Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a doldrums of racial and economic injustice. Immersed in clouds of intense racial disparities, there are few winds — little public discussion — to get us moving back on course toward equality and justice. The reality is, and the numbers grimly prove, that African Americans, other workers of color and immigrants all lag behind white, native-born Americans in every benchmark of economic welfare and educational opportunities. Whole families and entire communities are still left far behind. If anything has changed it is largely that it just isn’t discussed anymore.

I encourage everyone to pay attention to the NAACP’s renewed sharpening of these contradictions inherent in our color-divided society and accept the calls to action. Get involved in NAACP activities and events until we win the society we deserve. You remember. It’s the one we once allowed ourselves to dream about: where each child and adult fully flourishes and is fully human no matter how they look or talk. The NAACP continues to raise its voice for that dream, as we all must. The doldrums make us all mad if we don’t because we are all in the same boat. – Steve Williamson

- Earlier this month, two major labor unions merged to form UNITE HERE. The organization, which represents about 414,000 workers in the United States and Canada, was formed by the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees union and the Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees union. The combined power of the unions will allow UNITE HERE to work more effectively with companies that have also combined resources through mergers.

- You may have heard news of the recent NLRB ruling that says teaching assistants and other academic student employees at Brown University are not entitled to the protections of federal labor law. We were interested in finding out how this would affect members of GSEAC/UAW Local 4121, the newly-formed organization representing the 4,600 academic student employees at the University of Washington. The ruling doesn’t apply to our local academic student employees because they are in the public sector and under PERC jurisdiction, not the NLRB.

Although the ruling does not attack the rights of University of Washington employees, it affects other affiliates of UAW. Union organizing campaigns underway at Columbia, Tufts, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania will all be impacted.

- Workers at the 13 Coins restaurants have voted to accept a contract that maintains their health benefits, provides increases for many workers, offers more vacation flexibility and gives immigrant workers additional protections. According to HERE Local 8, the union representing these workers, support from the community, elected officials and labor activists made the defining difference in this campaign.

- We have three new affiliates to welcome this month! Joining the Council are AFGE (Government Employees) Local 3937, representing Social Security Administration employees, IATSE Local 793, representing television, broadcast, remote and studio employees (including the camera operators at the Greek Olympics!), and the Steelworkers Associate Members of Greater King County. We look forward to working with these organizations!

- The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) sent a packet of information and materials to its local organizations across the country this month urging action in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Act, S. 1925 in the Senate and H.R. 3619 in the House, was introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Congressman George Miller (D-CA). The legislation would make sure workers have a fair chance to exercise their democratic right to choose a union by making it easier for a union to act as a mediator for workers if the majority of workers have provided authorized signatures indicating that they want union representation. It would also increase penalties against employers who commit violations against employees who are trying to organize a union.

The NAACP encouraged local offices to contact U.S. Representatives and Senators with a message of support for the legislation, stating that "The impact of unions – ensuring that all working Americans are treated well and share in the prosperity – cannot be overstated." This is a great example of how community support strengthens our labor movement and we applaud the NAACP for their work.

- In related news, the Seattle-King County Branch of the NAACP has been recognized as the nation’s most outstanding branch out of over 1,800 branches. They have been awarded the 2004 Thalheimer Award, which is presented each year to the NAACP units that have contributed most to the furtherance of the Association’s mission during the preceding year. The Seattle-King County branch received the first place award in the top division at the NAACP National Convention in Philadelphia this month. This marks the first time in the 90 year history of the Seattle-King County Branch that they’ve won the coveted award.

- Technical and professional workers at Boeing in Wichita approved a new four-year contract earlier this month, capping four months of negotiations. The new contract includes the first ever incentive plan for salaried union-represented employees and guaranteed pay increases. Two previous offers had been rejected by the bargaining unit. The acceptance vote, with 87% approval, avoided a strike by the 3,400-employee Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001.

- Seattle Police Officers Guild President Ken Saucier was killed in a car crash last week on his way home from a national shooting competition. Saucier, who was only 40 years old and the first African-American leader of the Guild, was honored on July 27th at a service that drew hundreds of mourners. He was remembered as a tireless and outspoken advocate for officers and praised for his commitment to defending their rights.

Help us celebrate Labor Day and let your members be heard!
At this year’s KCLC Labor Day Celebration, we will focus on the attack on working families by the Bush Administration. We need help from our affiliates to illustrate how Bush’s policies have hurt workers and their families in our state during a special segment of the Labor Day program.

We’re highlighting some core workers’ rights issues, such as health care, immigrant workers denied the right to organize, first contract fights, working without a contract, attacks on overtime, privatization, contracting out, lay-offs and on the job injuries. If your members have been affected in any of these areas and you can participate in the Labor Day event, call Verlene Jones at (206) 441-7102 for more information.

Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 14th
This is the last day you can register to vote in the primary by mail. Send in those registration forms!

Monday, September 6th, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  King County Labor Council Labor Day Celebration
Join us at Lower Woodland Park Shelters 1, 2 and 3. There will be hot dogs, ice cream, beverages, clowns, face-painting, live music and plenty of labor solidarity at this free annual event!

Tuesday, September 14th  Primary Election
Don’t forget to go to the polls or send in your absentee ballot!