Every year, the main business of the Washington State Labor Council convention is the deliberation, discussion and action on resolutions submitted by the affiliated union locals and councils. These resolutions to establish policy, programs and action for the WSLC. The following were passed by delegates at the WSLC’s 2004 Constitutional Convention held August 23-26 in Tacoma.
1. In OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
2. In Support of Transparency and REVIEW OF WASHINGTON STATE TAX BREAKS
3. Regarding PORT OF SEATTLE TERMINAL 46
4. Regarding the PORT OF SEATTLE T90/T91
5. Regarding Safe and Secure RAILROAD OPERATIONS
6. Regarding Federal Guidelines for RANDOM DRUG TESTING
7. Regarding Governance of PUBLIC TRANSIT BOARDS
8. Regarding State Funding for PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
9. On Reducing Actuarial Penalties for EARLY RETIREMENT FROM PERS II
10. Support for QUALITY CHILD CARE and Early Childhood Education Programs
11. Regarding THREEMILE CANYON FARMS
12. In Support of Washington State PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
13. In Support of “PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS”
14. Resolution on DISPLACED SKIPPERS AND CREW
15. Regarding State BOARDS AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
16. Support for WATER FLUORIDATION
17. Supporting Funding and Legislation for the Replacement of the ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT & SEAWALL
18. Regarding FAIR TRADE
19. Call for ENDING THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ
20. On the Occupation and LABOR RIGHTS IN IRAQ
21. Regarding WSLC SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS
22. PER CAPITA INCREASE
23. Regarding CONSTITUENCY GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS
24. On TAX REFORM
25. Supporting an Initiative on WORKERS COMPENSATION
26. On MISCLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS
27. Regarding IMPORT PRODUCTION ANALYSIS
28. In Support of the U.S. MERCHANT MARINE
29. Supporting the CW Mining Company (CO-OP) MINERS’ STRUGGLE
IN OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
Resolution #1
WHEREAS, throughout our country’s history, the Constitutional amendment has been a tool to enshrine the rights of all Americans, and our long history of civil rights has found protection in our Constitutional amendments, from the abolition of slavery, set forth in the 13th Amendment, to the right of women and people over the age of 18 to vote, set forth in the 19th and 26th Amendments, the Constitutional amendment has been the legal foundation on which to grant fundamental rights, not take them away; and
WHEREAS, a Constitutional amendment is now being proposed that would take away the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons to enter into civil marriage, and this amendment, the Federal Marriage Amendment (S.J. Res. 26, H.J. Res. 56) states:
“Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.”
and, if passed, the Federal Marriage Amendment would become the first Constitutional amendment to restrict the rights of a certain class of Americans; and
WHEREAS, as labor unionists, we believe that our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters unequivocally deserve the same benefits as their heterosexual brothers and sisters, and, for that reason, labor unions have been securing groundbreaking contracts that provide our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters with a patchwork of protections and benefits, and we have fought vigilantly to secure the rights of these workers through explicit anti-discrimination language and pay equity through domestic partnership benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Marriage Amendment would make it virtually impossible to maintain and negotiate benefits on behalf of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers, and in states that have passed similar legislation, domestic partnership benefits have been challenged; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Marriage Amendment would restrict unions from offering all employees an equitable employment package and, furthermore, the Federal Marriage Amendment could invalidate thousands of union contracts that include domestic partnership benefit provisions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, stands in opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment and recommends that the national AFL-CIO adopt a similar position.
IN SUPPORT OF TRANSPARENCY AND REVIEW OF WASHINGTON STATE TAX BREAKS
Resolution #2
WHEREAS, the State of Washington faces a continuing budget crunch which squeezes funding for education, transportation, libraries, parks, health care and other services; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington has granted 503 tax breaks or exemptions valued at $64.7 billion over the current two-year budget period; and
WHEREAS, many of these exemptions were enacted during the 1930s and are renewed with little debate or meaningful review; and
WHEREAS, a January 2003 State Department of Revenue report identifies $13.5 billion in potential increased revenue over two years if half the exemptions were repealed; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, a legislative-appointed Washington State Tax Structure Study Committee recommended periodic legislative review of “all tax exemptions, grouped by purpose or function, to ensure that these exemptions continue to serve the public purposed for which they were enacted”, yet such reviews are not being done; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this body shall urge the following reforms be enacted, and shall communicate this request to elected officials as appropriate:
The State of Washington shall make available to the public, in written form and on a website, a list of all current tax breaks and exemptions with the estimated cost, the purpose, the statutory authority, the expiration (renewal) date, job creation, if any, and the identity of the five largest beneficiaries of each;
The public shall be given ample notice and opportunity to comment on renewals of tax breaks and exemptions;
The identities of legislators voting for or against renewing tax exemptions and breaks shall henceforth be compiled and made available in an accessible format for public scrutiny;
The legislature shall direct periodic open reviews of all tax breaks and exemptions to evaluate their benefits to the public interest versus their cost to the public, and members of the review committee who disagree with any aspect of that committee’s report or recommendations shall be allowed to issue a separate minority report that shall be part of the public record.
