King
County Labor CouncilKing
County Labor Council
"Today’s unions are working hard to develop an agenda for action that reflects the needs, values and expectations of America’s working families," said President Sweeney, "and we are looking to these issue forums to help make that happen."
The AFL-CIO has taken the information they gathered and compiled a report on the findings. Workers across the country identified the declining economic well-being of working families as an extremely serious problem. Other critical issues identified were downsizing, job insecurity, declining wages, lack of affordable health care, employers cutting back pension coverage, insufficient retirement savings and the lack of affordable child care.
Data collected from our state shows that labor law reform and enforcement of current labor laws, along with the problem of families not being able to afford health insurance, are critical issues for local workers. In particular, forum attendees expressed support for the Martinez Jobs Bill legislation and ending the extensive use of temporary and part-time workers.
President Sweeney’s visit included several appearances around Puget Sound. He met with workers at the Simpson Kraft Mill in Tacoma, spoke to Tacoma area labor leaders and workers during a luncheon, then toured the Duwamish waterway and the Pike Place Market Day Care Center in Seattle. He also kicked off the Seattle Union Now (SUN) project at a special signing ceremony (see page 2).
"With his energetic leadership at the AFL-CIO, President Sweeney is helping union members gain a collective voice that will give working families a better chance than ever before at a brighter future," said Ron Judd, Executive Secretary of the King County Labor Council.
A huge congratulations and thanks are in order to the 3,000 plus volunteers and many affiliate unions who worked on gathering signatures and spreading the word about Initiative 688 to raise the minimum wage. A labor delegation delivered 285,753 signatures to Governor Locke on July 1st. It’s been said that an all-volunteer effort to put an initiative on the ballot couldn’t succeed, but thanks to the labor community, that notion has been blown out of the water. We would like to thank KCLC I-688 coordinator Shelly Taylor for her hard work and take this opportunity to urge you all to get out and vote to raise the minimum wage in November!
The King County Labor Council, in partnership with the AFL-CIO and local and international unions, has launched Seattle Union Now (SUN), previously called the Seattle Organizing Center. The project was officially activated on May 14th at a signing ceremony attended by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. Staff members have been hired and space is being rented to house the project.
With the organizing campaigns of several SUN core unions already off and running (see coverage below), this program is off to a terrific start. SUN is building the capacity of unions to meet the growing demand of workers who want to join the labor movement. Under SUN, unions will support one another in organizing drives and take on employers who try to stop workers from exercising their right to organize. The number of official core unions participating in SUN — currently five — is expected to continue to grow as the project gains momentum.
As a core union participating in SUN, Teamsters Local 174 members, in cooperation with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), have been generating excitement and support for their independent truck owner-operator organizing campaign. Through several recent actions, leadership and members of the two unions and local owner-operators have made it clear that they are ready for a change and organizing into the union is the way to get it.
To announce this campaign, over 250 owner-operators, drivers, Teamsters, Longshore workers and other supporters attended a "Founding Meeting" for the campaign. Owner-operators from the Seattle waterfront were given a chance to talk about current conditions and how organizing into a union could help. Speakers included U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, ILWU International President Brian McWilliams, Teamsters Local 174 Secretary Treasurer Bob Hasegawa and many owner-operators and drivers. Truck rallies in Seattle and Tacoma were also held to announce the beginning of the campaign.
Now Teamsters and owner-operators have no choice but to join forces. Conditions for owner-operators are bad and the future for waterfront Teamsters in Seattle and Tacoma is no better. In the past 15 years, most Teamster carriers have been driven off the Puget Sound waterfront. Wages and benefits at Teamster cartage companies have been held down because of non-union competition and thousands of local Teamsters have lost their jobs as companies downsized or declared bankruptcy. If conditions at the non-union trucking companies do not improve quickly, the future for the remaining Teamster jobs on the waterfront is bleak.
By working together, Teamsters and owner-operators can build a union movement to win decent wages, benefits and working conditions in the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, create thousands of new family wage jobs and protect those that already exist.
This cooperative campaign marks the beginning of a new relationship between the Teamsters and independent owner-operators. Since deregulation in 1979, competition from owner-operators has cost Teamster members thousands of jobs as employers and shippers sought to cut rates and weaken the Union. Consequently, Teamster members and owner-operators have previously had a mutual dislike. In recent years, however, the standard of living for most owner-operators (especially those in the intermodal/container business) has dropped so low that they have started organizing among themselves. After expenses are subtracted, many owner-operators make less than minimum wage.
The general consensus in our country is that children are a precious commodity. Within our children lies our hope for a peaceful and prosperous future. With so much riding on the expectation that our children will develop into productive and innovative individuals and capable leaders, it seems natural that their welfare would be a top priority in our society.
