Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO

Minutes of the Meeting of February 27, 2002

 

            The meeting was called to order by President Chapman at 7 PM by President Chapman. Minutes approved as typed and handed out. Chuck Jewell, Teamsters 38 was appointed to the Vice President’s chair. The Secretary-Treasurer noted that members of the Community Services Committee and United Way Labor Liaison were at the United Way Campaign thank you event at Boeing.

 

CREDENTIALS

 

·        ATU 1576: Bonnie Williams

·        ATU 883: Yusuf Abdul, Pat Downes, Don Shagam

·        HERE 8: Bill Johnston

·        OPEIU 8: Patrick Axline

·        IAM 751F: Jonathan Holden and Tina L. Wilson

·        Pac NW News Guild: Liz Brown

·        AFSCME 1020 for Harvey F. Bell

 

            M/S/C to seat present delegates. The following delegates were present and obligated: Harvey F. Bell, AFSCME 1020; Liz Brown, Pac NW News Guild; Jonathan Holden, IAM 751F

           

COMMUNICATIONS READ

 

From AFL/CIO

  • 2/8/02, John J. Sweeney, President, re: May 11, 2002 Letter Carriers Nationwide food drive

 

From Unions & Councils  

  • 12/12/01 Edward Sullivan, President, Building and Construction Trades Department, Michael Sacco, President, Seafarers International Union, and James Hoffa, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters on a National Energy policy that include environmentally safe exploration and development of oil within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

 

From Agencies & Organizations

  • 2/6/02 Karen Madsen and Terry Feller, Citizens Supporting the Everett Public Schools, thank you for levy support;
  • 2/6/02, Bob Drewel, County Executive thank you for support of Martin Luther King Day events;
  • 2/11/02, Bob Drewel, Snohomish County Executive, Tim Nowlis, Community Relations Manager at Boeing and Rebecca Roby, Regional Director, YWCA Sno Co regarding United Way campaign shortfall

 

 

From Individuals

  • 1/24/02, Congressman Rick Larsen regarding his vote to oppose HR 3005

 

EXECUTIVE  BOARD & STAFF REPORTS

 

Secretary-Treasurer Sells reported on the 2002 budget recommended by the Executive Board. It was M/S/C to accept the budget for 2002.

           

The Board also recommended passage of the following resolution. It was M/S/C to concur (Delegate Ron Gipson, AFSCME 1811JPD abstained from voting because of his position on the Everett City Council which would be hearing discussion on March 6th on a proposed referendum.)

 

Resolution on Everett Multi Purpose Arena

No. 01-02

 

Whereas, The City of Everett, utilizing one-time special sales taxing authority, will be building a multi purpose arena bounded by Hewitt on the north, Wall on the south, Lombard on the east and Oakes on the West, just a half block from the Everett Labor Temple, and

 

Whereas, the building of that arena is being done by a union contractor, and with the support of area building trade affiliates, and

 

Whereas, there has been extensive public input on the location of the arena, as well as, changes in the design due to that input, and

 

Whereas, the arena will act as a catalyst for further economic development of the downtown core, and has the potential of driving a revitalization of historic structures, in the surrounding area, and

 

Whereas, the project will provide a number of family wage jobs during construction, and in the operation of the arena, and

 

Whereas, over $15 million has already been expended for property acquisition, utility relocation, and design work, and

 

Whereas, any further delays beyond the January 2003 starting date in the project could jeopardize any funding mechanism and effectively shut down the project, and

 

Whereas, a currently proposed referendum on relocating the project, rather than causing the movement of the project, could, if passed, block the project from being located anywhere before the deadline is reached for the use of the funding, and

 

Whereas, a separate referendum on arena locations would cost the city $250,000 of taxpayer’s money.

 

Be It Resolved, that the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO, supports the building and location of the new multi-purpose arena at the presently chosen location on Hewitt Avenue.

 

Be It Further Resolved, that the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO, opposes any further referendum on the project as untimely and an unnecessary burden that could have the effect of keeping the project from being built at all in any area of the city due to the deadline for use of the funding.

 

Be It Further Resolved, that the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO, convey this resolution to the Everett City Council with a request that they move ahead without further delay.

 

SECRETARY – TREASURER REPORT

Secretary-Treasurer Sells gave out a written report outlining activity since January 23rd including: Organizers Forum, transportation, Everett Housing Authority, Everett Arena, downtown Everett redevelopment, permitting processes, Everett Future’s Committee, affordable housing, university funding issues.

           

COPE

 

COPE Mobilization Committee

Toni Bohan, SEIU 925, noted that the committee had identified some concerns about communication with local candidates. The committee also discussed the need for local cooperation in updating mailing list updates. The committee discussed the importance of educating local union membership on pocket book issues. This topic will be on the March agenda of the Labor Council. In addition, we need to push members to register and vote by mail. This helps to increase the number who actually vote. We also need to figure out how to coordinate some of the local candidate’s needs with our Labor/Neighbor program, as well as increase local union involvement in campaigns. The next meeting will discuss opening up the COPE Screening process.