REGARDING PORT OF SEATTLE TERMINAL 46
Resolution #3
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle is a municipal corporation created by the voters of King County in 1911; and
WHEREAS, the Port is charged with making long-term investments that generate jobs and help create a stable economy in the region; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle owns and operates seaport facilities along Elliot Bay, the Duwamish River, the Ship Canal and Puget Sound, as well as the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; and
WHEREAS, West Coast container trade is expected to double by the year 2015; and
WHEREAS, other major West Coast ports are close to operating at their maximum capacity; and
WHEREAS, Elliot Bay’s natural deep water port with excellent rail access is ideally suited for container traffic and is well positioned to benefit from the coming increase in container traffic; and
WHEREAS, real estate developers have proposed that the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46 be converted to non-maritime and non-industrial uses; and
WHEREAS, Terminal 46 supports 1,366 direct jobs and 2,314 induced and indirect jobs, which provide $187 million in personal income and generate $22 million in state and local taxes plus $47 million in federal taxes; and
WHEREAS, public officials encouraging speculation about the non-industrial future of Terminal 46 damages the ability to retain Hanjin Shipping, which is the operator of the terminal; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is developing a Central Waterfront Plan which could also negatively affect the future of Terminal 46; and
WHEREAS, various redesign options for the Alaska Way Viaduct are being considered by the Washington Department of Transportation and these options, as well as construction impacts, could impede ingress and egress to the terminal and affect the efficiency of Hanjin’s operations in the Port of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, it is in the long-term interest of the citizens of Seattle and King County for the Port to work toward establishing a robust and diverse economy that maintains and enhances job opportunities for the whole community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council strongly oppose the efforts of real estate speculators and their allies to convert Terminal 46 to non-industrial uses; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council shall communicate its position on Terminal 46 to the public and to local elected officials; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council supports a Central Waterfront Plan that insures the long-term operation of Terminal 46 as a family wage generating container terminal and shall make votes related to the adoption of this plan subject to the Washington State Labor Council tracking system; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council advocate that Viaduct redesign options enhance the viability of Terminal 46 as a container terminal and that construction impacts on the terminal be minimized; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work with the Port and public officials who operate it to ensure that a diverse economy is assured through the proper utilization of Terminal 46.
REGARDING THE PORT OF SEATTLE T90/T91
Resolution #4
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle was established by the people to make long-term, job generating investments for the benefit of multiple generations of citizens that the private sector, with its short-term focus, would not make; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle’s new economic development model creates a few high paying, high tech jobs and many low paying service sector jobs, and changes the Port from a steward of industrial lands critical to supporting high skill family wage jobs to a real estate developer seeking to maximize returns on investment with minimal regard to the quality of jobs it generates; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has proposed a comprehensive plan amendment to the City Council for the upland portions of T90, T91 and the national Guard Armory, and this proposed amendment has two options; 1) to re-designate the industrial land to a Hub Urban Village; or 2) to create an overlay zone to facilitate development of non-industrial uses such as biotech; and
WHEREAS, the Port’s proposed amendments create a negative precedent for conversion of industrial land to non-industrial uses; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Seattle’s maritime sector accounted for an estimated $4.1 billion in revenue and supported more than 22,000 jobs, and 9,200 of those jobs were located directly on the waterfront; and
WHEREAS, Seattle’s maritime and industrial sectors create accessible, family wage jobs; and
WHEREAS, industrial firms in Seattle have difficulty locating in-city industrial land in order to accommodate expanded operations; and
WHEREAS, T90 and T91 are served by rail facilities and deep water piers unlike other industrial properties in the area; and
WHEREAS, T90 and T91 have the potential of being a world-class marine and industrial center; and
WHEREAS, it is in the long-term interests of the citizens of Seattle for the Port to work for a diverse and robust economy that maintains and enhances job opportunities for all families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council oppose the comprehensive amendments proposed by the Port of Seattle and will work to defeat them at the Washington State Legislature and the Port of Seattle; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council shall inform local elected officials of its opposition and make their votes part of the WSLC tracking system; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work with the Port of Seattle and the public officials who operate it along with the City of Seattle, industrial business groups and the community to ensure that a diverse economy is assured through proper utilization of the Port’s assets, including the development of T90 and T91 as a world class marine and industrial center.
