Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Permit No. 1296
Seattle, WA
IAM & AW District 160
9135 15th Place South
Seattle, WA 98108
The Voice of I.A.M. & A.W. District 160 in Western Washington and Alaska
Vol. No. 52
Directing Business
Representative’s Report
Give the Gift of a
Union This Season
By Dan Morgan, DBR
It is difficult to believe that Christmas is just
around the corner and 2013 is almost over. With
Christmas being the season of giving, I find it
appropriate to look back on some of the gifts
we have received. It is safe to say most of us
received the gift of a union contract from those
who came before us. Most
of us have accepted a job
in a shop that is already
unionized. We received a
gift from our brothers and
sisters that brought a union
to our workplace. We get
to enjoy the benefits of
the labor agreement they Dan Morgan
fought to achieve and
worked to improve over the years.
I hope you agree this is one of the best gifts
we have ever received. We get to enjoy the
fruits of the labors of workers before us. We
have inherited the legacy left by some true trade
unionists. Now we can sit back and enjoy the
gift given freely to us, or we can work to pay it
forward.
Paying it forward can be done in numerous
ways. On the basic level, get involved in your
union. Attend your local lodge meetings.
Participate and make a difference. Since
Christmas is the season of giving consider the
gift you could be a part of giving to your friends
and family by helping them bring a union to
their workplace. We all know people who don’t
miss the opportunity to complain about their
job. Tell them about the only way to make a
lasting change for the better in their working
life – UNIONIZE.
You can’t do it alone nor can they, but we can
do it together. The first step is easy, talk to them
about what you have provided by your union
contract. The next step is just as easy, ask them if
they want to talk with a union representative, call
the District office and we will all work together
to make a change for the betterment of all.
Think of the gifts a union contract can bring
to your friends and family, job protection,
better wages, medical, dental, retirement, not to
mention fair treatment and respect on the job.
In closing I would like to wish each of
you a very Merry Christmas and safe and
enjoyable New Year. I would also like to
take the opportunity to thank the staff and
representatives of District 160 for all of their
time and efforts this year in working to make
the lives of all our members better.
Inside
Local Lodge Meeting Notices............... Page 2
Retirees........................................... Page 2
In Memoriam................................... Page 2
Business Reps’ Reports................. Pages 3 & 4
December 2013
A Show of Solidarity for Machinists Union
by Brandon Hemming
District 160 Business Representative
“No one who achieves success does so
without acknowledging the help of others.
The wise and confident acknowledge this
help with gratitude.”
– Alfred North Whitehead
Solidarity, at times, can be a difficult
concept in labor. It’s easy to fall into a depth
of fabricated isolation, a fragmentation that
separates the specific crowd that we identify
with from other groups such as our locals,
districts, territories, crafts and so on. But
how different are we, really? We all have
common ideals and most of us are working
toward very similar goals. So what condition Thousands rallied at Westlake Center in support of the Machinists Union.
evokes the spirit of the men and women
of labor to stand together? Opposition. A There appeared to be representation
concept that seems to be made true with from most crafts that I was familiar
every attempt working men and women with and some that I wasn’t. The
make toward pushing forward. The stifling presentations were delivered, filled
with words of support and
that comes from a disconnected
encouragement for the cause
management of workers striving
of the Machinists. Most
to better the lives of their families
spoke on the relevancy of
and the families of their brothers
the Machinists’ cause in
and sisters standing next to them
their own fields and how
on the line.
the Machinists were not just
I recently had the opportunity
standing for themselves but
to attend a rally organized by the
for
all
of
labor. Anyone standing in
Washington State Labor Council in support
The Iron Workers show their support at the rally.
the
square
that night couldn’t ignore
of Machinists. It was a typical cold and
immediate colleagues but a larger group
rainy fall day, that in the beginning appeared the contagious feeling that was being
to be keeping the attendance to the rally at emitted from the crowd. It was like being in making modest changes in our situations
a minimum. But this would not stay true. a church of labor. So much cohesion that it that translate into a much greater impact to
Soon people began to filter in until the square made it hard to pull away at the conclusion the overall family of labor. As we endure
and stand steadfast as a family, we will grow
was full. Banners were raised, displaying of the rally.
