WSLC Monthly Report -- August/September 2005

WSLC Reports is a bi-monthly summary of labor news and a preview of coming events. It is not intended to be comprehensive. More detail is available on these (and other) stories online. If you want to receive this via fax or mail, Get on the List! (See previous editions of this newsletter.)

SEIU, Teamsters and UFCW quit AFL-CIO, form "Change to Win"

The Service Employees International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the United Food and Commercial Workers have withdrawn from the AFL-CIO, forming a new coalition called Change to Win. In doing so, these unions have disaffiliated from all AFL-CIO state federations and central labor bodies, including the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

By Constitution, unions not affiliated with the AFL-CIO may not affiliate with AFL-CIO state and central labor bodies. This has been policy at the WSLC since it was founded in 1957. In fact, the Constitution of the Washington State Federation of Labor that predated the AFL and CIO merger included the same requirement.

"The Washington State Labor Council remains committed to continuing its proud tradition of success in advocating for Washington’s working families," said WSLC President Rick Bender. "In many ways, our state has bucked national trends on declining union membership and the election of anti-union politicians. The WSLC remains determined to improve upon those successes, but unfortunately our efforts will be without the participation of unions that have quit the AFL-CIO."

The AFL-CIO has indicated it is willing to explore creative ways for disaffiliated unions to maintain their involvement with state and local labor councils. Although an initial "Solidarity Charter" proposal contained language that Change to Win unions found objectionable and rejected, the Washington State Labor Council is hopeful that discussions will continue at the national level on how union solidarity and effective labor councils can be preserved at the state and local levels.

Washington State Labor Council President Rick Bender expressed frustration with the split in the national AFL-CIO and its impact on the state federation in a candid opening address at the 2005 Convention held Aug 4-6 in Spokane.

"As a state fed officer, I was angry and frustrated because there was nothing that we could do to stop the pullout and split within the labor movement," Bender said. "I hope these national leaders understand that the CLCs and state feds are the frontlines of the labor movement and that you can’t build a stronger labor movement out of Washington, DC. It has to be done at the state and local levels."

He said the impact of the disaffiliations of the UFCW, SEIU and Teamsters from the AFL-CIO (see story at right) has been an immediate financial hardship at the WSLC. Unions outside the AFL-CIO are not allowed to affiliate with state federations and central labor councils.

"We are working to restructure the State Labor Council to maintain our key functions and core mission," which he said are legislative advocacy, political organization, communicating our values and goals to union members and the general public, and support for affiliates’ organizing efforts.

Also at the convention, Gov. Christine Gregoire listed several legislative accomplishments for delegates, including 2005’s passage of HB 2255 reforming unemployment insurance benefits. She credited, and thanked, the WSLC for its key role in their passage. She also described what a pleasure it was that the very first bill she signed as governor was the apprenticeship utilization bill, a measure that will promote good family-wage job opportunities.

Another convention highlight was U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who blasted the Bush administration for policies of "cronyism" and for ignoring more pressing problems that are facing working families.

Also addressing the convention were U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, MEBA President Ron Davis, and several other distinguished guests. Comedian Will Durst brought the house down at the convention banquet as he lambasted politicians on both sides of the aisle.

The main business of the convention is to debate and vote upon the WSLC’s positions on issues, programs, candidates and initiatives. Check out all of the approved 2005 WSLC Resolutions and all 2005 political endorsement action taken at the convention.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 -- Rallies to Support Our Veterans and Defense Workers have been organized by Washington State Jobs with Justice, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the King and Pierce County Labor Councils. They will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Rep. Dave Reichert’s Mercer Island office (2737 78th Ave SE), and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Sen. Maria Cantwell’s Tacoma office (950 Pacific Ave.) President Bush is trying to strip away real national security, veterans’ rights and troop safety. Learn more.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 -- The Harry Bridges Project presents the film "From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks..." at 7 p.m. at the Meany Hall of the Performing Arts, NE 40th St. and NE 15th Ave., at the University of Washington in Seattle. The $10 tickets are available online or by calling 206-257-9838. Learn more.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 -- Labor Day

SEATTLE -- The King County Labor Council's 2005 Labor Day Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seattle's Lower Woodland Park, Shelters 1, 2 and 3. All are invited, and admission is free, but participants are asked to bring a can of food for the Puget Sound Labor Agency food bank. There will be live music, games, clowns, face painting, ice cream, soda, coffee, raffle prizes, and hot dogs. For info, call 206-441-8510.