REGARDING SAFE AND SECURE RAILROAD OPERATIONS
Resolution #5
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, represents more than 450,000 working men and women in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, advocates and supports laws that protect working families in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, within Washington State several railroads are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) by rail that are subject to uncontrolled release if their containers rupture from a derailment, vandalism, terrorism, or collision with a significant amount of these hazardous chemicals transported through our cities and towns in very close proximity to our homes, schools, hospitals and public access areas; and
WHEREAS, the freight railroads have chosen to operate Remote Control Locomotive Technology (unmanned locomotives) across crossings at grade through our cities and towns with as little as two weeks of railroad worker training; and
WHEREAS, the freight railroads are requiring railroad workers to work schedules that exceed the safety norms established by society, resulting in serious fatigue-related accidents in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Washington State expect safe and secure railroad operations from rested and well-trained railroad workers; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission has demonstrated leadership exploring these concerns and exists as an example for other federal, state, and local authorities to emulate; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, supports the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, a Division of the Railway Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and hereby admonishes all railroads within the limits of Washington State to use fully rested by society’s standards railroad workers and locomotive engineers that are federally certified to the highest possible skill level to operate all locomotives in all railroad operations in Washington State and demands that the Federal Railroad Administration promulgate such rules to ensure that railroad workers are not unnecessarily fatigued and individuals operating locomotives are properly trained to the highest skill level available for operating trains in Washington State; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, calls on the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to move forward with Proposed Rulemaking (CR-102) under Docket Number TR-040151 providing Point Protection for Washington State citizens as part of Chapter 280-62 WAC; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that in the interest of public safety, the President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will send a letter to railroads operating in Washington State, the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, and to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission outlining these concerns and in support of the position established by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, a Division of the Railway Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
REGARDING FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING
Resolution #6
WHEREAS, Federal guidelines have been established for random drug testing for persons who have a commercial driver’s license; and
WHEREAS, the legislators passed Substitute Senate Bill 6461 (RCW 46.25) in the 2002 session, which complicates and actually exceeds federal guidelines; and
WHEREAS, SB 6461 was so poorly written that HB 1679/SB 5431 was introduced in the 2003 session to “clean up the language”; and
WHEREAS, the 2003/2004 legislative session saw SB 5431 not pass; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council oppose future versions of SB 5431/HB1679, an act relating to random positive drug and alcohol tests, and support legislation that will repeal SB 6461; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council shall assert that the State of Washington and the Department of Licensing follow and adhere to Federal guidelines on random drug testing for CDL holders; and be it further,
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council support legislation to be crafted (for those employers who hire persons who perform safety sensitive work and hold a CDL) that would allow reporting of pre-employment positive drug/alcohol tests to the department of licensing; and, be it finally,
RESOLVED, that the legislation would include wording that the Department of Licensing would not disqualify the commercial driver’s license holder for the positive pre-employment test; and that the person who failed a pre-employment drug test would follow federal guidelines and contact an approved substance abuse professional. In addition, the legislation would not allow insurance companies or other entities to use the report of a positive test in a punitive manner such as raising insurance rates.
REGARDING GOVERNANCE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT BOARDS
Resolution #7
WHEREAS, the legislation creating public transit benefits areas has been in place since 1975; and
WHEREAS, the legislation provides for the selection, qualification, and number of board members, which includes elected officials who are held accountable by the voters; and
WHEREAS, the legislation provides for a periodic review of the composition of the board; and
WHEREAS, Public transit has been in a fiscal crisis since the intent of I-695 was codified by the 2000 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, the members of the public transit boards, through their leadership, guided public transit to secure footing by authorizing local sales tax to be raised for public transit; and
WHEREAS, the members of past, present, and future public transit boards have and will forge our public transit systems into a viable part of our transportation infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council oppose changes to the governance of public transit boards.
REGARDING STATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Resolution #8
WHEREAS, since the inception of legislation creating the public transit benefit area, Washington State has been a partner in public transportation; and
WHEREAS, in the 2000 legislative session the intent of I-695 was codified, repealing the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, of which a portion was used for matching local funds for public transportation; and
WHEREAS, transit properties in the State of Washington lost $213 million per year in operating funds; and
WHEREAS, transit properties have been, for the most part, successful in raising local taxes, small rural transit systems do not have the tax base to recoup the state funds and larger transit systems cannot keep pace with the demands; and
WHEREAS, the 2002/2003 legislative session saw a transportation package voted upon in Olympia, of which only 11% or approximately $17 million per year would go to rural mobility grants and to “special needs” or para-transit operations, falls far short of the $213 million per year lost because of I-695; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work toward finding a reliable and sufficient funding source for public transportation and will support legislation that provides such a source.
ON REDUCING ACTUARIAL PENALTIES FOR EARLY RETIREMENT FROM PERS II
Resolution #9
WHEREAS, participants of PERS II can, potentially, be penalized up to 80% of their pension for early retirement; and
WHEREAS, the current actuarial penalties for early retirement from PERS II are among the highest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, PERS II is fiscally sound and will be for the foreseeable future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will support and work towards legislation to reduce the actuarial penalties for early retirement from PERS II to 3% per year for retirees aged 55 years to 64 years.
