WSLC Reports Today -- June 30, 2008

June 30, 2008

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WSLC Reports Today
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Links are functional at date of posting, but sometimes expire. Some links require free registration. WSLC Reports Today links to stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform.

MONDAY, JUNE 30

West Coast port contract expires Tuesday
The International Longhore and Warehouse union's six-year contract with the Pacific Maritime Association covering 29 West Coast ports will expire Tuesday, July 1. The contract covers about 25,000 longshore workers at ports in Washington, Oregon and California. Negotiations began in March and although progress has been made on health and welfare, there is no agreement yet. For the latest information, visit the ILWU's Contract2008.org web site.
▪ Today from AP -- Deadline looms on West Coast port contract -- Both sides insist they want to keep the ports running smoothly -- even if they have to keep talking after the deadline.
▪ In today's Oregonian -- Pressure's on for dockworkers pact -- With a slowing economy, the union and the ports are trying hard not to repeat 2002's 10-day lockout.

Reminder: ▪ Join the health care discussion tomorrow night in Tacoma
The Healthy Washington Coalition plans the next in its series of important public meetings on the five reform proposals that will be considered by state lawmakers. Be there -- and be heard!

Local news:
▪ In today's Everett Herald -- Union workers at Stevens Hospital consider picketing -- SEIU 1199NW's contract covering 1,000 expires today, but hospital services are expected to continue as normal. Next week, union members will be asked to authorize informational picketing at the hospital.
▪ In the Tri-City Herald -- How Washington lost $2 billion Areva plant, 400 jobs to Idaho -- The Herald says Gregoire failed to play a sufficiently active role in landing the uranium enrichment plant.
▪ In Sunday's Everett Herald -- 14,167 words on Boeing's behalf (Jerry Cornfield column) -- No politician kept Boeing's cause in the tanker dispute in the public eye as vociferously as Sen. Patty Murray.
▪ In the Puget Sound Business Journal -- Interest may be stirring for Boeing's latest 747 model -- Observers say the 747-8 may win pending orders because of its new technologies, a 787-style interior and greater fuel efficiency than the current 747-400. Airlines can also expect more predictable manufacturing of the 747-8, in comparison with Airbus's troubled A380.
▪ In Saturday's News Tribune -- Unions key to pulling off Tall Ships event (Kathleen Merryman column) -- When it opens, we’ll be getting a lot more than we paid for. Thank union workers and employers for a good part of that, especially the pieces that light up the evening and don’t electrocute you.

Election 2008:
▪ From NPR.org -- Obama courts the working-class vote (4 min., 20 sec. report) -- Some political observers say that for Sen. Barack Obama to be elected president, he must first connect with and win over white, working-class voters. The AFL-CIO is launching a campaign to reintroduce him to union members in small meetings and on factory floors. (For more information, check out the AFL-CIO's "Meet Barack Obama" web site.)
▪ In today's NY Times -- The Obama agenda (Paul Krugman column) -- We could do a lot worse than a rerun of the Clinton years. But Barack Obama’s most fervent supporters expect much more.
▪ In today's Seattle Times -- How Republican is Dave Reichert? -- His political future may depend on his ability to convince voters he's not a hard-line Republican, but rather an independent.
▪ At HorsesAss.org -- June's Elway poll finds Gov. Gregoire leads Rossi 47% to 39%
▪ In Sunday's News Tribune -- Major strides have been made in economy, education, health care (op-ed by Gov. Chris Gregoire) -- As your governor, I’ve spent the last four years working collaboratively with business to help ensure we have an economically diverse state with a sustainable, vibrant economy. Together, we’ve overcome some incredible challenges and achieved amazing results.
▪ In Sunday's News Tribune -- Change of governor is needed to accomplish state's goals (op-ed by Dino Rossi) -- I have a strong history of supporting lower minimum wages, taking away overtime pay, cutting unemployment benefits, opposing allowing you to use sick leave to care for ailing family members, cutting thousands of children in low-income families off health insurance, and renewing and expanding special interest business tax breaks. Vote for me! (OK, it doesn't really say that.)

