Tell Congress: Extend UI Lifeline for 6 Million Now
Posted: November 29, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog
Yet House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) would rather spend the limited amount of time Congress has left this year to attack workers’ rights and workplace safety and health laws than exetend UI for workers struggling in an economy where there are more than four workers for every available job.
Tell Boehner and Congress it’s time to stop playing partisan politics. Click here to sign a petition to Congress demanding it act now to extend the emergency UI benefits program.
Tomorrow, a coalition of workers groups will deliver the petition to Congress during a rally where jobless workers will urge Congress to act before it’s too late for millions of working families.
Eyman's anti-Tolling initiative too close to call
Source: The Olympian
Posted: November 8, 2011
Early election returns show Tim Eyman's anti-tolling initiative is failing.
Unofficial results released Tuesday night showed the race too close to call, with 51.5 percent of voters opposing the measure.
Initiative 1125 would force the Legislature to vote on tolls, instead of allowing a commission to handle it. State officials fear that the rules would scare away investors who won't want to purchase bonds backed by tolls that could be mired in a political process.
The measure also includes a major provision that would halt light rail from running across the Interstate 90 bridge. Eyman's initiative campaign was largely funded by Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman, who has battled against light rail proposals for years.Read the source story here
Wash. approves liquor plan after $22M Costco bet
Source: The Olympian
Source: The Olympian
Posted: November 8, 2011
Washington voters on Tuesday approved a plan to privatize liquor sales and dismantle controls that have been in place since Prohibition, siding with retailing giant Costco in the costliest initiative campaign in state history.
Unofficial results Tuesday night showed the measure with 60 percent support in early returns. Costco Wholesale Corp. had committed $22 million to supporting the measure - $6 for every registered voter - as executives portrayed the Issaquah-based company as a crusader for consumers and said that it could take years to make up the investment in the initiative.
Read the complete source story here
From Mayor to School Board, 8 Teamsters running for local election this year
Source: JC 28.org
Posted: November 8, 2011
A deputy sheriff and a road worker are among eight Teamsters running for local office in November's general election.
Click here to download a fact sheet about the WA Teamsters running for local office.
 Paul Fritts for Mayor of Aberdeen Deputy Sherriff Paul Fritts, a member of Teamsters Local 252, served on the Aberdeen City Council before making the decision to run for Mayor. www.electpaulfritts.com |
 Todd Fredrickson for Monroe Council Sergeant Todd Fredrickson, a Teamster Local 117 member and corrections officer, served as a founding member of the Monroe Ethics Board. Find on Facebook. |
 Greg Duff for Burien City Council
By day Greg Duff is a cement truck driver and longtime Teamsters Local 174 member. By night he's the President of the North Highline Council and on the Burien Planning Commissioner. |
 Dana Ralph for Kent City Council (#7) Teamster 117 family member Dana Ralph says her campaign for Kent City Council is "focusing on providing core infrastructure services-streets, sidewalks, and public transportation-through improved maintenance and prioritized development." www.danaforcouncil.com |
 Debbie Raplee for Kent City Council (#5) Debbie Raplee is more than a 2-term city council member - she's also a Teamster 174 family member and a Boeing employee. Find on Facebook. |
 Wayne Elston
for Ki-Be School Board As a dad to two young children, Teamster Local 839 member and Benton County road crew worker Wayne Elston is eager to bring improvements to the Kiona-Benton school district. " Find on Facebook. |
 Kathy Uphaus for Puyallup School Board, Position 5 As the spouse of Daron Uphaus, a longtime Teamsters Local 313 member and trustee, Kathy Uphaus volunteered for 15 years at her children's schools in Puyallup before getting frustrated with the direction of the school board. Tacoma News Tribune Profile |
 Aaron Jones for Milton City Council Aaron (AJ) Jones, a Teamster Local 117 member, works hard on the Fife City road crew every day. "I know what it's like to be a middle-class working person in this economy," says Jones, "and I want to do the right thing for all working families in Milton." |
Teamster-endorsed candidates and issues on your election ballot.
