Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO

Minutes of the meeting of March 22, 2000

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Vice Pres. Chapman. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as typed and handed out.

CREDENTIALS

            Credentials for the following locals were presented:

            ILWU 32 for Mike Rosebrook

            IAFF 3524 for Larry Hadland and Zach Reagle (not present)

            IA 86 for Steve Pendergrass and T.A. Red Biggins (not present)

            IBEW 191 for Ralph “Buzz” Kessler

            AFSCME 1811CA for Debby Smith

            AFSCME 948 for Poppy Hanson

M/S/C to seat the delegates who were present: Mike Rosebrook, Ralph “Buzz” Kessler, Debby Smith, Poppy Hanson

GUESTS

Sarajane Siegfriedt, disAbility Resource Center, was introduced by Jerry Otis, Carpenters 131. She talked about a program of building ramps within the county. They were seeking support for the program. Jerry Otis discussed the companies that are helping by providing materials.

Ned Daniels, Candidate for 21st District Legislative spoke about his history living in Lynnwood and on the Lynnwood City Council. He is running for the State Legislature in the 21^st District and would like Labor’s support.

Chris Glenn, SPEEA, thanked the Council delegates for help during the recent SPEEA strike. He especially thanked Bill Borders for his help in screening applicants in need of extra support. He stated, “Our people have learned what so many of you know. It was an interesting process for them to learn what solidarity was all about.”

Gary & Donna Legler, Mortgage Company, reported on their use of union contractors in their mortgage business. They insist that branch managers must hire union. The business was opened five years ago. Gary’s union wages made it possible for them to begin their own business. The company is committed to helping those on strike get loans through the mortgage process. They are currently offering mortgage loans at discount rates for union members.

COMMUNICATIONS

            From Washington State Labor Council: 2/15/00 Rick Bender, Pres. & Diane McDaniel, Pol Dir, Health Care 2000 analysis; 3/3/00 Alan O.Link, copy of COPE Constitution & By Laws3/10/00 Diane McDaniels thank for primary and caucus work; 3/15/00 John Thompson, Chair, WSLC Pol Act Comm, change of date of meeting to Friday, May 19th in Wenatchee

            From AFL/CIO: 2/18/00 John J. Sweeney, Rally for Rural America; 2/22/00 John J Sweeney, Pres. re Workers Memorial Day; 2/25/00 Marilyn Schneiderman, Dir. Field Mobilization with New Alliance Update; 2/25/00 John J Sweeney, President, re April actions in Washington DC on the Campaign for Global Fairness; 3/1/00, Fax from AFL/CIO Organizing Institute announcing 3 day organizer training in Seattle, March 31-April 2; 3/2/00 John J Sweeney, President, Job Creation Grants; 3/14/00, John J. Sweeney, President on regional immigration forums; 3/13/00 Peggy Taylor, Legislative Director re MOU on minimum wage vote; 3/16/00 John J. Sweeney, Pres. re April 11th Global Fairness Training; 3/17/00 John J. Sweeney, President, on disaffiliation of United Transportation Union

            From Local Unions & Councils: 2/28/00 Diane Sosne, Pres., SEIU 1199NW thank for support for Stevens Hospital workers; 3/6/00, Tom Kingshott, UFCW 44, re: 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Lake Padden Golf Course in Bellingham on July 11; 3/9/00, Paul Pritchard, Pres. Everett Ed Assn/UTE copy of letter to SPEEA with contribution to strike fund

