Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO

Minutes of the Meeting of February 26, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by Vice President Wentworth followed by the flag salute. President Chapman was in Olympia at a conference. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as typed and handed out.

CREDENTIALS

· ATU 883: Yusuf Abdul

· National Writers Union At-Large Local: Kathy Ferguson

· UFCW 1001: Charles Primm

No new delegates were present to be obligated.

GUESTS

Frank Anderson, City of Everett, noted he is having a kick off breakfast for the Mayor’s race, May 1^st at the Howard Johnsons in Everett.

EXEC BD & STAFF REPORTS

The Secretary-Treasurer reported on the Executive Board meeting of February 2003. The Board recommended the following resolution. It was M/S/C to adopt the following resolution

Resolution in Support of UAW Local 1832 in Madison, Tennessee

Whereas, the Bellevue-based PACCAR company locked out 750 members of United Auto Workers Local 1832 at its Peterbilt heavy truck factory in Madison, Tennessee on September 2^nd, with no advance warning; and,

Whereas, PACCAR began negotiations with UAW Local 1832 by demanding severe concessions, but refused to provide the union with basic information to support their demands; and,

Whereas, PACCAR’s five top executives took home $2.4 million in salary increases and bonuses in 2001, and the company had profits of $174 million; and

Whereas, United Auto Workers Local 1832 has requested support of the labor movement within the Puget Sound region in its effort to end the lockout and negotiate a new contract,

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO pledges its full solidarity to the locked out members of UAW Local 1832 in their just struggle to defend their jobs and win a fair contract.

The Secretary-Treasurer also reported that COPE interviews will begin on March 18^th at 5:30 P.M. and the 3 CLC’s Leaders Retreat will be held April 29 and 30^th.

Committees

Community Services: Bill Borders, United Way Labor Liaison, thanked Bob Rommel and Chris Glenn of SPEEA for the gallons of blood they gave during the blood drive. He also thanked IAM 751 member, Jason Redrup, for his efforts helping area foodbanks. SPEEA was thanked for its great support of the United Way campaign. United Way had a good campaign this year taking in more than they had expected. Terry Van Wyck, AFSCME 1811CA has agreed to serve as a new Community Services Committee member. This last year, the committee raised over $20,000 for Operation Shortfall, which is a record.

Chris Glenn, SPEEA, noted that the Community Services Committee recommended donating $100.00 to Shared Wheel, which is a 501c3. It connects unused/unwanted bikes to people who need wheels. M/S/C to concur. He also reported that the committee recommended donating $500.00 to this year’s NALC Food Drive. This will go toward the $5,000.00 needed for printing the food collection bags. The addition of the bags substantially increased the amount of food collected for area foodbanks. M/S/C to concur.

COPE-Delegates were reminded of the WSLC Legislative Conference on Feb. 28th

REPORTS OF UNIONS

Organizing- UFCW 1105, Paul Quaintance discussed organizing at the Stock Pot plant in Snohomish County. He asked delegates for information on anybody they might know who works there. Many of the workers have been hired as temps. They work there 6 months. If they work out the company will then hire them. He also noted that he has been assigned to the WSLC Statewide COPE Committee.

Contract negotiations and maintenance-ILWU 32, Harold Pyatte reported on the agreement reached with the Pacific Maritime Association. They received a substantial increase in wages and pension, as well as protecting their health care benefits. On the jurisdiction issue they have gained jobs in the tech area. They did will in spite of an employer lock out, and Bush Administration meddling. He thanked the Council for its support

Chris Glenn, SPEEA, reported on the tough time at Boeing for food service workers. Recently their retroactive wages were held back and the union had to go to bat for them to get it. He also noted that the new owner has brought in food that isn’t as good as it used to be. Diane Rawson, HERE 8, noted they had a difficult time getting the new manager to honor the contract after it was signed. They even took paybacks out all at once creating a hardship for the employees. As a result, the union had to go to the top director in human resources at Boeing to get things worked out. They have also been trying to convince Boeing that Compass foods is not supplying what Boeing employees want on the menu.

