Union-busting at Pt Ruston - Thompson & Smitch helps Mike Cohen

Tim Thompson and Robert Thoms: Why Union-bust?
- when you should stand for worker rights -

Developer Mike Cohen has hired lobbyist consultant firm Thompson & Smitch to run his campaign to convert one of the most toxic sites in the nation into the $1B luxury village Point Ruston.  This campaign relies on union-busting to prevent workers from telling the public about Pt Ruston's shocking toxic dangers. 

Since Thompson & Smitch have started on Mr. Cohen's campaign, the Pt Ruston immigrant workers have reported severe union-busting tactics:  threats of violence, mass firings, captive audience anti-union sessions, and shifting crews to divide workers.  A rash of unfair labor practice charges are pending at the Bush-crippled Federal Labor Board.  On October 16, seven law enforcement vehicles including Homeland Security raided the site and rumors and a more fear spread.  These tactics are sadly typical in a national epidemic of union-busting that worker advocates expect a new President, Congress, and state Legislature to fix, pushed by our growing movement.

Thompson & Smitch has used its influence to erode worker rights that government officials should be enforcing in the fourth most union dense state in the nation.  Among its clients, Thompson & Smitch claims Governor Gregoire and other leaders and organizations that take working family contributions.  The Governor leads Labor & Industries and Ecology that oversee the site.  Working directly for Mr. Cohen are Tim Thompson and Robert Thoms, the firm’s heads, whose long-time relations include US Senator Cantwell and US Rep Dicks who oversee EPA, Homeland Security, and the Labor Board.  Is there no wonder why government officials do not act with urgency or integrity?

The workers have been assisted by several unions, religious leaders, and JwJ despite threats of lawsuits.  They have raised these issues on Spanish-talk radio and in their local Catholic Churches, filmed an interview at Univision, retained a community attorney, and sought redress at State and Federal levels.  Nearby residents have also appealed to City of Tacoma officials, many other government agencies, and elected leaders.  While this help has improved working conditions, untreated symptoms of toxic poisoning are growing worse.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Union-busting at Pt Ruston - Thompson & Smitch helps Mike Cohen

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I understand that you have either client relations or ties to self-proclaimed worker-friendly legislators such as Governor Gregoire, US Senator Cantwell, and US Rep Dicks. Since your firm has added union-buster Mike Cohen to your list of lucrative clients, I am concerned you have added union-busting to your political consulting services.

Many workers, unions, and green organizations donated to these candidates to achieve a more just future. I don't think donors expected these funds to be spent on a firm like Thompson & Smitch. Should union member money go to a firm that helps union-busters? Should environmentalist funds go to a firm that green-washes toxic contaminators? How long can Thompson & Smitch maintain its clientele while simultaneously advising a union-buster running an ugly anti-worker campaign?

We ask you to uphold the values of the candidates you represent and the leaders you lobby. We ask that you urge your client, Mr. Cohen, to respect worker rights by adopting a community benefit agreement such as the one recently publicized in the Seattle PI: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/377412_goodwill03.html. If your client refuses, we ask that you stop doing his dirty work.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 26, 2008


Background Information

In a civil workplace, government should investigate and resolve these issues. Thompson and Smitch helps cover for the Pt Ruston sweatshop and union-busting by lobbying government decision-makers that oversee regulators. 

Corruption at L&I? – An activist Governor could make a difference
In dealing with one of the most toxic sites in the nation, why does state Labor and Industries (L&I) continue to withhold results from a July investigation of practices ongoing today, refuse to test Pt Ruston workers for poisoning, and permit Pt Ruston bosses to retaliate against whistle-blowers and to deprive workers their results from early October medical tests?  Does it have to do with Mr. Cohen’s race against weather to finish outdoor work with the crew under investigation? 

How did Pt Ruston bosses know to switch work crews hours before an L&I site inspection?  Why does L&I allow Mr. Cohen to keep immigrant workers in the dark about rights to doctor-patient confidentiality and to know about poison prevention and treatment? 

Federal EPA fox guarding the henhouse? – Sen. Cantwell hearings are needed
Why do daily on-site EPA staff not insist that Mr. Cohen properly train, equip, and protect Pt Ruston workers from toxic poisons?  Could EPA be giving Mr. Cohen a free pass to avoid the costs of training, equipment, and the living wages it takes to retain specialized workers? 

When Mr. Cohen switches work crews for indoor skills, will EPA and L&I allow him to dump healthcare responsibilities for the toxic exposed outdoor workers and their families who have no company provided health insurance?  

Does US Rep Dicks fight “terrorism” for Mr. Cohen?
If EPA and L&I are neutered, why is Homeland Security so zealous?  Is there international terrorism at the Pt Ruston site or is it a matter of helping the company terrorize immigrant workers?  When Mr. Cohen donated $2300 to Mr. Dicks last June, is this what Tim Thompson envisioned? 

Why do local police drive through this toxic site regularly circling the condo under construction that sits 200 yards behind barbed-wire fence?  Has Tacoma City Councilmember Rick Talbert asked for these stepped up patrols on private property as part of cozy relations established with Mr. Cohen?  Are police getting the EPA-approved hazmat training course and medical testing before entering the property that Pt Ruston workers were denied?

Union-busters go on offense against community solidarity with workers
To counter the Pt Ruston worker campaign for justice, Mr. Thoms has tried to entrap unions as federal anti-trust violators, undercut JwJ funding and support, and mischaracterize resident’s health concerns as union organizing ploys.  He misrepresented himself to community residents as an advocate for Pt Ruston workers failing to disclose his client and saying Mr. Cohen had “f---ed up” and that he was working to address all of the issues. 

When Pt Ruston bosses threatened to sue a church and a radio station for publicizing worker issues, was this part of the Thompson & Smitch strategic plan too?