It’s occasions like this that can help us into organizations the will maintain and
the affiliation of those by which they were
held. Iron Workers, Teachers, Operators, to gain a greater perspective. We aren’t just continue to develop an undeniable strength
Electricians, Teamsters, Firefighters. individuals fighting battles that effect our and power. Our survival depends on it.
Congressman Heck Tours Intercity Transit
by Bobby Joe Murray
On November 6, 2013 Congressman Denny
Heck toured Intercity Transit to see for himself
the needs of the Agency. He also engaged in
conversation with department heads and other
employees in order for them to express their
needs to further improve service to the public.
Intercity Transit, like most transit agencies,
relies on federal grants to buy buses, improve
facilities, etc. These grants have mostly been
discontinued, leaving a hole which affects
their ability to provide the services the public
desires.
In the photo at right he is meeting with
several of the IAM members who maintain
the buses.
Cong. Denny Heck, fourth from right, greets workers after touring Intercity Transit.
DISTRICT 160 OFFICES CLOSED
FOR HOLIDAYS
The District 160 officers and staff would like to
wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS and
a prosperous NEW YEAR!
District 160 offices will be closed Tuesday, December
24th through Wednesday, January 1st, reopening
Thursday, January 2, 2014.
2014 LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS DUE
A reminder to retired members from local lodges that have life
insurance!
Life insurance is now due in the amount of $36.00. This amount
has not changed.
Please mail this amount to:
Dues Office
IAM District Lodge 160
9135 15th Pl. S.
Seattle, WA 98108
Evergreen Leader
Page 2
Local Lodge Meeting Notices
Lodge 79 - Seattle
Lodge 289 - Seattle
Regular Lodge Meeting – 5:00 p.m.,
3rd Wednesday, 751 Meeting Hall, 9135
15th Place South, Seattle.
Executive Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m., the
Monday preceding the regular lodge meeting
(3rd Wednesday). District 160 Conference
Room, 9135 – 15th Place South, Seattle.
Regular Lodge Meeting – 6:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, Jan. 8th, 751 Meeting Hall,
9135 15th Place S., Seattle.
Shop Stewards’ Meeting – 6:00 p.m.,
3rd Thursday, District 160 Conference
Room, 9135 15th Place S., Seattle.
Executive Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, Jan. 8th, District 160 Conference
Room, 9135 15th Place South, Seattle.
Lodge 130 - Everett
Regular Lodge Meeting – 7 p.m., 2nd
Thursday, Labor Temple, Everett.
Lodge 282 - Bremerton
Regular Lodge Meeting – 5:30 p.m., 3rd
Wednesday, 822 Park Avenue, Bremerton.
Executive Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m.,
3rd Tuesday, 822 Park Avenue, Bremerton
Local 282 Whidbey Island – 4:45 p.m.,
2nd Wednesday, NAS Whidbey Island.
District 160
Officers & Staff
President
Regular Lodge Meeting – 6:00 p.m., 1st
Thursday, Firefighters Hall, 1109 South
50th Street, Tacoma.
Executive Board Meeting – 6:00 p.m.,
Tuesday preceding the Regular Lodge
Meeting (1st Thursday), 2121 70th Ave.
W., Suite A, University Place, WA.
Retirees’ Club Meeting – All Local 297
retirees are invited to attend meetings the
3rd Tuesday of month, 9 a.m. at Tower Inn
& Lanes Bowling Center, 6323 – 6th Ave.,
Tacoma. Breakfast followed by meeting.
Occasional bus trips and potlucks. Join us!
Lodge 695 - Olympia
Vice President
Secretary-Treasurer
Regular Lodge Meeting – 7 p.m., 2nd
Wednesday, Labor Temple, 1191/2 North
Capitol Way, Olympia.
John Decker
Lodge 1350 - Longview
Sgt. at Arms
Regular Lodge Meeting – 7 p.m., 2nd
Tuesday, 536 Oregon Way, Longview.
Jeff Eberle
Trustees
L to R: Bobby Joe Murray, Brandon Hemming, Melody Coffman, Greg Heidal, Bob
Westbrook, Glenn Farmer, Robin and Sam Stuart.
