List of resolutions

M.L.King County Labor Council

Resolutions adopted by MLKCLC
(From 2000 on...)

Supporting the AFL-CIO resolution on diversity - 6/20/07
Supporting the Washington Worker Freedom Act - 7/18/07
Calling for increased funding for the King County Reemployment Support Center Program - 7/18/07
Supporting insurance coverage for HPV vaccinations - 7/18/07
Supporting responsible urban development and industrial preservation - 8/1/07
Supporting Teamsters Local 252 and NFFC workers - 9/5/07
Supporting Mayor Nickels' recommendations on industrial land use & jobs - 9/5/07
Supporting United Way public sector workplace campaigns - 10/3/07
Opposing media ownership consolidation - 10/17/07
Opposing the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act - 10/17/07
Supporting GMA Watch - 11/7/07
Supporting the City of Seattle's efforts to modify the state sales/use tax credit - 1/16/08
Supporting the Port of Seattle - 2/6/08
Supporting the coupling of a commuter rail line in the Eastside Corridor with a bike/hiking trail - 2/20/08
Calling upon OWLS to cease and desist interference in ATU Local 587 negotiations - 2/20/08
Opposing the Airbus tanker deal - 3/19/08
Supporting IBEW Local 77 - 4/2/08
Endorsing the May 1, 2008 anti-war march and rally - 4/16/08
Supporting a national holiday celebrating Cesar Chavez - 4/16/08
Opposing government persecution of Costa Rican trade union leaders for opposing ratification and implementation of CAFTA - 4/16/08
Supporting increased funding for the King County Reemployment Support Center - 7/16/08
Supporting funding for the University of Washington Labor Archives - 7/16/08
Supporting the October 10, 2008 Green Careers Expo - 8/20/08
Supporting WFSE Local 1488 workers at the UW - 8/20/08

Resolution supporting life-saving services on the Seattle Waterfront - Adopted 3/1/00
WHEREAS the Seattle Fire Department responded to a union member submerged under a dock in 10 minutes, but did not have SCUBA gear and the Seattle Police Dive Team took 33 minutes to respond from Lake Union; and

WHEREAS the Seattle Fire Department’s Tactical Response Team has trained divers at Station 14 within minutes of the Seattle waterfront; and

WHEREAS Mayor Paul Schell has stated publicly that anyone in the water for three minutes or more will not survive; and

WHEREAS all workers on the waterfront deserve the highest level of protection from drowning regardless of the statistics used by the Mayor to justify removing life-saving equipment from the Fire Department; and

WHEREAS we believe the Firefighters Union and the Police Guild will agree to cooperate with each other concerning jurisdiction of the work; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council request that Mayor Paul Schell allow the Seattle Fire Department to maintain a dive team whose function includes rescue of drowning victims around the Seattle waterfront; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council endorses the mobilization of interested union members for a public rally in remembrance of those who have lost their lives while working on the waterfront and a demonstration for the immediate return of SCUBA equipment to the Firefighters at Station 14; and be it finally

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council publicly thank the Firefighters at Station 14 who have many times risked their own safety to save workers on the Seattle waterfront.

Resolution supporting domestic partnership benefits for state employees - Adopted 4/19/00
WHEREAS this week’s activities are critical in whether the Washington State Public Employee Benefits Board will pass domestic partnership benefits for state employees at its scheduled meeting on May 23rd; and

WHEREAS it is very important that Governor Locke advocate for funding domestic partnership benefits in budget negotiations this week; and

WHEREAS the Governor has not yet taken a public position in support of domestic partnership benefits for state employees; and

WHEREAS the Washington State Federation of Employees, AFSCME and its Gay & Lesbian Employees Task Force is leading a campaign for domestic partnership benefits; and

WHEREAS this campaign is supported by the Pride at Work/Out Front Labor Coalition and several unions, labor leaders and activists; and

WHEREAS providing workplace benefits, such as health insurance, pension and family medical leave, only to married employees’ spouses and denying these benefits to employees’ domestic partners violates the concept of “equal pay for equal work;” and

WHEREAS KCLC strongly supports the concept of non-discrimination in the workplace and has supported domestic partnership as recently as last fall in legislation before the Seattle City Council; be it therefore

RESOLVED that KCLC supports the passage and funding of domestic partnership benefits for state employees, and strongly encourages the state to cover both opposite-sex domestic partners as well as same-sex domestic partners, though a phasing-in for same-sex partner coverage first may be acceptable if funding restrictions allow for no other option; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC contact the Governor this week regarding the passage of this resolution, fax a letter to the Washington State Public Employee Benefit Board within the month regarding the passage of this resolution, and fax press releases to Seattle media on this matter within the week.

