Snohomish
County Labor Council, AFL/CIO
MINUTES OF THE
MEETING OF February 23, 2000
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Pres. Darr. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as typed and handed out.
GUESTS
State Reps. Mike Cooper, 21st District & Aaron Reardon, 38th District were introduced by Pres. Darr. Reps. Rep. Reardon reported on flagger safety bill passing the House. It went through House with 5 no votes, and is scheduled to come out of Senate tomorrow. The unemployment extended benefits insurance bill was also passed this year. This is a major piece of legislation on working retraining and help for the unemployed. He stated that we are a leader, nationwide, in this area. Representative Cooper stated that they will pass an individual health market plan this year. He discussed privatization, contracting out efforts, attacks on prevailing wage efforts being made by Republicans through the budget process. Funding for civil service reform, collective bargaining for state employees and commitments to pensions will be maintained. They (Democrats) also intend to protect the ability of Department of Labor & Industries to enforce rules. He also restated the commitment to maintain the K-12 and Higher Ed sections of the budget. Their budget will restore about 80% in transit, 75% to ferries in lost revenue due to I-695. The move to privatize passenger only ferries came out with no collective bargaining rights for workers. Under questions and comments, delegate Ralph Knutson, AFSCME 1020, spoke to recent employee killed on the job. Samuel E. Williams, Maintenance Tech 2, Mossyrock died after being hit by a car on the job. He had been with the Department of Transportation and a member of AFSCME 1020 since 1991. The chair called for a moment of silence in remembrance of the passing of Mr. Williams.
SPEEA-IFPTE 2001-Chris Glenn, IFPTE 2001, and a member of the technical negotiating team at Boeing introduced several striking SPEEA members. He thanked the Council for its support and speaking out against the irrational behavior at the Boeing Company. He also thanked the family of labor for its show of support on the picket lines. Lots of unions have been coming together to help us deliver a message. He also noted their appreciation for the foodbank grant from Operation Shortfall. Thanks was also extended to the IAM for all its help, and in particular to Bill Johnson, IAM 751 President stepping up at rally today and providing encouragement and support. Other SPEEA members present commented with the following: “Three weeks ago I didn’t know what Solidarity meant. Now I know. We’re ready to continue to take on the company. We truly feel like a real union now, and we’re learning how to be a real union. Thank you for the lessons you taught us.” Delegates were invited to the 75th and Seaview barbecue this Saturday. The strike has also not spread strike to BF Goodrich (Tramco). It was also noted that on March 2nd, UFCW 1001, will be holding a fundraiser for the striking Boeing employees.
Providence Unions Together-Suzanne Mode, OPEIU 8 reported on negotiating at Providence. Several of the unions that have contracts at Providence have gotten together to coordinate their efforts to gain a fair contract. Of concern are issues of union security and wage scales. Providence has the same negotiator throughout the state. It was noted that the company appears to stalling bargaining throughout the state. Therefore, they are reaching out to the community for support. Members of the affected unions spoke to the changes at Providence now that they are a corporate driven business. The focus has been more on increasing market share, than patient care. There has been a terrific turnover rate, and employees have been offered a $25 a head bounty for bringing in potential employees. They complained about personnel policies that are not adhered to, and people being hired in at higher wage scales than folks that had been there 10 or 15 years. They felt that there were no longer any principles in the workplace. All they got was double talk. Locals and delegates were encouraged to follow a program of support for the Providence employees that included letters to management and Board members, as well as displaying windshield cards noting their support. Xuan TrangTran-Thien, Seattle Union Now, spoke about follow-up with community outreach and noted they would be contacting locals on behalf of the Council. Providence Unions Together is made up of Service Employees Locals 6 and 1199 NW; United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 1001, United Staff Nurses Union, Local 141 UFCW; and Office & Professional Employees Local 8.
Locked-Out Kaiser Steelworkers were present to discuss there 17 month long struggle with Kaiser Maxxam, and the notorious corporate raider Charles Hurwitz. There have been more negotiations and the company has received several violations for safety violations. They plan to continue their struggle as long as it takes to get resolution to the issues. On Feb. 24th they will be taking 28,000 signatures to BPA protesting price breaks for Kaiser on electricity. They have had success in convinving some companies to not use Kaiser aluminum, and are currently working on Boeing.
Mark & Carmen Brown, Ablemark, introduced themselves and noted their work with unions in printing such things as bumper stickers, t-shirts etc.
CREDENTIALS
The Sec. Treas. noted a new affiliate: Medic 7 Paramedics Association. They will be naming their delegates later.
IBEW 89 Matt Carroll and Douglas
Witt
IAFF 1984 Bryan Youngman
M/S/C to seat the delegates. Matt Carroll, Dougles Witt and Bryan Youngman were present and obligated.
COMMUNICATIONS
From Washington State Labor Council: 2/1/00 Randy Loomans, Education and Safety Director, thanks for the testimony of the SCLC on the ergonomics rule; 2/14/00 Diane McDaniel, Pol. Dir. announcing Mitch Seaman as an intern; 2/15/00, Alan O. Link, Sec. Treas., Convention Call for COPE Endorsing Convention on Sat., April 15th at the Machinists 751 Hall in Seattle.