Pat Connelly, ATU 1576, reported on negotiations regarding security staff at Community Transit. Despite extra costs, the CT Board has voted to outsource the jobs to the Sheriff’s Department without finishing negotiations with ATU. CT currently has 8 in their security department. Back in January, the Board of Directors said they were going to go to the sheriff’s department for outsourcing. However, the union’s attorney requested Board not go down that path, and the CT Board pulled it off the agenda. ATU Advised CT that since they were still currently negotiating it would be inappropriate to proceed. The Board has decided to proceed anyway.

Toni Bohan, SEIU 925, reported on problems in the Marysville School District with a make-up day that resulted from the teachers rally in Olympia in January. Teachers had previously bargained for the 14^th off but the Board and Superintendent unilaterally decided to make it the make-up day instead of a day later in the school year. After complaints, a liberal leave policy regarding the 14^th was granted. As a result, a tiny portion of students and teachers went to school. Only about half of the support staff went to school in support of the teachers, even though staying home meant the loss of pay. The complete contract is open for SEIU, and the Board’s recent unilateral actions do not bode well for bargaining.

Kirk Stephenson, Teamsters 563, reported on negotiating with the community of Clyde Hill in King County. They received 5% the first year and 100% of CPI in second and third years of the agreement, along with caps on medical.

Kelly Blomquist, Teamsters 763, talked about huge medical premium increases at Snohomish County. The county offered additional $35.00 for AFSCME, and have offered $6.00 to Teamsters 763 members. They are seeking the same treatment as AFSCME members.

Other Reports: Bob Rommel, SPEEA, reported working on a project for a new office for SPEEA in the Everett area. They finally secured property in the last 3 weeks, and are trying to get some local union contractors to submit bids. They hope to be in their new offices 14 to 15 months from now out on Airport Road and 106^th.

NEW BUSINESS-None

GOOD OF THE COUNCIL

Jim Smith, Laborers 292, encouraged folks to listen to the Radio Labor Journal. He encouraged locals with news to do interviews. Allyn Triezenberg, SCLC Administrative Assistant reported on the SEIU Seattle staff’s donation to the Ramp Project.

The Community Services drawing winner was Laura Wentworth, AFSCME 1811CA

Adjourned at 7:47 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Sells, Secretary-Treasurer

Attendance

AFSCME 109:

AFSCME 109E: Robert Mueller, Shawn Smith

AFSCME 109S:

AFSCME 113:

AFSCME 881:

AFSCME 948: Poppy Hanson

AFSCME 1020:

AFSCME 1355:

AFSCME 1811:

AFSCME 1811C:

AFSCME 1811CA: Debi Gahringer, Terry Van Wyck, Laura Wentworth

AFSCME 1811JPD:

AFSCME 1811PA: David Kurtz

AFSCME 1811S:

AFSCME 2753:

AFSCME 2964:

AFT 772: Kim Mead, Mike Sells

AFT 1873:

AFT 4254: Mary Hale

APWU 484: Kristie Berry

ATU 883:

ATU 1576: Pat Connelly

CWA 7800:

CWA 37082:

GCIU 767M:

HERE 8: Diane Rawson

IAFF 46: Robert Downey

IAFF 1984:

IAFF 2694:

IAFF 3219:

IAFF 3482:

IAFF 3524

IAM 130:

IAM 751A: Bob Neumann, Tom Plummer, Jason Redrup, Don Shove, Bruce Spalding

IAM 751C: Rod Sigvartson

IAM 751E: Ron Bradley

IAM 751F: Jackie Boschok, Bryan DuPaul, Jonathan Holden,

Judy Neumann

IATSE 15: John Lammon

IBEW 77:

IBEW 89: Mike Ferrucci

IBEW 191:

IBT 38: Janine Dibble, Chuck Jewell

IBT 763: Kelly Blomquist, Dave Chambers, Kirk Stephenson

IBU/ ILWU 22:

IFPTE 17:

ILWU 32: Gig Larson, Harold Pyatte, Ron Medcalf

IUOE 302:

IUPAT DC 5:

IW 86:

IW 506:

LIUNA 292: Hazel Goehring, Bob Monize, Jim Smith

MM&P:

NALC 791: Bob James

National Writers Union: Lance Sentman

OPEIU 8:

OPEIU 277:

SEIU 925: Toni Bohan, Bill Borders, Brian Levesque, Tania Rosario

SEIU 1199NW: Steve Moll

SMIU 66:

SPEEA: Tim Bond, Chris Glenn, Bob Rommel, David Simpson

UA 26:

UFCW 44:

UFCW 141, USNU:

UFCW 1001:

UFCW 1105: Paul Quaintance

Excused Delegates

AFT 4254: D. J. Wilson
IBEW 77: Peg Chrisman

IBEW 191: Darrell Chapman

IBT 38: Leonard Kelley, Rod Mendenhall

IBU/ ILWU 22: Stuart Downer, Douglas Hodgson

SPEEA: John Lynn

Guests

Frank Anderson, Mayor of Everett

Maya Baxter, Jobs with Justice/CWA 7800

Kristin Kinngmon, Sharing Wheels

Marion Krull, Everett City Council

John McAlpine, KSER

Ed Triezenberg, UBC 562

Kevin Quigley, Everett Shipyard

Correspondence

From Washington State Labor Council

• 1/14/03 Rick S. Bender, President & Diane McDaniel, Political Director reminder on COPE file membership updates

From AFL/CIO

• 1/27/03 John J. Sweeney, President, re 11^th Annual National Association of Letter Carrier’s Food Drive on May 10, 2003
• 1/30/03 John J. Sweeney, President, joint letter with John Monks of UK Trades Union Congress to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair urging them to let inspections work
• 2/4/03 John Sweeney, President, re: Union Summer program
• 2/10/03 Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer re: engaging members of Congress on behalf of issues supporting members of the Industrical Union Conference of the AFL/CIO
• Undated, announcement on the Asian-Pacific American Labor Alliance Biennial Convention to be held, August 7 to 10 in Los Angeles

From Unions and Councils

• 12/5/02 Joseph L. McGee, Executive Director, Int. Fed. of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 17 with $450.00 pledge to Operation Shortfall.
• 12/5/02 Sharon L McCann, President, United Food & Commercial Workers 1105, thank for Secretary-Treasurer’s attendance at National Day of Action at Wal-Mart

From Organizations

• 1/17/03 Bob Drewel and Frank McCord, Co-Chairs, Housing Alliance of Snohomish County re: recent forums and information on with information on Buildable Lands
• 2/7/03 Robert Georgine, Chairman of Union Labor Life Insurance Co. re: stock transactions
• 2/11/03 Alan Moore, President, Alliance for Sustainable Jobs & the Environment re invitation to the Annual ASJE Conference in Seattle on April 12-13
• Undated, flyer for February 28, 2003 Washington State Recycling Association Workshop on Safety at the WSU Cooperative Extension Center in McCollum County Park, 600-128^th St SE, Everett. 7:30 to 11:30 AM.
• Undated, Valley General Hospital invitation to celebrate a healing health environment with a Gallery Arts Festival, Saturday, March 8^th in the VGH Main lobby, 4 PM to 8 PM $20.00 per person
• Undated, Edmonds Community College Foundation invitation to a Saturday, May 3, 5:30 PM dinner and auction
• Undated, Habitat for Humanity Annual Auction on March 29, Triton Union Building at Edmonds Community College, 5 PM to 10 PM
• Undated, 26^th Annual Collective Bargaining & Arbitration Conference to be held March 5^th and 6^th at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms sponsored by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
• Undated, Pacific Coast Labor & Employment Law Conference to be held on May 8 and 9 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center

From Government

• 2/3/03 Gary Nelson, Chair, Snohomish County Council, thank you for support on Snohomish County Jail Tax Proposition
• 2/17/03 Aaron Reardon, State Senator, District 38, response to Secretary-Treasurer’s letter in support of retaining ergonomics rule.
• 2/19/03 Aaron Reardon, State Senator, District 38, response to Secretary-Treasurer’s letter on support for home care workers pay increases.

From Individuals

• 2/11/03 Brenda Stonecipher, C.P.A. on behalf of Citizens to Establish Public Spaces Downtown thank you to Secretary-Treasurer for attending focus group.