 

Guest

Rachelle Hein, Senator Murray’s Everett office, gave an update on legislation of interest to working people, and Senator Murray’s current positions on those issues.

           

REPORTS OF UNIONS

 

Organizing

Bob Monize, ­­LIUNA 292 noted that he has started talking with staff in the engineering department in the City of Marysville           

 

Contract negotiations and maintenance

Alan Rice, SPEEA/IFPTE 2001 noted that he had been selected for the negotiating team for this fall’s bargaining with the Boeing Company. Four from the Everett area have been selected from including SCLC delegate Chris Glenn.

 

Toni Bohan, SEIU 925 reported on the ending of  negotiations in Marysvillle. There has been unrest between teachers and board, and new candidates need to be sought to run for Marysville School Board positions.

 

Dave Chambers, IBT 763, reported that they had a package on the table that was up to a 11.5% for Snohomish County Corrections Sergeants and Lieutenants. That was in the first year of a three year package. Members would be voting on it on Thursday the 28th.

 

Rod Mendenhall, IBT 38, spoke on UPS contract that ends on August 1st. They have already begun negotiations at the national level with 68 proposals on the table.

 

Liz Brown, PacNWNewsGuild, stated they had been in bargaining with the Herald since Oct. The contract has run out, but they have been mutually agreeing to extend the old contract on monthly basis. However, the newspaper told them today that they will not continue extensions. Bargaining has been difficult, and she reported they are currently planning some job actions.

 

Other Local Activity:

Sylvia Hanson, IBEW 77, reported On the PSE front, of 1500 workers, 400 of them are getting the heave ho.  800 will remain under the 77 contract at PSE, those being mostly administrative staff: 450 being csr's (now the largest bargaining group at PSE) + meter techs, some servicemen. The 400 that are "outsourced" will most likely either leave the state, work for other construction firms or work for Potelco, which is a subsidiary of Quanta, which is the "service provider" for PSE.  There will be an opportunity for 77 to organize the "other" types of workers going to Potelco, i.e., engineers, planners etc under an administrative agreement with Potelco.  So far, 77 has not met resistance from the owner of Potelco on organizing (re-organizing) She also noted that the reason local PUD bills increase is that the utility did a crap shoot on the energy prices with 8 year contracts through such companies as Morgan Stanley and Enron. The essentially rolled the diceand got locked into contracts that were in a 6 to 8 month high. March 5th Public rate hearing. Rates could play into a commissioner race in November.

 

NEW BUSINESS

            M/S/C to donate $1,000 to help with bag printing for the Letter Carriers May 11th Food Drive.

 

GOOD OF THE COUNCIL

            Poppy Hanson WFSE 948, commented on the state employee CB bill that passed the House and is in the State Senate.

            Jim Smith, LIUNA 292, promoted the Radio Labor Journal on KSER 90.7 FM, the second Tuesday of each month at 4 PM

            Sylvia Hansen, IBEW 77, commented on the Lewiston Labor Council. They are constructing a bill board on the border that reads, in effect: "if right to work is so great, why are you coming to Washington State".  They have determined that 70,000+ cars pass into Washington state daily, for better paying jobs.  The labor council there is doing all they can to roll back the law, that has decimated their states economy.

President Darrell Chapman, IBEW 191 spoke about bills in Olympia, and the recent use of Evergreen Freedom Foundation material by County Councilman Jeff Sax.    

Bob Monize, LIUNA 292, reported on County Councilman Koster’s recent

Business Roundtable.

           

Gloria Borders, IBEW 89 won the Community Services drawing

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Mike Sells, Secretary-Treasurer

 

 

Delegates attendance

 

AFSCME 109: Nathan Kelley, Pete Dykstra, Ken Lechner

AFSCME 109E: Jerry Adamsom

AFSCME 109S:

AFSCME 113:

AFSCME 881:

AFSCME 948:

AFSCME 1020: Harvey Bell

AFSCME 1355:

AFSCME 1811:

AFSCME 1811C:

AFSCME 1811CA: Debi Cole

AFSCME 1811JPD: Ron Gipson

AFSCME 1811PA: Dave Kurtz

AFSCME 1811S:

AFSCME 2753:

AFSCME 2964:

AFT 772: Mike Sells

AFT 1873:

AFT 4254:

APWU 484:

ATU 883:

ATU 1576: Pat Connolly

CWA 7800:

CWA 37082: Liz Brown

GCIU 767M:

IAFF 46: Tom Deckers

IAFF 1984:

IAFF 2694:

