King
County Labor CouncilKing
County Labor Council
Labor's Voice
August 2002
• The Bush tax cut for the
wealthiest while cutting social spending threatens our economic
security.
• The Bush refusal to lead toward a serious prescription drug plan for
our retirees threatens our health security.
• Bush’s standing by while CEO profiteers enrich themselves as they rip
off workers’ pensions threatens our retirement security.
• The Bush Fast Track scheme, designed to weaken trade policies,
threatens our environmental and job security.
• The Bush attack on basic civil rights protections in the name of the
"War on Terrorism" threatens our civil security.
• Bush’s attack on immigrant workers threatens the security of our
collective soul.
But not everyone is buying it. Four local elected leaders stepped up. Most notably, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels called a press conference telling Bush to stay out. King County Council Chair Cynthia Sullivan and Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck joined the message creating a local leader chorus telling Bush that the ILWU has successfully negotiated agreements for decades, thank you very much. All this on Monday, August 12th, as part of a coast-wide series of events to support the ILWU, including actions in Tacoma, Portland, the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Long Beach. Our Seattle rally featured well over 1,500 supporters on Pier 66. Great work on short notice!
On behalf of all of labor in King County we thank Sims, Nickels, Sullivan and Steinbrueck for speaking out against our collective bargaining-challenged President. Do stay tuned — we may be asked to mobilize quickly again. - Steve Williamson
Losing My Stake in the
Economy
I work operating industrial machinery at a paper mill that is owned by a
global corporation. My mill was built in the 1920’s, when the stock
market was soaring, F. Scott Fitzgerald was writing about the rich and
Babe Ruth was hitting home runs for the Yankees. I get paid by the hour
and do not understand the markets. I do not belong to a country club or
own a suit. I just want to work at the mill until I retire.
My mill has survived the Depression, a world war, even a couple minor earthquakes. But I worry if it can survive Ken Lay. Small investors like me encouraged by politicians, financial advisers and CNBC poured our retirement savings into the stock market. Now we are dismayed that the corporate captains have abandoned accountability while the crew sinks with the ship.
Perhaps I am looking for excuses for the recent poor performance of my 401(k) plan, but I wonder if the market is fair. In 2001, the average chief executive’s pay was more than $11 million, according to Pearl Meyer & Partners, an executive-compensation consulting firm. Executive pay has been climbing steadily for the past two decades and has outpaced employee pay. Two decades ago, C.E.O.’s were paid about 40 times more than the average hourly employee; now they make more than 500 times the wage of the average hourly employee.
Last year the C.E.O. of my company made 592 times more than I did. I wonder if that makes me underpaid or the C.E.O. overpaid. Recently management told hourly employees at my mill to make concessions or risk losing our jobs. We made the concessions last autumn, but last spring the C.E.O. received a stock "gift" worth $1.4 million.
This isn’t capitalism, it’s avarice. I am not naive. I know about the robber barons of the late 19th century and others throughout history who have abused the system. But never has the gap between executives and employees been greater. This disparity threatens the capitalist system itself. When employees make concessions while executives take bonuses, the bonds of common purpose are broken.
Contrast this with the Marine Corps, which is structured so that enlisted personnel and officers work together for a common purpose. The Marine Corps commandant runs an organization with 172,600 men and women, oversees an annual budget of some $13.2 billion and is paid $163,177 annually, just 13 times more than the pay of a new private in boot camp. The system is successful because of a tradition of shared risks and rewards.
All employees want their company to succeed, and I am proud to work where I do. I imagine my concern about my company’s share price is as great as my C.E.O.’s; a portion of my 401(k) is in company stock. I recognize my job depends upon my company making a profit.
But I wonder if corporate executives appreciate the role workers play in their success. Free enterprise is a system of risks and rewards. As it now stands, employees suffer most of the risks, while executives enjoy most of the rewards.
District 751 President Mark Blondin declared, "We have only 12 days left to reach an agreement and Boeing made it very clear, we are miles and miles apart on every major issue — jobs, affordable health care and improved pensions. Boeing expressed no interest in moving on anything. When the Company indicated they were not interested in increasing the multiplier for the pension formula ($50 per month), which is a virtual invitation to strike, the Union had to take decisive action and call in the mediator. Our members don’t have time to play their game and these issues are way too important for that. This contract is way too important to the future of the people in the Puget Sound, Wichita and Portland."
"It is highly unusual to request a mediator so early in negotiations, but right from the get-go Boeing showed zero interest in listening or engaging us on the issues. Perhaps they need another voice urging them to drop their hostile intransigent tone and get serious about this contract," said IAM Chief Negotiator Dick Schneider.
The Main Table met again at 7:00 p.m. with the Federal Mediator attending the meeting. All four subcommittees are continuing to meet as well.
Kent Fire Fighters
join KCLC
Hungry for union cooking? The Blue Plate Bistro’s got what you need
Fairness prevails under the big top as Cirque du Soleil signs on with IATSE
On behalf of IATSE Local 15, thank you for writing to Cirque’s headquarters in Montreal urging them to do the right thing by hiring a union crew, and kudos to Cirque as well for realizing the importance of a living wage, benefits and quality workers.
Historic Home Care Election Ballots Counted/Victory on Vashon
In a recent organizing victory, SEIU Local 6 members ratified their first contract at Vashon Community Care Center late last month. Workers now have fully-paid health insurance, a voice at work, average immediate wage increases of over 7.4% and union security. Community support played a big role in this victory.
Swissport workers flying high and flying union at Sea-Tac Airport
Commissioners at the Port of Seattle were asked by the IAM to weigh in on the issue and encourage Swissport to settle the matter through card check election instead of through the NLRB process but the Commission chose "not to get involved in customers’ business."
Congratulations to Swissport workers, District Lodge 160 and organizers Jesse Cote Jr. and Duke Higgins.
Researchers investigate options, vote in large numbers to join 925!
First Avenue in bloom thanks to Judy Reynolds and enthusiastic supporters
Workers losing out on retirements? It’s worse for women
Upcoming Events
The event is sponsored by the King County Labor Council, the Washington State Labor Council and others. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Call (206) 686-2975 for more information or to find out how to get your tickets!
Monday, September 2nd, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Celebrate Labor Day with…labor and friends! The King County Labor Council presents our Labor Day Celebration at Woodland Park, Shelters 1, 2 and 3. Union members and their families are invited to join the fun at this annual free event featuring hot dogs, ice cream, soda, live music and clowns and balloons for the kids.