TACOMA -- America in Solidarity is hosting a Labor Day celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Wright Park. It will include a free barbecue, a Union Tug-O-War contest pitting Pierce County's unions against each other, a "No Child Left Behind" sack race, music, and other entertainment. For info, call Todd at 253-471-1123.

UNIVERSITY PLACE -- The Pierce County Central Labor Council will conduct a 10:30 a.m. memorial service at the gravesite of labor activist and songwriter Ralph Chaplin to celebrate his life and accomplishments. Chaplin's grave is located at Calgary Cemetery, 5212 70th Ave. West. For info, call 253-473-3810.

SEPTEMBER 21-25 -- Spokane’s 2005 Rank & File Union School will train members to make their union stronger and more effective. Sponsored by the Spokane Regional Labor Council, with training provided by the Labor Education and Research Center at The Evergreen State College, it will be held at the Sheet Metal Workers' hall, 7209 E. Trent. The cost, which includes lunches, snacks and classroom materials, is $150 per student. The deadline to enroll is Sept. 9. Sign up or get more information by calling 509-327-7637.

OCTOBER 5-6 -- "New Directions," the 2005 Workers’ Compensation Conference presented by the WSLC, Association of Washington Business and the State Department of Labor and Industries, will be at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel in Spokane. This is a broad-based forum for union representatives, rank-and-file workers, employers and all others affected by the system to learn more about workers’ compensation. Space is limited, so sign up now online or call 1-800-255-9752. Learn more.

The Boeing Co. and the International Association of Machinists District 751 have been in contract negotiations since June 10, but intensive talks began August 15 with the company expected to present its "best and final" offer at any time. The existing three-year contract covering some 18,500 IAM members expires at midnight Friday, Sept. 2.

The relative quiet of these negotiations was briefly interrupted August 21 when thousands of Machinists and their supporters rallied outside the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel, where contract talks are taking place. King County Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and WSLC President Rick Bender addressed the enthusiastic crowd and urged Boeing to "Do the Right Thing" by agreeing to a fair contract.

The Washington State Labor Council, Your Vote Counts (a Washington state voting rights organization) and other advocates for voting rights are calling on Secretary of State Sam Reed to pull a misleading television public service announcement produced by his office. The ad falsely states that photo identification is now "required" at the polls. (The ad is posted at www.secstate.wa.gov.)

The statute approved in the last legislative session very clearly states that photo identification is NOT required at the polls, but is one of several acceptable forms of identification, including a voter registration card, a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document. The law further provides that voters with NO identification may still vote a provisional ballot, which will be counted if the voter’s signature on the ballot envelope matches the voter’s signature on his or her voter’s registration form -- the same procedure routinely used to verify absentee or mail ballots.

In a contentious hour-long floor vote on July 28, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement by two votes, 217-215. The fast-tracked measure had already passed the Senate and now has been signed by President George W. Bush.

Like NAFTA before it, CAFTA was strongly opposed by organized labor because it does not include protections for workers’ right to form a union or safe work conditions.

"Republicans who voted for CAFTA chose party loyalty and corporate bucks over their constituents," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "Democrats who voted for CAFTA sided with big business over the working men and women who walked their neighborhoods, staffed their phone banks, and worked hard to put them in office. The labor movement will remember this vote."

Among Washington’s delegation, voting "yes" were Reps. Norm Dicks (one of only 15 House Democrats to support CAFTA) and Republican Reps. Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris and Doc Hastings. Voting "no" were Democratic Reps. Brian Baird, Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Jim McDermott and Adam Smith. Both Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell voted in favor of CAFTA.