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)
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PAGE 2
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
OCTOBER 21, 2011