District 160 Attends Guide Dogs
Charity Banquet in Las Vegas
A group of District 160 Business
Representatives and staff attended
the annual Guide Dogs of America
33rd Annual William W. Winpisinger
Charity Banquet, held November 23-24
at the Balley’s Grand Ballroom in Las
Lodge 1690 - Anchorage
Cliff LaPlant
John Morse
Tom Burke
Regular Lodge Meetings – 5:30 p.m., 2nd
Wednesday at the Union Hall, 701 W. 41st,
Suite 202, Anchorage.
Directing Business
Representative
Lodge 2379
Dan Morgan
Regular Lodge Meetings – 7:00 p.m., 1st
Thursday, Lodge office, 2064 Vista Dr.,
Ferndale.
Executive Board Meeting – 6:00 p.m.,
first Thursday, Lodge office, 2064 Vista
Dr., Ferndale.
Assistant Directing
Business Representative
Greg Heidal
Business Representatives
Melody Coffman
Glenn Farmer
Greg Heidal
Brandon Hemming
Paul Miller
Bobby Joe Murray
Bob Westbrook
Evergreen Leader
Published by IAM&AW District 160
9135 15th Place S., Seattle, WA 98108
206-762-7990
Directed by D.B.R. Dan Morgan
Lodge 282 Notification
Beginning January, 2014, the Local Lodge 282 Executive Board
will be meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30
p.m. The General Membership meeting will occur on the third
Wednesday of each month starting at 5:30 p.m. as well.
All members, guests and friends of Local Lodge 282 are
welcome and encouraged to attend. Nipsic Lodge #282 is
located at 822 Park Ave., Bremerton, WA. Ph: 360-377-8868.
Lodge 289
Meeting Changes
The Regular meeting and
Executive Board meeting of LL
289 will be held Wednesday,
Jan. 8, 2014, instead of Jan. 1.
Times remain the same.
Retirees
Local Lodge 282
Daniel, Lane
Gung Ho for Guide Dogs
Lodge 297 - Tacoma
Robert James
John Gehringer
December 2013
Lockheed Martin-SWFPAC0
9/30/2013
King County
10/31/2013
Precision Machine Works
City of Tacoma
Puglia Engineering, Inc.
10/31/2013
09/30/2013
09/30/2013
Intercity Transit
09/30/2013
Alcoa Intalco Works
Alcoa Intalco Works
Alcoa Intalco Works
Alcoa Intalco Works
10/31/2013
09/30/2013
10/31/2013
10/31/2013
District 160 Retiree News
By Art Boulton
Happy Holidays! It is the time of the
year when we start to look forward to the
“Holiday Season” and the end of 2013 and
beginning of 2014.
It is also the time of year when the
Social Security Administration announces
to America’s 41 million seniors the Cost of
Living Adjustment to be applied to 2014
benefits. Social Security recipients will
receive a 1.5% increase in their monthly
payments in 2014. The COLA will be below
2% for the fourth time in the last five years.
This COLA which is very important
to America’s seniors is under attack
in Washington, D.C. The House of
Representatives, Budget Committee
Chairman Paul Ryan has proposed COLA
be changed to what is called a chained
Consumer Price Index. The chained CPI
grows more slowly than the current index
used to adjust Social Security benefits,
so as seniors’ living expenses go up
their Social Security checks are unlikely
to keep pace with growing costs. This
change and the change to Medicare to
make it into a voucher system where the
government provides a voucher at a set
rate per beneficiary and seniors shop for
their healthcare plans in the health care
market will shift millions of seniors into
financial insecurity.
Local Lodge 289
Schaff, William
Local Lodge 297
Meredith, Floyd
Nebiker, Kristin
Pierce, David
Local Lodge 695
Bergren, Dianne
Bass, Gary
Cruikshank, Robert
Leuenberger, Lyle
Turner, Thomas
How happy the” Happy Holidays”
are for seniors may very well depend on
how the upcoming budget negotiations
go in Congress. Any proposed changes
to Social Security or Medicare deserve to
be evaluated not just for their impact on
future budget deficits, but also their impact
on the living standards of seniors. Millions
of seniors rely on Social Security for the
majority of their income in retirement. It is
the safety net that keeps them out of poverty.
It is not just seniors who will be affected by
these changes, it will be future retirees. In
the past, middle class families could save
enough money during their working years
to retire with dignity. Part of this savings
was a pension plan, but we see employers
replacing guaranteed retirement income,
with savings plans. An example is Boeing’s
recent proposal to Machinist District 751
members to do away with their guaranteed
pension. I believe we should make good
on a system that millions of Americans
have paid into faithfully throughout their
working years, and we support the right of
everyone to retire with dignity.