Resolution regarding Seattle’s DWLS Impoundment Law - Adopted 4/19/00
WHEREAS most workers in our County need a car to access family wage jobs with union benefits — especially in the construction industry; and

WHEREAS the lack of transportation is a barrier for diverse and low-income applicants to State Apprenticeship Council apprentice training leading to job skills with union wages; and

WHEREAS the city of Seattle’s 1999 Driving While License Suspended Impoundment Law was intended to get dangerous drivers off the road but instead has resulted in seizing cars from low income workers whose only crime is their inability to pay off their parking, insurance and minor traffic tickets; and

WHEREAS African-American workers are six times as likely as white workers to have their cars impounded — a condition that is in part caused by the police practice of racial profiling; and

WHEREAS few relicensing programs exist to help low-income workers enter into time payments or other arrangements on their outstanding tickets; and

WHEREAS Washington State requires drivers to have liability insurance but does not offer any low cost insurance for low-income drivers; be it therefore

RESOLVED that KCLC go on record supporting the amendment proposed by Councilmembers Licata and McIver to the city of Seattle’s DWLS Impoundment Law. This amendment would limit impoundments to persons whose licenses were suspended or revoked due to unsafe or dangerous driving, such as reckless driving, DUI, or hit and run; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC support the amendment by scheduling a grassroots lobbying meeting with Councilmember Heidi Wills, who has not yet indicated her support for the amendment, and encouraging KCLC affiliates — especially building trades members — to take action supporting the amendment and speaking out on behalf of low-income workers.

Resolution regarding Interim Executive Secretary Selection Process - Adopted 4/19/00
WHEREAS we fully support the Executive Board appointment process mandated by the KCLC bylaws; and

WHEREAS filling the vacant Executive Secretary leadership position is critical to the continued growth and vitality of the county’s labor movement; and

WHEREAS we believe that there are sound trade union principles that we know the Executive Board will be considering in their deliberation of the process for appointment of this vacancy; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the KCLC Executive Board endeavor to promote an open process for candidate debate and consideration, including a forum open to all KCLC delegates and an interview process by the Executive Board.

Resolution supporting the use of the City’s developer incentive programs to promote requirements that improve the quality of jobs - Adopted 6/7/00
WHEREAS many workers in service and retail jobs in downtown Seattle make less than $10 per hour working in jobs that are part time, provide no health benefits, are not unionized and fail to provide a living wage for them and their families; and

WHEREAS the City of Seattle, through its various taxpayer-financed housing and developer incentive programs can provide only a fraction of the amount needed to fund housing for the low-wage jobs associated with downtown office and hotel development; and

WHEREAS increasing union density leads to increasing wages and benefits for workers, can enable them to afford non-subsidized housing and is a necessary element of any anti-poverty program; and

WHEREAS and advisory committee was formed to consider changes to the City’s incentive programs that address the housing and social impacts of commercial downtown development and the Labor Council requested but was declined committee membership; and

WHEREAS the advisory committee’s report does not address improving the quality of jobs in hotels and other developments in order to lessen the need for affordable housing subsidies; and

WHEREAS the Seattle City Council is scheduled to review and adopt the advisory committee’s report as city policy; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council urges the Mayor and the City Council to use the City’s developer incentive programs to promote requirements that improve the quality of jobs; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council urges the Mayor and the City Council to require downtown developers to assess the social impacts of their projects and to contribute resources for affordable housing equal to the demand created by low-wage jobs associated with their developments, and that any discounts should be based only on other commitments by the developer/operator to provide quality jobs and to be a responsible employer.

Resolution opposing the establishment of a McDonald’s in Seattle’s International District - Adopted 6/21/00
WHEREAS, McDonald’s violates child labor laws worldwide and is hostile to union organizing; and

WHEREAS, McDonald’s will unfairly compete with small businesses and undersell restaurants while helping to gentrify the International District by paying expensive rent, setting the standard of high rent that only wealthy businesses can afford and stripping away opportunities for small businesses to establish themselves, especially among immigrant families; and

WHEREAS, McDonald’s will take away opportunities for future small businesses to establish themselves and offer jobs by businesses invested in the community; and

WHEREAS, McDonald’s does not belong in an Asian American historical district based on its product or the nature of its business because it does not reflect the history or culture of the Chinatown International District; and

WHEREAS, a McDonald’s would insult the history of the International district with its exploitative labor practices as in its history, the International District housed many exploited Asian cannery workers who fought for unions in their line of work, like Carlos Bulosan; and

WHEREAS, McDonald’s would pave the way for other multinational companies to establish themselves in the International District, and the neighborhood will lose all aspects of its identity and character; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that the King County Labor Council adamantly opposes the establishment of McDonald’s in the Chinatown International District at 501 S. Jackson St. or any other location in the International District.