November 2011 General Elections Endorsements
Source: JC28.org
Posted: October 21, 2011
Teamster-Endorsed Candidates and Issues
| STATEWIDE INITIATIVES: | ||
| I-1125 | Halts major transportation construction projects, stops repairs to roads and bridges | |
| I-1163 | Implements strict accountability, fraud prevention, and transparency measures for long-term care workers: | |
| I-1183 | Allows Costco and Walmart to take over state liquor system | |
| Benton County | ||
| Ki-Be School District, Position 1: | Tim Cook | |
| Ki-Be School District, Position 2 | Wayne Elston* | |
| Clallam County | ||
| Clallam County Council: | Linda Barnfather | |
| Clark County | ||
| State Representative, 49th Legislative District | Sharon Wylie | |
| Chelan County: | ||
| Wenatchee City Council: | Linda Herald | |
| Grays Harbor County | ||
| Aberdeen Mayor | Paul Fritts* | |
| King County | ||
| Port of Seattle Commission, Position 5 | Dean Willard | |
| King County Assessor | Lloyd Hara | |
| King County Council, District 2 | Larry Gossett | |
| King County Council, District 4 | Larry Phillips | |
| King County Council, District 6 | Richard Mitchell | |
| King County Council, District 8 | Joe McDermott | |
| Burien City Council, Position 2 | Greg Duff* | |
| Kent City Council, Position 1 | Bailey Stober | |
| Kent City Council, Position 5 | Debbie Raplee** | |
| Kent City Council, Position 7 | Dana Ralph** | |
| Milton City Council, Position 4 | Aaron Jones* | |
| Pacific City Mayor | Richard Hildreth | |
| Renton City Council, Position 5 | Ed Prince | |
| Seattle City Council, Position 1 | Jean Godden | |
| Seattle City Council, Position 3 | Bruce Harrell | |
| Seattle City Council, Position 5 | Tom Rasmussen | |
| Seattle City Council, Position 7 | Tim Burgess | |
| Seattle City Council, Position 9 | Sally Clark | |
| Seatac City Council, Position 1 | Barry Ladenburg | |
| Seatac City Council, Position 5 | Dave Bush | |
| Seatac City Council, Position 7 | Mia Su-Ling Gregerson | |
| Shoreline City Council, Position 6 | Jesse Salomon | |
| Tukwila Mayor | Pam Linder | |
| Tukwila City Council, Position 6 | Kate Kruller | |
| Seattle Proposition 1: | YES | |
| Pierce County | ||
| Milton City Council, Position 4 | Aaron Jones* | |
| Pacific City Mayor | Richard Hildreth | |
| Puyallup School Board | Kathy Uphaus** | |
| Tacoma City Council, District 3 | Lauren Walker | |
| Tacoma City Council, District 1: | Anders Ibsen/Karen Smitherman (dual endorsement) |
|
| Tacoma City Council, Position 7 | David Boe | |
| Tacoma City Council, Position 8 | Ryan Mello | |
| Tacoma Civil Service Board, Pos. 3 | Anita Latch | |
| Tacoma Metro Parks Board, Position 5 | Eric Hanneberg | |
| Skagit County | ||
| Mount Vernon, Mayor | Scott McMullen | |
| Snohomish County | ||
| Snohomish County Executive | Aaron Reardon | |
| Snohomish County Assessor | Cindy Portmann | |
| Snohomish County Council, District 2 | Brian Sullivan | |
| Snohomish County Council, District 3 | Stephanie Wright | |
| Stanwood City Council, Position 1 | Larry Sather | |
| Stanwood City Council, Position 6 | Steve Venema | |
| Marysville, Mayor | Jon Nehring | |
| Monroe City Council, Position 4 | Mitch Ruth | |
| Monroe City Council, Position 5 | Todd Fredrickson* | |
| Thurston County | ||
| Olympia, Mayor | Dick Pust | |
| Yakima County | ||
| Yakima Home Rule Charter Amendment: | YES | |
| Walla Walla County | ||
| Port of Walla Walla Commission | Michael Fredrickson | |
| Whatcom County | ||
| Whatcom County Sheriff | Bill Elfo | |
| Whatcom County Council, District 1 | Pete Kremen | |
| Whatcom County Executive | Jack Louws | |
| Whatcom County Treasurer | Steve Oliver | |
| Bellingham Mayor | Kelli Linville | |
| Bellingham City Council, Position 3 | Barry Buchanan | |
America's Bridges Need Work, and We Do, Too
AFL-CIO.org
In America, 69,842 bridges are deficient—and more than 282 million vehicles cross those bridges every day. Meanwhile, 9.1 percent of Americans are jobless.