From AFL/CIO: 1/28/00 John Sweeny, President on normalization of trade relations with China; 2/00 re: 2000 Union Label Conference on May 6th Milwaukee; 1/30/00 Copy of letter from WSLC and three Puget Sound Central labor councils to Vice President Al Gore on Harbor Services Fee; 2/2/00 Letter from three central Puget Sound labor councils Sec. Treas.’s in support SPEEA. 2/4/00 John Sweeney, Pres. re: May 13-16 Working for America institute; 2/9/00 Bob Gorman, Field Dir. on SPEEA strike; 2/9/00 Marilyn Sneiderman, re: Teamsters/Overnite Strike
From Local Unions & Councils:
From Agencies and Groups: 1/30/00 Robert Chapman, Jr., Snohomish County Democrats soliciting articles for Democratic Perspectives; Washington Women in Trades announcement of the 21st Annual Women in Trades Fair on March 31st and April 1st in the Seattle Center Pavilion; Warren W. Buck, Phd, U of W Bothell invitation to help shape the future of the UWB on Feb. 22 in Bothell and March 1 in Everett. 2/16/00, Tina Roberts and Bob Drewel, Co-Chairs of Snohomish County Tomorrow re: coordinated planning on transportation arterial needs SnoCan; SnoCo EDC on March 7, Economic Strategy for Year 2000 and Beyond, 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Everett Performing Arts Center
From individuals: Deborah Senn, Candidate for US Senate thanking Council for invitation to screening committee; 2/4/00 Bob Terwilliger thanking Council for its recommendation for endorsement to the WSLC.
EXEC
BD REPORT
Sec. Treas. Sells reported on activities regarding ATU 1576 and Community Transit; the SPEEA strike, an organizer’s forum on March 1, Providence Health Care coordinated bargaining, web site training, CWU Presidential search, low cost housing, United Way Strategic Planning, the WSLC Legislative Conference, and COPE Screening.
Labor Liaison Bill Borders announced the Community Services Banquet coming up in April 1st. Criteria for awards have been passed out to locals. We will need help with the May 13th Letter Carrier food drive. It is the single largest food drive in the world.
COMMITTEES
COPE Screening Committee- Darrell Chapman, IBEW 191 reported on the recommendations of the committee. As a result the following actions were taken:
M/S/C to recommend to the WSLC the endorsement of Liz Loomis, 39th
District, House Pos. 2
M/S/C to endorse the March 14th Mukilteo School levy and bond.
Community Services-No further report
Education-Darrell Chapman, IBEW 191 reported on the taping of the radio program with members of SPEEA who are currently on strike. It was an extremely emotional experience and he encouraged folks to listen on, Tuesday, March 14th at 4:30 PM, KSER Radio, 90.7 FM. He also reported on a Job Fair sponsored by Rotary at Kamiak HS on March 17th. He encouraged those interested to get in touch with County Clerk Pam Daniels.
Workers Memorial-The Sec. Treas. gave out information on Memorial Brick sales
Women’s Committee-No further report
REPORTS
FROM COMMUNITY/LABOR COMMITTEE REPS
Workforce Development Council-Don Shove, IAM 751A reported there has been certification of work source centers in the county. They will be reviewing the strategic plan and go over the certification tomorrow morning
WISHA Monitoring- Tom Plummer, IAM 751A1. Spoke on company docs programs. (Virginia Mason) 2. Independent medical examinations. Check list through State Labor Council tend to get much more fair evaluation. 3. Multi chemical sensitivities (in particular Alaska Airlines has a problem with foul air. Leaky hydraulic fluid into cabin air. 4. Have until midnight tomorrow night to get letters in.
School/Work-No further report
COPE
Pres. Darr, IUOE 302, reported that legislative budget fights may get worse, and the need to focus on a transportation budget
Darrell Chapman, IBEW 191, spoke on the election 2000 program, and the need for members to attend the Democratic and Republican caucuses on March 7th.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
M/S/C to amend Article XIII of the Constitution to add a new Section 7 that says,“In addition to those endorsements made and acted upon at a COPE endorsement meeting, motions for endorsement or for recommendations for endorsement can also be made at any regular meeting of the Central Body. However, such motions made at a regular meeting cannot be voted and acted upon until the next meeting of the Central Body, unless the motion has been approved by the COPE Screening Committee.” This amendment will now be submitted to AFL/CIO President Sweeney for approval.
M/S/C to grant strike sanction to Teamsters 174 against Airborne Express
with the proviso that the local meet and maintain all criteria for strike
sanction accorded by Joint Council of Teamsters 28.
