Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL/CIO

Minutes of the Meeting of July 24, 2002

The meeting was called to order by at 7 PM by President Chapman. Minutes approved as typed and handed out.

CREDENTIALS

AFSCME 948: Marleen Weigand

AFSCME 109E: Robert Mueller

ATU 883: Yusuf Abdul, Pat Downes

OPEIU 8: David C. Winders

SEIU 1199NW: Matt Wood

M/S/C to seat delegates who were present. Pat Downes, ATU 883; Robert Mueller, AFSCME 109E were present and sworn in.

GUESTS

John McCoy, endorsed candidate, for the 38^th Legislative District, House, Position 1, thanked the Council for its support thus far. He has been gathering more and more endorsements, and has been doing a lot of doorbelling. One of the qualities that he feels that he delivers is an ability to work both sides of the aisle.

He discussed the need for a training center for the Tulalip Tribes, and offered the use of a 10,000 square foot building. He stated he would like building trades to train more tribal members. The Tribes will let labor use the building for training, but the building would have to be brought up to code.

Derek Baker, Campaign Manager for John McCoy was introduced. He stated that $22,000 had been raised so far, and went through all the endorsements. They are now looking for volunteers for the next two weekends for doorbelling. Yard signs were made available to delegates.

Dylan Malone, 38^th Legislative District Candidate, House, Position 1 thanked the Council COPE Screening Committee for meeting with him last week. He stated that he has been a Democratic activist for most of his life. His latest activism centered around the birth of his son in September of 1999. As a result of medical mistakes he was sent home in need of constant care. That care was cut off by an insurance company. Today his son has the care he needs, but it took a tremendous amount of work and the help of Vice President Al Gore. Malone felt that was not good enough, as there are others who need people to advocate for them.

He stated with regard to the possibility of a Machinists strike, “If you strike, I will be there.” He asked that he be considered for a dual endorsement in the 38^th District.

Aaron Reardon, candidate for State Senator in the 38^th District, reported that his wife had a baby girl on 17^th of June. He thanked those that had called with their support during his wife’s recovery. He noted that he had doorbelled half the District, and plans to finish it before the primary. He anticipates a negative campaign. People are much more cognizant of the economy, he stated, than they were during the last election. They want corporate responsibility and want to be sure that if they are an investor in the market that they will be treated fairly. He felt the State Legislature could act in some areas of corporate responsibility.

EXEC BD & STAFF REPORTS

The Executive Board met as the COPE Screening Committee on July 16^th. As a result of that meeting and subsequent polling of Board members the following recommendations were made to be voted under the COPE part of the agenda:

For recommendations to the Washington State Labor Council:

• 44^th District Senate: Phil Doerflein
• 38th District, House, Pos. 1: Dylan Malone
• 39^th District, House, Pos. 1: Bob Quarterman

For local endorsements:

• Steve Clough, Snohomish County Superior Court, Evergreen Div. Pos. 1
• Patricia Lyon, Snohomish County Superior Court, Evergreen Div. Pos. 2
• Support for 1/10^th of cent sales tax to expand the County Jail
• Support for the Valley General Hospital Bond issue

Secretary-Treasurer Sells gave out a written report on activity with regard to a Town Hall meeting on prescription drugs, coordinating activity with other Puget Sound Labor Councils, Everett Housing Authority, Brightwater, Operation Latchkey, United Way, Central Washington University, Economic Development Council, the AFL/CIO Housing program, Referendum 51 support, campaign kickoffs and parades, Labor/Neighbor, COPE Screening, Labor Roundtable, IBEW contract hearings and the Downtown Everett Association.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Services Laura Wentworth, AFSCME 1811CA, reported that Solidarity Day at the AquaSox would be on Sept. 2^nd - Labor Day this year. Operation Shortfall will be doing a raffle of a DVD player at the event. She also discussed a quilt she made which will be raffled at the Holiday party in December. They will be selling holiday raffle tickets at the Solidarity Day game. For the Christmas/Holiday event, she is gathering union t-shirts and making it into a t-shirt quilt that will be auctioned off by Pres. Chapman. . Mariner tickets and Seahawks tickets will also be raffled.

Bill Borders, United Way Labor Liaison, gave an update on the Letter Carrier food drive, and thanked the Council for its help in funding collection bags. They recorded 305,000 lbs collected, which was the best in the country for similar sized postal areas. It was the heroic, gallant effort of Letter Carriers that made it all possible. 30,000 families will benefit. County employees raised another 382,000 lbs over time, also, in their recent food drive.

Bill Borders introduced Jerry Otis, UBC 131, who has been running the RAMP program. Operation Shortfall has become the fiscal agent for the Wheelchair Ramp program for low and no income people. They do need help in getting the word out for contributions and getting the work on the ramps done.

