March 2003

King County Labor Council: Resolution adopted February 19, 2003
WHEREAS union members and leaders already feel the brunt of the attacks against labor, which will only increase if Bush takes the U.S. into war. Bush has invoked Taft-Hartley against the ILWU, threatened to nationalize the docks or split up bargaining units, and is using the so-called “Homeland Security Act” to deprive workers of collective bargaining rights; and

WHEREAS the Bush Administration’s drive toward war is serving as a distraction and cover for our failing economy, corporate corruption, widespread layoffs, union busting, the curtailment of civil liberties, the harassment and detention of immigrants, and tax policies that favor the wealthy and add to the ever-widening gap between rich and poor; and

WHEREAS not even taking into account the aftermath of a war against Iraq which will require military occupation for many months, if not years, the estimated cost of the war itself begins at around $200 billion, a cost that will come at the direct expense of workers and their families, diverting urgently needed funds from job creation, healthcare, education and other vital human services; and

WHEREAS labor has had an historic role in fighting for justice and we believe our country should promote democracy, education and opportunity; negotiate new trade agreements that raise living standards and environmental protection in all nations; and focus on finding a just peace in the Middle East; and

WHEREAS union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all working people about the issues that affect their lives, jobs and families; and to be heard in the national debate on these issues; and

WHEREAS pre-emptive attacks against sovereign states violate the principles of freedom and respect for all people, United States foreign policy which should be based on these principles, and the explicit language of the United Nations Charter; and

WHEREAS such military action is predicted to actually increase the likelihood of retaliatory terrorist acts; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council supports our working men and women of the armed forces and urges President Bush to bring them home safe and sound; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council opposes the pending war against Iraq and will work in solidarity with other labor and community organizations to strengthen the anti-war movement; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council forward a copy of this resolution to affiliated labor bodies and organizations and the national AFL-CIO Executive Council for action supporting this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council support efforts of peace by saluting and supporting those legislators and labor leaders who have voted and spoken out against the war danger, including Congressmen McDermott, Inslee, Larson and Baird and Senator Patty Murray.

AFL-CIO Executive Council: Statement adopted February 28, 2003
America’s working families and their unions fully support the efforts to disarm the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. This is best achieved in concert with a broad international coalition of allies and with the sanction of the United Nations. We believe there may be times when we must stand alone and act unilaterally in defense of our national security. But, in the context of the global war on terrorism, the threat posed by Saddam Hussein deserves multilateral resolve, not unilateral action. We are pleased that the administration has decided to seek additional United Nations sanction.

Saddam Hussein is a demagogue and a despot, with an appalling human rights record over the past two decades. He rules the Iraqi people through torture, murder and fear. His rogue regime has invaded Iran and Kuwait and launched missiles against the civilian populations of neighboring countries. Repeatedly, he has proven his intent to manufacture and conceal stockpiles of biological and chemical weapons, while working relentlessly to build a nuclear capacity. Again and again, his regime has defied the resolutions and agreements of the United Nations.

A decade ago, when Iraq invaded its neighbor, Kuwait, the United States organized a broad coalition of our allies to stand united against this aggression—and that aggression did not stand.

Today, however, there is no such unity of resolve. While every nation agrees with the goal of disarmament, the global community is deeply divided over how this should be accomplished. In cities around the world, people are taking to the streets to speak out against a war in Iraq. Here at home, more than 100 cities have passed resolutions opposing military action against Iraq without United Nations sanction. Many citizens, while supporting the goal of disarmament, are not convinced that war now is the only option.

Such divisions, not only among our allies but also within our nation, stand in sharp contrast to the unity and global solidarity that America enjoyed in the days and months after September 11, 2001. Now, just a year-and-a-half later, we have squandered much of that goodwill, managed to insult many of our strong allies and divided the world at a time when it should speak as one. The president has not fulfilled his responsibility to make a compelling and coherent explanation to the American people and the world about the need for military action against Iraq at this time. America has always been a peace-loving nation, slow to take up arms and resolute in pursuit of diplomatic resolution to crises. This administration’s actions are sadly eroding that reputation and the respect it accords us.

The AFL-CIO has a particularly strong interest in the escalating conflict with Iraq, as it does in all conflicts involving the American armed forces. Those who fight for the United States are, as they always have been, the men and women of America’s working families. The AFL-CIO is proud to represent thousands now serving in our armed forces. The AFL-CIO reiterates its support for all working men and women in our armed forces and honors their courage.