REPORTS OF UNIONS
Organizing reports: Pat Connelly, ATU 1576 spoke on the meeting to work out communications process problems with management and labor. They have opened negotiations with Community Transit on a new labor agreement. Laura Wentworth, IBT 38 spoke on an active organizing campaign. Sylvia Hanson, IBEW 77, stated that 1,400 jobs will be out-sourced by Puget Sound Energy. They have decided to shed line folk. It will cause a lot of pain in the local, and less than satisfactory service to customers. Watch for a PSE takeover by another company. Further information is located at http://www.ibew77.com web site.
Contract negotiations & maintenance reports: Jackie McGeahy, SEIU 1199NW reported on the successful conclusion of negotiations at Stevens Hospital, and thanked the Council for its help.
Other local activity reports
NEW BUSINESS M/S/C Resolution 00-1 Union City Support for SPEEA and Providence Hospital Employees:
Whereas residents of the City of Everett organize to make their voices heard on the job through unions, and
Whereas all City residents benefit by the higher wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions won by union members and the resulting economic vitality, and
Whereas the members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, IFPTE 2001, AFL/CIO employed at the Boeing Co. have exercised their right to strike for respect, better wages and good benefits, and
Whereas, 1,600 workers at Providence Everett Medical Center, members of the United Staff Nurses Union (Local 141, UFCW), the Office and Professional Employees, Local 8, and the United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 1001 are now bargaining for fair contracts, with standards enjoyed by health care employees throughout Washington State, and to secure quality patient care for our community,
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO, requests the aid of all elected officials and community organizations to resolve these disputes and urges delegates and community leaders to call on all employers to settle fair contracts with their employees.
GOOD OF THE COUNCIL
The chair noted that the recommendation to the Washington State Labor Council for Liz Loomis. 39th District, House, Pos. 2
M/S/C to have COPE Screening Committee select three people from the committee to attend as COPE delegates.
Winner of the community services drawing was Poppy Hanson, AFSCME 948
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Sells, Sec. Treas.
AFSCME 109: Tim Liddiard
AFSCME 109E: Jerry Adamson, Mike Huston
AFSCME 109S:
AFSCME 113: Rob M. Sprague, Monte Turner
AFSCME 881:
AFSCME 948: Annabelle Collings, Poppy Hanson
AFSCME 1020: Ralph Knutson
AFSCME 1355:
AFSCME 1811:
AFSCME 1811C:
AFSCME 1811CA: Debi Cole
AFSCME 1811JPD:
AFSCME 1811PA: Dave Kurtz
AFSCME 1811S: Kent Hanson
AFSCME 2753:
AFSCME 2964:
AFT 772: Paul Pritchard, Mike Sells
AFT 1873:
AFT 4254: Mary Hale, John Littel
APWU 484:
ATU 883:
ATU 1576: Pat Connelly
AWPPW 183:
AWPPW 644:
CWA 7800:
CWA 37082:
GCIU 767M:
IAFF 46:
IAFF 1984: Bryan Youngman
IAFF 2694: Bill Scherer
IAFF 3219:
IAFF 3482: Danny Evanger
IAM 130: Stephen Lentz, Dave Volkmann
IAM 751A: Andrew Haugen, Bob Neumann, Tony Perry, Tom Plummer, Don Shove
IAM 751C: David Clay, Hank Getchman
IAM 751E:
IAM 751F:
IATSE 15:
IATSE 154:
IBEW 77: Peg Chrisman, Sylvia Hanson, Chuck Russell
IBEW 89: Matt Carroll, Douglas Witt
IBEW 191: Craig Boag, Darrell Chapman, Jeffre Seibert
IBT 38: Janine Dibble, Chuck Jewell
IBT 174:
IFPTE 17:
ILWU 32:
IUOE 286:
IUOE 302: Allan Darr
IW 86:
IW 506:
LADS 1144:
LIUNA 292: Dan O’Connor, James Smith
MM&P:
NALC 791: Robert James
OPEIU 8: Suzanne Mode, Jeff Soth, David Winders
OPEIU 277:
SEIU 120: Bill Borders
SEIU 1199NW: Jackie McGeahy
SMIU 66:
UA 265:
UBC 562: Fred Buhl, Ted Hudlow, Ed Triezenberg
UBC 2659:
UFCW 44:
UFCW 141, USNU: Pat Ainsley
UFCW 1001:
UFCW 1105: Lynda Rice, Roger Yockey
Guests:
State Representative Mike Cooper, 21st District
State Representative Aaron Reardon, 38th District
Pat Axline, OPEIU 8
Pamela Blauman, UFCW 1001
Carmen Brown, Ablemark and GCIU 767M
Mark Brown, Ablemark and GCIU 767M
Gary Dickinson, USWA 338
Anne Driscoll, UFCW 141 USNU
Chris Glenn, SPEEA/IFPTE 2001
Don Houtchens, WSLC Vice President
Tony LeHeanch, SPEEA/IFPTE 2001
Liz Loomis, Candidate for 39th District, Pos. 2
Dave Patzwald, SPEEA/IFPTE 2001
F.E. Pleyer, USWA 338
Quita St. John, Seattle Union Now
Xuan Trang Tran-Thien, Seattle Union Now
Karen Weil, SPEEA/IFPTE 2001