SUPPORT FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Resolution #10
WHEREAS, quality child care and early education programs that foster nurturing adult-child relationships have a positive impact on children’s development and learning by fostering their social-emotional, cognitive, linguistic and physical development, enhancing their self-confidence, and preparing them to succeed in school; and
WHEREAS, ensuring access to quality child care and early education programs is one of the soundest educational and financial investments the public can make, providing demonstrated, significant, and long-term savings in the costs of special education, grade retention, welfare, and crime; and
WHEREAS, working parents need to know that their children are in good hands during the day and in a place where education and safety are ensured; and
WHEREAS, there is insufficient funding made available by the Federal and state governments to provide access to quality childcare and early education programs; and
WHEREAS, caregivers and educators who teach young children are not compensated for their valuable work and are earning poverty level wages; average wages for childcare providers in centers are $8 per hour, while the state pays some home providers only $2.16 per hour to care for subsidized children; and
WHEREAS, childcare and early education programs should be funded adequately in order to ensure standards of quality, and to attract and retain providers who are educated and compensated at levels that value their work; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the WSLC will work in coalition with advocates to increase access to quality childcare and early education programs for young children in a variety of settings including schools, childcare centers, and family child care homes; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the WSLC will support efforts to improve the wages, benefits, and working conditions of the early childhood workforce by extending collective bargaining rights and union representation to these workers.
REGARDING THREEMILE CANYON FARMS
Resolution #11
WHEREAS, workers at Threemile Canyon Farms (“the Farm”) have repeatedly demonstrated their desire for union representation through signed authorization cards and repeated actions and public statements; and
WHEREAS, the Farm has refused to negotiate with, much less recognize, the United Farm Workers as the union of choice for its employees; and
WHEREAS, the Farm is represented by Len Bergstein and Northwest Strategies; and
WHEREAS, the Farm has waged an anti-union campaign based on threats, intimidation and retaliation against workers; and
WHEREAS, workers have complained repeatedly about not being provided breaks; and
WHEREAS, workers have stood up for their right to be treated with dignity and respect over the past seventeen (17) months; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and its Executive Board will communicate their support for the workers at Threemile Canyon Farms to all businesses that do business with the Farm and will call on them to use every effort to bring the ownership to the negotiating table; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, shall commit itself to educating the central labor councils and affiliated local unions about this issue through newsletters and communicating our support for these workers to the press; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will discourage their affiliates from employing Len Bergstein and Northwest Strategies in any public affairs or political campaigns in which they participate.
IN SUPPORT OF WASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
Resolution #12
WHEREAS, employees of the state of Washington provide vital services to Washington residents and visitors through state agencies, institutions, hospitals, colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, more than 60,000 state employees and their unions are now for the first time engaged in wide-scope collective bargaining for wages, working conditions and health insurance, under legislation strongly supported by the labor movement and the Washington State Labor Council; and
WHEREAS, 26,000 home care workers who care for tens of thousands of low-income seniors and people with disabilities are now negotiating their second union contract; and
WHEREAS, state employees and school district employees, members of over a dozen unions, have been bearing higher and higher health care costs, as premiums, co-pays and deductibles rise; and
WHEREAS, many employees have seen their out-of-pocket health insurance rise by $1,000 a year or more; and
WHEREAS, state employees have not received a cost of living increase for three years, threatening the stability and quality of vital public services; and
WHEREAS, home care workers still earn less than $9.00/hr with no paid vacations, sick days, pension, or vision or dental benefits; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington must help set the standard for good quality health insurance coverage of all our residents throughout our state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, give all possible support to the negotiation of strong, fair contracts for public sector employees; and, be it finally
RESOLVED that the WSLC make as one of their highest priorities the ratification and funding of state employee and home care worker contracts and the provision of adequate health care funding for school employees by the Washington State Legislature in the 2005 session and, in addition, unless a fair contract is negotiated, the WSLC will initiate the process for putting the Locke administration on the “Unfair-Do Not Patronize” list.
IN SUPPORT OF “PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS”
Resolution #13
WHEREAS, educational research has shown that charter schools do not offer higher quality educational opportunities for our children; and
WHEREAS, charter schools in Washington will cost over $100 million and will give little in return since the types of experimentation that charter schools allege to offer are already available in public school settings; and
WHEREAS, charter schools take money from existing public schools and are not accountable to local school boards and have little other public accountability; and
WHEREAS, charter school legislation threatens our members working in the K-12 system who could lose their jobs or their bargaining rights; and
WHEREAS, charter schools were rejected twice by Washington state voters; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 in spite of strong opposition from the educational and labor communities and a host of civic groups, the Washington legislature passed charter school legislation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council encourage its members to vote “NO” on Referendum 55 and work in coalition with other advocates and community groups to overturn HB2295, which authorized charter schools in Washington State.
