Boeing decision "bad for company, employees and shareholders"

SPEEA Executive Director Ray Goforth says Boeing executives' decision to locate a second 787 assembly line in South Carolina "is bad for the company and employees and will ultimately be bad for shareholders." In a guest column in today's Seattle Times, he writes, "The 787 is a money pit, siphoning manpower and cash from the 747-8, Air Force tanker and other critical programs. Boeing Chicago's decision to outsource design, engineering and manufacturing failed. Instead of concentrating efforts to get the 787 back on track and in the air, Boeing leaders decided money is better spent setting up a new production line. This will further delay the profitability point of the 787 by nearly doubling capital investment." Read more.

Crystal Springs Waters workers will vote Nov. 23 on unionizing

The drivers and warehouse employees with Crystal Springs Waters will be voting on Monday, Nov. 23 on representation with Teamsters Local 231, an affiliate of the Washington State Labor Council. The union reports that these workers are receiving a daily barrage of anti-union propaganda from union-busting consultants brought up from California. The Teamsters ask that all union members and supporters of workplace democracy, especially those of you who are clients of Crystal Springs Water, to reassure these employees about the benefits of having a voice at work, the right to collectively bargain and a union contract. Thanks for your support. 

Health care news:

►  Today from AP -- House to take up health care overhaul this week -- The U.S. House of Representatives will take up a sweeping healthcare reform bill later this week, House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer says. "It is our intention either Friday or Saturday to have this bill on the floor," Hoyer tells reporters, adding that House votes could occur on Monday and Tuesday of next week as well.

►  In today's NY Times -- Senate pressing insurers on amount of premiums they spend on care -- The health insurance industry likes to cite figures showing that 87 cents of every dollar in premiums is spent on medical claims. But a new Senate analysis suggests that for-profit insurance companies are spending as little as 66 cents of each premium dollar toward doctor and hospital bills, while the rest covers administrative expenses, marketing and profits.

►  From AP -- Health care plan hits rich with big tax increases -- The House bill is funded largely from a 5.4% tax on individuals making more than $500,000 a year and couples making more than $1 million, starting in 2011. The tax increase would hit only 0.3% of tax filers, raising $460.5 billion over the next 10 years, according to congressional estimates.

►  At NYTimes.com -- Health bill worse than "terrorist," Republican says -- “I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country,” says Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.).

Local news:

It's Election Day: Mail your ballots by today!

The Washington State Labor Council urges all union members and their families to vote in today's important election, and to oppose Initiative 1033, to approve Referendum 71, and to contact your Central Labor Councils for information about labor endorsements in local races. Your mail-in ballot must be postmarked or delivered to a drop box today to count in the election. Check out your County Auditor's website for a list of ballot drop boxes in your area.

►  In today's Olympian -- New state agency for open records? -- A task force wants the Legislature should create a new Office of Open Records that can sort out disputes, giving citizens a place they can go – outside of court and costly legal actions – when their requests for documents are rejected or ignored by state agencies, cities, counties or other government jurisdictions.

►  In today's Olympian -- Olympia notifies 14 of layoffs -- The city employees were told Monday that they will probably lose their jobs in January, part of about 27 fulltime positions City Manager Steve Hall plans to eliminate next year in a massive reorganization of city government.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Edmonds turns over firefighting duties to Fire District 1 -- The Edmonds City Council votes 6-1 to have Snohomish County Fire District 1 take over the city’s century-old fire department, approving a $6.2 million, 20-year contract with the fire district.

►  In today's Oregonian -- Sanyo Electric plant opens new solar panel plant in Salem -- Oregon's  investment -- nearly $45 million in tax incentives and grants -- hinges on Sanyo's success. Together, the subsidies total about $225,000 per job if the company employs 200.

Flu news:

►  In today's NY Times -- Lack of paid sick days may worsen flu pandemic -- Public health experts worried about the spread of the H1N1 flu are raising concerns that workers who deal with the public, like waiters and child care employees, are jeopardizing others by reporting to work sick because they do not get paid for days they miss for illness. Tens of millions of people, or about 40% of all private-sector workers, do not receive paid sick days. As a result many cannot afford to stay home when they are ill. Even some companies that provide paid sick days have policies that make it difficult to call in sick, like giving demerits when someone misses a day.

►  In today's Olympian -- Budget cuts limit H1N1 flu response -- The springtime Thurston County budget cuts, which contributed to a more than 15% cut to staff in the Public Health and Social Services department, has affected the county's ability to provide mass vaccination clinics and has affected its pandemic flu response to the H1N1 influenza virus, department officials report.

►  In today's LA Times -- Shortage of flu vaccines leaves health-care workers vulnerable -- On the front lines of the H1N1 outbreak, tens of thousands of local doctors and nurses are scrambling to get vaccinated. One nurse says it's like "asking us to fight a war without protection."

National news:

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Mediation board proposes democratizing airline, rail elections -- The National Mediation Board on Monday proposed changes to airline and rail election rules to mirror the rules that govern every other democratic election -- the outcome is decided by the side that receives the majority of votes cast. Under current rules, every worker who does not cast a vote is counted as a vote against forming a union.

►  From AP -- Rule would boost unions at airlines, railroads -- "The current rules embrace a veto by silent principle that is not only unfair, it is undemocratic," said Edward Wytkind of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Dept. "Just because a worker does not vote doesn’t mean he or she does not want a union; it just means he or she didn’t vote."

►  In today's LA Times -- Obama urges bold action to create jobs as economy gains strength -- Ford's surprisingly strong quarterly earnings and other upbeat economic reports contrast sharply with the rising U.S. unemployment.

►  In today's Wall St. Journal -- Pensions for executives on rise -- Pensions for top executives rose an average of 19% in 2008, with more than 200 executives seeing pensions increase more than 50%.