The meetings of the District 160 Retirees
Club are on the first Tuesday of each month
at 10:00 am in a hall on the ground level of
the Machinists Building, 9135 15th Place
S., Seattle. Come and bring your spouse
or a friend.
In Memoriam
Zietz, Terry
Local Lodge 79
Espinoza, Lupe
King, Ray
Russell, John
Siegel, Barney
10/10/2013
11/03/2013
11/14/2013
10/23/2013
Local Lodge 130
Local Lodge 2379
Vegas. This year’s
event featured a
“Hogs for Dogs”
motorcycle ride and
Guide Dogs Charity
Golf Tournament.
Donaldson, James
10/02/2013
Local Lodge 297
Berens, Dean
Browning, Burt
Madrid, Felix
Millner, Raymond
Pasic, Charles
10/29/2013
08/10/2013
08/16/2013
10/08/2013
11/18/2013
Local Lodge 1350
Local Lodge 289
Rio, Ronald
11/13/2013
09/21/2013
McGovern, Charles
10/29/2013
Evergreen Leader
December 2013
Page 3
Talking Turkey: How to Talk Jobs and Economy With Your
Conservative Uncle Over the Holidays
by Ron Harrell
(Adapted from an article by Kenneth
Quinnell in the AFL-CIO Now News Blog)
You know you aren’t supposed to do it.
But you know you’re going to. Talk about
politics over the holidays. It’s hard to avoid
it and you know your uncle who worships
Rush Limbaugh and runs Fox News
24/7 is going to be armed with
conservative talking points. Here’s
your handy guide to quick responses
and facts use when you hear
those talking points about issues
important to working families.
Talking point: “Workers at
Walmart are ungrateful and should
be happy to have jobs.”
Response: As many as 825,000 Walmart
workers are making less than $25,000 a year
because of low wages and not getting enough
hours. Workers can’t raise their families on
these poverty wages and Walmart makes $17
billion in profits a year. The family who owns
the majority of the shares in the company
are worth more than $144 billion (more than
42% of all American families combined),
and can afford to pay more.
Talking point: “Walmart offers a good
place to work.”
Response: Not only is Walmart once
again failing to listen to the concerns of
its workers, it’s retaliating against workers
exercising their rights. Walmart even goes
so far as to fire workers who were on legally
protected strikes – which is not just wrong,
but against the law as well. Walmart workers
are forced to rely on public support – to the
tune of $900,000 at just one of the company’s
4,000 stores.
Talking point: “Increasing wages for
Walmart workers and other large retailers
would hurt the economy.”
Response: Walmart devoted more than
$14 billion to buy back stock to help its
stockholders over the past two years, so
without raising prices, it could have instead
raised the pay of every U.S. worker
by more than $5,600 a year. If
Walmart and other large retailers
paid $25,000 a year for full-time
work: 1.5 million retail workers and
their families would be lifted out of
poverty or the economic margin of
poverty; retail sales would increase
and more than 100,000 new jobs
would be created.
Talking point: “We don’t need to raise
the minimum wage.”
Response: The annual income for a fulltime employee making the minimum wage of
$7.25 an hour is $15,080. That is not enough
to afford rent on a two-bedroom apartment in
any of the 50 states. Jobs should lift workers
out of poverty, not trap them in poverty.
Talking point: “Minimum wage workers
are teenagers working their first jobs or
people just working for a little extra money.”
Response: Many minimum wage workers
are breadwinners in their families and 55%
work full-time. Half of low-wage workers
are over 34 years old.
Talking point: “Minimum wage workers
don’t deserve a raise, they don’t work hard
enough.”
Response: If the minimum wage had kept
up with worker productivity since 1969, it
would be $18.75.
Talking point: “The government
shutdown didn’t hurt the economy.”
Response: The shutdown cost 120,000
private-sector jobs in the first two weeks of
October and will reduce economic growth
by 0.25 percentage points in the 4th quarter.
Talking point: “Budget cuts haven’t hurt
the economy.”
Response: Discretionary budget cuts
have reduced annual growth by 0.7
percentage points, cost 1.2 million jobs and
increased the unemployment rate by 0.8
percentage points.