National news:
▪ In today's LA Times -- Screen Actors Guild aims to thwart AFTRA contract with studios -- Some actors are lining up behind Tom Hanks. Others are backing Jack Nicholson. No, this is not an Oscar race. It's the campaign over a new contract for Hollywood actors, and the two movie stars are on opposing sides regarding what to do about it. Welcome to the civil war that has turned Hollywood upside down and is fast diminishing the prospects of a peaceful resolution.
▪ From AP -- 9 in 10 see rising gas prices causing family hardship -- A poll finds the issue edges out the economy and outpaces health care and Iraq as the country's most distressing problem.
▪ In today's Las Vegas Sun -- Union turns a worried eye on construction cranes -- The spate of recent deaths in construction accidents in Las Vegas and deadly crane collapses elsewhere in the country spur the state AFL-CIO to ask the 2009 Legislature to change crane safety laws.
▪ Today's from AP -- Wal-Mart to refresh logo as it redefines public image -- Hyphen-less "WalMart" hopes a new logo improves its image. (Real change would work better than ineffective PR.)

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2008
Join the health care discussion tomorrow night in Tacoma

ALSO SCHEDULED

The Healthy Washington Coalition also plans the following meetings (all are 6:30-8:30 p.m.):

Yakima -- Tuesday, July 15 at the Holy Family Catholic Church Education Center, 5502 W. Chestnut

Spokane -- Tuesday, July 29 at the First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St.

Bellevue -- Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the Temple Bnai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St.

Everett -- Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Everett Station, Weyerhaeuser Room, 3201 Smith Ave.

Vancouver -- Thursday, Sept. 23 at the Clark PUD Community Room, 1200 Ft. Vancouver Way

The Healthy Washington Coalition recently hosted its first in a series of important public meetings about the five health care reform proposals that will be considered by state lawmakers. If you missed it, you still have plenty of chances to participate in this critically important discussion. The next meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at Temple Beth El, 5975 S. 12th St. in Tacoma.

Here is the coalition's press release following last week's meeting in Seattle:

SEATTLE – Cover everyone. This is the most important principle to people in the Seattle area when it comes to health care. More than 350 people turned out last night for a Health Care Caucus to discuss what they hope to see from an effort by the Washington State Legislature to reform our state health care system. While covering everyone was the dominant theme of the night, the other principles for health care reform that were identified as top priorities were: assuring the cost of health care, including prescriptions, is affordable; eliminating disparities in access to health care and in health outcomes based on factors such as income, ethnicity, job status; and covering all necessary health care expenses.

“There was overwhelming unity of purpose and urgency around this issue,” said Teresita Batayola, executive director of International Community Health Services. “Based on the passionate testimony and conversations we heard, it’s clear that people are demanding action now.” Batayola presented on overview of the problems we face from the current health care system.

Hosted by the Healthy Washington Coalition, the caucus was one of seven events being held throughout the state to help people have their voice heard on the five proposals that will be considered by the State.

As a result of work in the 2008 Legislative session by the coalition and its more than 100 member organizations and other health care champions, the State Legislature has identified five health care proposals that will have an actuarial analysis by Mathematica Incorporated. The report on the findings, which is due at the end of December 2008, should clarify what health care reform proposals might work best for Washington.

The five plans being considered by the State range the gamut from ones that model the Massachusetts health care plan to a single payer plan to private insurance deregulation. Each will receive an analysis to see how effectively it can deliver care to Washingtonians and at what cost. The Health Care Caucuses will provide an important link for legislators in knowing what people value most in their health care plan.

Six more caucuses will be held throughout the state from July to September. Additional cities include Tacoma, Yakima, Spokane, Bellevue, Everett and Vancouver.

“600,000 people in this state do not have health care. Hundreds of thousands have plans that are barely scrimping by. Ever escalating costs are driving even more people into the ranks of the uninsured or underinsured. If the people in our state step up and make ourselves heard, we can change the face of health care in this state. We have an amazing opportunity to realize that goal right now,” said Robby Stern, Coalition chair.

The Healthy Washington Coalition is the largest health care reform organization that has existed in Washington State in recent history. Made up of health care organizations, consumer groups, labor and small business, the Coalition is dedicated to ensuring that Washington State has quality, affordable health care coverage for all of its residents.

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