RESOLUTION ON DISPLACED SKIPPERS AND CREW
Resolution #14
WHEREAS, the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union, established in 1912, is committed to improving the working conditions and making long-term investment in the West Coast fisheries for the benefit of multiple generations of fishermen; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has seen fit to provide financial relief for fishing vessel owners in overcapitalized fisheries, through statutorily authorized or directed individual fishing quotas, special cooperatives, and government loans; and
WHEREAS, these measures benefiting vessel owners have been applied to Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pollock, non-pollock groundfish, halibut/sablefish, and crab fisheries, as well as to West Coast fixed gear sablefish fisheries, among others; and
WHEREAS, these measures have the intended effect of consolidating harvesting capacity, and thereby reducing the number of vessels operating in the affected fisheries; and
WHEREAS, these measures provide generous compensation to vessel owners whose vessels are removed from the affected fisheries, and ensure increased revenues to those vessel owners who continue to operate; and WHEREAS, these measures provide safety benefits to those who remain in the fisheries, and contribute to effective fisheries conservation and management producing improved yields; and
WHEREAS, these measures are not entirely positive but rather result in the loss of hundreds of at-sea jobs for skippers and crew members, while providing these working men and women with no compensation, and guarantee little or no individual quotas or similar benefits to skippers and crews who remain in the fisheries; and
WHEREAS, government loans are repaid by the assessment of a “landing tax” which is considered a gross stock expense and is therefore deducted before crew shares are calculated, resulting in the remaining crews repaying a percentage of the loan that puts their fellow crewmembers out of work; and
WHEREAS, certain vessel owners have resisted, and certain Members of Congress have failed to assist, efforts by the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union to address these inequities through federal legislation providing reasonable relief for skippers and crew displaced by statutory/regulatory rationalization and buyback programs; and
WHEREAS, certain vessel owners and federal regulators have resisted efforts by the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union to secure fair and equitable guaranteed individual quotas for skippers and crews in rationalized fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the fisheries of the United States should, as a matter of policy, sustain accessible, family-wage jobs; and
WHEREAS, it is in the long-term best interest of the United States to provide for and enhance job transition and opportunities for all working families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, while recognizing the benefits of such federal measures, can support them only if they provide equitable treatment for skippers and crews; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council strongly supports efforts of the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union to secure equitable treatment for skippers and crews who lose their jobs due to federal statutory/regulatory rationalization or buyback measures and for those skippers and crews who remain in the fisheries; and be it further
RESOLVED, that, in particular, the Washington State Labor Council supports the efforts of Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union and the skippers and crew of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands fisheries to obtain displaced worker assistance in the form of either a one- time cash-out or a comprehensive re-education and job placement program with support stipend during re-training, and to obtain fair and equitable individual fishing quotas for skippers and crews who remain in quota-based fisheries and similar benefits for skippers and crews who remain in cooperative-based fisheries; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work actively with the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union and public officials to ensure that legislation is enacted to provide fair and equitable dislocation allowances, job training opportunities and job placement for every displaced skipper and crew member, and to require fair and equitable treatment of skippers and crews in any future quota-based or cooperative program.
REGARDING STATE BOARDS AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Resolution #15
WHEREAS, there is currently an even greater need for labor to be involved in the community and the governmental bodies thereof; and
WHEREAS, the most effective way to enhance government is to not fight against but to influence from within; and
WHEREAS, many of the governor-appointed committees, along with the varying support committees of the appointed committees, are often confusing in regard to finding out both when and how to get involved in said committees; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will find a way to monitor and track openings in the varying governor-appointed committees and make its best effort to get such information out to its affiliates.
SUPPORT FOR WATER FLUORIDATION
Resolution #16
WHEREAS, oral health is a critical part of overall health and significantly affects wellness and quality of life for everyone; and
WHEREAS, the rates of oral disease in our state are significant because oral decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America and the elderly are at high risk for tooth decay; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of water fluoridation in preventing oral disease have been scientifically proven to reduce tooth decay by up to forty percent (40%); and
WHEREAS, nearly sixty years of scientific research has proven fluoridation to be medically safe; and
WHEREAS, every major professional health and medical organization in the U.S. has endorsed and strongly supports water fluoridation; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General identified fluoridation as the “single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health over a lifetime, for both children and adults”; and
WHEREAS, preventing oral disease will reduce health care costs and save money for families, seniors and taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will actively and strongly support the discussion of fluoridation of public water systems throughout the State of Washington.
