(ISSN 0023-6667) Two Superior workers killed in Clearbrook Tragedy struck the small Mussatti was a native of record locally. It does not have town of Superior, Wisconsin Michigan’s Upper Peninsula a unionized workforce here but for the second time in and had lived in Superior for has been very good in employ- November when two more the past five years. ing union construction firms. workers were killed. They were part of a crew of Enbridge reportedly has the Steve Arnovich, 35, and 19, and were evidently in a world’s longest crude oil and David Mussatti, 27, employees company vehicle parked clos- liquids pipeline. of Enbridge Inc., were killed in est to the explosion. The fire- While Superior, with a pop- Clearbrook, Minnesota when a ball consumed their vehicle. ulation of 27,160, grieves over pipeline they were working on No other injuries were reported the deaths of two more work- An Injury to One is an Injury to All! caught fire. Arnovich was a among the other workers who ers, national media reports WEDNESDAY VOL. 113 Superior native and part of a fled the fire. were interested in the effect of DECEMBER 19, 2007 NO. 12 well known family in that city. The pipeline, located 25 the pipeline fire on crude oil miles northwest of Bemidji, prices. About 15 to 20 percent had developed a leak a few of U.S. crude oil comes via the weeks ago and workers were Enbridge pipeline. It is refined performing permanent repairs into gasoline and heating oil. on the 34-inch, buried line. On November 1, Scott and Leaking fumes may have Joe Kimmes III, Paul Cossalter, caused the fire. and Harold “Tim” Olson were Enbridge, formerly known killed in the Village of Superior as Lakehead Pipeline in the at a landfill from toxic gas. Twin Ports, is a Canadian com- (See a related story on oil pany that has a good safety refinery hazards on page 15.) AFSCME, City have contract It took 18 months, was played out in the media like a soap opera, impacted local elections, and probably made enemies for life for some of the parties involved, but in the end AFSCME Local 66 and the City of Duluth, through a mediated collective bargaining process, have a contract. AFSCME members voted on the tentative agreement on Thursday, Dec. 13 until 6:00 p.m. City councilors took their vote only one hour after the employees’ voted and approved it unan- imously. AFSCME has not given their vote count other to say it was close in high turnout. The contract was the last of five the city has with its bargain- Cheryl Adams (in Santa hat) and residents of the Benedictine Health Center made and ing units and covered over 500 workers, by far the largest union. donated 21 blankets and dozens of pairs of warm booties to the Community Services AFSCME members will get a backpay check of one percent Program that Director Yvonne Harvey will be able to give to needy families this week. for 2007, and 3 percent increases in 2008 and 2009. They will be join all other city employees in a single health plan that has Cheryl Adams has the Christmas Spirit! everyone paying premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Language change concerns over full time workers being shifted to part time There will be a lot of warm for years,” said the Aurora res- “Last week we had to just were resolved. people this holiday season ident. “I wanted to keep things about force her to go to the Workers had spoken of the possibility of a strike but ended up thanks to the efforts of Cheryl going.” emergency room to take care of taking a contract they weren’t happy about, without striking. Adams, an LPN member of She decided it could be a herself because she was really Mayor Herb Bergson’s chief administrative officer, John Hall, AFSCME Local 3558 at fun activity for residents at ill and it seemed to be heart told councilors in asking them to approve the pact, “It is a good Duluth’s Benedictine Health Benedictine and she had no trouble. She was worried about contract. It required making unprecedented concessions by the Center. trouble finding volunteers. everyone else as usual.” employees.” Adams has a knack for Adams donated fabric and While the blankets were the Hall, a retired member of the Duluth Police Union, had con- crafts and decided this holiday kits and soon she was getting efforts of a large group of folks tentious negotiations with his old union and Fire Fighters Local season that she would use those donations for more material working together, Adams made 101. DPU had voted down their tentative agreement achieved skills to make polar fleece from resident’s families, and