Talking point: “We have a deficit crisis
and we have to do something now.”
Response: There is no deficit or debt
crisis. The annual deficit has been cut nearly
in half since 2009 and is now falling faster
than at any time since after World War II.
Talking point: “Deficits caused the
economic crisis.”
Response: Deficits are the result—not
the cause—of the economic crisis. The real
problem with our economy is weak middleclass buying power, which is caused by high
unemployment, lingering household debt,
stagnant wages and a towering trade deficit.
Talking point: “Cuts made during the
sequester didn’t hurt the economy.”
Response: Sequestration cuts are
making the jobs crisis worse and holding
back economic growth; simply repealing
sequestration would generate 900,000 jobs
by this time next year.
Talking point: “Federal employees are
overpaid and need to make sacrifices, too.”
Response: Federal employees already
have sacrificed well over $100 billion in
the form of a three-year pay freeze and
increased contributions to retirement for
post-2012 hires.
Talking point: “Social Security is going
bankrupt and we need to fix it.”
Response: Social Security has never
added a penny to the deficit. With no
changes, Social Security can pay every
cent of projected benefit payouts until 2033.
After that, it will still be able to pay 75%
of projected benefits. There is an easy fix
to the projected shortfall: currently wealthy
people only pay Social Security payroll taxes
on the first $113,700 of their income and
nothing on income above that. If this cap
were scrapped and everyone paid the same
payroll tax on all of their income, deficits
in Social Security would be delayed for the
foreseeable future.
Talking point: “Americans want the
federal government to fix the immigration
system by punishing undocumented
immigrants.”
Response: The 2012 election offered
a clear difference on immigration policy
and the voters soundly rejected the antiimmigrant, anti-working family agenda put
forth by the few who profit from the broken
immigration process. Voters clearly voted
for a process that provides a road map to
citizenship, keeps families together and
protects all workers.
Talking point: “We don’t need to extend
unemployment insurance payments.”
Response: If unemployment insurance
benefits aren’t extended, 3.1 million people
will be cut off right before Christmas.
Extending them will lead to the creation of
310,000 additional jobs in 2014 and increase
tax revenues and boost the economy.
Business Representatives’ Reports
by Glenn Farmer
I’ve never been a big fan of holidays. What do
you do without work? It still baffles me. It does
provide the opportunity to reflect as the year winds
down. And what an interesting year it’s been. I
was a part of two organizing drives, each
both inspiring and painful. It’s difficult to
watch people at their absolute best face
hardship and cheap union busting tactics.
The campaigns continue in both Ketchikan
and Bellingham. I so look forward to
celebrating a win. American workers, all
workers, deserve the right to organize for
mutual benefit.
Our Guide Dogs of America fund drive was a
great success this year. District 160 handed off a
check for $35,000 at the Banquet this year. This was
largely due to Dan Morgan’s work with corporate
and company sponsors and Sam Stuart’s work with
AMVET’s and various motorcycle groups. Watch
for flyers of upcoming events in 2014. It takes
$42,000 to prepare a dog for service. Maybe we can
reach that next year. There is some well deserving
individual out there waiting for District 160’s dog.
This year also produced the emergence of new
energy in Local 2379. The Machinists Community
Action Committee (MCAT) was formed and
continues hold events and support members going
through difficult times. Participating in social events
puts a good face on the union. We can’t afford not
to form alliances in the community.
We held shop steward and organizing workshops
this year. Both were well received. Thanks to
Ron Harrell for being the driving force and
coordinating these events. We are working toward
future events, some shorter in length to capture
additional opportunities. Education is perhaps our
most important tool. Understanding the processes
and opportunities saves a lot of frustration and
wasted effort.
In the end, it’s about people. Things happen
because people get involved. Good or bad. There
is no magic bullet. It’s hard work. Work at the right
things, success will follow.
