WSLC Reports Online -- April 2002

WSLC Reports is a monthly summary of labor news and a preview of coming events. It is not intended to be comprehensive. More detail is available on each of these (and other) items online. If you would like to receive this via e-mail, fax or mail, Get on the List!

Worker Memorial Day is April 28. But this year, as we once again rededicate ourselves to "Mourn the Dead and Fight for the Living," the observances honoring fallen and injured workers will have special poignancy because of the thousands of workers who died Sept. 11.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28—Worker Memorial Day. This day, organized labor and other advocates for safe and healthy workplaces rededicate themselves to "Mourn the Dead and Fight for the Living." In addition to the state Department of Labor and Industries’ event held in Olympia April 24, the following events are planned:

Bellingham—The Northwest Washington CLC is hosting its observance Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m. at the Worker Memorial Monument at the City Library, 210 Central Ave.

Everett—The Snohomish County Labor Council will hold its observance Monday, April 29 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the Snohomish County Courthouse at the Workers Memorial sculpture (Wetmore & Pacific). Bring union banners and march there from the Labor Temple at 5:10 p.m.

Spokane—The Spokane Labor Council will host its observance Saturday, April 27 beginning at noon at Mission Park. The ceremony will be followed by a picnic at the park.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY, MAY 17-18—"Domestic Violence: The Union Role and Responsibility," a two-day conference presented by the WSLC Women’s Committee at the IAM District 751 Hall, 9125 15th Pl. in South Seattle. (See story at left.) More info (and registration form).

SATURDAY, MAY 18—Paul Robeson Memorial Concert at Peace Arch Park in Blaine. This event will celebrate international solidarity by marking the 50th anniversary of Paul Robeson’s historic appearance at Peace Arch Park for a protest of Sen. Joe McCarthy’s "red-baiting" and blacklisting of American workers. It will feature music, banner making, a graffiti wall, video displays, giant puppets, information tables, roving artists, and history in the form of memorabilia from the original concert... all free of charge. More info.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1—WSLC COPE Convention. The WSLC’s annual political endorsement convention, where delegates representing affiliated union organizations will vote on which candidates and initiatives to endorse for the important 2002 elections. It will be at the Machinists Hall, 9125 15th Place S. in South Seattle. Affiliated organizations have already received their convention calls. If you have questions, please contact WSLC Political Director Diane McDaniel at 206-281-8901. More info.

About 1.7 million worker injuries and illnesses required time off from work in 2000. Similar to 1999’s total, that figure marks an end to a steady decline since 1993, when 2.25 million lost-time injuries were reported. Days away from work for major injuries were highest for carpal tunnel syndrome, at 27 days; fractures, at 20 days; and amputations, at 18 days.

In Washington state, Governor Locke has postponed by two years the enforcement of the new ergonomics rule designed to prevent strains, sprains and carpal tunnel injuries. And this month, President Bush finally issued ergonomics "guidelines" (promised after he killed the OSHA standard in March 2001) that continue the decades-old policy of making ergonomic injury prevention voluntary for employers. In response, a new bill was introduced in the senate April 17 that would require the Bush administration to issue a protective ergonomics standard within two years.

The November election promises to be critical for organized labor. Not just because redistricting and slight legislative majorities in both houses could shake up who controls state government, but because of the spate of initiative and referendum proposals that may or may not be on the ballot. Labor had thought it would be able to focus its efforts in support of Ref. 51, a proposal from the legislature to increase our state gas tax by 9 cents over three years to begin addressing our critical transportation needs. But a number of other measures have been filed that are direct attacks on organized labor, attacks that will require our focused defensive efforts if they qualify for the ballot:

— Initiative 776 is yet another effort by discredited anti-tax profiteer Tim Eyman and his followers to reduce car-tab fees, this time targeting for repeal all local-option vehicle excise taxes. Ignoring the severe damage their previous initiatives have done to our state and local governments —closing parks and libraries, skyrocketing transit fares, government wage freezes and layoffs—I-776 targets already-reeling county and city governments. Paid signature gatherers are already collecting signatures; Decline to Sign! More info.

— Initiative 777 is a so-called "right-to-work" measure, or as unionists have come to know them, Right to Work for Less. It would ban workers from negotiating union-security agreements that spread the costs of representation fairly, among all who benefit from the contract. I-777 is designed to weaken or destroy unions by encouraging "free riders," and is being pushed by members of the University of Washington College Republicans. Contact us at (206) 281-8901 if you see I-777 signature gatherers. More info.

— Ref. 52 would refer to the November ballot the portion of the Civil Service Reform Act that grants state employees the right to bargain collectively. After 14 years of debate, negotiation and compromise, this bill finally passed this year, but now the Building Industry Association of Washington has filed Ref. 52 to repeal it. Why do builders care so much about state employee collective bargaining that they want labor to focus on defending this rather than supporting the gas-tax measure that will benefit their members? Good question. More info.

— Ref. 53 would also refer to the ballot part of a landmark unemployment insurance reform bill. The bill creates some stability to the UI system by dealing with the fact that some employers are forced to pay considerably more in premiums than their workers receive in benefits, subsidizing the employers who underpay. This labor-supported bill is now under attack from (again) the BIAW, because builders would see their premiums rise.

The WSLC will hold its COPE Endorsing Convention Saturday, June 1 at the Machinists 751 Hall, 9125 15th Pl. S. in Seattle starting at 9 a.m. Affiliated union organizations have already received delegate information and credentials. Contact your local union to find out about serving as a delegate or alternate. More info.

The Washington State Labor Council Women’s Committee is sponsoring a two-day, two-track Spring Conference on "Domestic Violence: The Union Role and Responsibility" on Friday and Saturday, May 17-18 at the IAM District 751 Hall, 9125 15th Pl. in Seattle. Cathy Collette, Director of Women’s and Community Affairs for AFSCME International Union, will be the featured presenter both days. The conference is from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The cost which includes materials is $15 for Friday and $25 for Saturday, which also includes lunch. The registration form is available online or by calling (206) 281-8901. More info.

The Women’s Committee also is offering scholarships to members of affiliated unions for The Labor Center at Evergreen State College’s 13th Annual Summer School for Union Women at the school’s Olympia campus June 26-30. The scholarship application is available online or by calling (206) 281-8901; the deadline to apply is May 15. More info.

In addition, the Women’s Committee is accepting nominations for the Elsie Schraeder Award for Outstanding Achievement in Labor to be presented at the WSLC’s annual convention. The award is given for the advancement of women in leadership roles and for activism on behalf of women within the labor movement. The deadline for nominations is May 31. More info.

On Saturday, May 11, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America will deliver much more than mail when they walk and drive along their postal routes. They will also collect the compassion of their postal customers participating in the 10th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive. Letter carriers will collect nonperishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to community food banks in the largest one-day food drive in the nation. In Washington state, the letter carriers are asking for your help. Volunteers will be needed that day to assist with loading and driving trucks and performing other essential tasks. Contact your local post office for information on how to volunteer. More info.

The Bush Administration is implementing changes in federal Medicaid reimbursement policies that will cost Washington state some $150-200 million that is assumed in this year’s operating budget. On April 22, Tom Scully, Bush’s Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, appeared at a Bellevue town hall meeting and was greeted by dozens of angry seniors, doctors and others concerned about changes in Medicaid policies. Their complaints were succinctly summarized by a letter to Scully from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), which stated: "...The Bush Administration has decided to eliminate additional Medicaid payments immediately. This will result in a crippling, $200 million cut to Washington State... I believe that a national recession is the wrong time to be eliminating the health care coverage of vulnerable populations." More info.