The process by which we, as members of the family of nations, decide how to deal with such international threats is critical to our future. The threat of terrorism with a global reach is real. We have experienced the terrible destruction it can wreak. To respond to that threat, America will need the support of our allies and the major nations of the world. Our country and our families will be more secure if America is the respected leader of a broad coalition against terrorism, rather than isolated as a lone enforcer.

We call upon the world community to speak with one voice to demand that disarmament take place in Iraq without delay, and that the inspectors be accorded full cooperation. We call upon the administration to pursue a broad global consensus to apply the maximum pressure on Iraq, ensuring that war, if it comes, will truly be a last resort, supported by both our allies and nations united. And we call on Iraq to comply with the demands of the United Nations, the only course to avoiding the war no one desires.

He’s talkin’ about JOBS!
KCLC Vice President Ron McGaha has been talking about jobs loudly and often to anyone who will listen, as well as to some politicians and leaders who don’t want to listen. Now he’s taken his urgent message to a new level with a powerful audience participation piece. If you haven’t yet heard Brother McGaha’s take on jobs, here’s a small sampling:

I wanna talk about jobs!
I wanna talk about jobs in the USA,

not some job they plan to take away.
Wanna hear about jobs from our Government,

union jobs that pay the rent and let me eat and play before the paycheck’s spent.
I wanna talk about jobs!
Help me talk about jobs.
Whose jobs? Our jobs!
Whose jobs? Our Jobs!
What kind of jobs? Union jobs!
I'm talkin’ about jobs!”

Ron is available to address groups on a limited basis. Contact the Council if you want to hear more about jobs.

Online Resources
Visit the AFL-CIO’s BushWatch page to find out the latest on President Bush’s attacks against working families.

Need a “No Iraq War” sign? Check out this sight!

Growing our Council
We would like to welcome our newest affiliate, Teachers Local 6191, to the King County Labor Council. This local has joined with 43 members and represents educators at Cascadia Community College.

National workplace safety training program comes to Puget Sound
An intensive six-day class, the ‘Train the Trainer Program on Workplace Health and Safety,’ will be held at the Laborers Training Center in Kingston from May 18th through May 23rd. The training is being presented by the Washington, D.C.-based George Meany Center for Labor Studies, the AFL-CIO and the Washington State Labor Council.

This program is usually only offered on the East Coast and costs about $1500 in transportation and accommodation expenses to attend. This local session is only $250, which includes your room and all meals. It begins at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday and ends at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Participants should be union activists, staff and health and safety representatives who would like to be able to teach their membership about workplace health and safety issues. Enrollment is limited to approximately 20 people. Applications must be received by April 15th. Union sponsorship and commitment is required. Contact Randy Loomans at (360) 943-0608 or rloomans@wslc.org for information.

Cantwell rescues job training from chopping block
On March 25th the U.S. Senate approved an amendment authored by Senator Maria Cantwell restoring $678 million in proposed cuts to federal workforce training programs. The amendment will be paid for by a reduction in the amount of the President’s proposed tax cut.

“With the high unemployment rate in Washington State, making sure that we don’t cut job training is a top priority,” said Cantwell. “Today, the Senate said that instead of more tax cuts from the President’s plan we need job training dollars to make sure Americans are put back to work.”

Special thanks to Senator Cantwell for taking the initiative to help workers and to Charlie Best of the King County Reemployment Support Center for his assistance.

Another year of assistance for new home owners
The AFL-CIO Investment Program has released their year-end report and announced another successful year for several programs benefiting union members and their families.

The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust committed over $250 million for multifamily projects providing nearly 2,600 units of housing for working families. Over 1,900 union members and municipal employees obtained mortgage loans totaling over $250 million.

The AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust started this year with over $1.5 billion in assets and a strong, fully diversified portfolio of 60 real estate transactions. They attracted 13 new participants last year as a growing number of pension plans sought further diversification of their investments.

The Program also launched the AFL-CIO Urban Development Fund in 2002, which recently closed the financing on its first two urban real estate projects – a San Francisco condominium project and a Chicago high-rise apartment complex.