all the booties herself. through binding arbitration in March by a 93-21 margin, citing a blankets and booties for people the BHC Family Council. The blankets have a wide lack of trust with administration. in need. On Monday, Dec. 10 “We started in August on variety of patterns that will she donated 21 of those blan- Wednesdays but that was appeal to many different age kets and dozens of pairs of music day here and the resi- groups, something Harvey is WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE? booties to Duluth Community dents love the music so we seeing more of in her work. Netland re-elected.....page 2 Services Program and Director switched to Saturdays because “Before, everything we did Mesothelioma studies need funding.....page 3 Yvonne Harvey. they wanted to help and we got was for kids,” Harvey said. “This is an incredible gift more done,” said Adams. “I’d “It’s not like that anymore. “Independent contractors” scam widespread.....page 4 that will be appreciated by like to thank my co-workers We’ve even started a program Dems are now the fiscal conservatives.....page 6 many families,” said Harvey. “I Linda Lane, Doreen Trader, where kids are able to shop for Superior Fed to merge with NEALC?.....page 8 was just thinking this morning Chris Wick, Erin Engstrom and something for their parents. Sen. Jauch/Trades have educational lunch.....page 11 how I was going to fill all the Sue Claus. They were great They really appreciate being Bush DOL regulating unions to death.....page 12 requests for help that we’ve volunteers.” able to experience the joy of been getting. What a wonderful AFSCME Local 3558 giving.” Nightwork is carcinogenic.....page 13 effort by Cheryl and President Michelle Fremling is “My oldest son saw them More women leaders needed in unions.....page 14 Benedictine residents.” the Health Unit Coordinator in and he said ‘I want one for Refineries dangerous...pg. 15 Adams said she and her Adam’s unit. She says Adams Christmas’ and he’s forty- Ciresi endorsed...... pg. 16 husband, Steve, who passed has been incredible at helping three,” said Adams. Maybe Labor history bill.....pg. 18 away last spring, were always others throughout her 18 years next year. Adams said every- involved in projects. at BHC. one feels so good about the US Bank unionized...pg. 19 “He was always donating “Cheryl is always doing effort that it’ll continue. Writers strike...pg. 20 things and finding ways to help things for staff members and “Next year we’ll double our Stagehands settle...pg. 21 others and we did it together residents,” said Fremling. output,” Adams said. Who’s The Grinch?...pg. 23 HappyHappy HolidaysHolidays & AA GreatGreat 2008!2008! Jim Brown (IBEW 242), Bruce Lotti (USW 1028), Netland re-elected Central Body president Marie Pechek (MN Nurses), Scott Dulas (NALC 114), Alan Netland won re-elec- capital basis, Netland received ties. He is a social worker for Brent Pykkonen Craig Olson (Painters & tion easily Dec. 13 in a rare, 13,056 votes to challenger Sam St. Louis County. He has been (Operating Engineers 49), Allied Trades 106) contested election for president Haddad’s 345. Retiring president of the Central Body Laura Laaksonen Assistant Sgt-Arms Theresa of the Duluth AFL-CIO Cen- Secretary Ellen Hanson since 1998. (UNITE HERE 99) Gunderson (USW Local 9460) tral Labor Body. received one write-in vote. Haddad’s full time job is as Trustees: was unable to attend. With votes counted on a per Haddad, a member of a Teamster Local 320, heavy Stagehands Local 32, stood equipment operator for St. and congratulated Netland, a Louis County. Oops! We member of AFSCME Local 66, All the other 13 positions on when ballots were tabulated at the Central Body’s Executive forgot Gov. the end of a short December Board were uncontested. Richardson holiday party meeting of the Minnesota AFL-CIO Presi- Central Body. dent Ray Waldron attended the In the last Labor World a list Netland is president of his Dec. 13 meeting and did the of Democratic presidential can- local union and the AFL-CIO’s honors of swearing in Netland didates for 2008 left off New North East Area Labor and: VP Beth McCuskey Mexico Governor Bill Council, which covers Lake, (Duluth Teachers), Richardson. Cook, St. Louis, Carlton, Pine, Sec. Terri Newman (CWA The list had the union Itasca, and Koochiching coun- 7214), Treas. Sheldon endorsements of the candidates Christopherson (Operating as well, but Richardson has not Engineers 70), Reading Clerk secured any at this time. Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron, right, swears Larry Sillanpa (MN News in the new officers of the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Since that Nov. 28 issue ‘Tis the Guild), Sgt-Arms Lori Hillary Clinton has picked up Body Dec. 13. All 14 offices have two year terms. Al Doucette (SEIU 956), Netland, left, was re-elected president for his sixth term. two more union endorsements: Season Executive Board : the Amalgamated Transit (Photo by Paul Hanson) Union, with 180,000 members for in the transit, school bus, inter- * city bus, paratransit and emer- FREE Glasses! gency medical transportation Purchase a single pair of industries, as well as other cler- Vision Pro Glasses and get ical personnel and municipal the second pair free*. employees; and, Office and Professional Employees Inter- national Union. OPEIU repre- ACT NOW and SAVE! Use sents more than 125,000 mem- your Flex Plan Dollars before bers in the professional, techni- the year passes you by! cal and administrative fields. Sale Includes: Single Vision • Bifocals • Trifocals CLASSIFIEDS Rx Sunglasses • Progressive No-Line Buy, sell, say it--4 lines, and Computer Glasses! $5 in advance. (218) 728- 4469, fax (218) 724-1413, [email protected]. OPTICAL Long, black formal, size 8, $75, DULUTH • SUPERIOR • MOOSE LAKE beaded/sequined, worn once, GRAND RAPIDS • CLOQUET • AURORA beautiful, must see, 624-2391, *Must be of equal or lesser value: select from special collection of frames and plastic lenses. Up or ask the editor, woo-hoo! to a $258.95 value. See store for details. I.U.O.E. Local 70 Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, 5:00 P.M. May you have a healthy and Duluth Labor Center, Hall B Dick Lally, Business Manager (651) 646-4566 prosperous new year! Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 10 Left to right (top row): Sean Quinn, Stephanie Balmer, Jim Peterson, Jim Balmer & Andrew Pierce Retirees’ Luncheon (bottom row): Bob Falsani, Ronny Reindeer, Bill Thompson & Eric Beyer Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1:00 p.m. TBonz (26th Ave. W/Superior St.) ATTENTION: Laborers’ Local 1091 Members We are currently looking for new and existing asbestos abatement workers to work in a Superior plant. Please call Dan Olson at (218) 728-5151.

PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Funding critical for studies on Range mesothelioma By Chad McKenna, Field Coordinator, North East Area Baseball’s performance en- Labor Council, AFL-CIO hancing drug problem doesn’t “No funding, no study.” Those were the words of John have my shorts in a bind. Even Finnegan, Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public though I tend to be a baseball Health as the second meeting of the Minnesota Taconite Workers purist (get rid of the designated Lung Health Partnership came to a close Monday afternoon. hitter) the only thing tarnished In August the work group for the partnership met for the first besides the users is the record time and funding seemed to be a non-issue. “We’ll find the book. Some hedge fund mogul money, was the sentiment of representatives Tom Rukavina, is probably trying to corner the Tom Anzelc, and others. With a much different budget situation market on asterisks. We are at the State Capitol now, funding for studies looking at the poten- done looking for role models tial link between the mining industry and a high incidence of here aren’t we? Great if you mesothelioma falls squarely in the lap of Governor Pawlenty. can find one. Some of the best Contingent on funding in the amount of $5.5 million, partners things about baseball involve such as the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) and the cheating and stealing. No one School of Public Health are ready to roll out a multi-pronged should be surprised because does about baseball. Police it if ganda film that was supposed research endeavor. guys who command multi-mil- you can because it’d be nice to to scare kids and parents from “We know there is an excess of cases of disease, the question lion dollar salaries are trying to have everyone competing on a marijuana. 