WSLC Reports Today
Updated DAILY... Almost Every Day!™ by 9 a.m. Pacific

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

Boeing news:
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Machinists reject latest Boeing offer -- Boeing sweetened its offer to the Machinists union, but it was quickly rejected with a warning that time is running out to avoid a costly strike that would shut down Boeing's jetliner factories in the Puget Sound area, possibly delay the critical first flight of the 787 Dreamliner and put about 27,000 employees on picket lines.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing sweetens contract offer -- Boeing withdrew its proposal to eliminate a traditional pension for new employees and upped its general wage increase to 9% over three years. But the Machinists and Boeing remain at odds over two issues: outsourcing and early retiree medical benefits.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Machinists unimpressed by offer -- Everett crane operator Don Grinde dismisses Boeing's concessions: "They conjure up boogeyman issues they know will incite the membership, then at the last minute they pull them off the table. You didn't gain anything."

Election 2008:
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Local Republicans' sale of Obama bill cut off at Evergreen State Fair -- In addition to the image of Obama in a headdress, the "Obamanation Note" being sold by local Republicans includes a silhouette figure of a camel, identifies Obama as "Da Man" and is signed by "Teddy Kennedy, Chief Socialism Advisor," and "Al Sharpton, New Spiritual Advisor." The serial number, "IBD14UOK" when read aloud, is fractured English: "I be de one for you, OK."
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Gregoire says her Obama ties may benefit state later -- Gov. Chris Gregoire basks in the glow of her well-timed endorsement of Obama, accompanying Michelle Obama through a whirlwind of high-profile campaign events during the Democratic convention.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Hillary Clinton: "Barack Obama is my candidate" -- She summons her still-disappointed legions to the cause of Barack Obama with an emotionally charged speech.
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- Sweeney: "We can create a better America" --  AFL-CIO President John Sweeney gives a high-profile and impassioned speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, focusing on a top issue in the election: turning around our struggling economy. 
▪  In today's Rocky Mountain News -- AFL-CIO's Sweeney: Wage inequality demands labor law reform -- The AFL-CIO president says that the growing pay gap between CEOs and workers can be tied directly to the increasing difficulty in workers' ability to form unions. 

Local news:
▪  In today's Seattle DJC -- Interest grows for Sound Transit's U-Link tunnels (subscriber-only story; email us for a copy) -- Contractors submit their comments on the draft bid package to drill two underground light-rail tunnels, the largest and most difficult part of building University Link, the 3.15-mile light-rail extension between downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the UW. The U-Link is the last light-rail project funded by the transit package Puget Sound voters approved in 1996.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Todd Shipyards will maintain Navy carriers -- Todd says it has won a five-year contract to provide long-term overhaul and maintenance for the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers based in Puget Sound, including the USS Abraham Lincoln. Much of the work on the USS Lincoln is expected to be performed at the Naval Station Everett docks.
▪  In today's Aberdeen Daily World -- PUD's "slice" from BPA could shrink -- If the Grays Harbor PUD and other public utility districts get the contracts they want, the Bonneville Power Administration won’t have enough electricity to meet demand under its proposed allocation, the BPA says.

National news:
▪  At AFL-CIO Now -- Social Security is solid; ignore the latest scare tactics -- Once again, the cries that “the sky is falling on Social Security“ -- usually shouted by the folks who want to privatize it -- are nothing more than scare tactics. A new CBO report finds the surplus will be able to pay full benefits until 2049 and incoming revenues will be able to pay 81% of benefits through 2082.
▪  From AP -- Postal Service struggles to contain growing deficit -- The USPS could lose $2 billion this year because of tough economic times, and it needs to change to meet the demands of the public, says Postmaster General. He commends postal workers for their service and reliability, but said more needs to be done to reduce bureaucracy, cut costs and embrace technology.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Nearly 600 immigrants were arrested in Miss. factory raid, officials now say -- The feds revise upward to 595 the number of suspected illegal immigrants arrested in a raid on a Laurel, Miss., factory, making it one of the largest immigration crackdown on a U.S. workplace.
▪  From AP -- Pentagon looks less likely to meet tanker deadline -- The Pentagon may miss a self-imposed deadline to award the refueling tanker contract ahead of the next administration.
▪  From AP -- Steelworkers union asks members to strike if talks fail -- More than 14,000 USW members at facilities run by the world's largest steelmaker vote on strike authorization.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Running out of money, cities debate privatization of public infrastructure -- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the Carlyle Group and Goldman Sachs are among the investors who've amassed a $250 billion war chest to finance a tidal wave of infrastructure projects in the United States and overseas. Their strategy is gaining steam in the United States as federal, state and local governments previously wary of private funds struggle under mounting deficits that have curbed their ability to improve crumbling roads, bridges and even airports with taxpayer money.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008
Efforts to provide health coverage to children are working
Census data shows progress made despite roadblocks from McCain, Rossi

For more information about Dino Rossi's record on working family issues, click here.

For more information about Dino Rossi's record on working family issues, click here.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008
Labor, Religious & Community Breakfast on Thursday in Seattle

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