Resolution opposing funding cuts at King County DSHS Community Service Offices - Adopted 7/19/00
WHEREAS, King County DSHS Community Service Offices are facing staffing cuts of 99 full-time equivalents (FTEs); and

WHEREAS, this staffing cut results from a flawed DSHS allocation process and is being presided over by a management corps which grew by 312 positions from July 1, 1999 to December 10, 1999; and

WHEREAS, these staffing cuts will result in a 20% front line staffing cut in offices like the Belltown Community Service Office in Seattle which serves one of the largest caseloads of homeless, mentally ill, aged and disabled populations in the state; and

WHEREAS, the Belltown CSO has a Native American Outreach program which has been honored by the state and which is now being eliminated by these cuts in staffing; and

WHEREAS, the Belltown CSO has an employment program for homeless adults which is a national model called the PACE program which is now being eliminated due to these cuts in staffing; and

WHEREAS, the Belltown CSO originated the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) facilitation program which saves the state millions of dollars annually and is now facing a 50% cut due to these cuts in staffing; and

WHEREAS, all of these cuts will damage all Community Service Offices in the state by impacting their ability to serve the aged and the disabled; and

WHEREAS, these cuts seem to be part of a management plan to eliminate all social services in the Community Services Offices on a piecemeal basis; and

WHEREAS, legislative leaders from the 36^th and 43^rd districts have stated that these cuts and the damage that will result to vulnerable populations were not the intent of the legislature; and

WHEREAS, community organizations like the Washington Association of Churches, Columbia Legal Services, Seattle Displacement Coalition, Downtown Human Services Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Chief Seattle Club, Seattle Indian Health Board, United Indians of All Tribes, and others have all opposed these cuts; and

WHEREAS, DSHS Administration could be making other cuts which would not cripple the Community Service Offices’ abilities to provide vital social services to the public; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that the King County Labor Council go on record as opposing these cuts; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the King County Labor Council demands that DSHS management present to the Washington Federation of State Employees their plan for each local Community Service Office to maintain the current programs and services at their present levels.

Resolution supporting workers at the Kent Starbucks roasting plant - Adopted 8/16/00
WHEREAS Starbucks maintenance mechanics and technicians in Kent, Washington organized into the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 286 in November 1999 in order to win a voice on the job and decent pay and benefits; and

WHEREAS Starbucks spends millions advertising itself as a community and worker friendly company, but its real agenda has been to expand globally by keeping workers without collective bargaining rights and with inferior benefits; and

WHEREAS Starbucks hired out of town attorneys from Akin, Gump, a firm known for union-busting in the entertainment industry, and who handled labor negotiations for the 5^th Avenue Theater against Musicians Local 76-493; and

WHEREAS Starbucks has stalled bargaining and concealed documents, has installed a surveillance camera in the lunch room in an attempt to intimidate workers, has threatened union supporters, and has told workers they will lose benefits under a union contract; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council has a proud history and tradition of supporting workers fighting for collective bargaining and a voice at work; and

WHEREAS KCLC is committed to the principle that “An injury to one is an injury to all"; be it therefore

RESOLVED that KCLC commits to support Local 286 and its members in a fight for a just contract at Starbucks; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC commits to organize for picketing and other demonstrations called by the local in support of winning a first contract at Starbucks; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC directs its Mobilizing Committee to work with Local 286 and all interested affiliates in building for a major mobilization action in late September; and be it finally

RESOLVED that KCLC immediately forward this resolution to the Washington State Labor Council and the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council for adoption at their conventions later this month.

Resolution commending police officers who ‘protect and serve’ - Adopted 8/16/00
WHEREAS the Seattle Police Guild has honored Officer Tommie Doran as “Officer of the Month”; and

WHEREAS the president of the Police Guild has been quoted in the press as stating that “nearly every police officer involved in a fatal shooting in the past couple of decades has been honored by the Police Guild as a way for the Guild to recognize and support its members during a time of struggle”; and

WHEREAS organized labor has historically been a leader in developing and supporting public policies that help working families build safer, stronger communities; and

WHEREAS in keeping with that tradition of community leadership, we believe that our societal tendency toward violence must be rejected and non-violent alternatives must be highlighted; and

WHEREAS it is incumbent upon our public safety personnel to provide the best possible role models; be it therefore

RESOLVED that KCLC, on behalf of the 150,000 members of its 155 affiliated locals, commend those police officers who demonstrated restraint and discipline in attempting to reach a peaceful resolution to the David Walker confrontation; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC urge the Seattle City Council to mandate crisis intervention training for all police and security officers, with periodic reviews and public access to any current and future negotiations or data regarding instances of the kind now being discussed in the community; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC urge the Seattle City Council and the Metropolitan King County Council to examine increased funding for community mental health services so people in need can receive therapeutic services rather than being at risk in the community or criminal justice system; and be it finally

RESOLVED that public recognition and commendations be awarded to public safety personnel who find non-violent solutions to difficult confrontations in keeping with the Seattle Police motto: “To protect and to serve.”

Resolution opposing making high school transcripts available to employers - Adopted 8/16/00
WHEREAS the Partnership for Learning, including the Association of Washington Business and the Chamber of Commerce, has requested union locals to endorse employers being able to request high school transcripts when hiring students or recent graduates; and

WHEREAS employers have used such personal information against workers in the past; be it therefore

RESOLVED that we oppose this discriminatory effort; and be it further

RESOLVED that KCLC send a letter with this resolution to the Partnership for Learning, the Association of Washington Business, and the Chamber of Commerce and that a copy of this letter be sent to the Washington State Labor Council and KCLC affiliates.