1936! How do you is why,” said the principal investigator for the partnership, improve their chances of get- level playing field. Good luck. think they’re doing at it? The Jeffrey Mandel. Mandel outlined the part of the research ting a better deal as they hang Years ago, maybe 25, I was only thing that scares me about endeavor that the School of Public Health will be spearheading. around for a few more years. working construction with a it is users aren’t “getting laid This portion will look to answer three questions: Remember the spitball? guy who liked to talk sports. back and wasted.” They get Does working in the mining industry increase a workers’ Vaseline and pine tar on a His oldest boy was a good ath- stoned and rob houses. What’s See Funding critical...page 7 pitcher’s hat, belt, or crotch, the lete, but he was worried that the world coming to? beauty of the stolen base, steal- the younger one was “too Sprinters in the Olympics a ing signs from an opposing small.” He said doctors were hundred years or so ago were If you have legal questions concerning coach. It’s all part of the giving the teenaged kid human given strychnine before races game’s allure. The fact that you growth hormones. Made me so they could run faster. Look • Small Business or Non-Profit Organizations have players willing to screw sick but I didn’t say anything at the stain on bicycle racing Real Estate Wills, Trusts, or Probate up their bodies for money, and because I could see it was and track today. Things are just • • winning, says more to me important to him. They should more sophisticated now as ath- • Bankruptcy or Business Workouts about human nature than it have given the kid a violin or letes try to get an edge. Municipal Law something else to try. Nothing matters when com- • ~NOTICE~ Can you imagine the pared to short term gains. It’s You know Greg Gilbert can help you! amount of drugs that are in the the way of the world. Next issues of Labor World training facilities to keep pro- Remember when honesty are: Jan. 9, 23; Feb 6, 20; fessional athletes on the field? was an important value? Watch Gilbert Law Office March 5, 19; April 2, 23; Some drugs are legal and oth- and listen to advertising. It’s all Gilbert Law Office May 7, 21; June 4, 25; ers aren’t unless you can have lies now and considered okay, (218) 625-8777 [email protected] July 9, 23; Aug. 6, 27; them written out on a prescrip- even cute. Our presidents lie Suite 563 Duluth Technology Village 11 E. Superior St. Sept. 17; Oct. 1, 15, 29; tion by a medical doctor. But and shrug their shoulders. Give Nov. 12, 25; Dec. 17. you could cross the border into the Vikings Dwight Smith Mexico and probably buy them credit. He was so stoned he told LABOR WORLD over the counter without a pre- the arresting officer he had just (ISSN#0023-6667) is published Season's semi-monthly except one issue in scription. I did once for sinus smoked a doobie, a petty mis- December (23 issues). medication. I couldn’t speak demeanor, like a parking ticket. The known office of publication is Spanish but all I needed to say He should have gotten a park- Labor World, 2002 London Road, was “Augmentine.” It was ing ticket too. He was blocking Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. an intersection. Just hanging Greetings Periodicals postage is paid at cheap compared to back home. Duluth MN 55806. Cortisone shots by the out after work, I guess. But at POSTMASTER: dozens and painkillers are part least he was honest. from Send address changes to: of the program in pro sports. Labor World, 2002 London Rd., Still you’ve got these guys self This Day In History Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 medicating with marijuana and www.workdayminnesota.org 6 7 whatever. They lay in tubs of December 19, 1983 ice water to help their bodies (218) 728-4469 recover. That scares me more The Greyhound bus strike FAX: (218) 724-1413 ended when members of the [email protected] than marijuana. Too bad they can’t just keep the bag at home. Amalgamated Transit Union www.laborworld.org ratified a new contract con- ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ Medical marijuana (MM) Owned by Unions affiliated with the has passed a dozen or so states taining deep cuts in wages Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body and is even considered in Min- and benefits.The company Subscriptions: $22 Annually nesota. But don’t try to buy claimed the concessions Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager booze (ever hear of that being were needed to stay in busi- Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper abused?) in Lakeside, Park ness and compete with other Board of Directors Point, Morgan Park, or Esko. transportation providers, President/Treas. Mikael Sundin, Rep. Tom Huntley sponsors such as airlines and rail.The The Officers and Members of Painters & Allied Trades 106; MM in the House but he lost Greyhound contract was one V.P. Paul Iversen, BMWED 1710; his strongest supporter, conser- of many concessionary deals Sec. Marlys Wisch, CWA 7214; vative Steve Sviggum if you forced on working people IRONWORKERS Tom Selinski, IBEW 242; during the 1980s.ATU struck Laurie Johnson, AFSCME Co. 5; can believe it, who now runs the Dept. of Labor & Industry Greyhound again in March LOCAL 512 Lynette Swanberg, MN Nurses; 1990. Eventually permanent Mike Kuitu, Operating Engineers (pray for workers, please). www.ironworkers512.com 49; Al LaFrenier, UNITE HERE! “Reefer Madness” was a replacement scabs took the Shane Sweeney, BCTWGM 167G 1936 church-financed propa- union members' jobs. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 3 Auditor says 1 in 7 Minnesota employers All Thrifty White and White Drug cheating by using independent contractors Pharmacies are participating pharmacies By Michael Kuchta Regional Council of Carpen- Combined, they can reduce for your prescription health plan. More than 17,500 Minne- ters, which has been in the costs by more than 30 percent, sota employers – 1 in 7 – ille- forefront of fighting the prob- Makarios said. This cost We can fill your 90 day supply and for convenience we offer gally misclassify workers as lem at the Capitol. Failure to advantage makes it difficult, if our Ready refill™ program for automated refills. We can fill “independent contractors,” the crack down, he said, means not impossible, for legitimate your medication order in 3 or 4 days instead of 10 to 14 as Legislative Auditor says in a taxpayers, and contractors who contractors to compete, he said. you are accustomed to seeing using traditional mail order. new investigative report. In the play by the rules, get stuck Although much of the labor WE ALSO OFFER: report and in testimony before picking up the tab for cheaters. movement’s focus has been in a joint legislative committee, The report by the Office of the construction industry, mis- • Free mail out service officials say misclassification the Legislative Auditor – the classification is widespread in • Free in town delivery is a growing problem that: first of its kind on the extent of many industries, the state’s • 30 day private charge accounts report says. Other industries • Deprives the state of rev- misclassification in Minnesota • Free blood pressure checks enue – probably enough to – estimates that 14 percent of heavily affected include real wipe out the state’s projected employers cheat. That estimate estate, arts and entertainment, • Order your prescriptions by is “conservative,” the report technical services, health care, phone, 24 hours a day budget deficit. Pharmacists Lowell Jaques and • Deprives workers of legal says, because it doesn’t factor and manufacturing. • Many convenient locations in Cindy Doe and Manager Debbie in employers who use “inde- Misclassification in con- benefits and protections. Minnesota and North Dakota Isakson are ready to help. • Gives employers who pendent contractors” exclu- struction overall actually is in cheat a unfair advantage over sively or who operate in the line with employers as a whole, • 122 years of pharmacy service in the upper Midwest employers who obey the law. shadows of the cash economy. according to the report. But it is Your local White Drug Pharmacy is more reliable far worse in certain sectors: Further, the state agencies Employers who illegally than mail order. We are always available to answer responsible for fighting mis- misclassify workers gain a roughly 30 percent in commer- classification “don’t seem to huge competitive advantage, cial construction, residential your questions face to face with a local pharmacist. communicate or coordinate,” according to the investigative remodeling and drywall instal- For a listing of all locations visit www.thriftywhite.com said legislative auditor James report. These employers: lation; an estimated 38 percent Nobles. • Avoid payroll and with- in roofing. Pinetree Plaza “This study confirms the holding taxes. Misclassification occurs case that we’ve been making, • Avoid paying unemploy- when workers who should be Inside Super One Foods that misclassification is a big ment insurance. on the payroll as W-2 employ- Cloquet, MN problem and the state isn’t • Avoid paying workers’ ees instead are illegally classi- doing enough about it,” said compensation premiums. fied as 1099 “independent con- 218-879-6768 • 1-800-967-3421 Kyle Makarios, political direc- • Avoid the costs of health See Employers...page 5 Store hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm • Sat 9am - 5:30pm • Sun 11am - 5pm tor for the North Central States insurance and other benefits.