Unfortunately, this is very often not the case. As demonstrated by the underpayment of workers in the childcare industry, corporate America does not necessarily have the best interest of children in mind. With the average salary of childcare workers presently at $7.00 per hour, many children face constant change as their teachers are forced to leave their jobs at childcare centers to find work that pays a living wage. This high turnover rate also increases the likelihood of unqualified or unprofessional workers caring for our children.
Summer offers more chances to help
It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy, right? Unfortunately, it’s not so easy for those in our community who rely on the King County Labor Agency Food Bank just to provide a meal for their families. During the winter months, we all hear a lot about the homelessness in our city and efforts to provide food and shelter. However, during the warmer months, this aware-ness seems to decrease. Rain or shine, there are people in the community who need our help. The Labor Agency Food Bank is in dire need of donations. They serve between 90 and 200 individuals each week. If you cannot afford a financial contribution, check your pantry for canned goods — peanut butter, tuna, soups, stew, chili and other items that can be part of a nutritious meal.
The Labor Agency is also looking for a few good men and women to help build wheel chair ramps. If you are retired, out of school on summer break, on vacation or between jobs, perhaps you have a few hours to spare. Consider volunteering for this excellent program. If you can drive a truck, pound a nail, use a level or just help load and unload materials, your assistance would be valuable. There are currently eight people waiting for wheel chair ramps and there just aren’t enough people to help get the ramps put together and installed.
And, of course, now that school is out, we can start talking about "Back to School" (sorry, kids!). The Labor Agency is now collecting school supplies for fall. They especially need backpacks, crayons, blunt-nosed scissors, colored pens, rulers and protractors. Many children have to start school without supplies that are now required. Let’s give them a helping hand.
For more information or to volunteer for any of the King County Labor Agency programs, please call them at (206) 448-9277.
The committees of the King County Labor Council are a vital part of what goes on in our labor community. Members work to build the Council, educate and mobilize delegates and offer assistance with developing and implementing new ideas. Following is a brief update on their recent activities.
Organizing Committee
This committee provides a monthly forum for union members to report on organizing
struggles, share solutions and techniques, discuss legislative issues affecting labor and
rally support for worker actions. Goals include promoting the Union Cities initiative,
supporting SUN and building solidarity among unions.
Education CommitteeEducation Committee
The Education Committee is focusing on helping delegates learn about how the Council
works and finding ways they can participate to help build the labor community. To this
end, they are working on an informational brochure and developing a standard orientation
class which will eventually be presented to all delegates.
Diversity/Outreach Committee
Diversity/Outreach Committee
We’ve always known that our affiliated unions are wonderful — and the good news that comes into our office continues to prove it.
• OPEIU Local 8 won a huge election in June at Providence General Medical Center in Everett, bringing in 640 new members in a 2:1 victory. Local 8’s hard work has paid off in other ways as well — at the OPEIU International Convention in June, Organizer Cindy Schu won the OPEIU International Bronze Award for organizing accomplishments and Business Manager Maureen Bo was elected as a vice president for the OPEIU International — a first for a Local 8 representative. They are now one of the top three OPEIU locals in the nation for organizing growth. Congratulations!
• Machinists District Lodge 160 recently won an election at the Penske Auto Center, located at the White Center K-Mart, 7345 Delridge Way SW. They are encouraging people to patronize this auto center to help show management and owners that union members want to spend their money in union shops.
Does your local have good news to share? Let us know for inclusion in the next Labor’s Voice!
In a stunning victory celebrated by union members nationwide, Proposition 226 failed to pass in California during their primary election on June 2nd. If passed, Proposition 226 (deceptively called the "Paycheck Protection Act") would have imposed unwieldy new restrictions on the ability of unions to participate in the political process.
Proposition 226 is considered to be at the forefront of a national campaign to pass similar measures in over 30 states. Its defeat is a major setback for the Republican Party and businesses trying to lessen the political power of union members.
The reason this victory is so exciting lies in the drastic turnaround in public opinion in the weeks before the election. A poll taken in February showed very strong support for the measure — 70% of probable voters and two out of three union members indicated they supported passage of Proposition 226. Thanks to the educational efforts of 25,000 volunteers and union members, exit polls showed union members rejected Proposition 226 by a 71-29% margin.
This unprecedented effort and huge win gives labor a boost going into an important election year, serving as a reminder for all of us of the amazing power we have when we work cooperatively toward a common goal.
Z
Trades Mentor Network
The Trades Mentor Network (TMN) helps new apprentices in building trades apprenticeship
programs by matching them up with journey-level workers who have volunteered to share
their expertise and offer support and assistance when needed.