And so, with my somewhat less than enthusiastic
holiday spirit, I will make every attempt
to put my best foot forward for the New
Year and offer you this bit of holiday cheer:
T’was the night of Thanksgiving and all
through the coffee shop
Few chose to linger from day’s madness
non-stop
The Rep stared blankly at screen of
computer
No clue what to write, a writer’s block stupor
So much had happened this day and before
Streaming on endless there will always be more
Yet where to find meaning this battle of labor
Hard to deal with employers when members
fight neighbors
Yet he searches and studies and questions and prays
For a time when Labor will see brighter days
It’s there just beyond the selfish endeavor
A place where we share and never say never
With courage held high and trust is the norm
We fight the good fight and weather the storm
And as word count creeps slowly and steadily
higher
There is hope yet to fill the space I aspire
And a glimmer of light to give this all meaning
Seems to arise from a bad poet’s gleaning
Try to believe take one chance together
There’s always the chance you might make it
better
by Melody Coffman
It is truly amazing how fast the
years are going. My mother always
said, “You will know when you are
getting older, the years start flying
by.” I guess she was right. It is also
amazing how the end of
the year is always so busy,
and I am not talking about
prep for the holidays. I am
talking about at work; it is
something about the end of
the year on the job. It seems
that the employee is either
doing more inappropriate
actions, or the employer is ending the
year cleaning house.
I always have more terminations,
write-ups, which of course lead
to grievances, which lead to
arbitrations… or at the least, many
additional hours meeting to address
the problems.
I have just settled several
terminations and suspensions within
the City of Seattle, where we have
been in negotiations for two years
before ratifying 289’s proposal,
which expires at the end of this year.
However, I am scheduled back to
the table in December to (cross your
fingers) continue bargaining and
hopefully get a proposal for my 79
group to vote.
I also have several other private
sector contracts open and in various
stages of negotiations. At Markey
Machinery, we have met 5 times and
are still quite a ways apart on the
More Business Representatives’ Reports on pages 1 and 4
economics. The company is doing
very well and of course want to low
ball the wages while we continue
to discuss medical, and pension
allocations and surcharges.
A The Gear Works, we passed
our first proposal and are currently
in the process of scheduling
future meetings which is
always a challenge this time
of year. Holidays, trying to
get the last vacation time
used up so it is not lost, and
many other factors often
put us negotiating past the
expiration date.
JK Fabrication is one of the smaller
shops with a unique personality at
the helm. The owner likes to give
sporadic raises, or bonuses, and then
when it comes time to negotiate, the
reply is, “but I just gave them…”
Again, this is a smaller shop and we
have agreed that we will wait and see
what the bigger machine shops are
doing and follow that example.
Western
Pneumatic
Tube;
both maintenance and production
contracts are expiring at the end of
this year. We are scheduled to meet
December 2nd for our first meeting.
I am working on the proposals over
the long weekend to have them ready
for our first session. It really is a
fine juggling act and being the good
clown that I am… I love it!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful
turkey day! And now we are moving
on to Christmas. Be thankful for your
loved ones! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Page 4
Evergreen Leader
December 2013
Business Representatives’ Reports
by Paul Miller
spending on the move.
It has been a good experience working
with a federal mediator and I feel it has
helped with our process. As for Pacific
Propeller, we reached a tentative agreement
and will be holding a contract
ratification vote on December
11th. I am proud to represent the
employees at Pacific Propeller.
They have remained professional
throughout this tough process and
they have held together as a group
better than I have ever seen. To
my members at Pacific Propeller,
thank you for standing strong!
I have been in negotiations with Pacific
Propeller for about a year trying to reach a
deal. After several months of negotiations it
became clear to the negotiating committee
that there was a lot of ground to
cover and we weren’t getting very
far. We decided to call in a mediator
to help facilitate the process.
One of the resources available
to us for the private sector is the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service (FMCS). When a collective
bargaining agreement in the private
sector expires, notification is sent to the
FMCS and a mediator is assigned. Most of
the time we talk to the mediator a time or
two throughout the process when they call
to see how the negotiations are progressing
and no services are utilized. When they are
needed, we call them and ask for help.
Back in 1838 was the first time the federal
government got directly involved in the
mediation of a labor settlement. There are
numerous instances throughout history prior
to 1947 where the government intervened
but it wasn’t until 1947 that Congress
enacted the Labor-Management Relations
Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act). The Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Service was
created as an independent agency of the U.