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PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Practice hits revenue hard A Great Holiday Season and New Year to all. The dodging of payroll obligations through misclassification of workers by employers probably costs Minnesota hundreds of We’ve earned it! millions of dollars a year in lost tax revenue, said Deborah Parker Junod, project manager for the misclassification investi- United gation by the Office of Legislative Auditor. There was not Serving: enough time or data to accurately calculate exactly how much Steelworkers ME Electmetal revenue is lost, Junod said. Local 1028 Lerch Bros. (Allouez) “It would have taken well over a year to do it right,” she said. Duluth Steel Fabricators However, she pointed to an investigation the legislative audi- Buy Union, Buy American, Buy Local tor did in 2006. That report, on tax compliance, estimates state Cutler-Magner (Salt) loses of $604 million a year in uncollected income taxes. All Year Long Township of Duluth (Police) Most of that $604 million can be traced to self-employed individuals who fail to report their income – or significantly under-report it. Independent contractors, whether misclassified or not, are a large part of the noncompliant group, Junod said. Audits by the federal Internal Revenue Service show that independent contractors and other “sole proprietors” actually hide most of their income: They report only 43 percent for tax purposes. By comparison, employees who receive W-2s report 99 percent of their income. “We already know we have a major tax-compliance prob- lem,” Junod said. “It would be wonderful if we could wrap num- bers around it. But we don’t like to do back-of-the-envelope, aggregates estimates.” – Michael Kuchta Employers cheating...from page 4 2520 Pilot Knob Road, tractors. It’s the difference between a worker working for a Suite 325 company, and a worker having a company as a customer or Mendota Heights, MN 55120 client. “It’s not a matter of preference,” Nobles said. “It’s a matter of 750 Torrey Building the law.” Duluth, MN 55802 Minnesota law contains nine requirements a worker must meet to legally qualify as an “independent contractor.” In gener- al, if an employer controls when, where and how workers do the job, the workers are employees, not independent contractors. Under state law, independent contractors not only must call their own shots, they also generally supply their own equipment, sup- ply the materials needed for a job, and take the risk of profit or loss. The Internal Revenue Service has similar guidelines. New law will have impact in 2009 Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature amended state law so that construction workers claiming to be independent contractors have to prove they meet all nine state requirements. If they meet those requirements, the state will certify their status. If they don’t, they can be hired only as employees, not inde- pendent contractors. That law takes effect in 2009; the Department of Labor and Industry now is drafting rules on how the application and certification process will work. The legislative auditor’s report recommends the departments of Revenue, Employment and Economic Development, and Labor and Industry begin routinely sharing information about employers who misclassify workers. They should also bet- Happy ter coordinate their audit and investigatory efforts, it says. Solidarity “We don’t need to wait until 2009,” said Deborah Parker Holidays Junod, project manager for the misclassification investigation. “There are things that can be done now to coordinate enforcement efforts.” The lack of cooperation among state agencies angered members of the Legislative Audit Commission, which received the report Nov. 28. Carlton Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope ) and Sen. Jim Metzen County (DFL-South St. Paul), in par- ticular, accused the agencies of picking and choosing which Central laws to enforce. Labor Michael Kuchta is commu- nications coordinator for the For more information about Carhartt’s USA North Central States Regional Union-Made workwear, visit www.UFCW227.org Body Council of Carpenters LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 5 GOP has forsaken fiscal conservatism, Dems want pay-as-we-go by Froma Harrop Left-wing Democrats often Bush then proceeded to ram economic turmoil. The sinking