SUPPORTING FUNDING AND LEGISLATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT & SEAWALL
Resolution #17
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2001, the 6.8 Nisqually Earthquake forced the closure of the Alaska Way Viaduct and the interruption of vehicles and freight movement for numerous days; and
WHEREAS, the Viaduct moves 110,000 business and commuter vehicles into, out of, and through Seattle each day and is an essential alternative to Interstate 5, carrying one quarter of the north-south traffic through downtown Seattle each day; and
WHEREAS, the Viaduct connects city and regional manufacturing and industrial centers of statewide importance (the Duwamish industrial center and the Ballard-Interbay North industrial center are home to more than 2,700 businesses that employ 82,000 people) and, further, State Route 99 (SR 99) provides connections to the Green River Valley warehousing and industrial complex in South King County, one of the State’s largest employment centers; and
WHEREAS, the Viaduct and its corridor are vital to maintaining and increasing the $32 billion worth of goods that travel through the Port of Seattle each year; and
WHEREAS, West Coast container trade is expected to double by the year 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has container terminals, including Terminal 46, adjoining the Viaduct that directly employ hundreds of union workers and it is imperative to maintaining these jobs that there be unimpeded access for container terminal operation, both with a replacement facility and during construction; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council will work toward finding reliable and sufficient state and federal funding for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement and will support legislation that provides such a source so long as rebuild options ensure the viability of Terminal 46 as a container terminal and the construction impacts are minimized for container terminal operations. The WSLC will encourage the decision makers to utilize materials manufactured in Washington and union labor in the design and construction of the replacement infrastructure.
REGARDING FAIR TRADE
Resolution #18
WHEREAS, CAFTA would continue the assault on manufacturing workers in California and around the nation, but would threaten the jobs and livelihoods of construction workers, government employees and postal employees; and
WHEREAS, CAFTA also threatens the rights of citizens to use the democratic process to enact laws and regulations in the public interest, including prevailing wage laws, project labor agreements on government construction and local or union purchasing preference; and
WHEREAS, CAFTA could require the privatization of federal, state and local government services; and
WHEREAS, CAFTA labor provisions fail to meet core international labor organization standards, provide ineffective enforcement mechanisms and are woefully inadequate to prevent continued job flight from California, or to protect workers in Central America; and
WHEREAS, CAFTA rules on trade in services significantly alters regulation of services and grants greater control to business in regulating and providing services such as healthcare, construction, telecommunications, education, tourism, water distribution and energy services; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO stands in strong opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and other free trade agreements based on the failed NAFTA model; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO urge all affiliated unions to help educate their members about CAFTA, to join the millions of people throughout the Americas expressing their objection to the free trade model, and to work to ensure the defeat of CAFTA in Congress; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will actively advance a new agenda for international trade in solidarity with workers and civil society groups by supporting the Central American Labor delegation, as well as local labor groups, by assisting in the organizing and promoting a Tacoma event for November 18, 2004.
CALL FOR ENDING THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ
Resolution #19
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration carried out an invasion of Iraq under the pretense that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the capability to deploy them and, therefore, posed an immediate threat to the security of the United States and the rest of the world; and
WHEREAS, after an extensive post-occupation search there is no evidence that Iraq possessed WMD or the capability to deploy them; and
WHEREAS, the war and military occupation of Iraq has cost the lives of over 950 U.S. troops, as of August 23, 2004, the wounding and disabling of thousands more, and death and injury to thousands of Iraqi civilians; and
WHEREAS, the war and occupation have already cost the taxpayers of the United States over a hundred billion dollars, while at the same time social and human services, education and veterans’ benefits are being cut; and
WHEREAS, part of the cost to taxpayers is to pay for contracts awarded to corporations that are overcharging government agencies for both occupation services and rebuilding projects; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, calls for an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq, the immediate implementation of a plan to turn over sovereignty to the people of Iraq and the return of U.S. troops to their homes and families; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, forward this resolution to the national AFL-CIO and recommend its adoption.
ON THE OCCUPATION OF AND LABOR RIGHTS IN IRAQ
Resolution #20
WHEREAS, since George W. Bush declared an end to the war on Iraq in April 2003, unemployment among Iraqi workers has reached 70%, causing many families to go hungry and lose their housing; and
WHEREAS, since Bush announced the war’s end, the U.S. occupying authority has frozen wages for most Iraqi workers at $60 per month, while eliminating previously enjoyed bonuses, profit sharing, and subsidies for food and housing, causing a sharp cut in income of those Iraqi workers still employed; and
WHEREAS, $87 billion was appropriated by Congress for the reconstruction of Iraq, yet not a cent has been designated for raising wages or unemployment benefits; and
WHEREAS, since April 2003 Iraqi workers have been trying to reorganize their trade union movement, to improve their standard of living, and preserve their jobs and workplaces; and
WHEREAS, the United States has continued to enforce a 1987 law decreed by Saddam Hussein prohibiting unions and collective bargaining in the public sector and state enterprises where most Iraqis work; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. occupation authority announced it intends to sell off factories, refineries, mines and other state enterprises despite the fact that these enterprises belong to the Iraqi people, not to the U.S., and has issued a decree, Public Order 39, allowing 100% foreign ownership of any Iraqi business and for all profits to be taken out of the country; and
WHEREAS, Iraqi unions are seeking to organize without any resources, while the U.S. occupying authority withholds welfare funds, buildings and other assets previously held by unions controlled by Saddam Hussein’s government; and
WHEREAS, since June 29, 2004, when the occupation authority handed “sovereignty” to an interim governing council, none of these conditions for workers or restrictions on organizing have been changed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO calls on the government of the United States to direct the Interim Governing Council of Iraq to honor the International Labor Organization’s core standards, including the right to organize and collectively bargain for all Iraqi workers, including the public sector, and to immediately halt the process of privatizing Iraqi enterprises and selling off the property of the Iraqi people; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, forward this resolution to the national AFL-CIO and recommend its adoption.