Resolution supporting the August 21st rally calling for non-discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America - Adopted 8/16/00
WHEREAS the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) national office advocates their policy of prohibiting openly gay youth, adults and families from participating in their organization at any level; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council is strongly on record in favor of non-discrimination; and

WHEREAS the Out Front Labor Coalition/Pride at Work, AFL-CIO and Scouting for All are co-sponsoring a rally on Monday, August 21st, the call for non-discrimination within the BSA; and

WHEREAS a number of organizations are endorsing the rally, including Safe Schools Coalition, Hands Off Washington/Equality Washington, American Friends Service Committee, People’s Coalition for Justice, Coalition for Enforceable Discrimination Laws, NW Women’s Law Center, Fairness Lobby, SEAMEC, Pacific Northwest Reconciling Congregations Network, Seattle Gay Culture Center, and the Seattle Chapter of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians & Gays (P-FLAG); be it therefore

RESOLVED that KCLC endorses the rally calling for non-discrimination and issue press releases to local media as soon as possible.

Resolution supporting life-saving services on the Seattle Waterfront - Adopted 9/6/00
WHEREAS Mayor Paul Schell’s corporate concept of “acceptable risk” against having a rescue dive team has once more resulted in another death of a union brother; and

WHEREAS this last accident, one of a number of recent accidents, on the waterfront of the City of Seattle should not, as the Mayor believes, be a cost-saving body recovery operation only; and

WHEREAS the City of Seattle, with its extensive waterfront, needs the capabilities of the Seattle Fire Department’s Tactical Response Team with full SCBA in all stations that are first responders to the Seattle waterfront; and

WHEREAS all workers and users of the waterfront deserve the highest level of protection from drowning, regardless of the statistics used by the City to justify removing life-saving equipment from the Fire Department; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council take a firm position in favor of the recent position of the Mayor to return SCBA Rescue Diving capabilities to the Seattle Fire Department’s Tactical Response Team; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council endorse increased funding for the Seattle Fire Department for water rescue capabilities that will be standards to which the rest of the world aspires; and be it finally

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council publicly thank, on behalf of the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific and all workers of the City of Seattle, the firefighters who have many times risked their own safety to save workers and users of the Seattle waterfront.

Resolution supporting Seattle City Council legislation enhancing renters’ rights - Adopted 12/6/00
WHEREAS the King County Labor Council asserts that workers, communities and tenants are stronger and better when they are organized; and

WHEREAS the Labor Council supports the rights of tenants to organize to better address their housing and political issues; and

WHEREAS retaliation by landlords is a significant barrier to the efforts by tenants to organize themselves to achieve better quality and more affordable housing; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council supports the legislation proposed by Councilmember Judy Nicastro to enhance protections for renters against landlord retaliation and urges the Seattle City Council to pass the legislation.

Resolution supporting workforce and artist housing in the Tashiro Kaplan Building - Adopted 12/6/00
WHEREAS the housing crisis in King County is deepening as housing prices soar and the wages of low-wage workers stagnate; and

WHEREAS King County has the ability to use its powers and resources to address the County’s affordable housing problems; and

WHEREAS for the purpose of providing housing for low-wage workers and for artists, the County designated the Tashiro Kaplan Building in Pioneer Square as surplus property; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council urges the government of King County to fulfill its commitment to use the Tashiro Kaplan Building to address the housing needs of low-wage workers and artists.

Resolution supporting a ban on imports from Burma - Adopted 1/3/01
WHEREAS an ILO commission found that slave labor is pervasive in Burma and that these findings are based on years of documentation, including a fact-finding mission and hundreds of eyewitness reports and hearings; and

WHEREAS the military rulers of Burma profit from the export of goods especially apparel products, into the American market; and

WHEREAS the National Labor Committee has reported that U.S. apparel imports from Burma have increased by 272% since 1995 and increased 143% in the first six months of the year 2000 alone; and

WHEREAS the International Labor Organization (ILO) in November 2000 took the strongest action possible and for the first time in its history has called for the nations of the world to halt any aid, trade or relationship that helps the Burmese military dictatorship remain in power; and

WHEREAS the AFL-CIO and the democratically elected Burmese government in exile have asked President Clinton to sign an Executive Order to bar imports from Burma in accord with the ILO call for multilateral sanctions; and

WHEREAS an important focus of the WTO protests in Seattle was on the issues of labor rights in the global economy; and

WHEREAS January 4th is Burma’s Independence Day and is the day Burma democracy activists are calling for a National Day of Action to pressure the Clinton Administration to act; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, endorses the National Day of Action for Burmese Freedom on January 4th; and be it further

RESOLVED KCLC urge affiliates to call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111 to tell President Clinton to sign the Executive Order banning imports from Burma; and be it finally

RESOLVED that KCLC urge affiliates to call our Congressional Delegation at 202-224-3121 for the Senate and 202-225-3121 for the House and ask them to co-sponsor House Bill HR5603 and Senate Bill S3246 which support banning imports from Burma.

