APRIL 1, 2011:NWLP
3/29/11
10:10 AM
Page 4
Columbian newspaper
boycott presses forward
VANCOUVER — A month-old boycott of the Columbian newspaper
called by the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council has gotten the at-
tention of publisher Scott Campbell.
A coalition of union leaders from eight locals was asked to meet with
Campbell, editor Lou Brancaccio, and editorial page editor John Laird
March 23 to air their concerns.
The Southwest Washington Central Labor Council called for a boycott in
February, citing the newspaper’s blatant disregard for covering labor events
and constantly editorializing against public employee unions and union-en-
dorsed politicians.
“They didn’t understand that. They objected to the assertion,” said Shan-
non Walker, president of the Labor Council, in her report to delegates at the
Council’s monthly meeting March 24.
Since being placed on the “Do Not Patronzie” list, members and allied or-
ganizations have canceled subscriptions, including Fire Fighters locals that
stopped having the newspaper delivered to fire stations. The Northwest Ore-
gon Labor Council and the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, both
of Portland, but with members who live in Washington, also passed resolu-
tion in support of the boycott.
The resolution calls for the boycott to continue through July 31, 2011. In
August, the labor council will revisit the issue to determine whether or not
the newspaper has expanded its coverage “to represent all of the commu-
nity.” If it has, the boycott will be withdrawn.
Until then, Walker is encouraging union members and allies to cancel
subscriptions, with a note explaining why. She also is asking union members
to write letters to the editor and publisher explaining why they are canceling.
“If you’re not a subscriber, write or call them and tell them why you don’t
subscribe,” she said.
To cancel a subscription, call 360-694-2312. Send letters to the editor to
lou.brancaccio@columbian.com.
PAGE 4
...Indiana Dems block right-to-work bill
(From Page 1)
with merit pay and a salary range. Pub-
lic charter school employees would be
stripped of all collective bargaining
rights. The bill also abolishes continu-
ing contracts for teachers, requires
teachers to be paid based on “perfor-
mance,” and bans teachers from bar-
gaining over class sizes. It even bars
public employees from talking with
elected officials about any topic that
could become a subject of bargaining.
When the bill didn’t have enough
votes to pass a Senate committee, the
Senate leadership removed from the
committee a Republican who was op-
posed to the bill and replaced him with
one who favored it. The Ohio state Sen-
ate passed it 17-16 on March 2. On the
day this issue went to press, the bill was
scheduled for a House hearing, where
Republicans have a 59-40 majority.
If it becomes law, unions will to try
to overturn it via ballot referendum. To
place the issue on a statewide ballot and
put the law on hold, signatures must be
collected from over 231,000 registered
voters by July 6.
INDIANA
When the Indiana statehouse
opened its 2011 session, Republican
legislators aimed a loaded shotgun at
organized labor. One bill would make
Indiana a “right to work” state where
dues would be optional in union-repre-
sented workplaces. Other bills would
end the requirement to pay the prevail-
ing wage on public construction proj-
ects; ban project labor agreements; ban
automatic deduction of union dues for
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
teachers; expand charter schools; in-
crease state-funded vouchers for pri-
vate school tuition; and strike down lo-
cal minimum wage laws. There’s even
a bill to ban employers from recogniz-
ing unions on the basis of “card check,”
which if passed would defy a U.S.
Supreme Court ruling that such laws
are pre-empted by federal legislation.
When it became clear the right-to-
work bill would pass the Legislature,
Democratic lawmakers left the state to
deprive Republicans of the two-thirds
quorum they need to do business. They
holed up for 36 days in a hotel in Ur-
bana, Illinois, before returning to the
Capitol March 28. Republican leaders
agreed to drop the right-to-work meas-
ure, but other anti-union bills remain.
The legislative session is supposed to
conclude at the end of April.
MICHIGAN
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder
signed into law March 16 a bill to give
state-appointed emergency financial
managers the power to void and rewrite
public employee collective bargaining
agreements — in local jurisdictions
facing financial stress.
Currently, four local jurisdictions
have been placed under control of
emergency financial managers, but
dozens more could be, particularly as
Snyder is proposing a $1.73 billion
business tax cut.
FLORIDA
The Florida House voted 80-39
March 16 for a bill that would put all
teachers hired from here on out on
year-to-year contracts, and pay them
(Turn to Page 8)
Richards elected to third term
as head of OPEIU Local 11
ecutive Board were Mike
Mike Richards was re-
Corrigan, Utilities; Laura
elected by acclamation to a
Gustafson, Labor Organiza-
third term as executive secre-
tions; Chuck Strange, At-
tary-treasurer of Vancouver-
Large; and Diana Way, At-
based Office and Professional
Large. A seat for Public
Employees Local 11.
Employees is vacant.
Others elected without op-
Lori Ricketts was elected
position were Matt DeVore,
to a three-year terms as a
vice president; Barbara Melton,
trustee.
recording secretary; and Keith
Officers and Board mem-
Perkins, sergeant-at-arms. M IKE R ICHARDS
bers will be installed at the
Terms are for three years.
Elected to two-year terms on the Ex- May 10 general membership meeting.
APRIL 1, 2011