive situations;
— Ability and desire to work collaboratively as part of a team;
— Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects, and to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment;
— Proficiency with word processing, database, and e-mail programs;
— Willingness to work long and irregular hours and weekends;
— Spanish and/or Asian language skills a plus.
Job information: This is a new, full-time, salaried position with the AFL-CIO. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. Start date for the position is late June. Send cover letter, résumé, and three references to: Jonathan Rosenblum, Director/Lead Organizer, Seattle Organizing Center, by letter: 2800 First Avenue, Room 220, Seattle, WA, 98121, or by e-mail. Application deadline: June 12, 1998
The AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.
The Center's communications coordinator will be responsible for developing a join SOC campaign message and for working with SOC unions to develop internal and external communications in support of organizing. S/he will work closely with the staff and members of participating unions and the King County Labor Council. S/he will report to the SOC Director/Lead Organizer.
Duties and Responsibilities:
— Develop a joint SOC campaign message and produce joint campaign materials;
— In coordination with the AFL-CIO Public Affairs Department, develop strategies to improve the public image of the labor movement and to support organizing drives;
— Facilitate media work for joint mobilization events, including providing media support; initiating contact with and responding to media inquiries; and working with media to pitch story ideas and provide information in support of organizing drives;
— Train union staff and member-organizers in media relations and in writing news releases, background pieces, fact sheets and other news-related items; coordinate the writing and placement of op-ed articles;
— Conceive and direct media events based on natural and created news opportunities;
— Develop a SOC web site;
— Facilitate internal SOC communications network;
— Work with each SOC union to plan media events, provide communications support, and develop internal communications tools, such as flyers and campaign materials;
— Coordinate activities with other SOC staff.
Qualifications:
— Three years' experience in communications work, preferably in support of labor or community organizing or other social advocacy work;
— Solid commitment to the labor movement and the struggle for social and economic justice;
— Proven ability to develop and drive a program;
— Superior speaking, writing and editing skills;
— Ability to train and motivate people, coordinate volunteer activity and delegate responsibility
— Ability to work with a diverse group of people from a wide range of organizations inside and outside the labor movement in politically sensitive situations;
— Ability and desire to work collaboratively as part of a team;
— Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects, and to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment;
— Proficiency with word processing, desktop publishing and e-mail programs;
— Willingness to work long and irregular hours and weekends;
— Spanish and/or Asian language skills a plus. HTML proficiency a plus.
Job information: This is a new, full-time, salaried position with the AFL-CIO. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. Start date for the position is late June. Send cover letter, résumé, and three references to: Jonathan Rosenblum, Director/Lead Organizer, Seattle Organizing Center, by letter: 2800 First Avenue, Room 220, Seattle, WA, 98121, or by e-mail. Application deadline: June 12, 1998
The AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.
Initiative 688 reaches signature-gathering milestone
The all-volunteer effort to gather signatures for Initiative 688, the campaign to increase Washington state's minimum wage, has reached a major milestone. Signature gatherers have reached the halfway point of more than 115,000 of the 225,000 signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot.
"This is a major accomplishment by thousands of volunteers, said Bob Swanson, co-chair of the initiative campaign. "But we have only six weeks left, and a huge job ahead. We need every possible volunteer available to achieve our goal."
I-688 is the first statewide initiative to depend on an all-volunteer signature-gathering effort in several years. "One goal of the campaign is to show the depth of support for this issue. You can't do an all-volunteer effort without people being truly dedicated to the cause," Swanson said. "We are confident that our tremendous volunteer support and people's eagerness to sign the petition will allow us to qualify for the November 3rd ballot — and that more than enough people will vote 'yes.' "
Volunteers desperately needed at this weekend's Folklife Festival
This weekend's Folklife Festival in Seattle will be the single biggest signature-gathering event of the campaign to increase the minimum wage. Judy Krebs, Initiative 688 campaign director, has set a goal of collecting 20,000 signatures at the festival held at the Seattle Center from Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25.
