King County Labor Council

Labor's Voice
Spring 1998

Plans under way for center to deliver vital support for local organizing drives
This is an exciting and historic time for our nation’s labor movement, and nowhere is that more evident than right here in King County. Unions in our area are mobilizing and organizing with new energy, motivated by the general resurgence of union spirit occurring across the country and the zeal of the bold new leadership of the AFL-CIO.
The timing of this rejuvenation could not be better, since union membership in our country is at an all-time low. We are fortunate to have a union density of 21% here in King County — meaning 21% of our 860,000 non-supervisory workers belong to unions. This percentage is very high compared to the national average of 14%. In order to maintain this level of worker strength, we will need to organize about 5,700 workers a year to keep up with our region’s projected growth over the next ten years and the expected 270,000 new jobs.
The challenge of organizing new workers can be daunting, even for larger locals that have the resources necessary to mount large, staffed campaigns. But it’s something we all need to do in order to help our unions survive and thrive. Newly organized workers bring more power and resources to our unions, and that translates into better conditions for everyone. Union Cities is up and rolling in King County (see page 5), challenging locals to organize like never before.
Realizing that all this activity is a tall order, the KCLC has been working with the AFL-CIO and local unions to develop a reliable support system for unions facing the challenges of organizing. The result of these efforts has been temporarily named the Seattle Organizing Center (SOC).
The foremost goal of the SOC is to "greatly expand successful union organizing activity in King County by creating an infrastructure that will support ambitious and creative organizing campaigns." The SOC will also work to facilitate greater cooperation and mutual support among unions so we can build a united labor movement.
"We are very pleased that the AFL-CIO has selected King County as one of a very few sites where this multi-industry organizing approach is being funded," said Ron Judd, KCLC Executive Secretary.
The SOC’s work will encompass an array of cooperative program elements, including joint recruitment and training of organizers and salts; large-scale mobilizations and rapid response teams; member education to support organizing; outreach to politicians and other groups to gain their support for the right to organize; an aggressive communications strategy; strategic research; and litigation to protect workers’ employment rights.
This program will operate by signing up a group of "core unions" that have proposed organizing campaigns to work with. The criteria for these core unions include, among other things, a commitment to the Union Cities "Changing to Organize" resolution and a financial commitment to organizing, including staff. These unions will commit to utilize the SOC infrastructure to support their organizing work and to greatly increase mutual support on campaigns. Most importantly, the unions will agree to activate a base of members that will turn the project into something greater than the sum of its parts — a vibrant and growing workers’ movement. Each union or group of unions with an organizing campaign adopted by the SOC as a "core campaign" will be responsible for running its own campaign. The SOC’s role will be to provide the additional support services necessary to make these campaigns succeed.
The SOC will be governed by an executive committee, with additional oversight provided by the chief officer of each current core union. It will be staffed by a full-time director, who will coordinate efforts and work with the core unions. Initially, funding will be provided by the AFL-CIO, with the goal of eventually switching to local union-based funding.

The results are in: Organizing efforts are on the rise in King County’s unions
The rate of union organizing is accelerating in King County. One-on-one contact with workers is the most effective way to build organizing drives. Unions that wage successful, grassroots campaigns generally win first contracts.
Those are among the preliminary results from the King County Labor Council’s organizing survey, conducted earlier this year. As part of Union Cities, the Council’s Organizing Committee surveyed local unions and councils on organizing issues. The survey asked unions about the amount of organizing they are doing, along with their experiences with various organizing strategies and tactics.
"We wanted to find out what unions are doing — what works and what doesn’t, and KCLC can be helpful in supporting unions that are changing to organize," said Ron Judd, KCLC Executive Secretary. "We found out through the survey that there is more organizing going on, that more unions are committing resources and trying new strategies," Judd said.
A few surveys are still coming in, but preliminary results speak loudly about how we can work together to build the labor movement. They also underscore the need to increase organizing beyond what is already in place.
The survey found that unions are eager to support one another in organizing drives. In particular, survey respondents said they are interested seeing unions mobilize their members in support of one another’s campaigns. Coordinated organizing, target research and combined union organizer trainings also ranked as top priorities.
Tactics that work
On organizing tactics, the survey results confirmed national study results that show having an in-plant organizing committee is the most effective way to ensure success.
King County union organizers also said having other workers from the campaign visiting workers in their homes was more effective than other techniques for meeting workers.
Other tactics rated "very effective" included small group meetings and house visits by organizing staff and union members.
Generally actions that involved workers in the campaign or union members rated higher than those tactics that did not involve workers or members.
Rating lower in effectiveness were advertising, press conferences, strikes and religious support. A number of organizers pointed out, however, that these organizing tactics can all be effective, depending on how they are implemented.
Resource commitments
More unions are committing resources to organize new members, but many unions still haven’t committed to "change to organize," according to the survey.
About 60% of responding unions have some staff dedicated to organizing. The average organizing union has about 1½ staff positions committed to organizing. Another 40% of responding unions have no staff dedicated to organizing.
Only 40% of responding unions said they have a membership-based organizing committee — a surprisingly low number, considering that the surveyed unions acknowledged the effectiveness of members in organizing work.
In the past year, 70% of responding unions have budgeted for organizing and have trained members in new organizing skills. 35% have recently shifted staff to organizing.
Unions that organize are having good success in winning first contracts. More than 73% of responding unions have started organizing drives. More than 90% of those unions have won at least one campaign, and more than three-quarters have won at least one first contract.
Unions are gearing up for more organizing. In the next two years, 47% intend to start a membership-based organizing committee, and two-thirds intend to start new organizing drives.
Complete survey results are still being compiled. If you are interested in getting involved in the work of the King County Labor Council Organizing Committee, or would like more information on how you can help the labor movement "change to organize," call Jonathan Rosenblum, KCLC organizer, at (206) 441-7102.