IAFF 3219:

IAFF 3482:

IAFF 3524

IAM 130:

IAM 751A: Bob Neumann, Jason Redrup

IAM 751C: Rod Sigvartsen

IAM 751E:

IAM 751F: Bryan DuPaul, Jon Holden

IATSE 15:

IBEW 77: Peg Chrisman, Sylvia Hanson

IBEW 89: Gloria Borders, Mike Ferrucci

IBEW 191: Darrell Chapman

IBT 38: Leonard Kelley, Rod Mendenhall, Doug Gunwall, Chuck Jewell

IBT 763: Dave Chambers, Tom Vernon, Kirk Stephenson

IBU/ ILWU 22: Stuart Downer

IFPTE 17: Chris Lavra, Sue Willard

ILWU 32:

IUOE 286:

IUOE 302:

IUPAT DC 5:

IW 86: Greg Lochrie

IW 506:

LIUNA 292: Jim Smith, Bob Monize, Hazel Goehring

MM&P:

NALC 791: Bob James

OPEIU 8:

OPEIU 277:

SEIU 925: Tara Jo Heinecke, Toni Bohan

SEIU 1199NW:

SMIU 66:

SPEEA: Bob Rommel, Alan Rice, Tim Bond

UA 265:

UFCW 44: Scott Jeffry

UFCW 141, USNU:

UFCW 1001:

UFCW 1105: Paul Quaintance, Lynda Rice, Arthur Rice

 

Excused Delegates

AFSCME 1811CA: Laura Wentworth

AFSCME 948: Poppy Hanson, Rhonda Riggle

AFT 772: Kim Mead

IAM 751A: Don Shove

IAM 751F: Jackie Boschok, Judy Neuman, Jo Marie Schultz

SEIU 925:Bill Borders

SPEEA: Chris Glenn

 

 

Guests

Kristen Berry, Cascade Local APWU

Rachelle Hein, US Senator Murray’s Office

Don Houtchens, WSLC Vice President

 

CORRESPONDENCE MADE AVAILABLE

 

From Washington State Labor Council:

 

  • 2/1/01 Diane McDaniel, Political Director re: Saturday, March 23 retreat at West Coast Sea Tac
  • 2/13/02 Lori Province re: AFL/CIO web site information on FY 2003 cuts that could hurt.

 

From AFL/CIO:

 

  • 1/25/02 John J. Sweeney, President, re Economic Stimulus Amendment in Congress with talking points
  • 1/29/02 Update on Economic Stimulus Amendment and Sample Press Advisory
  • 1/31/02 John J. Sweeney, President re 2002 Working for America’s Future Conference, April 20-23 in Philadelphia
  • 1/31/02 William Samuel, Director of Legislation on opposing Charles W. Pickering, Sr. for appointment to the US Court of Appeals
  • 2/1/02 AFL/CIO Press Release and Memorandum, January Unemployment Figures Are Bad News
  • 2/7/02 John J. Sweeney, President, AFL/CIO Summary of the Bush Budget for Working Families
  • 2/11/02 John J. Sweeney, President, Health Care Developments
  • 2/15/02 John J. Sweeney, President, re AFL/CIO Summer 2002 Programs
  • 2/19/02 John J. Sweeney, President, re April 4th Student Labor Day of Action
  • 2/21/02 John J. Sweeney, President, AFL/CIO Activities on Enron and other work issues

 

From local unions and councils:

 

  • 2/7/02 Brian Earl, GCIU 767M copy of letter to Senator Cantwell opposing Charles W. Pickering’s appointment to the US Court of Appeals
  • 2/19/02Steve Williamson, Executive Secretary, King County Labor Council re candidate recruitment and COPE List Updates

 

From Organizations:

 

  • 2/2/02 Pacific Northwest Labor History Association re 2002 membership and calendar
  • 2/10/02 Joyful Freeman, SSC Membership Chair of Safe Schools Coalition re membership
  • 2/12/02 Mayumi N. Smith, Everett Community College Nippon Institute re: education exchange programs for Japanese students this summer.
  • 2/20/02 Nancy Mills, Executive Director, Working for America re: Western Regional Conference in Las Vegas
  • 2/20/02 De André L. Nixon, Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee re Violence Can’t Live Here Any More Sponsorships
  • February 27 invitation to United Way Community Caring Event at Boeing
  • March 13-14, 25th Annual Collective Bargaining Conference at the Seattle Center presented by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service et al.
  • April 11-12, Joint Education Conference sponsored by AFL/CIO and United Association for Labor Education at the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles
  • May 2 & 3 Pacific Coast Labor & Employment Law Conference, Seattle sponsored by King County Bar Association
  • Violence Can’t Live Here Anymore, 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Summit to be held at Everett Community College, Saturday, March 2 from 9 AM to 4 PM