"If you collect signatures only once in this campaign, Folklife is the place to do it," said Bridget Geraghty, Seattle/King County Field Coordinator for the campaign. To volunteer, e-mail or call Bridget at (206) 256-6391 and sign up for a 2-hour shift. Volunteers will gather at the SEIU office, 150 Denny Way on Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 10:30 and 11 a.m.
New study: '96-'97 minimum wage hike boosted earnings without job loss
A new study confirms what proponents of Initiative 688, the campaign to increase Washington state's minimum wage, have been saying all along: Raising the minimum wage increases earnings among low-income families without job loss.
"Making Work Pay: The Impact if the 1996-97 Minimum Wage Increase," the most comprehensive analysis to date of the 1996-97 federal increase conducted by the Economic Policy Institute, demonstrates conclusively that the wage hike disproportionately benefited low-wage workers, as intended. It also shows that the primary beneficiaries are indeed workers from low-income households — not teenagers from middle- and high-income families, as some critics charge. Four different tests further confirm that job opportunities have not been lost as a result of the wage hike.
In short, the new report by economists Jared Bernstein and John Schmitt shows that:
n The 1996-97 minimum-wage increase of $0.90 raised the wages of almost 10 million workers, about 71 percent of whom were adults and 58 percent of whom were women. About half worked full-time and another third worked between 20 and 34 hours per week.
n The average minimum-wage worker provides more than half of his or her household’s weekly earnings.
n The two-stage increase disproportionately benefited low-income working families. Households in the bottom 20 percent of the income distribution (average income: $15,728) receive only 5 percent of total family income in the U.S., but received 35 percent of the benefits of the minimum-wage increase.
n Four different tests of the combined increase’s impact on employment – applied to a large number of demographic groups whose wages are sensitive to the minimum wage – failed to find job loss associated with the 1996-97 increase.
The authors examine the low-wage labor market between October 1996 and February 1998, the most recent date for which data are available. This period begins with the initial increase of the federal minimum wage by $0.50 to $4.75 per hour, and encompasses an additional increase of $0.40 that went into effect on September 1, 1997, raising the minimum wage to its present value of $5.15. At its current level, the minimum wage remains at only 82 percent of its 1979 value (adjusted for inflation).
The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, non-partisan economic think tank based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1986, EPI seeks to widen the debate about policies to achieve healthy economic growth, prosperity and opportunity in the United States.
Jared Bernstein is a labor economist with the Economic Policy Institute. He specializes in the analysis of trends in employment and compensation, and tracks developments in family income inequality and poverty with an emphasis on low-wage labor markets. Bernstein received a doctorate in social welfare from Columbia University.
John Schmitt is a labor economist with the Economic Policy Institute. He has written for general and academic publications on wage inequality, the minimum wage, unemployment and economic development. Schmitt’s doctorate in economics is from the London School of Economics.
If any of you wonder why labor and environmentalists continue to insist that their issues be considered when negotiating international trade agreements, here's a story that exemplifies how workers get treated in the Third World countries where we are sending manufacturing and industrial jobs — and what happens when one of the workers tries to stand up for human rights.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Two unknown men shot dead Medardo Varela, the leader of a movement which forced U.S. banana companies to pay compensation to thousands of workers affected by the use of pesticides in banana plantations. Varela, 53, was shot yesterday (May 12) in Savá, north of Tegucigalpa, a village where the U.S. company Castle and Cooke used to be located.
He was one of the trade union leaders who fought to achieve compensation for more than 5,000 workers. These workers used to work at the Castle and Chiquita Brands plantations and were left sterile as a result of the pesticides used in the banana plantations.
The government ruled that the use of the chemical product known as "Megamón" in the U.S.-based banana companies plantations resulted in many Honduran workers being left sterile. This ruling was made last April.
According to the government, some 8,000 workers used this pesticide for 12 years the big banana, pineapple and other fruit plantations. None of them had any protecting clothing and they did not know the harmful effects of these chemical products.
The U.S. banned the use of this pesticides in 1977 after it was proved that they caused sterility, blindness and cancer on humans. Nevertheless, U.S. companies in Honduras kept using them.
If you have a news item regarding unions in Washington state that you would like to have posted on WSLC OnLine, please e-mail or fax a news release to (206) 285-5805.
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