            From Agencies and Groups: Terwilliger for Sec. of State Campaign announcing fundraisers, April 4, 7 AM at Howard Johnsons, 3105 Pine in Everett and April 6, 7 PM at the Lynwood Embassy Suite, 20610 - 44th Ave West in Lynnwood; PUD Commissioners invitation to workshops on power resource decisions 3/14 and 3/28; 2/28/00 Carl Gast, General Manager, Olympic Pipeline update; 2/28/00 Rosalinde Aguirre, Org and Alex Vincent Shumway, JWJ Strike Coordinator, Washington State Jobs with Justice seeking SPEEA strike fund support; 3/7/00, Economic Development Council announcement on Development Update Luncheon and Welfare to Work Workshop, $40 for the combined sessions; 3/7/00 Ray Crerand, Chief Executive, Providence Health System response to Labor Council letter on Providence bargaining; 3/8/00 Nicole McGowan, Co-Chair Citizens Committee for Mukilteo Schools thank you for support; 3/14/00 thank you from Dianne Wasson of Continental Bank for help with AFL/CIO Housing events; 3/15/00, Doug Campbell, President, Everett City Council refusal to take up a Union City resolution regarding the SPEEA and Providence Health Care situations; 3/16/00 Ellen O’Brien Saunders, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board on recommendations to the State Board of Education

            From individuals: 2/25/00 Liz Loomis Thank You for support; Liz Loomis campaign fundraiser announcement for Sat. April 8th at the Waltz Building, 116 Avenue B, Snohomish; 3/9/00 Ruth Nelson, support for SPEEA strike; 3/16/00 Helen Rice Kendall, Women Leading the Way Breakfast announcement for May 6th at Boeing Company, 8:30 AM.This will be a fundraising event.

EXEC BD REPORT

            Sec. Treas. Sells gave out report on activities regarding: the SPEEA strike, Providence bargaining, website developments, community relations events, AFL/CIO Housing Program. He reported on the Executive Board meeting which discussed a number of items regarding strike support, and moved to buy two tables at the Community Services Banquet on April 27^th

            Labor Liaison Bill Borders thanked David Kurtz of AFSCME 1811PA as the local voted to increase its dues with the balance going to Operation Shortfall. Delegates were encouraged to attend the April 27^th Community Services Banquet at the Howard Johnsons in Everett, 3105 Pine. Cost is $30.00. The Union Counseling programs were rescheduled due to the SPEEA strike. He thanked Chris Glenn for his round the clock efforts with strike support for his fellow SPEEA members.

COMMITTEES

            COPE Screening Committee- Darrell Chapman announced the committee recommendations for endorsement recommendations to the State Labor Council. They all M/S/C on separate votes on each candidacy. The Snohomish County Labor Council will recommend the following candidates to the State Labor Council for endorsement:

US House, Dist. 1-Jay Inslee

Governor-Gary Locke

State Supreme Court-Bobbe Bridge

State Attorney General-Christine Gregoire

State Auditor-Brian Sonntag

State Treasurer-Mike Murphy

State Supt. Of Public Instruction-Terry Bergeson

State Senate, Dist. 1-Rosemary McAuliffe

State House, Dist. 1, Pos. 1-Al  O’Brien

State House, Dist. 1, Pos. 2-Jeanne Edwards

State House, Dist. 10, Pos. 1-Dave Anderson

State House, Dist. 21, Pos. 1-Mike Cooper

State House, Dist. 21, Pos. 2-Ned Daniels

State House, Dist. 38, Pos. 1-Aaron Reardon

State House, Dist. 38, Pos. 2-Pat Scott

State House, Dist. 39, Pos. 1-Hans Dunshee

State House, Dist. 44, Pos. 1-Kerry Watkins

State House, Dist. 44, Pos. 2-John Lovick

Community Services- No further report

Education-No further report

Workers Memorial-Chuck Jewell reported on the regular meetings which have been held. Kenadar will provide bricks, which can be purchased, for inscriptions, and forms were made available. A packet of information will be coming out soon. The kick off is next month on April 28^th at 5 PM at the County Courthouse during the annual Workers Memorial Day Commemoration. The Laborers will be donating labor for the pull out of current materials at the courthouse where the monument will be located. Wheel chair ramps will also go in. A union contractor will be doing the lighting through help from the IBEW. Sec. Treas. Sells noted that pictures of the progress on the sculpture could be seen at the snolabor.org web site.