Jerry Otis, Ramp Program Coordinator, reported on recent ramps he has built in north Snohomish County. The most recent one received donated lumber from a Snohomish lumberyard. He stated they had gone with Operation Shortfall as it was an opportunity to expand the area of service. They have gone to Bellingham and put in a ramp, as well as Seattle for a gentleman who is 103 years old. Jerry attended the 104^th birthday this last month. He invited locals to be involved and give Bill Borders a call to help explain to members what RAMP is.

COPE

• M/S/C to recommend to the Washington State Labor Council the endorsement of Phil Doerflein for 44^th Legislative District, Senate
• M/S/C to recommend to the Washington State Labor Council the endorsement of Dylan Malone for 38^th Legislative District, House, Position ,1 making a dual endorsement in that race.
• M/S/ to recommend to the Washington State Labor Council the endorsement of Robert Quarterman for 39^th Legislative District, House, Pos. 1 making a dual endorsement in that race. M/S/F to postpone action until after the primary. The motion for endorsement also failed.
• M/S/C to endorse Steven Clough for Snohomish County District Court Judge, Evergreen Division, Pos. 1
• M/S/C to endorse Patricia Lyon for Snohomish County District Court Judge, Evergreen Division, Pos. 2
• M/S/C to support a 1/10^th of percent sales tax increase for Snohomish County Jail expansion
• M/S/C to support the Valley General Hospital Bond

M/S/C to extend for half hour

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-None

REPORTS OF UNIONS

Organizing: Jackie Boschok, IAM 751, reported on the current negotiations with Boeing and the process they worked with members as a lead up to the bargaining. It has been an 18-month planning process. Committees were appointed August 2001. A survey process was begun in late November, with a second survey in February of 2002. That survey was made available and published in April. In January, they started Stewards meetings to train them to go back to members to gain further information, and talk about supporting the bargaining process. A Negotiating Team has been meeting to put together proposals. Members have also received a wallet sized card with numbers were they can reach leadership with regards to issues. Stewards have been kept up to date with bulletins for union bulletin boards, and given flyers to distribute. Business reps have all been out to meet with crews to talk with them about attending the strike sanction meeting. Those that attended received a sticker notice for a button that showed that they had voted. There will be a rally at Angle Lake Park this week down by the airport.

Contract negotiations and maintenance: Kirk Stephenson, IBT 763,reported that at the Monroe Police Department they received a 5.8% pay increase with 100% COLA adjustment the second year, and a 90% adjustment in the third. Medical will increase by 6%, 5% and 5% and a new specialty pay area has been added. At the Highland Water District, there had not been a wage increase since 1990. As a result they increased the wages 22% and will be adding a $1.00 an hour each year in the second and third years of the agreement. At Mukilteo Public Works, employees will receiving a 4.2% increase with a 100% of COLA in the 2^nd and 3^rd years of the agreement. The Medical will be at 100% the first year with 10% caps in the second and third year.

Pat Downes ATU 883, reported that the contract with Everett Transit is in mediation. They have had two meetings so far and are still a ways apart.

Other Local Activity-No reports

NEW BUSINESS

M/S/C to support the Immigrant Workers should be Legalized, Not Arrested Resolution

Immigrant Workers should be Legalized, Not Arrested

Whereas

Every day, immigrants living and working in the United States make vital contributions to our economy, our communities and our nation.

Immigrant workers care for our children and the elderly. They clean our offices. They provide service in restaurants and hotels. They labor in fields and in factories. According to statistics from the Department of Commerce, foreign-born workers comprise 11.4 percent of all U.S. workers and 16 percent of all U.S. service workers.

Immigrant workers are vital to our economy. According to the National Immigration Forum, immigrant households paid $133 billion in direct taxes to federal, state and local governments in 1997. Further, that year, the National Academy of Sciences found that immigrants contribute about $10 billion to the economy per year, and pay more in taxes than they use in services.

Immigrant workers serve our country. Nearly 50,000 members of America’s armed forces are non-citizen, immigrant soldiers.

Unfortunately, our nation’s outdated immigration laws force many immigrants and their families—who work hard and pay taxes—to live in fear of being deported for simply going to work each day.

• Since September 11, hardworking, taxpaying immigrants have faced increased discrimination at work and in their communities. Lawmakers have introduced policies that seek to diminish the rights of immigrant workers, while hostility, even violence, against immigrant workers has increased.

• While there continues to be broad public support for immigration reform that rewards work, the progress that labor unions, business groups, immigrant organizations, religious leaders and others have made in building effective bipartisan political support for immigration reform that rewards works has stalled.