REGARDING WSLC SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS
Resolution #21
WHEREAS, the cost of producing and mailing Summary Proceedings of the Washington State Labor Board Constitutional Conventions to each WSLC affiliate has grown increasingly costly in actual dollars spent on printing, postage and staff time utilized; and
WHEREAS, the WSLC is continually seeking cost-saving measures to enhance our ability to serve our affiliates; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that, effective immediately, Summary Proceedings of Constitutional Conventions shall be produced and posted on line and notice shall be sent to WSLC affiliates informing them that proceedings are available.
PER CAPITA INCREASE
Resolution #22
WHEREAS, there has only been one per capita increase to the Washington State Labor Council since 1993; and
WHEREAS, since March 1993 inflation measured by the CPI-U for all U.S. Cities increased 32.1%, and the CPI-U for Seattle, Tacoma and Bremerton rose 37.6%; and
WHEREAS, the 5¢ per capita increase in 2000 was 6.7%, leaving our per capita 25% to 30% below the level of inflation; and
WHEREAS, if our per capita had kept pace with inflation, today it would be either 99¢ or $1.03, depending on which CPI measurement was used; and
WHEREAS, an increase of the per capita tax of 5¢ would be a 6.3% increase or an increase of 60¢ per member per year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this 2004 Constitutional Convention change Article XI, Section 1, Paragraph (a) to reflect an increase in per capita from 80¢ to 85¢ per member per month effective January 1, 2005.
REGARDING CONSTITUENCY GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS
Resolution #23
WHEREAS, in 2002 the Washington State Labor Council’s Constitution was changed to provide for the Constituency Groups (A. Philip Randolph Institute, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Pride At Work) to have a seat on the WLSC Executive Board with a voice and vote in all issues except politics; and
WHEREAS, these Constituent Vice Presidents shall be required to run for election to the Executive Board as At-Large candidates; and
WHEREAS, guidelines and procedures for this election must be established; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that language contained in Section 1 (a), Line 32 (“The initial members shall be appointed by the Executive Board; subsequent terms of office shall be elected pursuant to procedures developed by the Executive Board”) shall be deleted from the WSLC Constitution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the following language shall be added to Article V, Section 4, beginning on Line 31: “Representatives of the six (6) constituency groups (APRI, APALA, CBTU, CLUW, LCLAA, PAW) shall be elected on a statewide basis. In order to be eligible, you must be an active member of the constituency group in your area, as defined by its bylaws. Candidates are required to be members of an affiliated union, as well as the constituency group, and must have five (5) valid nominations from affiliated unions. If there is more than one chapter of a constituency group in the state, the combined chapters shall determine their designated nominee. The constituency groups may contact the Secretary/Treasurer and have the name of their designated choice to fill the Executive Board position placed on the ballot. Final election of the Constituent Vice Presidents will be based on the total number of ballots cast for each position.”
ON TAX REFORM
Resolution #24
WHEREAS, Washington’s tax system is the most regressive tax system in the country, taxing lower income residents at a much higher rate than upper income residents; and
WHEREAS, the bulk of the people unfairly impacted by this unfair tax system are working people and particularly the working poor; and
WHEREAS, Washington’s tax system fails to provide adequate revenue to meet the essential needs of the residents of Washington including, but not limited to, public education, health care, the needs of the most vulnerable residents of our state, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, Washington’s tax system fails to provide stable and adequate revenue thereby causing a constant downward pressure on the wages and benefits of state workers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the 2004 Washington State Labor Council Constitutional Convention go on record supporting significant tax reform; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the 2004 Washington State Labor Council Constitutional Convention go on record supporting accountability measures related to business tax exemptions including the requirement of biennial expenditure reports; evaluation, disclosure, including the gathering and dissemination of information on the creation of family wage jobs, and sunsetting standards for tax exemptions; a process for prioritizing exemptions in relation to revenue needs; and the creation of an exemption cap.
