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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2007)
Says he’ll veto terrorist-fighting bill Bush could risk public safety in effort to keep unions at bay WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Bush Administration says it will veto an anti-terrorist bill that would upgrade security on passenger and freight rail- roads, require all cargo carried on commercial passenger aircraft to be screened for bombs, and provide funds for state and local emergency commu- nications systems — implement basi- cally every recommendation proposed by a 9/11 panel following the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. Why on earth would the president veto a bill focused on making America safer? Because it contains a provision that would allow transportation security of- ficers (formerly known as airport screeners) to belong to a union. Some 43,000 screeners work under the au- thorization of the Transportation Secu- rity Administration (TSA). In January, the House passed its version of the bill with collective bar- gaining rights included. The House vote was 299-128. All of Oregon’s congressional delegation supported the bill, as did Southwest Washington De- mocrat Brian Baird. In addition to workers’ rights, the House bill also included language mandating inspection of all ship con- tainers headed to the United States from overseas. The Bush Administra- tion and many Republicans — at the insistence of Wal-Mart, which drops a container off at a U.S. port every 45 seconds — oppose that language. On the issue of unionization, Bush and his supporters say that giving transportation security officers a voice on the job will compromise national security — even moreso than to allow foreign containers to enter the country unchecked. “Collective bargaining will not work for our airports,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). On March 6, DeMint introduced an amendment to the anti-terror bill that would have re- moved bargaining rights for trans- Service and the Army Corps of Engi- neers. “One only need look at 9/11. Unionized workers from both the pub- lic and private sector were first on the scene and worked tirelessly to restore what had been. Having union rights did not hamper response time or the ability to do their jobs, but instead it helped prepare them to be ready in case of emergency.” Gage said that due to a lack of job security, low ‘One only need look at 9/11. pay and bad working con- Unionized workers from both the ditions, along with fa- transportation public and private sector were first voritism, security officers have a on the scene and worked tirelessly higher turnover rate than other group of federal to restore what had been. Having any workers. They also lead union rights did not hamper all federal workers in in- rates and discrimina- response time or the ability to do jury tion complaints. their jobs...’ “This very important amendment will provide AFGE President John Gage stability to the workforce TSA and the flying public so desperately need,” Gage said. Michael Chertoff said that screeners Under the House proposal, the se- are as much on the front lines in the curity officers would not have the right war against terror as military troops. “Marines don’t collectively bargain to strike, and the union would not have over whether they’re going to wind up, the power to negotiate wages — those would be set by Congress. But the you know, being deployed in Anbar province or in Baghdad,” Chertoff told union would be authorized to bargain reporters after a briefing with senators. on their behalf to establish work rules to govern overtime and temporary “We can’t negotiate over terms and transfers and to protect them if they conditions of work that goes to the file a grievance. heart of our ability to move rapidly in Ironically, in five airports, as part of order to deal with the threats that are an experiment, private security firms emerging.” run the screening — and those screen- That’s nonsense, said American Federation of Government Employees ers can unionize. In 2003, as TSA workers at several (AFGE) President John Gage. “The airports were getting ready to vote on notion that granting bargaining rights joining AFGE, the Bush Administra- to [transportation security officers] tion, citing so-called “national secu- would result in a less flexible work- rity” concerns, terminated the screen- force is just plain nonsense, and it is also an insult to the thousands of dedi- ers’ collective bargaining rights. Cong- ressional Republicans then blocked cated federal workers within Home- land Security, including the Border Pa- several attempts to restore them. Since Bush took office, his Admin- trol, FEMA, Federal Protective istration has attacked the collective bargaining rights of 850,000 Defense Department workers and more than 170,000 Homeland Security Depart- ment employees. In November 2006, the Interna- ments like those that afflict Sferazo tional Labor Organization, an arm of and thousands of other workers and the United Nations, ruled the Bush New York area residents after the Administration violated the “funda- 9/11 attacks. mental” rights of airport screeners Sferazo saw a heart-rending scene when it prohibited the workers from which brought home the lasting im- achieving union representation and en- pact of the attacks, not just on the gaging in collective bargaining. workers who died at 9/11, but on “We’re not going to let big labor those who are sick and dying from compromise national security,” said the toxic combinations unleashed Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mc- when the Twin