• Legal cases have minimized the rights of immigrant workers. In a recent Supreme Court decision (“Hoffman Plastic Compounds v. NLRB”), the Court ruled that undocumented immigrants who have been fired because they participated in union activities are not entitled to “back pay” under the National Labor Relations Act. The ruling could lead to unscrupulous employers hiring undocumented immigrant workers, retaliating against them or firing them, and then avoiding financial consequences when it is determined that they committed an unfair labor practice.

• Nationwide, immigrant airport screeners who have been issued security clearances are set to lose their jobs under legislation passed by Congress last year, which requires all newly federalized pre-board screeners to be U.S. citizens. As a result, thousands of screeners who are permanent legal residents, many of whom are U.S. war veterans and have screened bags for years, earning roughly $6 an hour, will be fired when their positions are changed to higher-paid, federalized jobs. The disparity and the irony of this policy is that no citizenship requirement exists for pilots, airline mechanics, flight attendants or other airport or airline workers.

• Federal and state governments have sought policy measures to target immigrant workers. The Department of Justice recently drafted a legal opinion that would require local and state police agencies to enforce immigration law, an authority normally limited to the federal government through the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Under this mandate, local officials would take on additional responsibilities for which they are not trained. Further, such a mandate would weaken law enforcement by severing important community relationships between police and community residents, and draining important financial resources that would otherwise be used for improving public safety. In states around the country, including Colorado, lawmakers have attempted to enact legislation with these components.

Our great nation needs immigration laws that reflect the reality of the 21^st Century economy and the workforce on which it depends. We need immigration laws that:

Reward work. The millions of hardworking, taxpaying immigrants who are already in the U.S. should be given the opportunity to legalize their status and become citizens.

Reflect the realities of America’s 21^st Century workforce. Nearly every sector of our economy depends on the labor of immigrant workers. We need to stabilize those workforces by legalizing undocumented workers.

Keep families together. Immigrant workers should be allowed to remain with their families in this country as they seek to legalize their status.

Prevent exploitation. Immigration status should cease to be a tool for employers to intimidate workers who seek living wages, affordable health care, basic respect and a voice at work through unionization.

Therefore, be it resolved that

We call on President Bush and our elected leaders in Congress to stop targeting hardworking, taxpaying immigrants, and instead focus their attention on implementing effective security safeguards and meaningful improvements to our nation’s immigration systems. While there are real reasons to enact measures that prevent terrorism and violence in our country, lawmakers should avoid riding post-September 11 fear and stop misusing terrorism arguments as a way to attack immigrant workers who work hard, pay taxes and want to become American citizens.

We will work together in coalitions with business, community, immigrant, religious and other groups to protect our country’s hardworking, taxpaying immigrants.

We call on all local unions in Snohomish County and Washington State to participate in a “Reward Work” postcard campaign urging President Bush and our elected leaders in Congress to reinsert immigration reform that rewards work into our national agenda.

GOOD OF THE COUNCIL

Jackie Boschok, IAM 751F talked about the charity fund run at the Boeing plant this weekend. Informational flyers were passed out, and information in on the www.iam751.org web site.

Mike Sells, AFT 772 referred everyone to the Robert Hemsley editorial from the New York Times. Robert is a local AWPPW member.

Laura Wentworth, AFSCME 1811CA encouraged delegates to sign up for precinct committee officer seats. This will make you able to vote on the platform of the parties.

Tania Maria Rosario, SEIU 925, offered $5.00 tickets for August 24^th Festival Rolling Thunder.

Bill Borders, SEIU 925, encouraged the use of Creative Printing. He noted that they are not getting the political campaign work that they used to.

Sylvia Hansen, IBEW 77, reported that there will be public PUD rate hearings, August 13^th. She was concerned about future rate increases.

Darrell Chapman, IBEW 191 underscored the importance of the Labor/Neighbor program.

Chris Glenn, SPEEA talked about doorbelling with Jerry Otis, and what an inspiration he is.

Winner of the Community Services drawing was Tim Bond, SPEEA

Adjourned at 8:55 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Sells, Secretary-Treasurer

Delegate attendance

AFSCME 109:

AFSCME 109E: Robert Mueller, Shawn Smith

AFSCME 109S:

AFSCME 113: Gary Doughty, Rob Strague

AFSCME 881:

AFSCME 948:

AFSCME 1020: Harvey Bell

AFSCME 1355:

AFSCME 1811:

AFSCME 1811C:

AFSCME 1811CA: Laura Wentworth

AFSCME 1811JPD:

AFSCME 1811PA: David Kurtz

AFSCME 1811S:

AFSCME 2753:

AFSCME 2964:

AFT 772: Mike Sells

AFT 1873:

AFT 4254:

APWU 484:

ATU 883: Patrick Downes

ATU 1576: Bonnie Williams, Pat Connolly

CWA 7800:

CWA 37082:

GCIU 767M:

HERE 8:

IAFF 46:

IAFF 1984:

IAFF 2694:

IAFF 3219:

IAFF 3482:

IAFF 3524

IAM 130: Phil Fox

IAM 751A: Don Shove, Tom Plummer, Jason Redrup, Bob Neuman

IAM 751C: Hank Getchman, Rod Sigvartson

IAM 751E:

IAM 751F: Jackie Boschok, Jonathan Holden, Judy Neumann

IATSE 15:

IBEW 77: Sylvia Hanson

IBEW 89: Mike Ferrucci

IBEW 191: Jeff Seibert, Darrell Chapman

IBT 38:

IBT 763: Kelly Blomquist, Dave Chambers, Kirk Stephenson, Tom Vernon

IBU/ ILWU 22:

IFPTE 17:

ILWU 32:

IUOE 286:

IUOE 302:

IUPAT DC 5:

IW 86: Greg Lochrie

IW 506:

LIUNA 292: Hazel Goehring, Bob Monize, Dan O’Connor

MM&P:

NALC 791: Bob James, Ken Titus

OPEIU 8:

OPEIU 277:

SEIU 925: Tania Rosario, Toni Bohan, Bill Borders

SEIU 1199NW:

SMIU 66:

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

UA 265:

UFCW 44:

UFCW 141, USNU:

UFCW 1001:

UFCW 1105: Paul Quaintance

Excused Delegates

AFSCME 109: Pete Dykstra

AFT 772: Kim Mead

IAM 751F: Jo Marie Schultz

IBEW 77: Peg Chrisman

IBEW 89: Gloria Borders

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

SEIU 1199NW: Adelina Gonzales

Guests

Dereck Baker, John McCoy Campaign

Fred Buhl, UBC 562

Annabelle Collings, AFSCME 948 Retired

Dylan Malone, Candidate 38^th LD - House

John McCoy, Candidate 38^th LD – House

Jerry Otis, UBC 131

Aaron Reardon, Candidate 38^th LD – Senate

John Toy, IAM 751A

Ed Triezenberg, UBC Local 562

CORRESPONDENCE READ & MADE AVAILABLE

From Washington State Labor Council:

• 6/24/02 Rick S. Bender, President, re:Ref 51
• 7/02 Rick S. Bender, President re; Shop Stewards newsletter on Electronic mail.
• 7/19/02 Diane McDaniel, COPE Director, Labor Roundtable at Machinists Hall on August 29^th

From AFL/CIO:

• 6/6/02 John J. Sweeney, President, Memorandum on 2002 Labor in the Pulpits Program
• 6/21/02 John J. Sweeney, President, re: Enron Field Campaign
• 6/24/02 Marta Ames, Executive Director, Pride at Work, AFL/CIO on joining Pride At Work
• 7/1/02 John J. Sweeney, President, soliciting support for Arizona AFL/CIO efforts with fire disasters in northeastern Arizona
• 7/1/02 John J. Sweeney, President, on Fast Track Legislation and who needs to be talked to in Congress about it.
• 7/17/02 John Sweeney re: Standing up for immigrants
• 7/18/02 Marilyn Sneiderman, Director, Field Mobilization Department re: problems with company making scam union directory.
• 7/22/02 John Sweeney, President on Corporate Accountability Activities

From Unions and Labor Councils:

• 7/12/02 Steve Williamson, Executive Secretary, King County Labor Council re: Aug. 1 meeting on Machinists bargaining with Boeing

From Organizations:

• 7/1/02 Terri Mast, Regional Director, Inland Boatmen's Union; Lynne Dodson, Vice President, Washington Federation of Teachers; John Boonstra, Exec Dir of Wa State Assns of Churches; and Robby Stern, Special Assistant to WSLC President on a public hearing to be held on September 5th on worker rights through Jobs with Justice.
• 7/9/02 Washington State Injured Workers Coalition seeking a contribution to help bring about a change in workers compensation laws
• 7/18/02 Taxpayers for R-51 next meeting on July 25 at 9:30 AM at the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce
• undated, Brightwater informational meetings, 7/25 in Shoreline; 7/30 in Mountlake Terrace, etc.

From individuals:

• 6/14/02 United States Senator Patty Murray thanking Sec. Treas. for contact on nursing staff shortages.
• 7/1/02 Pat Sullivan for 47th District House of Representatives seeking campaign support
• 7/3/02 Sherry Appleton for 23rd District, House of Representatives seeking campaign support
• 7/3/02 Audrey Chase for 25th District, House of Representatives seeking campaign support
• 7/10/02 Michael Spearman for State Supreme Court Justice on campaign strategy presentation on August 9th in Seattle