SUPPORTING AN INITIATIVE ON WORKERS COMPENSATION
Resolution #25
WHEREAS, there has been a continuing attack on the benefits to injured workers by business associations, the Department of Labor & Industries, and a number of legislators despite the fact that all independent studies of Washington’s Workers Compensation system have found Washington to be a low cost state; and,
WHEREAS, hearing loss benefits to workers who suffer work related hearing loss have been significantly cut; and,
WHEREAS, the business associations walked away from negotiations concerning our workers compensation system because labor asserted that health and safety enforcement is an essential part of reducing the costs of our workers compensation system; and,
WHEREAS, one of the most powerful business associations has announced their intention to run an initiative that would cut benefits to injured workers through a variety of means; and,
WHEREAS, the fair treatment of injured workers is a fundamental need of all workers since none of us know when we may suffer a job related injury or disease; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the 2004 Washington State Labor Council convention go on record supporting a labor and other progressive organizations sponsored initiative to the people that would protect and improve the rights of injured workers in Washington; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the initiative should have as its goal the protection and improvement of conditions for all workers, and in particular the protection and improvement of conditions for injured workers; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the timing of the filing of the initiative shall be determined by the President of the WSLC in consultation with the Executive Board of the WSLC and the Workers Compensation Labor Caucus that was formed to assist in the negotiations that had been contemplated with the business community.
ON MISCLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS
Resolution #26
WHEREAS, it has become a growing practice on the part of businesses in a variety of sectors to misclassify workers as independent contractors; and,
WHEREAS, the misclassification of workers as independent contractors is posing a threat to union workers in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, creating an unfair competitive advantage for those employers who engage in this immoral practice while leaving those workers who are misclassified without industrial insurance protection and unemployment insurance protection, and also denying those workers access to critically needed health care and pension coverage; and,
WHEREAS, the misclassification of workers leads to a failure to collect industrial insurance and unemployment insurance premiums thereby frequently shifting the cost of coverage for these workers systems to those employers who do pay premiums, when it is found that workers have wrongly been classified as independent contractors; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, with the assistance of affiliates, seek legislative reform that will make it more difficult and costly for employers and contractors to misclassify workers as independent contractors; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Department of Labor and Industries be given the authority to impose administrative remedies for employment law violations.
REGARDING IMPORT PRODUCTION ANALYSIS
Resolution #27
WHEREAS, the U.S. domestic economy and American jobs are greatly impacted by imported products, and some of these products are made in countries violating human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards, and American consumers have limited knowledge of the conditions under which the imported products are produced; and
WHEREAS, the current trend, from a majority in both political parties, is to embrace free trade agreements without verifiable human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards, and these agreements have been ratified without amendment or modification under Fast Track authority; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of free trade have disproportionately enriched trans-national, multi-national, and indigent corporations, who seek out production at the lowest possible cost without regard to human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards; and
WHEREAS, the American consumers’ purchasing decisions could be a powerful tool for the improvement of human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards in both exporting and importing countries, if a production analysis label depicting the conditions which prevailed in the country of origin were available at the point of purchase; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that each imported product available to the U.S. domestic consumer shall include an annual imported production analysis, and this analysis shall include an alphabetical rating A-F of the producing nation’s compliance with recognized human rights, labor rights and environmental standards; a similar analysis of U.S. production shall be available to any corresponding nation, and also included will be a graph comparison representing the trade balance of the producing country with the United States (see Attachment A for example of import production analysis product labeling); and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, adopt this resolution and forward it to the AFL-CIO, the congressional delegation and the International Trade Commission for further refinement, debate and possible adoption. When all trade agreements contain enforceable human rights, labor rights and environmental standards, this resolution shall sunset.
IN SUPPORT OF THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE
Resolution #28
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, has long supported the protection and creation of jobs in the maritime industry; and
WHEREAS, the Jones Act, the Passenger Vessel Services Act, cargo preference laws and the Maritime Security Act are key to maintaining the U.S. Merchant Marine; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, supports federal statutes that ensure that vessels engaged in the coastwise and international trades are built by U.S. workers; and
WHEREAS, there is a proposal pending to revive coastwise or Short Sea Shipping, which would create thousands of maritime jobs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the 2004 convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, supports the Short Sea Shipping initiative; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to all members of the Washington State Legislature and the Washington State Congressional delegation.
SUPPORTING THE CW MINING COMPANY (CO-OP) MINERS’ STRUGGLE
Resolution #29
WHEREAS, workers at the CW Mining Company have been involved in a labor dispute with the company at their mine for the last several years; and
WHEREAS, workers who have been trying to negotiate a living wage for the work they do and establish safe working conditions on the job have been persecuted for trying to affirm their hope to establish a decent and human workplace; and
WHEREAS, the reality of this persecution has been authenticated by recent decisions of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) handed down in support of the workers, which attempted to redress wrongs committed against these workers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council go on the record in support of these miners in their struggle and monitor their progress in this dispute; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council contact the National Labor Relations Board and petition them to not grant certification to the company union and to encourage our affiliates to write and send similar letters to the National Labor Relations Board; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Washington State Labor Council provide support for these workers if they can’t resolve their dispute with this employer.
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