Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO
Minutes of the Meeting of September 24, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President
Chapman followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the previous meeting
were approved as typed and handed out.
M/S/C to seat the new delegates who present. Eric Wiseman, AFSCME 1020; Tom Blum, AFSCME 1811C; Dick McManus, ATU 883; Brian Zehe, IAFF 2694 and Charles Primm, UFCW 1001 were sworn in.
Diane McDaniel, WSLC COPE Director, reminded delegates of the history of labor neighbor program. She spoke about Initiative 841, the anti-worker safety initiative. A poll has shown that 75% of the electorate have never heard of ergonomics or I-841. Ergonomic injuries amount to 47% of the claims in the workers compensation system. Those injuries can be prevented. Union member households are just as unaware of the issues and 841. Proponents have said that folks would be out of jobs if they don’t pass the initiative. They will say and do anything to scare people. There is nothing in the rule that says anything about anyone losing their job. Injuries have gone down in those places that have adopted the rules. She discussed the campaign and how the BIAW is using retro funds that they get from workers compensation to fund their political agenda. They received over $20 million in one year, and have been turning a large amount of that money against workers. Leonard Kelley from Teamsters 38 will be the area coordinator on the anti-841 campaign.
Secretary-Treasurer Sells reported on the September 19th Executive Board meeting in which a motion of censure on County Executive candidate Kevin Quigley was recommended to bring to the body for action. The Board also discussed election results and allocations of COPE funds for the 2003 election cycle. The Board approved the changes in the United Way Labor Liaison program, and gave a contribution to an event honoring Bob Drewel.
Secretary-Treasurer Sells also gave out a written report on his month’s activities that included information on the North Everett Marina project, Everett Events Arena, meeting with Washington Conservation Voters reps, the EDC, Everett/Tulalip agreement, COPE activity, WSLC Roundtable, and IBEW hearings.
Community Services: Bill Borders, United Way Labor Liaison, discussed the World Premiere of the Everett Massacre film to be held on November 5th. He also reported on the October 28th Drewel event. The Community Services has bought sponsorship to Children’s Campaign Fund event honoring Bob Drewel. Help is still needed with the ramp program, and he can be contacted at 425-921-3454 to volunteer.
Whereas, the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO, will not tolerate unfair political attacks against its affiliates that play upon unfounded prejudices regarding unions by candidates seeking to run for office; and
Whereas, in a recent discredited campaign hit piece, candidate Kevin Quigley directly attacked a Teamster affiliate’s campaign donations as “dirty money” thereby playing on stereotypes and anti-union sentiment; and
Whereas, candidate Kevin Quigley used the same campaign hit piece to attempt to create an impression of an unseemly relationship between his opponent and the AFSCME Council 2 Legislative Affairs Director.
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Snohomish County Labor Council censures candidate Kevin Quigley for actions unbecoming a candidate for public office, and misusing public finance disclosure information to create a false, negative impression of labor.
M/S/C to direct Mike Sells to write a letter to Bob Drewel telling him that labor is disappointed that he endorsed a candidate who isn’t endorsed by the Labor Council and who has advocated laying off City of Everett employees.
Organizing- SEIU 925, Tania Maria Rosario noted they are trying to organize 900 head start workers around the state. These are people who take care of migrant workers children. President Chapman noted that she is a new WSLC VP, also.
SPEEA, Mark Moshay discussed lay-offs and outsourcing. They currently represent 400 folks who are having their jobs divested to another country.
IBT 763 Teamsters 763, Kelly Bloomquist noted that they have filed for recognition to represent city employees in Gold Bar.
SEIU 1199NW, Matt Wood reported that they had filed in Olympia for 250 workers.
Contract
negotiations and maintenance-IAFF
1984, Jason Blachly reported that they had finished with City of Lynnwood
negotiations and the contract was not settled. They will have to go to
arbitration.
ATU 1576, represents
coach operators at Community Transit
SEIU 1199NW, Matt Wood
reported that the contract for 1,300 Group Health maintenance workers is coming
up. The company has put some aggressive measures on the table, including high
medical premiums. They will be teaming up with UFCW 1001 during the bargaining
process.
UFCW 1001, Charles
Primm reported that they had settled the contract for 1,200 employees that they
represent at Macys/Bon Marche
Other Reports-OPEIU 8, Marjorie Lewis reported that they have had statewide first convention in Tokeland. They have OPEIU members in all but two members in the state.
State Senator Aaron Reardon, stopped by an thank the Council for its for support. AFSCME, Machinists, Carpenters have been very helpful in his campaign.
Luis Moscoso, WPEA, reported on a program October 4th to encourage ethnic minorities in the county to get involved with government and the electoral process. It is an all day event based on a University of Washington model done in June. They will have people talking from different levels of government. He thanked D.J. Wilson and David Simpson for responding quickly. He encouraged unions to contact people of color from their membership. He also thanked Bob Monize, LIUNA 292 for his offer to help.