Women’s Committee-No further report

REPORTS FROM COMMUNITY/LABOR COMMITTEE REPS

Workforce Development Council-No further report

WISHA Monitoring-Tom Plummer, IAM751A, reported that Lt. Governor Brad Owen had maneuvered the ergonomics rules as President of the Senate through the Ways and Means committee in his efforts to severely limit its effectiveness.

School/Work-No further report

Wal Mart Strategy Committee-Chuck Jewell reported on the large business park/development on Tulalip lands. A non-union firm is putting in the utilities. He reported on discussions with tribal leaders about the development and our concerns about maintaining and enforcing their own community standards around wages and working conditions. The Laborers have been instrumental in trying to help build an apprenticeship program for the Tribes, and have been discussing PLA agreements on projects. Teamsters and UFCW have been working with area employers to discuss the threat that Wal Mart poses to businesses in the Marysville area. A committee has been set up to deal with strategies around the Wal Mart issue that includes building trades, the Teamsters and the UFCW.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-None

REPORTS OF UNIONS

            Organizing reports-Frank Prochaska, AWPPW, reported on an upcoming election at Everett Pad and Paper for union representation. A rally is being scheduled for the employees on April 5^{th, 3} to 4 PM, and the election is on April 6^h. Hired union busting activity has occurred with the company telling workers that if they choose a union it will go away after they vote. Kent Hanson, AFSCME, 1811S, reported on the organizing of new unit of supervisors at the County. He has been elected President of the unit.

            Contract negotiations & maintenance reports- David Winders, OPEIU 8, reported for Providence Unions Together.  Bargaining team members of OPEIU 8 and UFCW 1001 noted the efforts being made to get a settlement. So far, the hospital has said no to market level of wages or union security. The last contract proposal from management was rejected by 95%. The Council delegates were thanked for signing support cards, and opening doors for speaking to members of other local unions. The visits to the SPEEA strike lines were particularly gratifying, as issues of respect were very similar. They will still be working on further community support, and showed the recent newspaper ad in the Herald. Informational picketing will be held the first week in April along with a rally. A sign up sheet for April 4^th was passed around. Phone banking will begin on March 30^th for turnout on the picketing and really. On April 5th they will be having an action at the Smith Tower in Seattle, also, in support of Providence employees. Tuesday, April 11^th at 4:30 PM, KSER radio will be airing the program on Providence Employees on the Labor Radio Journal.

            Other local activity reports: Bob Monize, LIUNA 292, reported on meetings with tribes, and talked about retiring member, Bill Humphries having a heart attack. Bill has been a delegate to the Labor Council. He also spoke about the legislation presented by Rep. Aaron Reardon on flagger bill. The legislation was almost buried until a DOT flagger was killed. The committee that handled it had to go into special session to get it back out. Pat Thompson, AFSCME 109 reported on a fairly good session in Olympia for County and City employees. The prosecuting attorney’s office in Spokane had challenged the right of employees to organize and bargain. When the case went to the Supreme Court it was lost 5 to 4. The Spokane Prosecuting Attorney relied on a late 1880’s law, which said public employees should serve at the pleasure of elected official.  A law was passed this session to get Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys back under the collective bargaining law. Mike Rosebrook, ILWU 32, spoke on intrusive criminal background check legislation for port workers that have been introduced in Congress. They are seeking support for opposition to the bill. Ralph Knutson, AFSCME 1020, gave an update on the Memorial Fund for the recently killed DOT worker. Samuel Williams was Secretary of his local in Chehalis. Donations to Sammy T Williams Memorial fund to help his family can be sent to PO Box AA, Morton WA 98356. Attention: Michelle.

NEW BUSINESS

M/S/C that the Central Labor Council send letter to our congressional delegation in opposition to bill on seaport security.

