From: WA State Jobs with Justice [mailto:wsjwj@igc.org] On Behalf Of southsound@wsjwj.org
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 6:26 PM
To: southsound@wsjwj.org
Subject:
In this message: Support Tacoma Teamster strikers; Attend SPEEA workshops on job exporting; Tell Tacoma Councilmembers to support city worker rights
Northwest Chemical Transport Drivers on Strike
help picket, any time from 4am to 5pm, dress warmly
2001 Thorne Road, Tacoma Tideflats
This is a basic human rights struggle for a voice at work. Workers unanimously struck after management fired and retaliated against union activists following an overwhelming vote to unionize with Teamsters 117. The workers are organizing to achieve a fair contract that is a “win-win” for both sides. In addition to picketing, contact Pioneer Americas Operations Division at: 1-713-570-3254 to voice our concerns about potential unsafe hauling of their hazardous chemicals through our communities. Directions: Port of Tacoma Rd exit, left on Lincoln, first right onto Thorne Road, NWCT is across from ABF truck (green) terminal
Background
- Northwest Chemical Transport (NWCT) is a tanker truck operation, based in Tacoma, Washington hauling hazardous chemicals such as Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorine Gas to customers throughout the Northwest. These chemicals are manufactured by Pioneer Americas, also based in Tacoma, who contracts with NWCT for delivery of their product to their customers that include municipal and county water districts, wastewater treatment plants, pulp and paper mills and other industrials. The law requires that drivers who haul these hazardous chemicals and gasses undergo rigorous training and have special licenses. These chemicals cannot be delivered safely by just any licensed driver.
- In September of 2005, the nine drivers of NWCT voted overwhelmingly to become members of Teamsters Local Union No. 117. Their employer immediately retaliated by harassing and firing workers for their union activity. The workers and Teamsters have over twenty charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board alleging violations of labor law, and are expecting the Board to issue a complaint very shortly. Five days of bargaining with the employer have achieved little or no progress. At some of these sessions, the employer expressed disdain for the workers and declared futile their attempts to gain a voice at work through a union of their own choosing.
- When NWCT mangers were informed that the workers had authorized a strike, managers flew to Texas to receive abbreviated training in the transport of hazardous chemicals. Managers have also informed the workers that they are preparing to fly scab drivers in from other states to drive their routes. Drivers who are unfamiliar with local roads and weather conditions would be hauling extremely hazardous chemicals through our communities.
Further Info: Contact Brenda Wiest at Teamsters Local Union No. 117 at: 1-888-872-3489, ext. 1256
Two Separate Workshops on Trade & Job Exporting
hosted by SPEEA
Thursdays, March 23rd and 30th from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SPEEA's Tukwila Hall, 15205 52nd Ave. S. (RSVP: 206-433-0991)
Worried about the harmful effects of unfair trade agreements and globalization on our community? Do you care that good, high-wage jobs are lost due to offshore outsourcing? The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, IFPTE Local 2001 is conducting two important workshops on the issues of U.S. trade policy and outsourcing, and all interested union members are invited to attend:
"Why should 19th century trade theory work in a 21st century global economy?" featuring a discussion of comparative advantage, data review, and restoring the conditions of beneficial trade THURSDAY, MARCH 23
"Outsourcing -- Winners and Losers: The smart guys at the top of the value chain aren't us" featuring a discussion of where the U.S. economy is strong, whether education is a solution, and wealth and income inequality. THURSDAY, MARCH 30
Tell Tacoma Councilmembers to Support City Worker Rights
Managers at the City of Tacoma have decided to impose a "Best and Final offer" on the city worker union members of AFSCME Local 120, after having been overwhelmingly rejected by a vote of 75 to 13 by the union's membership. Union members sent a fair counter offer to City negotiators after the vote, but that was ignored. No further negotiations are scheduled.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting this offer at the March 21st Council meeting, at 5:00 PM, 747 Market Street.
In an aggressive move, City Manager Eric Anderson authorized the use of City email and the City's intranet website to send a "Special Edition" email message to every City employee lobbying his position boasting: “the City’s best and final offer includes a general wage increase of 1% as of January 1, 2006, as well as implementing past general increases of 1% effective January 1, 2004 and 2.5% effective January 1, 2005. Anderson neglects to mention his proposed major pay-cuts (see background below) or that there were no raises in 2004 and 2005. In labor law, this is called direct dealing unfair practice and shows disrespect for the democratically elected union leaders by an unelected bureaucrat.
City Council members' email addresses; mlonerga@cityoftacoma.org ; Spiro.Manthou@ci.tacoma.wa.us; Thomas.Stenger@ci.tacoma.wa.us ; rtalbert@cityoftacoma.org ; jfey@ci.tacoma.wa.us; bbaarsma@cityoftacoma.org ; bevans2@cityoftacoma.org ; Julie.Anderson@ci.tacoma.wa.us ; cladenbu@cityoftacoma.org ;
Background
While denying Tacoma workers raises, the City Council continues to give themselves automatic 2.7% salary increases each year.
The City Council also…
· approved salary increases of up to $25,000 per year for some TPU executives and has granted a 2.3% COLA for 2006 to at least three other groups of unionized city workers (one already has an agreement for 100% of the CPI for 2007)
· continues to pay up to $1000 per programmer day ($125.00/hour) to outside consulting services to do work that can and should be done by city workers at a greatly reduced cost.
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