October 2002

Labor Neighbor rocks thru primary, stakes remain high in November elections
We are heading into a state legislative session which will be dominated by the debate over how to handle a projected $2.2 Billion state budget deficit. The outcomes of those debates will be largely determined by whom we elect to office on November 5th. With the stakes so high, the slim working majorities we fought so hard to build in both the State House and Senate now hang in the balance, with many races too close to call. The Washington State Labor Council has stepped out with a plan to hold onto, and build upon, our working family majority in Olympia.

During primary season, labor volunteers from Spokane to Seattle, Battleground to Bellingham, logged over 530 shifts of work on phone banks and on the sidewalks of our communities. We carried the message of labor power to union families, informed them of the critical issues at stake on the September ballot, and encouraged them to cast their ballot with their Labor Neighbors.

And once again, we were successful. In King County, we had targeted three districts and one ballot measure for intensive support: In the 32nd District, we built a labor campaign to protect Representative Marilyn Chase, a key labor advocate in the legislature, from a serious challenge in the Democratic primary. In the 11th District, we rallied union households to support union member Zack Hudgins in a crowded primary for an open seat. In the 37th District, we mounted an aggressive phone and field campaign, and ran an intensive election day GOTV effort to carry our endorsed candidate Eric Pettigrew to an upset come-from-behind victory. And in Seattle, we worked with housing advocates to overwhelmingly pass the Seattle Housing Levy.

Impressed politicians keep asking, “What’s your secret?” The answer is (1) thoughtful endorsements based on the issues that matter to our members, like good jobs, fair budgets and a strong economy, (2) smart targeting so we focus on the key races where our work can make a real difference, (3) a plan to win using our phones, leaflets, walks and mail to educate and mobilize union families, and (4) member volunteers talking union on the doorsteps, letting other members know which candidates will stand with us in Olympia. Our ability to use our Labor Neighbor power to help our friends, and defeat our enemies, is how we will hold the legislature accountable to working families’ needs.

There’s no time to waste for Election 2002. Our work is not done. The Washington State Labor Council is coordinating intensive Labor Neighbor programs in 12 key legislative districts across our state. Here in King County, we need volunteers for Labor Neighbor walks in South King County (Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Covington) and the Eastside (Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newcastle). We will walk each Saturday and Sunday until the election, and on Election Day as well. (Check out the schedule here!) We are also conducting member- to-member phone banks from the Machinists Hall, 9125 15th Place South, every Monday thru Thursday night, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. In addition to our legislative district activity, we are assisting in massive literature drops throughout Seattle to promote passage of Referendum 51. (See flyer for information.)

Labor Neighbor works — if we work it. If you can commit any time between now and Election Day to building Labor's political clout in our community, we can put you to good use. Contact Adair Dammann, KCLC political organizer, at adairkclc@mindspring.org or 206-441-3473 to get plugged into this tremendous program.

KCLC General Election Endorsements
Union members are invited and encouraged to visit our web site for access to the list of endorsements for the November 5th general election. Click here for a downloadable, printable version of the endorsement sheet, and don’t forget to vote!

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell spent several hours on Monday meeting with workers at the Seattle Labor Temple. Her visit started with a press conference to garner support for legislation that would extend federally-funded unemployment benefits, set to expire on December 31st, 2002, by an additional 20 weeks in Washington State. Senator Cantwell then met with anti-war protesters to talk about the possibility of invading Iraq and answer questions. Following that impromptu meeting, she met with representatives from the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) to discuss the ongoing lockout and what she can do to help the workers get back to their jobs.
Senator Cantwell was a WSLC-endorsed candidate in 2000, defeating incumbent Slade Gorton. Click here to read more about the unemployment benefits extension bill.

Victory at Payless
Nationwide actions made a difference! After dozens of actions outside Payless stores nationwide and after receiving hundreds of e-mails, the CEO of Payless has sent letters to both the Pacific Maritime Association and the West Coast Waterfront Coalition in favor of collective bargaining and against government intervention. To learn more and to find out what you can do to help, click here.

KCLC Executive Board Changes
We would like to welcome our newest board member, Jessica Bonebright. Jessica was appointed earlier this month by the executive board to serve the remainder of the trustee term vacated by Norma Kelsey. She is a member of IFPTE Local 2001/SPEEA.

Wednesday, October 16th, 5:30 p.m. New Delegate Training sponsored by the KCLC Education Committee, Room 208, 2800 First Avenue. Contact Verlene Wilder at verlenekclc@igc.org or (206) 441-7102 for more information.

Wednesday, October 16th, 6:15 – 7:30 p.m. Consumer Allies/Community Support Meeting to learn how to educate others on the importance of buying union label organic apples. The meeting will be held at the Washington Association of Churches, 419 Occidental Avenue South, #201. Contact Rebecca Saldana of the United Farm Workers at rsaldana@ufwmail.com or (206) 789-1947 for more information.

Wednesday, November 6th, 5:30 p.m. New Delegate Training sponsored by the KCLC Education Committee, Room 208, 2800 First Avenue. Contact Verlene Wilder at verlenekclc@igc.org or (206) 441-7102 for more information.