Resolution supporting International Women's Day - Adopted 2/7/01
WHEREAS, International Women’s Day is annually recognized on March 8th, and March is recognized as Women’s History Month; and

WHEREAS, President Bush’s administration has sent a shot against women’s rights with the appointment of John Ashcroft as Attorney General, whose nomination the Washington State Labor Council and the AFL-CIO opposed; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that KCLC joins and endorses the call by NOW, NARAL, Home Alive, CARA, LELO, and Planned Parenthood and others for a local rally this spring to advance women’s rights to health, safety, and economic justice; and be it further

RESOLVED, that KCLC mobilize its membership to attend such a march and rally; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that KCLC support and participate in building the event and issue press releases to the media to alert them of the march and rally.

Resolution supporting criminal justice system reform - Adopted 2/7/01
WHEREAS the resolution passed unanimously by the delegates of the King County Labor Council on August 16, 2000, stated our belief that our societal tendency toward violence must be rejected and non-violent alternatives must be highlighted; and

WHEREAS the resolution also called for increased funding for community mental health services, so people in need can receive therapeutic services rather than being at risk in the community or criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council actively endorsed and participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration with the theme of “Reform the Criminal Justice System NOW”; and

WHEREAS since 1976 over 90 innocent people have been released from death row, but one person has been exonerated for every seven executed, and “an accused person may stand virtually defenseless — facing the death penalty, as his lawyer sleeps through the trial, be condemned to die without any adversarial process to determine guilt and punishment; and be denied any post-conviction review, because a lawyer misses a deadline or fails to raise any issues” — Attorney Stephen B. Bright, director, Southern Center for Human Rights; and

WHEREAS there is now available for “entertainment” a figure of a condemned person strapped into an electric chair with a telephone on the wall which, when you push a button, the figure will convulse and cry out “Is that the best you can do, you pansies?” as his eyes flash red. On the box, it states the device is not suitable for children aged 3 or under as there are small parts that a child could choke on; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the members of the King County Labor Council join together with other coalitions in the community to demand that teaching our children that the use of torture and capital punishment as entertainment is unacceptable in our society; and be it further

RESOLVED that we demand a moratorium on capital punishment to allow time to determine if the constitutional rights of our brothers and sisters are being fully protected in the courts.

Resolution supporting the defense of domestic partner benefits for state employees - Adopted 2/7/01
WHEREAS equal pay for equal work is a basic labor value; and

WHEREAS a worker’s sexual orientation has nothing to do with his or her qualifications or work performance; and

WHEREAS the recent extension of benefits by the PEBB to the domestic partners of state employees was a labor-sponsored and labor-supported action; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council commits itself to the defense of domestic partner benefits for state employees and will use its lobby influence in the State Legislature to that end.

Resolution supporting Washington-built ferries - Adopted 2/21/01
WHEREAS the Washington State Department of Transportation Marine Division (Ferry System) is considering building between four and six new ferries in the next few years; and

WHEREAS the building of new ferries in Washington State will provide for economic opportunities for businesses and family wage jobs, benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities; and

WHEREAS Washington State tax dollars should be spent in Washington to stimulate the state’s economy and give our citizens the benefit of the multiplier effect; and

WHEREAS Washington State must maintain a viable shipbuilding and ship repair industry to service the important maritime industry; and

WHEREAS Washington State shipyard workers have a deserved reputation as the best in the world; and

WHEREAS Washington State has among the best safety and health standards for shipyard workers in the world; and

WHEREAS Washington State taxpayers and ferry riders deserve reliable, well-built vessels; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council go on record and actively promotes the building of new ferries in the state of Washington and adopt the theme “Build Them in Washington;” and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council forward this resolution to the Washington State Labor Council for consideration, support the Build Them in Washington theme and do everything in its power to promote and urge the legislature to authorize laws to have new ferries built in the state of Washington.

Resolution in support of April 21, 2001 Whatcom Central Labor Council rally - Adopted 3/7/01
WHEREAS last year the AFL-CIO launched an ambitious Campaign for Global Fairness – a multi-year, multi-issue campaign to build international solidarity, educate our members, incorporate workers’ rights into international trade and investment agreements and hold corporations accountable for their actions globally and locally; and

WHEREAS we will continue and expand our work to build alliances and solidarity with our sisters and brothers in developing countries – both organized and unorganized – to bridge the growing divide in wealth, education, technology, health, services and the protection of workers; and

WHEREAS this year will be a crucial turning point in the ongoing negotiations toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and we must make our voices heard in this debate; and

WHEREAS trade ministers and heads of state in the Western Hemisphere will hold a Trade Summit of the Americas in Quebec City in mid-April of this year and they will be continuing negotiations toward a trade and investment agreement that will encompass the entire hemisphere (with the exception of Cuba); and

WHEREAS the FTAA negotiations have been carried out in excessive secrecy, and the negotiators have granted privileged access and consideration to corporate representatives to the exclusion of more representative groups such as labor, environmental and other progressive activists in the hemisphere; and

WHEREAS every indication is that the FTAA is being modeled on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a model that in our view has utterly failed to deliver the promised benefits to ordinary citizens in any of the three North American countries. NAFTA’s main outcome has been to strengthen the clout and bargaining power of multinational corporations, to limit the scope of governments to regulate in the public interest, and forcing workers into competition with each other reinforcing the downward pressure on living standards; and