Common Sense Economics training
In early February, the King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, held the first of four intensive Common Sense Economics train-the-trainer sessions at the Plumbers and Pipefitters’ new training facility in Renton. Bill Fletcher, the director of the AFL-CIO’s Education Department, presented three days worth of material on economic issues critical to every working person in America.
The overall goal of this training is to arm participants with the information they need to facilitate shorter study sessions with fellow trade unionists and workers. The shorter sessions will enable graduates to present an alternative view of the economy from the workers’ perspective; challenge assumptions and ask questions about the economy; connect economic issues to the union’s goals around organizing, bargaining and legislative and political action; and confidently communicate and discuss economic issues with other union members.
Reactions to the class have been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Of the training, Leta Blackwell (IBPAT Local 300) says "It opened my eyes to the realities of our economy. I already knew who controlled it, but this training gave me the statistical facts to share with union members, family and friends to help them understand why we must stand together. We, the workers, have the power to take back and control our economy. We have that power in our voice and our vote. This training, with its concept of initiating discussion, helps you feel confident in using your voice."
Lee Delorme (IATSE/Stagehands Local 15) also found the training empowering. "It’s given me more tools to work with, so that when I go in to a workplace to organize, I feel much more confident talking to the workers about the benefits of being in a union. The most useful thing I learned is how to be a good facilitator — and the training is paying off already."
The 34 trainers from the class have already put the information to good use. Over 200 union members and activists have gone through the shorter classes facilitated by the January graduates. The next train-the-trainer session will be held in May, with two more planned for later this year. For information on future training opportunities, call Jonathan Rosenblum at (206) 441-7102.

Homeownership Opportunity Initiative
Are you tired of renting but not quite able to save a down-payment for a home of your own? Or have you been saving, only to watch home prices skyrocket out of your price range? The King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is proud to present a new partnership with the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and Fannie Mae that could present a new option if you’re trying to overcome today’s barriers to owning a home. Union members in King County, along with employees of the City of Seattle or King County, could be eligible for a new program called the Homeownership Opportunity Initiative. The goal of the Initiative is to expand the production of affordable single-family housing and homeownership opportunities for low to middle income people. One of only thirteen areas targeted for this pilot program, Seattle/King County was chosen based on the leadership shown on local housing issues and Seattle’s high home affordability index.
The premise of the Initiative is relatively simple — the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust provides the financing for this program as an investment using money from the pension funds of union members. The AFL-CIO investment program has been placing pension funds in real estate projects since 1964 with good results. These investments create housing, stimulate jobs and help revitalize our communities. All construction work on these projects must be performed using 100% union labor.
How can the Initiative help you?
Based on several eligibility requirements, home buyers will be able to get a 25 to 30 year fixed rate mortgage with special features such as low down payment requirements and interest rates, more qualification flexibility and lower insurance rates. These elements combine to form a program designed to help people who may not be eligible to buy a home under traditional mortgage programs.
For union members, this Initiative could provide multiple benefits. As a member of an AFL-CIO affiliated union, your pension fund portfolio may be further diversified by this program through these new investment opportunities, brightening your retirement future. And if you’re one of the prospective homeowners who will use the program to buy a home, the immediate benefits are obvious.
"The Big Picture"
This program offers a unique opportunity for "recycling" our area’s union wages. As more housing is built using a union labor force, those union members can make the money they need to buy homes of their own, increasing the need for union labor to build more houses and also funneling more money into the AFL-CIO pension plan, which in turn provides more financing for future housing investments.
The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and Fannie Mae have teamed up with the King County Labor Council, the Seattle/King County Building & Construction Trades Council, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell, King County Executive Ron Sims and Continental Savings Bank to make this Initiative possible. Julie Farb from the Worker Center, AFL-CIO, is working with the partners on behalf of the Labor Council to represent our local labor community and will continue to coordinate local participation.
This program is in the final planning stages for our area and should be up and running by June of this year. Please call the hotline number listed at left if you are interested in participating in the program or would like more information.