M/S/C to donate $300 to Pulp and Paperworkers for ad of support in Herald for the employees at Everett Pad and Paper seeking union representation.

GOOD OF THE COUNCIL

Kent Hanson, as Democratic Party chair, noted his embarrassment with the action of Lt. Gov. Brad Owens. Darrell Chapman  invited delegates to an April 10th kickoff for Gary Locke for Governor campaign. It will be held at the IBEW 191 hall at 2701 Hoyt in Everett. Jeff Soth, reminded delegates of the 5 PM fundraiser for Rick Larson at the Everett Howard Johnsons on March 23.  Jim Smith, LIUNA 292, reported on the Radio Labor Journal and what a great job Darrell Chapman is doing with it. Laura Wentworth talked about the April 19th Snohomish County Organizers Forum. Ralph Knutson, AFSCME 1020, reported on co speaker Clyde Ballard blocking the State Employee collective bargaining bill. He also reported on the cutbacks in state employment during demands for higher service. There will be 500 fewer DSHS staff by June 2003. There will be a cut of 220 agency wide in child support staff. Caseloads have been scaled back everywhere despite demand for services. 60 to 70 will be cut out of Highway Maintenance department.     

Winner of the community services drawing was Craig Boag, IBEW 191 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Sells, Sec. Treas.

AFSCME 109: Pat Thompson

AFSCME 109E: Jerry Adamson

AFSCME 109S:

AFSCME 113:

AFSCME 881:

AFSCME 948: Annabelle Collings, Poppy Hanson, Rhonda Riggle

AFSCME 1020: Ralph Knutson

AFSCME 1355:

AFSCME 1811:

AFSCME 1811C:

AFSCME 1811CA: Debi Cole, Debbie Smith

AFSCME 1811JPD:

AFSCME 1811PA: Dave Kurtz

AFSCME 1811S: Kent Hanson

AFSCME 2753:

AFSCME 2964:

AFT 772: Mike Sells

AFT 1873:

AFT 4254: Mary Hale

APWU 484:

ATU 883:

ATU 1576:

AWPPW 183:

AWPPW 644: David Herrera, Frank Prochaska

CWA 7800:

CWA 37082:

GCIU 767M:

IAFF 46:

IAFF 1984:

IAFF 2694:

IAFF 3219:

IAFF 3482:

IAFF 3524

IAM 130:

IAM 751A: Bob Neumann, Tom Plummer, Ron Watson

IAM 751C: Hank Getchman

IAM 751E:

IAM 751F:

IATSE 15:

IATSE 154:

IBEW 77:

IBEW 89: Matt Carroll, Mike Ferrucci, Terry Trautman, Douglas Witt

IBEW 191: Craig Boag, Darrell Chapman, Ralph “Buzz” Kessler, Jeffre Seibert

IBT 38: Janet Craft, Chuck Jewell, Bill Trautman, Laura Wentworth

IBT 174:

IFPTE 17:

ILWU 32: Mike Rosebrook

IUOE 286:

IUOE 302:

IW 86:

IW 506:

LADS 1144:

LIUNA 292: Bob Monize, James Smith

MM&P:

NALC 791: Robert James

OPEIU 8: Jeff Soth, David Winders

OPEIU 277:

SEIU 120: Bill Borders

SEIU 1199NW:

SMIU 66:

UA 265:

UBC 562: Fred Buhl, Guy Johnson

UBC 2659:

UFCW 44:

UFCW 141, USNU:

UFCW 1001:

UFCW 1105:

Guests:

Pat Axline, OPEIU 8

Ned Daniels, Candidate for State Legislature

Chris Glenn, SPEEA

Don Houtchens, WSLC VP

Gary Legler

Donna Legler

Jerry Otis, UBC 131 and DRC

Paul Quaintance, UFCW 1105

Sarajane Siegfriedt, disAbility Resource Center

Xuan-Trang “Mary” Tran-Thein, SUN, AFL/CIO

Sue Trautman, IBT 38