politicians have to find the meeting, several grumble about their party’s Republican priorities through a dollar reflects investor angst money for new programs. Re-publicans affection in recent years for fis- pliant Congress without ever over America’s deficits -- the Think about it: In the service of called for getting cal discipline. Their argument worrying his pretty head over result of Republican passion fiscal discipline, Democrats rid of the AMT goes as follows: how to pay for them. Who ben- for spending big, taxing too lit- had agreed to trim their own altogether and In pursuing fiscal restraint, efited from our fiscal disci- tle and borrowing the differ- ambitions. extending Bush President Clinton didn’t push pline? ence. Had pay-go been alive over tax cuts--and very hard for many Democra- The complaint has merit, The U.S. government bor- the last five years, Bush and the with not a tic programs. He left a budget but in answer to the question of rows $800 billion a year large- Republican-led Congress thought about how to offset surplus that George Bush and benefited: The country did. ly from foreigners. We are now couldn’t have pushed through them. the Republican Congress blew We now see the fruits of fis- in hock to the Chinese, and tax breaks for the rich. They Who’s piling the sandbags? through in about two minutes. cal irresponsibility in today’s America is no longer master of couldn’t have passed a Blue Dog Democrats, along its fate. Medicare drug benefit made with a few Republican deficit So far has our economic outrageously expensive by cut- hawks, are determined not to Thanks to all our employees & everyone prestige fallen that a single ting private businesses into the let pay-go go. Blue Dog mischievous remark by a deal. Small wonder that Democrats represent conserva- else who helped us have a great 2007! Chinese politician sent U.S. Republicans let the pay-go rule tive parts of the country and stocks plunging. (He had sug- expire in 2002. Once the pay- tend to be fiscally upright. One Happy Holidays & gested that his country start go chaperone was gone, they of them, Sen. Kent Conrad of moving its money out of the were free to boogie. North Dakota, reportedly dollar and into the stronger Fast-forward to the pay-go exploded when he heard the Happy New Year euro.) present. Democrats had to off- above plans to cannibalize the And so Democrats should set their $20 billion student-aid pay-go rule. He called the dis- be mighty proud that one of reforms with cuts in subsidies cussion “unbelievably irre- Proud to be a Union Contractor their first acts after winning to student lenders. To pay for sponsible.” majorities in Congress was to their $35 billion expansion of Democrats should be grati- LAKEHEAD Painting Co. revive the pay-as-you-go budg- the children’s health insurance fied by polls showing that more et rule. Pay-go requires law- program (vetoed by Bush), Americans trust them to man- “Serving the upper midwest since 1965” makers to offset the costs of they had agreed to raise tobac- age the federal budget than legislation with tax increases or co taxes. To fund new tax Republicans. Fiscal discipline Free Estimates Superior, WI (715) 394-5799 spending cuts. That means breaks for renewable energy, may be hard to do, but it is they planned to remove some good politics -- and good for of the tax deals for oil compa- the country. nies. (The bill failed.) © 2007 The Providence Journal Co. Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season © 2007 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. Senate Democrats had been www.creators.com desperately looking for the $50 and a billion needed for a one-year patch of the Alternative Minimum Tax. Without it, the All In FAVOR Prosperous AMT will ensnare 24 million OF UNBEATABLE new taxpayers this year, many SERVICE AND SOLID New Year earning less than $100,000. PROTECTION Pressure to ditch pay-go is enormous. Sen. Max Baucus, a State Representative Montana Democrat, has pro- posed waiving the pay-go rules for the temporary AMT fix. MIKE JAROS (The pay-go rules can be lifted District 7B in special cases with a majority vote in the House and 60 votes Paid for by Jaros Volunteer Committee, 3108 Minnesota Ave, Duluth, MN 55802 in the Senate.) At the same