Wheelchair ramps can help make lives easier
As our coverage of the King County Labor Agency’s many community service programs continues, we are spotlighting the Wheelchair Ramp Building program. This program builds wheelchair access ramps at private homes in King County for disabled individuals who can’t afford the cost of constructing a ramp.
Being able to freely enter and exit our homes is an ability we may take for granted, but there are many people who need an alternative to stairs. The Labor Agency can provide a ramp at little or no cost to the resident, thanks to the generosity of our labor community members. Disabled individuals are referred to the Labor Agency by local unions, social services organizations and hospitals.
The Labor Agency builds 1-2 ramps each month. Before work begins, the site is surveyed to make sure a ramp is a possibility. Materials are purchased by the Labor Agency, or if the individual is a union retiree, their local might pay for the supplies. All labor is provided by volunteers — regular folks who want to help.
Volunteers are a critical part of this program and more are desperately needed. The only skills required are the ability to use a hammer and read a tape measure. Sandi Hadfield, the program coordinator from the Labor Agency, provides direction during the construction. Participating in this program is an easy way to help people with immediate results. Call the Labor Agency at (206) 448-9277 to help. Note: Special thanks to Boilermakers Local 104 retirees club for their assistance with this program.

Unemployment assistance gives workers a boost
The Unemployment Law Project is a private non-profit organization offering assistance to workers with problems related to unemployment benefits. Of the Project’s clients, 22% are union members. The Project helps unemployed workers by providing legal representation at administrative hearings in order to help secure benefits.
The Project depends on grants, contributions and volunteers to be able to provide free legal representation for workers who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. While some of the Project’s funding is provided by the Legal Foundation of Washington, those funds are contingent upon their raising matching money. This year, the Project has to raise $15,000 from local unions in order to receive matching funds from the Legal Foundation. Employers spend a lot of money to fight unemployment benefits and the Project is one of the few resources available to help our members secure the benefits they deserve.
We encourage you to approach the leadership of your union and ask them to consider making a contribution to the Unemployment Law Project. Contributions to the Project are essential to its success in continuing to provide legal assistance to our union brothers and sisters. Call Pam Crone, attorney/director of the Project, at (206) 441-9178 if you have any questions. Contributions can be sent directly to: The Unemployment Law Project, 2800 First Avenue, Suite 216, Seattle, WA 98121.

Detroit newspaper workers still seeking justice
After 33 months, employees of The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are still struggling to get their jobs and union contracts back. The 2,500 employees went out on an unfair labor practice strike against newspaper owners Gannett and Knight-Ridder Corporations in July of 1995. Almost three years and one unconditional surrender later, their fight continues. As the two biggest newspaper chains in America, Gannett and Knight-Ridder are formidable opponents. They continue to refuse to negotiate a union contract and they will not discharge their scabs and take back the locked-out workers. But with nationwide support, this battle is far from over. Listed below are simple actions the strikers are asking you to take to help them win this monumental struggle.

• Order a Motown Action Pack from the Teamsters by calling (202) 624-8105. The kit has what you need to organize support actions in your local community.
• Make sure everyone you know is boycotting USA Today, Gannett’s largest newspaper, and Gannett’s local papers, Bellingham’s The Herald-Dispatch and Olympia’s The Olympian.
• When you stay at a hotel that gives USA Today to guests, tell them about the boycott. Put a doorhanger on your hotel room door that says: "USA Today — No Way!"
• Handbill or write to (but do not picket) companies in your area that advertise in USA Today or your local Gannett-owned newspaper. The Action Pack identifies major advertisers and how to approach them.
• Donate money to the Detroit Striker Relief Fund. The money helps needy families who are locked out of their jobs get health care and pay overdue bills. Checks can be sent to: The Detroit Striker Relief Fund, 3300 Book Bldg., Detroit, MI 48226.
• Ask your local union to get a subscription to the Detroit Sunday Journal for the latest information to help the locked-out newspaper workers who produce this weekly newspaper. Call (313) 964-5655 to subscribe.