S. government. The agency was given the
mission of preventing or minimizing the
impact of labor-management disputes on
the free flow of commerce by providing
mediation, conciliation and voluntary
arbitration. Obviously the government has
some responsibility for the economy and
they saw the value in trying to avoid strikes
and other job actions to keep business and
Here is this edition’s question: Which
United States president facilitated the first
government mediated labor settlement in
America?
by Bob Westbrook
I want to first wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year. My hope is
that 2014 will bring to us, the working men
and women of America, a political change
such that present and new representatives
in Congress will finally do what we ask –
pass a successful jobs bill, raise the
minimum wage to track inflation,
provide for the less fortunate,
make it easier for us to organize as
workers, create a fair tax system
and close corporate tax loopholes.
By a fair tax system I mean that
the greater burden be shifted off of
working families and that the rich
pay their fair share.
This year has been extremely busy for me.
We are still battling it out with City of Tacoma
negotiations on a collective bargaining
agreement that expired in 2011. We have
been in mediation for several months now.
My hope is that the contract will be settled
before Christmas so we can go into the New
Year maintaining a new contract.
I had several negotiations that have gone
much smoother through the year although
some have taken several months to settle
nevertheless. By the time you read this the
City of Fife collective bargaining agreement
should be ratified. Other contracts negotiated
this year included two Computer Sciences
Corporation contracts, two Kitsap Transit
contracts, a contract for the professionals
working at Naval Undersea Warfare Center,
two Lockheed Martin contracts, a British
Aerospace contract, a Delaware Resource
Group contract, a contract for the Madigan
Hospital Security Guards at Joint Base LewisMcChord, the City of Auburn contract, and
City of Algona contract. I started negotiating
contracts for the Seattle Housing Authority
and Lake Washington School District but
turned those over to our new Business
Representative, Brandon Hemming. Both of
those contracts are Joint Labor contracts so the
ball kept rolling on those with the bargaining
committees consisting of several unions.
Grievances, of course, have been
innumerable but one that went to arbitration
among several is still on my mind. It was
disappointing to me that after a full day of
deliberations the decision was made by
the arbitrator that the grievance
was not arbitrable based upon her
interpretation of one sentence in the
collective bargaining agreement.
Last but certainly not least are the
efforts for organizing other workers.
Internal organizing among open
shop Federal workers is ongoing.
We are able to pick up a few but I find it
disconcerting that some drop out after their
anniversary date. It is the closed shops in the
private sector that is subsidizing the servicing
of federal bargaining units that do not have
to pay dues. I will be taking a close look
at federal shops that are in the District and
determining if those having no dues payers
should be disclaimed. As for organizing
private sector shops, we are now starting to
leaflet companies that have come into our
radar. I am also looking for other service
contract companies that do work for the
Department of Defense. I find it interesting
that the service contract bargaining unit
members mostly have a very politically
conservative and antiunion outlook but when
they see how their pay and benefits increase
significantly due to having a collective
bargaining agreement they become our
biggest advocate to other service contract
groups. So, if you are a member of a service
contract bargaining unit please contact me
if you have contacts in other unrepresented
service contract groups.
Thank you for your support throughout
this year. I appreciate each and every one of
the members that do their part to make this
world a better place for working families.
A quote:
With the holidays approaching I felt it’s
appropriate for a holiday quote. Remember
this about your upcoming holiday party:
“What I don’t like about office Christmas
parties is looking for a job the next day.”
–Phyllis Diller
Each Evergreen Leader that comes out
I will ask a labor history trivia question. I
decided to take out the spelling error because
our editor usually corrects the error. The
first person to answer the question correctly
by emailing me at [email protected] will
receive a $25 gift card to either Starbucks
or Cabela’s (your choice). In the following
Evergreen Leader issue I will give everyone
the answer.
The question last time was: In what
year did the IAM win the 8 hour work day
in many of its shops? The Answer: 1915.
by Greg Heidal, ADBR
What a challenging year this has
been – ongoing negotiations that will
not end and members that continue to be
challenged by their companies causing
grievances to be filed.
The economy has been
moving in the right direction
and pensions have continued
to recover. This makes all of us
that are nearing retirement age
breathe a bit easier.
The Affordable Care Act
has all of us that sit on health
and welfare plans watching closely to
any changes proposed or changed by
the current administration. It is apparent
that the start of the health and welfare
exchanges have been a challenge for all
involved and have not gone smoothly. I
am fortunate to sit on a plan that has been
proactive in implementing the necessary
changes in a timely manner and are on
track for all necessary changes to be
implemented per law.
by Bobby Joe Murray
As I watch and read the news, I keep
hearing the cry for “Right to Work”
legislation. Most recently here in our
State, from a Legislator claiming that
the recent vote by our fellow Machinists
against the contract proposal from Boeing
is the reason why we don’t need unions
interfering with business.