With so many people out of work, so many bridges and other pieces of critical infrastructure in need of work—and so much to do to keep America competitive in the 21st century—the solution is simple: Pass legislation that lets our unemployed workers get to work on critical infrastructure projects.
Tell your members of Congress: America is ready to get to work, starting with investing in our bridges, transit, rail, airports, highways, ports, schools and the rest of our failing infrastructure.
In Washington, 394 bridges are deficient—and more than 2.8 million vehicles cross those bridges every day. Meanwhile, 9.3 percent of Washingtonians are jobless.
With so many Washingtonians out of work, so many bridges and other pieces of critical infrastructure in need of work—and so much to do to keep America competitive in the 21st century—the solution is simple: Pass legislation that lets Washingtonians get to work on critical infrastructure projects.
Tell your members of Congress: Washingtonians are ready to get to work, starting with investing in our bridges, transit, rail, airports, highways, schools and the rest of our failing infrastructure.
Obama will hear from Seattle this SundayThe Stand
Community and labor organizations will gather outside President Barack Obama’s fundraiser at the Paramount Theater this Sunday to let him know where Seattle stands on the critical issues facing our nation’s economy. Representatives of the various groups will stand side-by-side to deliver the following messages:
– Create Good Jobs Now!
– Fair Taxation — Tax the Rich
– Preserve and Protect Social Security
– Protect Medicare and Medicaid
– Support Good Jobs: Legalize Immigrant Workers
Organizations participating in Sunday’s action include the Washington State Labor Council, Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans, Casa Latina, Washington CAN!, UNITE HERE Local 8, UFCW Local 21, OneAmerica, and more.
TAKE A STAND! Join the WSLC at 11 a.m. (the president’s fundraiser begins at noon) this Sunday, Sept. 25 at Seattle’s Paramount Theater, 911 Pine St.
For more information, contact Robby Stern of the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans.
Read the source story here.
Tell the NLRB: Workers Support a Level Playing Field
Source: AFL-CIO
Posted: August 17, 2011
A new rule proposed by the National Labor Relations Board—the independent agency responsible for enforcing labor law—would cut back on the delaying tactics, close loopholes, reduce unnecessary and costly litigation and standardize union election procedures throughout the country. The new rule is a great start in leveling the playing field for workers who want to vote to form a union.
Tell the NLRB you support the rule to level the playing field so workers can decide for themselves whether to form a union.
No On I-1125: Well-Funded Eyman Campaign Kills Jobs
Source: WSBCTC
Posted: August 17, 2011
Tim Eyman is back again attacking construction jobs with Initiative 1125, his latest scheme is to
undermine the vital 1-90 transportation/multimodal corridor and, in its wake, I-1125 would
jeopardize future transportation projects including light rail, bus service and highway
maintenance/operations. Eyman's ridiculous bid to pass I-1125 is financially backed by a singular,
ultraconservative Bellevue developer interested in preventing light rail between Seattle and
Bellevue and has bankrolled over $1 million upfront. We must defeat I-1125, it is a construction job
killer on 1-90 and future transportation/multimodal projects. We must defeat I-1125.
Washington citizens want sensible transportation choices, not more gridlock. Defeating I-1125 is vital to save construction jobs and will require financial contributions and "boots on the ground" from all Building & Construction Trades. Please contribute to the campaign to defeat I-1125 In order to keep Washington rolling with roads and transit. To make campaign contributions and to learn more:
Keep Washington Rolling
PO Box 2505
Seattle, WA 98111
http://voteno1125.com
Like us @-- http://www.facebook.com/KeepWaRolling
Twitter: @VoteNo1125
Download this 1-page flyer
![Resolution]](2011/downloads/008-Aug/no-I-1125-resolution-thb.jpg)
Download the resolution
A "No on I-1125" resolution was passed at the WSBCTC Annual Convention and thereafter adopted at the WSLC Convention last week. You can download a copy of it to the right. Labor is united against this destructive initiative, and we must Stand Up to Protect our Construction Jobs.
Here are the reasons why:
Tim Eyman's Initiative 1125 will appear on the November ballot. Masquerading as a measure about tolling, 1125 is a dangerous and irresponsible initiative designed to halt major transportation projects across the state. At a time when our economy most needs help, I-1125 would mire our communities in gridlock, stall vital projects around the state and threaten businesses across the state,I-1125: A recipe for gridlock
According to Eyman, if I-1125 passes it would kill the voter-approved plan to build light rail across Lake Washington on the 1-90 floating bridge. That alone would create gridlock and hurt our economy-making it impossible for local businesses to get around and discouraging new business from opening in the Puget Sound region.