The program is administered by the Worker Center, AFL-CIO, and is located at the offices
of the Apprenticeship Opportunities Project in the downtown Seattle Carpenters Hall. MJ
Davidson, the new program coordinator for TMN, worked as a Teamster (Local 174) for five
years and more recently has been a recruitment specialist for several pre-apprenticeship
programs in the Seattle area. MJ is a strong supporter of the labor movement and brings a
great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the TMN.
Mentors are currently being recruited for the fall 1998 training session. If you are interested in helping new apprentices learn the trade and helping build a skilled workforce, please call MJ Davidson at (206) 956-0703.
Z
WA Manufacturing ServicesWMS is a non-profit organization funded in part by the federal and state governments. There are similar programs in every state in the country. WMS project managers perform benchmarking assessments and develop and manage projects intended to change company practices.
The Worker Center, AFL-CIO, has a contract with WMS for one project position to link up WMS with unions and unionized manufacturing companies in the central Puget Sound region. One goal of the Labor Specialist Project manager is to make sure that unions have a place at the table and participate in the development of projects whenever WMS is working in a union shop. Another goal is to work with unions to identify potential projects that could be of benefit to the company and union members, and to work with WMS to present those projects to company management.
The Labor Specialist Project manager is Peter Kardas. Peter has worked with unions on many economic development projects. He can be reached at 1-888-353-2112 if you would like more information about this project or about WMS.
Z
Youth Labor TrainingField trips are an important part of the program, giving students the chance to visit sites, a hospital or hotel for example, and see the complexity of labor from the workers’ perspective. Some of the field trips include: A visit to the SAG/AFTRA office coordinated by John Sandifer to interview a panel of actors; a trip to Skagit County to visit with activists organizing with farmworkers; a new member orientation at UFCW Local 1105 with a special presentation on young workers’ rights; tours of SeaTac airport, Port of Seattle, KING 5 TV and The Seattle Times; a tour of the sanitation industry following the garbage from pick-up to disposal, coordinated by Teamsters Local 174 activist Mary Lange; a tour of Harborview hosted by five health care unions and a visit to the Executive Inn to meet HERE Local 8 members and hear about their work.
Students are enrolled in a computer training class at Seattle Central Community College on web design and newspaper production for which they will receive five college credits. Each student will create personal web sites containing their resumes, interests and career portfolios.
One of the most exciting components of the summer program will be the publication of a 50-page career hand-book for youth called "Teen Flavor," written and edited by the youth participants and distributed to area high schools and community centers.
The National Labor Relations Board found merit to charges of multiple violations of federal law by management of El Centro de la Raza. In their May 22nd report, the NLRB cited El Centro’s management with 22 violations of the laws protecting workers’ right to organize into a union. The charges were filed by OPEIU Local 8 in response to El Centro’s actions against its employees who tried to form a union.
Maureen Bo, business manager of OPEIU Local 8, states, "Roberto Maestas has suggested that El Centro is not like other community service organizations because it is a ‘revolutionary civil rights’ organization. Workers’ rights are civil rights. The law applies whether an organization considers itself revolutionary or not. The NLRB findings speak for themselves."
A settlement has been reached, which will allow workers to get on with their lives without the uncertainty and duress of a prolonged legal and community campaign. In order to secure certain protections and compensation for pro-union workers, Local 8 agreed to withdraw charges and request removal of El Centro from the KCLC Worker Unfair List. El Centro will post an NLRB approved document advising workers of their rights to unionize.
Doctors need union representation too! That message was heard loud and clear during a landmark June 2nd vote in which staff physicians at Medalia HealthCare chose to join the United Salaried Physicians and Dentists (USPD), an affiliate of the Service Employees Int’l. Union (SEIU). The election, which was a first for private physicians in the Northwest, resulted in a vote of 104-75 in favor of union representation. This group of Medalia doctors will join approximately 15,000 salaried physicians already represented by SEIU nationwide.
Issues that prompted doctors at Medalia to organize include improving working conditions, patient access and compensation. Negotiations over these and other issues are set to begin in late July.
"Physicians need a voice in health care and health care institutions," said Dr. Steve Konicek, a member of the USPD/SEIU organizing committee. "Medalia’s mission of providing quality health care to all and the promise of physician-driven health care are important. Organizing is the only way we can help Medalia meet both its mission and its promise. This is a victory for us and our patients."
"This is part of a growing national trend," said Jeff Rugg, organizing director for USPD/SEIU. "Physicians are learning that it takes a union to deal effectively with the changes being driven in health care by large corporations, managed care companies and decreased funding."
The King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, welcomes these new members and congratulates the talented organizers of SEIU on this breakthrough victory. Keep up the good work!