First, I have to say that this
isn’t only a union issue. This
issue affects communities
as a whole! The reduction in
compensation alone devastates
the economy of a community.
On average, workers in states
having “right to work” laws earn $5,538
a year less than workers in other states.
Over all, Union members earn 28%
more per week than non union members.
African American and Hispanic union
members earn an even higher percentage.
At a time when working families
struggle on a daily basis to provide for
their families, laws like this would be
an unbearable burden. Workers are also
consumers. Decreased income means
decreased spending. Everyone in the
community suffers; restaurants, auto
dealers and repair shops, theaters, retail
stores, etc. This then translates into a
smaller tax base to fund those agencies
which support families in need.
Spending on education in “right to
work” states is approximately $2,671 less
than those without. We need to improve
the education for next generations in
order for them to fill the job openings
in the future. This doesn’t happen by
decreasing funding.
Most frightening is the fact that
according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics the rate of workplace deaths is
52.9% higher in “right to work” states.
That’s deaths! It only stands to reason
that injuries are as high, if not higher. Our
working families deserve better. Nobody
wants to lose a family member or friend
to injury or death at work.
Let’s look at the Union side for a
minute. Perhaps I like to play golf.
Country clubs have very nice facilities.
Do you think it would be possible for
me to join the country club and enjoy
all of the benefits without paying the
dues required to maintain the facility?
As a business owner, would I be allowed
to join the Chamber of Commerce and
benefit from their organization without
More Business Representatives’ Reports on pages 1 and 3
As we sit here today we have a
tentative agreement to vote on for Vigor
Shipyards that will be put to ratification
the first week of December. Negotiations
have been difficult and trying due to
the sweeping changes proposed by the
company. Vigor Shipyards is
a company that has a different
view of the workplace. It is not
antiunion, but has a different
approach to the workplace.
No seniority? No workplace
jurisdiction? These are foreign
concepts to someone like myself
who lived and died by these issues. I had
my vacation shift selections and a myriad
of rights scheduled by seniority. My
world was controlled by seniority and it
is difficult for me to bring this proposal to
the membership. By the time this hits the
press the membership will have spoken
and we will see where this proposal has
gone.
I want to take this opportunity to wish
all a safe and happy holiday season.
paying the appropriate dues? How about
service clubs like the Elks, Eagles, VFW,
etc.? How does it make sense to force
Unions to do that very thing? Yet that’s
what this law does!
“Right to Work” laws prohibit
employers
and
employees
from
negotiating a type of agreement - known
as a union security clause - that requires
all workers who receive the
benefits of a collective bargaining
agreement to pay their share of
the costs of representing them. In
other words, “right to work” laws
allow workers to pay nothing and
still get all the benefits of union
membership. Federal labor law
requires unions to fairly represent
all workers covered by a contract
while the Supreme Court has ruled that
no collective bargaining agreement
can require anyone to join a union.
Currently, nonmembers in contracts
with a negotiated union security clause
are required to pay only the proportion
of union dues related to collective
bargaining expenses making these
costs shared fairly by all represented
employees. To not pay your fair share yet
expect full benefits is far from fair.
“Right to work” backers talk about
freedom, but try to deny workers freedom
every chance they get. Moving more
workers into part-time positions isn’t about
freedom. Off shoring profits and shipping
jobs to countries with horrible working
conditions isn’t about freedom. Freedom is
about being able to balance life with work;
to spend time with your loved ones, to attend
family functions, to take time to relax and
enjoy life. Freedom means having a voice in
the workplace, being able to speak out and
have your opinions heard and acted upon.
As a community we must fight against
this power grab and stand up to protect our
way of life and our future! We must work to
prevent more of the tax burden from falling
on the middle class. We must work to protect
workplace and public safety. We must
work to ensure more respect for workers.
We must work to protect the economy of
our communities. We must work to ensure
quality education for the next generations.
Reach out into your community and help
them understand this is their issue as much if
not more than ours. When we stand together
we stand strong!
I would like to take this opportunity
to wish everyone a wonderful and joyous
holiday season.