Washington State’s worker safety rules under attack
Despite lies and bogus signatures, Initiative 841 has made it onto the November 4th ballot in Washington State. This initiative, if passed, would repeal our state workplace ergonomic safety rules. 

The Building Industry Association of Washington and other special interest business lobbying groups have committed to spending piles of money to get this initiative passed. It’s up to us to make sure our union brothers and sisters know the truth about the initiative – that it will take away the power to enforce vital workplace safety standards that many employers refuse to implement on their own. Without the rules, many thousands of workers will continue to be needlessly injured on the job every year. 

You can help by sending donations to: Working Families for Safer Jobs, 300 Queen Anne Ave N #411, Seattle, WA 98109. To volunteer your time, contact the Washington State Labor Council at (206) 281-8901. Please help if you can! 

Initiative vote on September 16th will decide quality of many kids’ futures
We all know access to high-quality, affordable pre-kindergarten childcare is critical to working families of Seattle. That’s why the King County Labor Council has joined local unions, teachers, doctors, principals, the Seattle Council PTSA and faith based organizations in supporting Initiative 77. 

I-77 is based on proven effective policy. If passed, it will fund high-quality early learning programs for kids, support the wages of unionized childcare workers and eliminate the waiting list for childcare subsidies for Seattle’s low-income children. I-77 does all of this by raising nearly $10 million annually with a mere 10-cent tax on espresso drinks. 

Kids who benefit from high-quality early learning are more likely to start school ready and eager to learn. They are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college and less likely to commit crimes as juveniles and adults. Research shows that when childcare workers, many of whom earn less than parking lot attendants, can expect a real improvement in their wages, they improve their education and make a career in early learning. These are key elements in high-quality care for our children. I-77 is 10-cents for kids. We can do that. Vote YES on I-77 on September 16th! 

Seahawks Stadium authority agrees to ‘labor harmony’
An agreement has been reached between First and Goal, which is the group overseeing the Seahawks Stadium, and IATSE Local 15 (the stagehands union). The agreement requires those entering into a contract to use the stadium to ensure that all labor used for the event be able to work in harmony with all other labor employed at the Stadium.  

To this end, IATSE Local 15 has been designated as the preferred provider of event labor for all concerts at the Stadium. Event labor not provided by Local 15 will need to be compensated at a rate of pay and benefits equal to the Local 15 standards and the provider can not have any NLRB unfair labor practices pending against it or be the target of any organizing or other drive that could give rise to picketing or other actions. 

Welcome New Affiliates!
SEIU Local 24/7, representing 40 security guards.
Fire Fighters Local 864, representing 102 fire fighters in Renton.
UNITE! Local 21JT, representing 15 tailors at Nordstrom and Bon-Macy's.
Fire Fighters 1461, representing 32 fire fighters in Burien.
OPEIU Local 10, representing 49 local chiropractors. 

Online Resources
King County Labor Council Primary Election Endorsements are available for union members to view at the KCLC Website. Don’t forget to mail your absentee ballots or vote in the primary election on Tuesday, September 16th!
 

Visit BushWatch on the AFL-CIO website for this month’s news on the Administration’s assault on workers.

The August 29th New York Times contains an article on Working America, the AFL-CIO's new organization for non-union workers who agree with the labor movement on many issues and want to campaign alongside labor on those issues. Free registration is required to view the story, which is in the National News section.  

Upcoming Events
September 1st, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Celebrate Labor Day with KCLC! Our annual celebration will be held at Woodland Park Shelters 1, 2 and 3. Union members and their families are welcome!

September 16th  Primary Election Day

September 17th, 7:00 p.m.  KCLC Delegates Meeting, Hall One, Seattle Labor Temple. Nominations will be held for KCLC officers and trustee executive board positions.