Local UCF to fund community non-profits
The Greater Puget Sound Union Community Fund is pleased to announce funding grants to 11 charitable organizations. Over 70 social services agencies inquired and 39 applications were received. A total of $12,000 will be awarded April to the following recipients:

Affordable housing
• The Tenant’s Union of Washington State – To fund outreach, education and mobilization of tenants for an organizing campaign.
• Seattle Emergency Housing Service – Support for case management to transition homeless families to permanent housing.
• Washington ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) – Neighbor education and outreach for Financial Literacy, a program to prevent homelessness, promote home ownership and combat predatory lending.
• The Homelessness Project – Case management for homeless mothers in their transitional housing program.
• Jubilee Women’s Center – To assist women in making a successful transition to permanent housing, sustainable employment and independent living.
Affordable childcare
• Kids’ Place Early Learning Center – To provide childcare subsidies to low-income parents struggling to make a livable wage in a very distressed area of Washington.
• Economic Opportunity Institute – To assist in the refunding of the Early Childhood Education Career and Wage Ladder that was zeroed out by the FY 04 and 05 State budgets.
• Child Care Resources – To fund a program which recruits, trains and supports low-income, refugee and immigrant women seeking careers in child care.
Immigrant/Workers’ Rights
• Wahluke Community Association – To assist in their efforts to inform and educate the Wahluke Community on issues that are important to farm workers.
Livable Wage
• Walk with Workers – A project specifically engaged in promoting education, advocacy/organizing among religious and community members to support janitors’ organizing for living wage contracts.
• Seattle Alliance for Good Jobs and Housing for Everyone (SAGE) –To support SAGE’s campaign to promote good jobs (through enhanced organizing rights) and increase affordable housing.

The resources granted to these fine organizations are the result of generous contributions made by the following individuals and organizations. This commitment to the community demonstrates that unions and union members view charity as solidarity: AFGE 3197; Ron Ard, OPEIU 8; Maia Astley, OPEIU; Bob Augustin, UFCW 1105; Tom Bass, IAM; Charles Bofferding, IFPTE 2001/SPEEA; Karen Borman; Roberta Burnett, IUOE 286; Adair Dammann, SEIU State Council; Nels Ekroth, Retired IUOE; Joel Funfar, IFPTE 2001/SPEEA; Doug Frechin, Teamsters 174; James Gavin; Robert Gorman, IBEW 46; Karole Gorman; Sandi Hadfield, Sheet Metal 66; Jay Herzmark, AFSCME; IAM 751; IATSE 15; IFPTE 17; ILWU 19 members; Mary Ann Isles-Hassan, AFSCME; IUPAT 1094; Marcelle Johnsen, SEIU 1199; Letter Carriers Branch 79; King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO; John Kohlsaat, IFPTE 2001/SPEEA; Joanne McCaughan, AFSCME; Musicians 76-493; Ronald Namma; Joseph Nilsson, IAM; Edna Oberman; Operating Engineers 286; Will Parry, Alliance for Retired Americans; Judy Reynolds, UFCW 1105; Julie Sawyer; SEIU 6; Ms. Wallie Smith, UFCW 1105; Kirk Stephenson, Teamsters 763; Sprinkler Fitters 699; Teamsters 117; Teamsters 174; UFCW 1001; UFCW 1105; Verlene Wilder, OPEIU 8; Steve Williamson, Teamsters 763; Nancy Holland Young, UFCW 1105; Donald Wood, CWA 7800; Jerri Wood, Retired CWA 7800; Bobby Wooten, Teamsters 174.

To contribute to help make more of these grants possible just make your check out to the GPS UCF, and send to 2800 First Avenue, Room 126, Seattle, WA 98121. Your community thanks you.

Upcoming Events
April 4th, 12:00 noon

Rally with Eastside Janitors at Bellevue Plaza Center, 10900 NE 8th Street. Come rally against cleaning contractors who take advantage of their mostly immigrant workforce by failing to pay a living wage or offer healthcare coverage.

April 16th, 7:00 p.m.

KCLC Delegates Meeting

May 10th

11th Annual Letter Carrier’s Food Drive. Leave your non-perishable food items in or near your mailbox for collection.

May 17th

The Evergreen State College sponsors “Young Workers: Organizing Our Future,” and all-day conference at Evergreen’s Tacoma campus intended for union members under the age of 30. For information, contact Lucilene Whitesell at (360) 867-6055 or whitesel@evergreen.edu.

May 21st, 7:00 p.m.

KCLC Delegates Meeting featuring honored guest Linda Chavez-Thompson, AFL-CIO Vice President.