King County Labor Council

 

 

Labor's Voice
April 2003

 

Executive Secretary’s Report: Make Jobs, Not War
The military defeat of the Iraqi regime was predictable, but are we any better off? I suspect most workers in King County, despite the Bush administration's hype, are no better off when it comes to their families' economic security. And are we safer? The long term effects of our invasion are far from clear. 

We do know that unemployment in Washington State rose once again last week, our nearly $3 billion state budget deficit is about to be balanced by cutting jobs and services, the Seattle School District is in a financial and leadership shambles, health care costs (for those who have coverage) eat at collective bargaining gains and economic uncertainty at home closes in as jobs move out. 

So where's the war dividend? 

War doesn't deliver dividends for workers, but the anti-war message of the American labor movement leading up to the invasion of Iraq was a powerful investment. In fact, finding our post-invasion voice is an easier task because of the historic anti-war position we, and ultimately the AFL-CIO, adopted. 

Seeking that voice, I traveled to Chicago last weekend where I was privileged to attend the U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW) meeting with other leaders of labor organizations opposed to the war from across the country (central labor councils, USLAW chapters, local and international unions). USLAW is the coalition that organized the labor movement to its first anti-war position in our history, and it did so by providing an infrastructure of ideas, information, resolutions passed and activities undertaken. 

Do you want to draw links between budget deficits, health care costs or collapsing commitments to public education and inflated military spending? Seek out USLAW. The USLAW website (www.uslaboragainstwar.org) has been visited over 132,000 times since February, averaging over 2,300 visits daily in March! USLAW is committed to providing the information and education we all need to understand Bush's underlying agenda behind his drive to militarism. 

And while USLAW tracked over 230 anti-war resolutions from labor organizations before the invasion, USLAW is not stuck in pre-invasion resolution crafting. At the Chicago meeting we drew up plans for a national convening of all labor organizations ready to explore our next steps this fall. One of those steps is continuing to draw the links between failed foreign policies and the domestic fallout for workers. We simply cannot solve our economic and social problems without addressing U.S. foreign policy and its consequences.  

Look for USLAW (perhaps a new name?) to continue to lead. I plan to support USLAW personally and organizationally. Workers in King County need jobs, health care and education. USLAW will be a valuable tool in our struggle to fully discuss why Bush's war agenda won't help workers gain what they need. If we're going to fight, let's fight for jobs!

 

Laid-off airport screeners find assistance
In late 2002 and January of this year, over 1,000 airport screeners and other security personnel were laid-off at SeaTac Airport. This was a result of the federalization of airport security and the creation of the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA). 

In response, the SeaTac Airport Security Reemployment Committee was formed to provide career assistance and support to these workers. The Worker Center, AFL-CIO, participated in the committee and directed the outreach project with a goal of getting the screeners back into the workforce. The project was able to contact 900 of the laid-off workers, about a third of whom had gained employment with the TSA. Remaining workers were interviewed and referred to counselors from the Dislocated Worker Program for help in finding work and/or receiving training. Many received assistance from the Renton WorkSource office and a good number have found new jobs. 

This project is a prime example of an authentic partnership and demonstrates how working together ultimately benefits workers.

 

WashTech gains first represented members
Earlier this month, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers, founded five years ago as a local of the Communications Workers of America for contract employees of Microsoft and other companies, for the first time became a collective bargaining representative. Voluntary recognition was obtained for three employees of U.S. Union Network, a company that does website development and hosting for unions and progressive organizations nationwide. 

“This is the first group we’ll actually have a contract for,” said Marcus Courtney, WashTech organizer and co-founder. “We’re all pretty excited about it,” he said, noting that WashTech hopes to organize other website developers.

 

Seattle Monorail Project update
The first quarterly risk analysis of the Seattle Monorail project was recently conducted and resulted in very positive findings. According to the analysis, the chance of building the Green Line monorail on budget have improved significantly over the past year because of the project’s rapid pace and the quality of its management team. In additional good news, there is now at 80% likelihood that the project’s cost will be at or below the $1.75 billion estimate.

 

Grant to provide opportunities for tech workers
Federal funds will soon be available for local workers to receive technology training, thanks to an H1-B technical skills training grant funded by fees paid by U.S. companies to import foreign workers. About 550 workers will benefit from the grant.  

Participating companies will pay half the training costs for their employees, who can attend any of the public or private schools in the area. The companies will not only save money on tuition, they can also save in the long run by avoiding the costs associated with importing foreign workers.

 

Apprenticeship and college DO go together
The House of Representatives and the state Senate have come to an agreement on extending opportunities for apprentices to earn associate degrees at area community colleges. HB 1061, which was sponsored by Rep. Velma Veloria (D-11th) will eventually help pave the way for apprentices to go to a four-year college by making it easier for them to earn their associate degree. The bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk for approval. 

“There is a misperception out there. Many people think apprenticeships are only for people who aren’t thinking about college,” said Veloria. “Our increasingly complex economy needs workers with both advanced training and an advanced degree.”

 

Jobs with Justice election results
Jobs with Justice has elected new statewide leadership for 2003-2004. The new officers include:

Co-chairs: Lynne Dodson and Terri Mast

Treasurer: Paul Bigman

Secretary: Jill Gannicott

Representative at-large for faith: Rev. Harriett Walden

Representative at-large for community: Rich Gurtiza

Representative at-large for students: Akson Mounlamai

Representative at-large for labor: Jose Juarez

 

Victory for New Hampshire workers
Late last month, a Right to Work bill was defeated in New Hampshire by a vote of 262-103. What makes this victory so impressive is that there are only 118 Democrats in the New Hampshire legislature! The victory is due to an amazing effort by the New Hampshire State AFL-CIO, staff from the National AFL-CIO and rank and file activists. Congratulations to our East Coast brothers and sisters!

 

Online Resources
Check out this Seattle P-I editorial on the need to increase revenue and the effects of budget cuts.

Here’s a site featuring interesting graphs and polling on President Bush.

Take Action! Tell President Bush and Congress: Jobs, not tax cuts for the rich!

Visit the AFL-CIO’s BushWatch Page to keep tabs on the President’s war on our country’s workers.

 

Upcoming Events
April 30th,7:00 – 9:00 p.m.: “The Continental Bind: How ‘free trade’ agreements like NAFTA and FTAA are impacting workers, the poor, farmers and our democratic rights.” University of Washington, Kane Hall 210. Call (206) 405-4600 for information. 

May 1st through 4th: Pacific Northwest Labor History Association Annual Conference. University of Washington. Contact the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies for information or registration forms at (206) 543-7946 or pcls@u.washington.edu. 

May 10th: National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. This is the largest single volunteer event in America each year and has collected over one-half billion pounds of food so far to help the hungry! Leave non-perishable food items in our beside your mail box for collection by your letter carrier.  

May 17th: The Labor Center at Evergreen State College presents “Young Workers: Organizing our Future,” a conference for workers under the age of 30. Contact Lucilene Whitesell at (360) 867-6055 or whitesel@evergreen.edu for more information. 

May 21st, 7:00 p.m.: KCLC Delegates Meeting featuring a special visit from National AFL-CIO Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson. 

June 25th through 29th: The Labor Education and Research Center presents “Summer School for Union Women: Women Organizing Women.” Contact Lucilene Whitesell at (360) 867-6055 or whitesel@evergreen.edu for more information.