WHEREAS if the negotiations continue along the current path they will yield an agreement that undermines workers’ rights and environmental protections, exacerbates inequality in the hemisphere and constrains the ability of governments to regulate in the interest of public health and the environment; and

WHEREAS the Whatcom County Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO, and the Vancouver and District Labour Council/Canadian Labor Congress are co-sponsoring a rally to oppose the FTAA in its present form; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council endorse and support the efforts of the Whatcom County Central Labor Council in their rally on April 21, 2001 in alliance with our sisters and brothers from the Vancouver and District Labour Council; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council will inform affiliates and associated organizations in their jurisdiction of the rally on April 21, 2001 and will help in the mobilization effort; and be it finally

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council will assist the Whatcom County Central Labor Council, which is a small rural central labor council, by sending $500.00, which will be used for the event planning and day of the rally logistics and will have a bus available at the discretion of the Executive Secretary to transport delegates and rank and file members to Blaine on Saturday, April 21, 2001.

Resolution in Support of the Airport Coalition Rally on April 24, 2001 - Adopted 3/7/01
WHEREAS the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is undergoing significant expansion with possible impact upon thousands of jobs; and

WHEREAS the concession agreements between Host and the Port covering food and retail services are expiring in the next few years; and

WHEREAS a component of the airport expansion is a potential change in the way the Port of Seattle at the airport will provide services to the public and that change, if realized, may mean the end of the master concession agreement that has covered in excess of 700 good union jobs at the airport; and

WHEREAS HERE Local 8, Teamsters Local 117, SEIU Local 6 and UFCW Local 1001 have joined together into a coalition to protect good union jobs today and for the future, and are committed to expanding their organizing efforts at the airport; and

WHEREAS the coalition unions have all committed staff, members and resources to build this coalition and advance workers’ rights at the airport; and

WHEREAS the KCLC, the Worker Center, the AFL-CIO and SUN (a join AFL-CIO/KCLC project) have also committed time and resources to supporting the union coalition; and

WHEREAS in the next two months the Port of Seattle Commissioners will begin discussing the future arrangement of the concession agreements at Sea-Tac, which will have a major bearing on the future of good union jobs at the airport, further, the commissioners will be determining which restaurant will replace the union-represented Carvery in the terminal with a restaurant that will not support worker rights, seniority and retention; and

WHEREAS this is a major concern for the entire labor community; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the KCLC commit to supporting the coalition unions in a major airport demonstration and mobilization scheduled for April 24th and direct the KCLC Mobilization Committee to assist; and be it further

RESOLVED that the KCLC ask its affiliate unions to work with the Mobilization Committee, Jobs With Justice and the AFL-CIO staff to insure maximum turnout for April 24th.

Resolution in support of March 29, 2001 "Got Equal Pay" rally in Olympia - Adopted 3/7/01
WHEREAS April 3rd is AFL-CIO National Pay Equity Day to call attention to issues of equal pay for equal work with the slogan “Got Equal Pay?” as the call to action; and

WHEREAS Linda Chavez-Thompson will be joining the Seattle Community Colleges Federation of Teachers for a rally in Olympia at 12 Noon on March 29th; and

WHEREAS the umbrella slogan of “Got Equal Pay” can cut across several labor and human service constituencies dependent upon state funding and the SCCFT would like to build coalitions with our sisters and brothers in other labor and human service communities; and

WHEREAS currently, out of the 10,000 community college instructors in Washington state, 7,000 of them are paid from a part-time pay schedule which means they average about $23,000 per year when they work full-time which puts them barely above the federal poverty level of just under $18,000 per year for a family of four and this $23,000 salary is 56% less than full-time faculty make so part-time faculty haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS more women than men are part-time faculty, and there is a higher proportion of women among the ranks of part-time faculty than among the ranks of full-time faculty, thus duplicating the systemic lack of comparable worth, and reliance on women for underpaid temporary and part-time in the U.S. who haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS full-time faculty in Washington state’s community and technical colleges earn 14% less than their peers in our neighboring states, so they haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS state employees who work in higher education earn 15% below the prevailing wage in Washington (according the to the Dept. Of Personnel) and all state employees earn 13% below prevailing wage so they haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS the governor’s budget proposal calls for only a 2.2% Cost of Living Increase for state employees (who aren’t 2-year college teachers or K-12 staff) when the actual Cost of Living has increased by 3.6% so they haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS at the five technical colleges that moved from the K-12 system into the state system, staff are not being paid at the level of other staff in the civil service system so they haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS the governor is calling for a tuition increase while the state’s portion of funding for the cost of a community college education has fallen from 80% 15 years ago to 60% today, so students haven’t “Got Equal Pay”; and

WHEREAS tax exemptions for the state in the last biennium totaled more than the entire state budget and Washington State has the dubious distinction of having one of the most (if not the most by now!) regressive tax structures in the country; and

WHEREAS the current legislative trend has been to try to divide state employees from one another, and from vital human and social service needs by cutting state funding rather than looking at increasing revenue, while tax exemptions for corporations go unchecked, unmonitored, and remain unaccountable; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council will endorse the efforts of the Seattle Community Colleges Federation of Teachers in calling for a rally and meetings with legislators in Olympia on March 29th which will united teachers, state employees, women’s organizations, students, the labor community and community organizations in call for “Equal Pay"; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council will support the event through the dissemination of materials and information and by encouraging participation by members of the labor community.

