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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2011)
Unions in Washington mobilize to defeat pair of initiatives Labor backs an initiative in Clark County that will help fund C-Tran Organized labor is mobilizing in Washington state to defeat a pair of statewide initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot. And in Clark County, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 is urging voters to approve a 0.2 percent increase to the local sales tax that pays for C-TRAN bus and paratransit service. I-1125: M UCKING UP TRANSPORTATION FUNDING Initiative Measure 1125, authored by peren- nial union foe Tim Eyman, would forbid tolls that varied by day of the week or time of day, or tolling one bridge to pay for another. It would also take away the responsibility of setting toll rates from an independent non-partisan commission and give it to the Washington Legislature instead. If it passes, Washington would be the only state to set tolls by legislature. The measure is opposed by a coalition of business and labor groups known as Keep Washington Rolling that also includes environmental and community groups and state and local Democratic Party organizations. They say the measure would politicize tolling and make funding more volatile, thus driving up bond in- terest rates and making the Columbia River Crossing, Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct, and other projects unaffordable. I-1183: P RIVATIZING LIQUOR SALES Initiative Measure 1183, funded by Costco, would close 165 state liquor stores and sell their assets, and license private parties — if they have 10,000 square feet or more of retail space — to sell and distribute liquor. It would also eliminate the requirement that wine and liquor be sold at a uniform price. Washingtonians just last year voted down two similar initiatives, but Costco has in- vested $11 million to persuade voters to change their minds. The measure’s critics — including 22 labor organizations signed onto the Protect Our Communities coalition — say it would allow four times as many liquor outlets, and give big box chains an advantage over little stores. Team- sters and United Food and Commercial Workers in particular are opposed to the measure, because it would eliminate family-wage jobs for their members. While Washington State Labor Council, AFL- CIO, opposes I-1125 and I-1183, it’s recom- mending a “yes” vote on another measure — I NI - TIATIVE 1163. Supported by Service Employees International Union, I-1163 would require long- term care workers to get training and certification. “Currently Washington requires licenses for peo- ple who cut hair, but not for people who care for the elderly in their homes,” said WSLC spokesperson David Groves. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense.” WSLC is also endorsing Vancouver state rep- resentative Sharon Wylie (Democrat, 49th Dis- trict). Wylie was appointed in April to fill the seat of Jim Jacks, who resigned. She must win an off- year election to keep the seat. P ENNIES FOR TRANSIT In Clark County, labor groups are urging pas- sage of C-TRAN Proposition 1. The measure would increase the local sales tax by 0.2 percent — two pennies on a 10 dollar purchase — to pre- serve C-TRAN bus and paratransit service. The tax is currently 0.5 percent. Without it, C-TRAN will have to cut service by 35 percent — elimi- nating 14 routes, all Sunday service and the Ca- mas Connector, and reducing the hours and fre- quency of the remaining service. The measure is backed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, which represents C-TRAN employees, as well as Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48, Laborers, and Carpenters. Find out more at www.preserveourbuses.com. Ballots are being mailed Oct. 21 and must be postmarked by Nov. 8 to be counted (this is unlike Oregon, where ballots must be received by Elec- tion Day.) Labor Council weighs in on Clackamas County urban renewal district measures The Northwest Oregon Labor Council’s (NOLC) Executive Board has taken action on several ballot measures that will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot in various cities and counties within its jurisdic- tion. In Clackamas County, the labor council is backing Ballot Measure 3- 388. Referred to voters by the county Board of Commissioners, the measure requires local voting on all proposed urban renewal districts in unincorpo- rated Clackamas County. The measure would require residents within the boundaries of a potential urban re- newal district to vote to approve it be- fore it can be created — and not the entire county. “This allows residents who would be most affected by a urban renewal district, and most familiar with the needs of the area, to vote,” Commis- sioner Ann Lininger told the NOLC Executive Board. The measure was referred to voters as an alternative to another measure on the November ballot. Ballot Meas- ure 3-386 would require all Clacka- mas County residents to vote prior to creation of a new urban renewal area (Turn to Page 5) K now Y our r ights I f your employer forces you to work In dangerous work condItIons you can make a confIdentIal report to osHa by callIng (800) 922-2689. PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 21, 2011