I-1125: Stalling progress around the state
I-1125 threatens current and future projects around the state. Among those in danger are the Evergreen Point floating bridge replacement across Lake Washington, Clark County's Columbia River Crossing and Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. But the threat doesn't stop there—It also means that every community in Washington risks seeing their vital projects blocked, causing more gridlock, more hassle and stalling growth. We can't afford Tim Eyman's prescription for gridlock. We can't afford I-1125.
Turns our transportation system into a game of politics, not policy
Currently, an independent, non-partisan commission sets toll rates in the state, I-1125 would take toll rates out of the hands Of that independent commission and turn it over to the state legislature, That's a recipe for political game playing. The idea of a legislator from Seattle setting toll rates in Eastern Washington or having a politician in Walla Walla determining important transportation policies in the Puget Sound area makes no sense -- that's why no other state in the country lets politicians in the legislature set toil rates.
Tim Eyman's bad policy is back--and this time he is fronting for a wealthy developer
This isn't the first time that Eyman has sponsored a measure aimed at changing transportation policy and creating more gridlock. In recent years, several Eyman-backed transportation measures have been defeated at the polls or thrown out by the courts because they are poorly written or aren't constitutional.
Eyman has received the bulk of his contributions for I-1125, over $1 million, from a single donor, Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman, Freeman wants to use I-1125 as a backdoor means to block the voter-approved construction of light rail on 1-90 across Lake Washington.
Who is opposed to 1-1125
The health of our communities and the health of our economy relies on good transportation policy that keeps people moving. I-1125 threatens to create gridlock around the state, damaging our quality of life and our economy, That's why a nearly unprecedented coalition of business, labor, environmental and community leaders have come together to oppose Initiative 1125 under the banner of Keep Washington Rolling.
Tim Eyman's 1-1125 will harm our economy and cost us Jobs when we need them most.
Volunteer This Weekend!
Teamster Candidates Need Volunteers for Phone Banking
Source: Joint Council No. 28
Want to help get worker-friendly politicians elected and pass ballot measures that support workers and create jobs?
Sign up to phonebank in August!
Contact MLKCLC Political-Field Director Max Brown for more information or to volunteer.
max@mlkclc.org ~ 206-441-7102 ~ 206-963-6195
Help elect Teamsters to local office by volunteering a few hours to call voters. Both Teamsters, Todd and Greg, have tough primaries in communities with only 3,000 – 4,000 expected voters. A few dozen votes may be all they need to make it to the next level!
WHEN: Saturday 4-7pm:
WHAT: Phone bank for Teamster 117 member Todd Fredrickson, candidate for Monroe City Council.
WHERE: Alfy's Pizza, 19121 SR 2 in Monroe
Refreshments and pizza provided! Bring your cell phones!WHEN: Sunday 5-8pm:
WHAT: Phone bank for Teamster 174 member Greg Duff, candidate for Burien City Council.
WHERE: 11613 Occidental South in Burien
Refreshments provided! Make calls from the Teamster Action Truck!
Ask Your Elected Officials to Oppose Free Trade Agreements and Mexican Cross-Border Trucking
Posted July 29, 2011
As you are probably aware, Congress will be in recess for the month of
August. During this time, Senators and Representatives will be in their districts
meeting with constituents, holding Town Halls, and focusing on issues important
to their constituents. The recess will be the perfect opportunity for Teamsters to
meet with their members of Congress and talk about the issues important to our
Union. Our top priority issues at the IBT at this time are the three pending free
trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama and the U.S.
Department of Transportation's (DOT) proposal for a new cross-border trucking
pilot program with Mexico.
Request that your elected officials oppose the South
Korea, Colombia, and Panama trade
agreements when they are submitted to Congress for a vote. A recent letter sent
by General President Hoffa to all members of the House of Representatives outlines the IBT's concerns with all three trade agreements.
Our request regarding the Mexican cross-border trucking pilot program is that
members of Congress co-sponsor H.R. 2407, the Protecting America's Roads Act.
