King County Labor Council

Labor's Voice
February 2003

Sound Transit gets a boost
The Federal Transit Administration has given the plans for the initial segment of Sound Transit’s Link light rail its highest rating. The project is one of only two in the country to receive the rating, which is a major boost in the ongoing formal review process for federal grant funding. $75 million has been included in the President’s proposed FY 2004 budget for Sound Transit. If approved, the funds will be used on construction and right-of-way acquisition from downtown Seattle to just north of Sea-Tac Airport.  

Victory for investors
After urging from the AFL-CIO and following actions across the country, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted last month to require mutual funds to disclose their proxy votes. The vote was a long-overdue victory for millions of working families who invest their retirement savings in mutual funds yet are kept in the dark as to how mutual funds use their money to influence corporate elections. Supporters of the SEC action note that mutual fund managers often back corporate management in opposing proposals on such topics as executive compensation oversight and increased auditor and board independence, with an eye toward winning lucrative pension fund contracts from the very same corporate managers. For more information, visit the AFL-CIO website.

National single-payer health system bill introduced
U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, along with Rep. John Conyers, a fellow Democrat from Michigan, has introduced a bill that would create a national single-payer health system. According to Rep. McDermott, it is “nonsense to suggest the nation cannot afford such a system.” He notes that the federal government “already spends $2,600 per person” on health care through Medicare, Medicaid, other public health plans and tax exclusions for employers who provide workers’ coverage.

The system would be funded through the existing Medicare payroll tax and a new payroll tax and would provide coverage for a variety of services, including primary care, prescription drugs and dental and vision services. 

An easy way to double your contribution
During the months of March and April, any monetary donations you make to the King County Labor Agency’s Food Bank will be partially matched by the Feinstein Foundation. If you’ve been putting off making a donation, next month is the time to do it!

To help with this effort, make your check payable to KCLA then write “Food Bank” on the memo line in the lower left corner of your check. Mail to: KCLA, 2800 First Ave #126, Seattle, WA 98121. It’s that easy! Thanks in advance for your generosity. 

Access to city services improved
Earlier this month, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced measures to ensure all Seattle residents have equal access to city services. First, Nickels signed legislation prohibiting city employees and police from inquiring about a person’s immigration status.

“Our job is to serve ALL of our residents,” said Nickels. “Some people are afraid to try to access city services and even to report crimes for fear their immigration status will be checked. My hope is that this measure will ease their fears.”

Second, Nickels announced he will submit a resolution to the City Council that tells City departments they should accept the Mexican Consular Identification card as a form of identification. The I.D. card, issued by the Mexican Consulate in Seattle, is used by Mexican Nationals living in the city. The card has new security features that make it difficult to duplicate.

“Recognizing this form of identification is another way we can make sure the city serves our valued immigrant communities. In the post-September 11th world, we need to be especially mindful that we create and promote an environment of inclusion,” said Nickels.

Online resources
The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is working to inform union members and all working women about legal, medical, political and collective bargaining issues related to gaining contraceptive coverage in health insurance plans. Visit their site at http://www.cluw.org/contraceptive.html for information or to access their user-friendly “Contraceptive Equity Tool Kit.”

Keep an eye on President Bush’s anti-worker agenda by visiting the AFL-CIO’s Bush Watch site. His latest attack? On January 30th, a Bush administration official terminated the collective bargaining rights of more than 1,300 workers at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency.

 Visit www.historylink.org for over 200 original essays detailing the history of labor in King County. Search for ‘labor’ within the site for a list of articles.

Upcoming Events
February 21st, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.   Sister Irene Hull’s 90th Birthday Party! Come to Hall 8 of the Seattle Labor Temple for music, refreshments and labor liveliness as we celebrate Irene’s birthday and many years of activism.

 March 19th, 7:00 p.m.   KCLC Delegates Meeting, Hall One, Seattle Labor Temple.

 May 27th – May 30th   The Washington State Labor Council’s 2003 Labor Candidate School, “Planting Seeds for the Future IV,” will be held at the Laborers training facility in Kingston, WA. This is for labor union members who are interested in running for public office. Registration fee of $150 includes meals, materials and lodging. Space is limited to 40 participants. Contact Diane McDaniel at dmcdaniel@wslc.org or (206) 281-8901 for more information.