Towers collapsed: Connell, R-Ky., noting there are not Ammonia, asbestos, particulates and enough votes in either the House or other cancer-causing substances. the Senate to override a veto by Presi- At the wake, Sferazo saw Mike’s dent Bush. McConnell is married to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. (Turn to Page 11) portation security officers. DeMint said strengthening airport screeners’ rights would hinder the government’s flexibility to move them around in re- sponse to terrorist threats. Demint’s amendment was defeated by a vote of 51-46. [Oregon U.S. Senator Gordon Smith voted with DeMint to forbid union organizing.] Homeland Security Secretary Unionists want health care aid for 9/11 rescuers in New York By MARK GRUENBERG NEW YORK (PAI) — Last year, John Sferazo, a member of Brooklyn Iron Workers Local 361 who helped clean up debris from the World Trade Center folowing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, went to the wake of a co-worker. Sferazo got to the wake a little late, and only his colleague’s family and close friends were there. His friend, Mike, died of respira- tory ailments contracted by breath- ing in toxic gases and debris from the clean-up of “The Pile” — ail- PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS EE R F BARGAIN COUNTER Free ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Send to: NW Labor Press, PO Box 13150, Portland, OR 97213 • 15 words or less • Include address label from front page and telephone number • Sorry, we cannot accept ads over the telephone • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • Type or print legibly Classified ads MUST include area code on all phone numbers or they will not be published Automotive ’74 EL CAMINO, 350-350, auto, primer, black inte- rior, PD, PS, PW, no DEQ, $1,100. 503 621 3090 2000 HD FXD, $10,995; 1998 HD Sportster Hugger, $4,995; 1977 HD FXE, $9,500, OBO. 503 630-2301 ’95 DODGE DANA 60 front end, new ring & pinion, u-joints, axel, $500. 503 678-2048 ’89 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS, 92,500 miles, black w/tan leather interior, sun roof, $4,500 OBO. 503 655-3679 ’90 HONDA ACCORD, 5 spd, sunroof, lowered, runs great, gas saver, good tags, $1,500. 503 806-3907 ‘98 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, 104k, very nice, one owner, $3,300. 503 645-2910 Housing LINCOLN CITY, nice 2-level beach house, sleeps 6, $350/wk, $175/wkend. 503 351-1408 (Chris) or 503 762-4816 (Dan) ROCKAWY BEACH house, just minutes to beach, sleeps 9, 3 bd. 503 355-2136 or 503 709-6018 5 ACRES NORTH Clark County WA, surveyed, flat, illness forces sale, tax value 150k, OWC w/100k down. 360 263-8930. WOODBURN SENIOR ESTATES, 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, on the golf course, 55+ community, $179,000. 503 936-2311 PARKROSE HOME for sale, large master suite, 3 bd, 2 bath, RV parking, oversize garage, $277,900. 971 207-1829 Wanted OLD WOODWORKING tools, planes, levels, chis- els, folding rulers, handsaws, slicks, adzes,leather tools, chests. 503 659-0009 CASH FOR older oil paintings, older toys, older cos- tume jewelry, and older art pottery. 503 653-1506 PARTS FOR old wooden telephone, need mouth piece, etc. 503 762-3280 (Jack) PRIVATE CITIZEN wants unaltered military rifles, S&W or Colt revolvers, Glock or SIG pistols, cash paid. 503 539-0288 RESTORER WANTS log saws, log saw handles/hardware, broad/double bit axes, hard hats. 503 819-3736 CASH PAID for motorcycles, dirt or street, also mu- sical instruments. 503 880-8183 CHAIN SAW, in good running condition. 503 668- 5768 3 ELECTRIC CANNON downriggers, 2 digi-troll II, $500 each; 1 mini-mag, $250, never been used. 503 252-2136 1987 TRAVEL MATE 20’ fifth wheel, FSC, light- weight, easy tow, exc cond w/hitch, $2,800. 360 546- 1540 2003 PASTIME CAMPER, 8.5’, FSC, queen bed, elect jacks, utility shower, ex cond, $9,000. 503 632- 2283 ’05 NASH TRAVEL trailer, 17’, like new, awning, up- grade tires and wheels, $9,995. 541 367-4651 BUSHNELL ELITE 4200 6x24x40 mm w/side paral- lax, new in box, $500 OBO. 503 760-8696 (Bill) ANCHOR WINDLASS, 12 volt, vertical, 5/8” rope or 3/8” chain, as new, with controls, $300. 503 292- 6406 2 SNOWMOBILES, 1981 Yamaha 540 and 1987 Arctic Cat El Tigre 5000. Ready to ride. $950obo for both. (971) 327-7007 Miscellaneous UTILITY TRAILER, super HD, 3 ton, steel box, 9x6, elec brakes, $1,150. 503 829-9374 COMPUTER PACKARD Bell, Epson printer, moni- tor, all work, old, $50 cash all. 360 834-2495 FLAT BED trailer, 8 ft wide, dual axel, 12 ft bed, $800. 503 254-1087 (Ralph) VALLEY 1000 lb weight distribution hitch, adj ball mount, 2 5/16 ball, $100. 503 648-1537 HANDICAP DELUXE shower chair, like new, $175. 503 286-8543 or 503 449-0584 10 DOUBLE PANE windows, approx 5’x5’, sealed air space between, no frames, Free. 503 539-7499. For the Home CONN ORGAN, trade for later computer, or car or anything, $200 value. 503 771-8823 DINETTE SET, 1 leaf, 4 chairs, good cond, $40. 503 253-3330 IRS PROBLEMS? •Haven’t filed for...years? • Lost records? •Liens-Levies-Garnishments? •Fees are affordable • Appointments available evenings & weekends • Working with union members for over 20 years Sporting Goods SNOWBOARD, GERRY LOPEZ Mako, 169, tech- nine bindings, used 3x’s, $400; snowboard boots, size 14, Burton Moto, $80. 503 436-2072 1 PAIR SNOWSHOES, Vermont-Tubbs, wood w/leather straps, $50. 503 659-6579 1978 STARCRAFT TENT trailer, 14’, sleeps 4, weatherproofed, battery, propane stove, sink, ice box, $850. 503 289-5326 Call Nancy D. Anderson Enrolled Agent/Tax Practitioner 503-697-7757 K ramers/metro mailing service 3201 N.W. 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