This bill, introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), would limit the DOT's
authority to implement the program and prohibit Highway Trust Fund dollars
from being used to subsidize Electronic On Board Recorders on Mexican trucks. A fact sheet about the IBT's concerns with the pilot program can be found here.
August 16th Primary Election Endorsements
Source: Joint Council No. 28
Posted: July 27, 2011
This election, vote your interest--vote for JOBS! The following is a list of Primary Election candidates endorsed by Washington State Teamsters Joint Jouncil No. 38:
Benton CountyKi-Be School District, Position 1: Tim Cook Ki-Be School District, Position 2: Wayne Elston* Grays Harbor CountyAberdeen Mayor: Paul Fritts* |
King CountyKing County Council, District 6: John Creighton King County Council, District 8: Joe McDermott Kent City Council, Position 5: Debbie Raplee** Kent City Council, Position 7: Dana Ralph** Seattle City Council, Position 1: Jean Godden Burien City Council, Position 2: Greg Duff* Tukwila City Council, Position 6: Kate Kruller Renton City Council , Position 5: Ed Prince |
Snohomish CountySnohomish County Assessor: Cindy Portmann Snohomish County Council, District 2: Brian Sullivan Skagit CountyMayor of Marysville: Jon Nehring Whatcom CountyWhatcom County Sheriff: Bill Elfo Mayor of Bellingham: Kelli Linville |
** Teamster family member.
Stop the Job-Killing FAA Shutdown
Source: WSLC/AFL-CIO
Posted July 26, 2011
Yet again, the House Republicans are playing politics instead of building a strong, secure America. In another blatant example of political theater, the House Republicans refused to pass a routine measure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), forcing layoffs of thousands of FAA and construction workers, with tens of thousands more jobs at risk.
Tell your members of Congress: 90,000 workers are counting on you to immediately fund the FAA—and America's workers are counting on you to do it without scapegoating workers.
Tell Your Senators: No Rotten Deal For Working Families!
Source: AFL-CIO
Posted: July 14, 2011
We’ve already warned you about threats to Medicare and Medicaid in Washington. Now, there’s talk of putting another nail in the coffin of America’s struggling middle class with massive cuts in Social Security benefits and higher taxes for working families. A rotten deal could pass any day.
Proponents are dressing up their latest proposal to cut Social Security in mumbo-jumbo language about inflation adjustment—but it comes down to a plan to slash Social Security by $112 billion over the next decade, massively increase taxes on poor and middle-class Americans and—you guessed it—almost completely let the rich off the hook.(1)
Of course, this kind of plan could never pass if the public understood it. Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Tea Partyers all would oppose it. That's why members of Congress won't tell you they're cutting benefits and raising taxes on poor and middle-class Americans. Instead, they'll say they're "changing the way inflation is calculated."
Tell your senators: The American people reject any cuts to Social Security—no matter what you call them. Leave Medicare and Medicaid alone. Make the millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share for a change.
Tell Congress to Stop Colombia, Korea, Panama Trade Deals
AFL-CIO Now Blog
Posted July 8, 2011
Congress and the White House are intent on ramming through three job-killing trade agreements. That’s why you need to tell your senators and representatives to stop the South Korea, Panama and Colombia free trade agreements and get to work promoting job growth in the United States, rather than offshoring American jobs. Click here to send them a message now.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says that similar trade deals like NAFTA, which has cost nearly 700,000 jobs and created a $97 billion trade deficit with Mexico, have been “a miserable failure for working people” and
these new deals follow in NAFTA’s footsteps. Working people need to make our voices heard—and we need to fight hard. We need to be creating jobs—not passing agreements that will offshore more jobs and leave more communities behind.
Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists, with one such murder occurring nearly every week–but their killers are seldom brought to justice. Says Trumka:
I doubt very much Congress and the White House would be passing a trade deal with a country where a CEO was murdered every week.
The proposed Korea trade deal would cost an estimated 159,000 U.S. jobs and according to trade experts who have studied the deal, its loopholes could open the doors for goods made in China or even sweatshops and North Korea, but labeled in South Korea.
The Panama agreement contains most of the problems of the other two says Trumka, including deregulating big banks and letting foreign investors bypass U.S. health, safety labor and environmental laws. In addition,
Panama is also a tax haven: a place where tax-dodging, money-laundering millionaires and billionaires hide their money.
Click here to send message to your lawmakers to vote no on all three trade deals and click here to join a Facebook Online Day of Action to Stop the FTAs.