Resolution supporting UFCW Local 1105 and Local 81 contract preparations - Adopted 3/21/01
WHEREAS the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1105 and Local 81 are about to enter the most difficult negotiations in over 10 years; and

WHEREAS the United Food and Commercial Workers represents well over 14, 000 women and men working in the Retail Grocery and Meat Industry in King County; and

WHEREAS the employers are attempting to destroy the members’ health and welfare and roll back wages; and

WHEREAS this is a major concern for the entire labor community; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council commit resources and ask and encourage affiliates for the next two months to prepare for a work stoppage; and be it further

RESOLVED that all committees of the King County Labor Council make this a Priority One Campaign and assist the UFCW in this preparation.

Resolution supporting the 1/3 for Choices Campaign - Adopted 4/18/01
WHEREAS Seattle and King County citizens are suffering from some of the most congested streets and roads in the nation; and

WHEREAS the congestion leads to lower air and water quality standards that negatively impact the health of citizens; and

WHEREAS a strategy of just building more roads leads to less livable communities and reduces fish and wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS adequate funding for public transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, commute trip reduction, and smart growth will improve our communities and environment and reduce congestion; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the KCLC adopt and support the 1/3 for Choices Campaign for increased state support for modes of travel other than automobiles; and be it further

RESOLVED that the KCLC communicate to all legislators representing Seattle and King County residents their support for 1/3 for Choices to be reflected in the state transportation budget.

Resolution supporting open candidate forums - Adopted 4/18/01
WHEREAS elected officials make decisions and policies which affect union members and working families at the city, county, state and national level; and

WHEREAS recognizing this, affiliates, labor councils, and international unions endorse and give campaign contributions to candidates for political office, lobby, and otherwise try to influence candidates, representatives, and the electoral process for the betterment of workers and their families; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council interviews candidates for elected office in order to recommend labor-friendly candidates for endorsement; and

WHEREAS these recommendations are distributed to rank and file members so that their voting choices can be better informed; and

WHEREAS the broader the interests represented by those interviewing candidates, the broader will be the information gleaned from them that influences decisions to endorse; and

WHEREAS a major goal of the labor movement and the King County Labor Council in particular is to increase the voice of working people; and

WHEREAS interviews of candidates by the KCLC provide an opportunity both for candidates to learn about labor interests and for KCLC members to learn about candidates; and

WHEREAS most rank and file members of the KCLC work during the daytime hours and are unable to attend COPE interviews that are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and therefore miss the opportunity to participate in the interviews; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the KCLC will conduct open candidate forums when appropriate where delegates and rank and file members may ask questions of those seeking elective office.

Resolution supporting the Steel Revitalization Act of 2001, HR 808 - Adopted 6/6/01
WHEREAS the steel industry is in jeopardy of being eliminated from the United States through imported and illegal dumping of steel in our country; and

WHEREAS foreign countries which sell government subsidized steel at a cheaper rate than steel produced in the United States help their own economies improve by dumping below market-priced steel while putting American steelworkers out of work; and

WHEREAS existing laws regarding steel dumping are not enforced nor strict enough in this country, and thus have forced 18 United States steel makers to file for bankruptcy protection and resulting in the loss of thousands of steelworker jobs; and

WHEREAS the American Steel Industry plays a role in the national defense of our country; and

WHEREAS the total collapse of the American Steel Industry could have a devastating effect on manufacturers, businesses, and communities that depend on steel; be it therefore

RESOLVED that we, the King County Labor Council, fully support Bill HR 808, the Steel Revitalization Act of 2001, our brothers and sisters in the United Steelworkers of America and the emergency measures that need be taken to save the American steel industry; and be it further

RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to all members of the United States Congress representing the citizens of Washington State.

Resolution opposing the proposal to open Fishermen’s Terminal - Adopted 6/20/01
WHEREAS the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific, affiliated with the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, is an independent union and the oldest organization of crewmen and skippers in the North Pacific. The union was established in 1912. The union is composed of longliners who fish primarily in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea and who have a collective bargaining agreement with the Fishing Vessels Owners’ Association; and

WHEREAS Fishermen’s Terminal was founded in 1913 to serve the North Pacific fishing fleet; and

WHEREAS work at Fishermen’s Terminal in 1999 generated over 5300 jobs and 246.5 million dollars in wages and salaries; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council support the continued dedication of Fishermen’s Terminal to the commercial fishing industry and oppose the Port of Seattle’s proposal to open Fishermen’s Terminal moorage to non-working vessels.