Doug Campbell, Candidate for Everett City Council thanked the Council for support and thanked the Teamsters and Everett Firefighters, Police Officers, Everett ATU for their support. He stated that the city is going through a tough budget crunch.
David Simpson, Candidate for Everett City Council thanked the Council for support. He stated that without it, he wouldn’t have had a primary victory.
Bob Terwilliger, County Assessor, thanked Council for its support. On I-841, he stated, “If voters don’t know or don’t understand an initiative they will generally vote NO.” He stated he would support not having a Presidential primary as it would cost $6.2 million to do it. That money could be used for something better than an election that doesn’t mean anything. Legislature is going to have to make changes in a regular primary law.
Mayor Frank Anderson, City of Everett stated they he appreciated the support of the Council. The campaign is well underway and they have tremendous support. October 4th and 11th they are having a doorbell blitz. They are meeting at 11 AM at campaign headquarters at Pacific and Hoyt.
Ron Gipson, City of Everett, talked about the North Everett Marina and why he voted no on a rezone. Because of the quasi judicial process he had to make a decision that night, and felt that it needed more time. He thanked the Council for its endorsement.
D.J. Wilson, Candidate for County Council, Pos. 3 stated that he had doorbelled over 13,000 homes personally and has raised $65,000 for the campaign.
Dave Kurtz, AFSCME 1811JPD noted that his wife is on a picket line in the Marysville teachers strike. Teachers have felt the support of this Council, and he thanked the Council for it.
Mike Sells, AFT 772 thanked those went out and worked in the Marysville School Board race, particularly SEIU 925 members.
Chuck Jewell, IBT 38, asked that the Secretary-Treasurer get more support window signs.
Winner of Community Services drawing was Mary Hale, AFT 4254
Adjourned at 8:39 PM
Mike Sells, Secretary-Treasurer
From Individuals
Attendance:
AFSCME 109: Pete Dykstra, Ken Lechner, Pat Thompson
AFSCME 109E:
AFSCME 109S:
AFSCME 113: Gary Doughty, Libbie Soden
AFSCME 881:
AFSCME 948: Poppy Hanson, Rhonda Riggle
AFSCME 1020:
AFSCME 1355:
AFSCME 1811:
AFSCME 1811C: Tom Blum
AFSCME 1811CA: Terry Van Wyck, Laura Wentworth
AFSCME 1811JPD: Ron Gipson
AFSCME 1811JS:
AFSCME 1811PA: David Kurtz
AFSCME 1811S:
AFSCME 2753:
AFSCME 2964:
AFT 772: Mike Sells
AFT 1873:
AFT 4254: Mary Hale, D. J. Wilson
APWU 484:
ATU 883:
ATU 1576: Pat Connelly, Dick McManus
CWA 7800:
CWA 37082:
GCIU 767M:
HERE 8:
IAFF 46: Tom Deckers, Robert Downey
IAFF 1984: Jason Blachly
IAFF 2694: Brian Zehe
IAM 130:
IAM 751A: Bob Neumann, Jason Redrup, Don Shove, Bruce Spalding
IAM 751C: Hank Getchman, Gregory Powell, Rod Sigvartson
IAM 751E:
IAM 751F: Jonathan Holden, Judy Neumann
IATSE 15:
IBEW 77:
IBEW 89:
IBEW 191: Darrell Chapman, Mike Heins, Jeff Seibert
IBT 38: Janine Dibble, Chuck Jewell, Leonard Kelley
IBT 763: Kelly Blomquist, Kirk Stephenson, Tom Vernon
IBU/ ILWU:
IFPTE 17:
ILWU 32:
IUOE 302:
IUPAT DC 5:
IW 86:
IW 506:
LIUNA 292: Hazel Goehring, Bob Monize
NALC 791: Bob James
National Writers Union: Lance Sentman
OPEIU 8: Marjorie Lewis
OPEIU 277:
SEIU 925: Bill Borders, Tania Rosario
SEIU 1199NW: Matt Wood
SMIU 66:
SPEEA: Chris Glenn, John Lynn, Mark Moshay, Bob Rommel, David Simpson
UA 26:
UFCW 44:
UFCW 141, USNU:
UFCW 1001: Michael Maddux, Charles Primm
UFCW 1105: Paul Quaintance, Arthur Rice
AFT 772: Kim Mead
IAM 751C: Dave Brueher
IAM 751E: Ron Bradley
IBEW 77: Peg Chrisman
IBT 38: Doug Gunwall
IBT 763: J.J. Campbell
IBU/ILWU: Stuart Donner
LIUNA 292: Dan O’Connor
OPEIU 8: Patrick Axline
SEIU 1199NW: Steve Moll
SPEEA: Tim Bond
UFCW 1105: Lynda Rice
Kurt Schuetz, SPEEA
Jim Schuetz, UAW
Frank Anderson, Mayor City of Everett
Doug Campbell, Everett City Council
Diane McDaniels, Political Director WSLC
Luis Moscoso, WPEA/UFCW 365
Bob Terwilliger, Snohomish County Auditor
Ed Triezenberg, Carpenters 562