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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2018)
SERVING ORGANIZED LABOR IN OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON SINCE 1900 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS Hall of Shamers VOLUME 119, NUMBER 23 IN THIS ISSUE EXIT INTERVIEW Washington’s top union leader shares insights from his 40 years in the movement. | Page 2 THE REST OF THE STORY: A look back at stories we reported in 2018 … and what happened after | Page 4 Meeting notices p.23 Union-made gift guide p.18 PORTLAND, OREGON DECEMBER 21, 2018 UNION DEMOCRACY The millionaire union member athletes who crossed hotel maid strike picket lines Boeing Machinist Larry Brown wins close race to lead Washington AFL-CIO It’s bad enough when members of the public cross a strike picket line. It’s worse when union members do, and worse still when those union members are millionaire athletes who are looked up to by children as role models. But that’s what hap- pened at the Boston Ritz-Carlton Hotel when 1,500 union maids and bellhops walked off the job for better wages and benefits — part of a wave of strikes by UNITE HERE members at Mar- riott hotels in seven cities. Their livelihoods on the line, striking members of UNITE HERE Lo- cal 26 in Boston paid close at- tention to who was crossing their picket line. Among the first to do so were the New York Yankees, in town to play the Red Sox. Talk about giving baseball fans one more reason to hate the Yankees. [During their stay at the struck By Don McIntosh Washington State Labor Coun- cil (WSLC) will have new leadership Jan. 5. After a closely contested race, veteran Machinist union political direc- tor Larry Brown was elected president with the support of affiliated unions totaling 52.1 percent of WSLC’s member- ship. Brown outpolled Lynne Dodson — WSLC’s current secretary-treasurer — who was backed by outgoing WSLC president Jeff Johnson and af- filiated unions totaling 47.9 percent. Dodson was on a ticket alongside WSLC Politi- cal Director April Sims, who ran unopposed for WSLC sec- retary-treasurer. The election results, an- nounced Dec. 6, also included 28 other members of the WSLC Executive Board. WSLC is the coordinating Ritz-Carlton, picketers switched their “No contact, no peace” chant for “Yankees suck.”] Next to cross were the Los Angeles Dodgers, also in town for games against the Red Sox. The Dodgers tried to dodge bad publicity by entering the Ritz- Carlton through the back door, but were caught on camera by strikers. And baseballers weren’t the only union member athletes to earn disgrace. Three NBA teams also scabbed. The Boston Celtics hosted a fundraiser at the Westin Boston Waterfront, a Marriott property. And the Or- lando Magic and Chicago Bulls, in town for games against the Boston Celtics, crossed the same UNITE HERE picket line at the Ritz-Carlton. In the National Hockey Turn to Page 17 Washington State Labor Council President Larry Brown says his first task will be to reach out to those who voted for Lynne Dodson. body for more than 600 AFL- CIO-affiliated local unions in Washington, representing about 450,000 workers. In the contest for WSLC president, Brown was backed by the Machinists, Teamsters, Fire Fighters, and most build- ing trades unions, while Dod- son had the support of United Food and Commercial Work- ers and most public sector unions. The two candidates waged an energetic but respect- ful campaign from June to De- cember. Brown, praising Dod- son as a trailblazer and champ- ion for social justice, said his first job will be to reach out to her supporters. Brown, 64, said he wants to see WSLC focus on core labor issues, while empowering its affiliated constituency groups to work on issues of social jus- tice. Brown has served as leg- islative and political director for Machinists (IAM) District Council 751 since 2006. A self- described aerospace geek, he Turn to Page 26 A Labor of Love L The Presents from Partners holiday party is all about putting smiles on kids’ faces. abor unions from Oregon and Southwest Wash- ington came together to host a fabulous holi- day party Dec. 15 for families experiencing difficult times. Nearly 400 kids from toddlers to teens, and their parents or caregivers, enjoyed the festivities. Labor’s Community Service Agency, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, members from 40 union lo- cals, and 15 labor allies donated toys and cash for the event. Each child took home three gifts, plus a game, sports ball, book, and stuffed animal. Sev- enty bikes were donated by the ILWU Local 8 Credit Union. Kids also got a Christmas stocking made by retirees of the American Federation of Teachers- Oregon; a hot lunch donated by Spin Catering; and cake made by members of Bakers Local 114. There was face painting and coloring, and, of course, some face time with Santa Claus, played by Car- penter Marcus Rodriguez. United Food and Com- mercial Workers Local 555 set up shop to hand out a bag of groceries to each family; and IBEW & United Workers Credit Union sponsored a room for kids to pick out and wrap a gift for their parents, as well as a clothing boutique of quality used clothes for parents to choose from. “This day defines soli- darity,” said LCSA Executive Director Eryn Byram. “Although the economy is booming, families are struggling with heavy healthcare bills and unsus- tainable housing costs. The love given to this pro- gram, union-wide, is breathtaking. Thank you, or- ganized labor!” 400 KIDS 260 ADULTS 170 VOLUNTEERS Photos by Michael Gutwig