Resolution supporting fair trade certified coffee - Adopted 7/18/01
WHEREAS Fair Trade certification ensures farmers are paid a decent, living wage for their harvest, creates direct trade links to farmers and their cooperatives, provides access to affordable credit, which helps farmers stay out of debt, and promotes sustainable practices, such as organic farming, which helps protect the environment; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council endorses the principles of the Seattle Sustainable Coffee Campaign, gives our permission to have our name included on a public list of supporters, and will help spread the word about Fair Trade, organic and shade-grown coffee; and be it further

RESOLVED that we commit to purchase certified Fair Trade coffee from now on and serve only Fair Trade Certified coffee at our events; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council recommend to its affiliates, the Washington State Labor Council and the National AFL-CIO that they too make the commitment to endorse the Fair Trade Certified coffee campaign and serve only Fair Trade Certified coffee at their events; and be it finally

RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the next national AFL-CIO convention for adoption.
(Visit http://www.fairtradecertified.org/ for more information on Fair Trade Coffee!)

Resolution opposing Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority - Adopted 7/18/01
WHEREAS in a democracy one branch of the federal government should not be able to have super-authority over another branch and “trade promotion authority” would give the Executive Branch unfair power over the Legislative Branch, thus disrupting the democratic system of checks and balances; and

WHEREAS “trade promotion authority” would not allow Congress to put reservations on any sections of a treaty; and

WHEREAS “trade promotion authority” would put limitations on the amount of time Congress can debate a trade agreement; and

WHEREAS such limitations would also limit the amount of time constituents would have to submit comments to their congressional delegation; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council opposes HR 2149 and any other similar legislation granting “Fast Track” Authority and urges its affiliated unions and members to join in this opposition; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council recommends to the Washington State Labor Council to pass a resolution in opposition to “Fast Track” at the August 2001 State Federation Convention; and be it further

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council contact local, state and federal elected officials and ask them to join us in opposing “Fast Track.”

Resolution urging reform and improvement of Seattle Police Department practices concerning racial profiling, accountability and training - Adopted 7/18/01
WHEREAS tragic recent events in Seattle’s Central District underline the importance of labor’s program for living wage jobs, equal opportunity, quality education and jobs training, rehabilitation and treatment and in general the funding of social services that address the problems of impoverished communities; and

WHEREAS organized labor has historically been a leader in developing and supporting public policies that help communities; and

WHEREAS the King County Labor Council has had concerns about the use of force against peaceful demonstrators during the WTO, including labor union members; and

WHEREAS at intervals throughout its history, labor itself has faced harsh police actions in the midst of union picketing, such as the Charleston, South Carolina Longshore Five; the Los Angeles SEIU janitors’ strike, and the Detroit, Michigan Newspaper Guild Strike; and

WHEREAS labor’s power has always depended upon its unity across all lines of race, creed, color and sexual orientation; be it therefore

RESOLVED that to preserve and strengthen that unity, we support the city’s investigation into racial profiling and we call on the City Council to pass a city ordinance outlawing that practice; and be it further

RESOLVED that each patrol car be equipped with video cameras to record every stop and/or interaction with the public; and be it further

RESOLVED that we reaffirm the King County Labor Council’s strong support for Crisis Intervention Training for all police officers; and be it further

RESOLVED that we call for mandatory, fully-funded training in, and the maximum use of, non-lethal methods of control; and be it further

RESOLVED that we support an elected civilian review board with subpoena power through the City Council to ensure public confidence in the conduct of all police officers; and be it finally

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council forward this to its affiliates with a request that they adopt similar resolutions.

Resolution endorsing the boycott of Mt. Olive Pickle Company products - Adopted 7/18/01
WHEREAS the King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, affirms the rights of all workers to be treated with justice, dignity and respect; and

WHEREAS farm workers are among the lowest paid workers in the U.S. with a median family income of $8,000, endure the highest rate of toxic chemical injuries of any group of U.S. workers, and have a life expectancy 25 years below the national average; and

WHEREAS the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) is organizing the farm workers who harvest the crop for the Mt. Olive Pickle Company of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, and over 3,000 of these workers have signed union authorization cards; and

WHEREAS the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, as a leader in this industry in the Southwest, has the ability to recognize FLOC and bargain a contract to improve the lives of the workers who harvest the crops for growers contracting with the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, but has steadfastly refused to do so; and

WHEREAS farm workers in North Carolina are subject to firing without recourse, are excluded from laws protecting their right to organize, and frequently labor under a climate of fear and intimidation; and

WHEREAS FLOC has determined that the only option left for these workers is to appeal to the American people’s sense of justice and urge them to boycott Mt. Olive Pickle Company products until a contract is signed; be it therefore

RESOLVED that the King County Labor Council endorses the boycott of all Mt. Olive Pickle Company products until such time as a contract is signed between FLOC and the company, and will communicate this endorsement to Mt. Olive Pickle Company CEO William Bryan; and be it further

RESOLVED that this organization will work among its constituency and community allies to mobilize support for the Mt. Olive Pickle Company boycott.

Resolution supporting October 28 – November 3, 2001 as Campus Equity Week<