Unlike the turbulent negotiations that resulted in a
40-day strike three years ago, talks this time focused on problem solving. The
process worked, as 88% of the members in each bargaining unit approved their
contract.
“This is an accomplishment for SPEEA members,” said
Charles Bofferding, executive director of SPEEA. “During very difficult times,
SPEEA members stood firm for what they needed and believed was right. While
they did not get everything they sought, this contract shows they achieved the
majority of their goals.”
Under terms of the agreements, Boeing employees covered
by the two Puget Sound contracts will receive a one-time 6% lump sum payment
(bonus) this month. The new contracts also provide guaranteed wage increases,
pools for selective salary increases, company-paid short-term disability
coverage and increase funding for the Ed Wells Initiative career training and
enhancement program.
SPEEA represents 22,285 technical employees at The
Boeing Company in Washington, Kansas, Oregon, Texas, California, Florida and
Utah.
Relentlessness pays off for ILWU
10,500 Dockworkers up and down the
West Coast will vote next month on a proposed contract to end the labor
dispute that closed down ports earlier this fall. Union leaders have
overwhelmingly endorsed the multibillion-dollar, six-year deal, which was
reached with shipping companies last month following federal intervention.
The proposed contract includes no-cost health
insurance, a 60% increase in pensions and salary raises. It would guarantee
that all current dock clerks could keep their jobs, but as they retire
several hundred positions wouldn’t be filled due to the introduction of new
cargo-handling technology. The shipping companies that made up the employer
bargaining group insisted such measures be part of any deal made.
The votes of the rank-and-file dockworkers will be
counted on January 24th.
New WSLC Executive Board
elected
The more than 600 union organizations that comprise the
Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) have chosen eight new vice presidents to
join the incumbent vice presidents who were re-elected to the office. Emily
Van Bronkhorst (SEIU Local 1199 NW) joins incumbent vice presidents Linda
Lanham (IAM District Lodge 751), Sharon McCann (UFCW Local 1105), Ron McGaha (IAM
District Lodge 751), and Steve Williamson (Bricklayers Local 1) in serving
the First District, which encompasses King County.
HERE contract
agreement reached with Aramark
On October 30th, HERE Local 8 members who work in food
service at the Seahawks Football Stadium reached a contract settlement with
Aramark, the stadium concessionaire. The victory is due in part to a community
campaign supported by the Washington Living Wage Campaign and elected
officials, most notably Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, to pressure Paul Allen
through phone calls, letters and a community rally calling for an advance
in negotiations. The contract brings major advancements for the workers,
including family medical coverage for many employees, immediate wage
increases, and immigrants rights protections.
UW student
employees closer to contract
Graduate student employees at the University of Washington have been fighting
for the right to union representation on campus and in the Legislature for
almost three years. Thanks to their tireless efforts and assistance from the
United Auto Workers, which is the union they chose to represent them, they
continue to make progress in their struggle. PERC hearings have now ended and
a ruling on who is covered by the collective bargaining law is expected
sometime next quarter. After years of delay by UW, they are now closer than
ever to negotiating a contract that covers the terms and conditions of their
employment.
As soon as the union is certified, the Graduate Student Employees Action
Coalition (GSEAC) will elect a bargaining team, ratify initial bargaining
proposals, bargain a contract with the UW, and vote on the contract negotiated
by the bargaining team.
Fight
continues for corporate accountability, disclosure
How much do you know about the ethics of your investment
company? If you’re like most investors, not much. And Fidelity is fighting to
keep it that way. On December 4th, hundreds of activists leafleted outside
Fidelity retail outlets nationwide to demand that Fidelity drop its opposition
to an AFL-CIO-proposed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule
change that will require mutual funds to disclose their proxy votes.
Fidelity is the world’s largest mutual fund company and has been a top
shareholder of many scandal-ridden companies, including Enron, WorldCom, Qwest
and Kmart. Investors want to know how Fidelity voted their share at these
troubled companies, but Fidelity continues to oppose the rule change
despite national public outcry.
In addition to the leafleting, letters were delivered to Fidelity managers
urging voting disclosure and investors contacted the SEC to weigh in on the
issue during the comment period, which ended December 6th. A decision is
expected in the early part of next year.
The Labor Council for Latin American
Advancement (LCLAA) has reorganized in the Puget Sound and created a dynamic,
energized group. Check out their website at
http://home.earthlink.net/~lclaa/
or attend their next meeting on January 6th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 132 of
the Seattle Labor Temple.
Grant
Announcement
The Greater Puget Sound Union Community Fund is pleased to announce the grant
award procedure for the first quarter of 2003. The fund will make $12,000
available for grants to qualified organizations eligible under IRS regulation
501(c)3 and meeting one or more of the criteria listed below. The grants will
be from $1000 to $2500. Grant applications can be obtained by calling Nancy
Young or Judy Reynolds at (206) 448-9277. Applications will be available
January 10th and must be returned by January 30th. The grants will be awarded
in March.
Programs which are 501(c)3 qualified and meet one or more of the following
criteria are eligible:
1. Programs providing access to and opportunities for affordable housing.
2. Programs expanding the opportunities for working families and individuals
by advocating for immigrant and workers’ rights.
3. Programs providing workers a voice by expanding labor’s community
partnerships and activating the organized.
4. Programs providing access to and opportunity for affordable childcare.
5. Programs providing access to and opportunity for a livable wage.
Note: Organizations that promote or tolerate discrimination based on race,
sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, other such inequalities,
or anti-unionism, or that undermine or are divisive to the interests of
working families and organized labor are not eligible.
Upcoming
Events
Wednesday, January 15th, 7:00 p.m.
KCLC Delegates Meeting, Hall One, Seattle Labor Temple
King
County Labor Council