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PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Funding As you celebrate the Holiday Season you can also take comfort in critical for knowing we’re getting ready to go back to the State Capitol in Range studies 2008 to carry on the good fight for Minnesota’s working families...... from page 3 chance to develop mesothe- lioma?; Are there any other diseases Sen. David TOMASSONI being caused by working in the mines?; and, Is there an external threat of Rep. Tom RUKAVINA the wider community develop- ing health related problems due to the mining industry? Rep. Tony SERTICH Because the last question is Paid for by the Rukavina Campaign Committee, 6930 Hwy 169, Virginia, MN 55792; the Citizens for Anthony “Tony” Sertich Committee; Rick Puhek, Chair, 1210 NW 9th Avenue, Chisholm, MN 55710 hard to quantify, said Mandel, and the Tomassoni Campaign Committee; P.O. Box 29, Chisholm, MN 55719 the investigation will involve the participation of the spouses of mine workers to augment those in the Iron Range com- munity who do not work in the mines. NRRI will explore “air- borne particulates in northeast Minnesota communities,” said Larry Zanko, a research fellow there. Over the next 3 years, NRRI will collect air samples from ten locations in both the east and west Range and will collect samples from Range lake sediment to get both a cur- rent and historical depiction of the airborne affects of the min- ing industry. After a detailed description of the studies, Monday’s con- versation turned to funding. A Cleveland Cliffs representative was asked if the company would divert funds to this endeavor from their now aban- doned study aimed at finding answers to similar research questions. Amongst laughter, the Cleveland Cliffs represen- tative stated that had not been discussed. Reiterating Gov. Pawlenty’s Fixing Up? Look Up! importance in the matter, Rep. Rukavina told those in the crowd to convey to the gover- tay clear of power lines when using ladders and other nor the importance of this study to northeastern Minne- Slong equipment while working on outdoor projects. The sota. Rukavina also alluded first rule is to keep looking up and remember the 10-FOOT help from the congressional RULE – equipment needs to clear power lines by ten feet in delegation of Senator Amy every direction. Klobuchar and Representative Jim Oberstar could be possible. Electric energy is a powerful friend, but if your equipment Help from Senator Coleman comes in contact with a power line, follow the rules, or you was not mentioned. could receive a harmful, fatal shock. “We’re going to find the money,” Rukavina told the 60 A safety message from Minnesota Power. people at the Iron Range Resources center in Eveleth. “I would like to find all of it Greg Rindal upfront and secure it away.” Minnesota Power Safety Manager In closing, Rep. Anzelc echoed the years of advocacy by the Steelworkers Organiza- tion of Active Retirees. “Time Gopher State One Call ® is of the essence. We must get

DIAL 811Damage Prevention Center an company to the causes.” Finnegan added, “This [study] could have national ramifications for how these Call Gopher State One Call before you DIG: 1-800-252-1166 studies are conducted.”

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 7 Superior’s CLC may be “merged” with MN’s NEALC Season’s Greetings Wisconsin is the 11th state where the AFL-CIO is pursuing On behalf of our more than 90 members, the Lake Superior “The New Alliance,” the federation’s first reorganization since it Area Labor Management Association would like to thank was formed in 1955. Among the items being discussed in Wisconsin is to have Labor for its continued participation and support. “geographically stressed” areas, like Superior and Mar- inette/Menominee, merge with adjoining states in the next year Visit our webpage for information on trainings: or two. The two regions are far from Wisconsin’s more populous January/Bob Baldwin & Deborah Petersen- areas and political activity. For the Superior Federation of Labor (SFL), AFL-CIO, that Perlman on Workplace Diversity would mean becoming a part of Minnesota’s North East Area Labor Council (NEALC). Marinette/Menominee would be March/Larry Casey on Changing Paradigms ceded to the Michigan AFL-CIO. Chad McKenna is the Field Coordinator for the NEALC, For more info visit us at which covers the huge seven county area of Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis counties. He does- www.LSALMA.org n’t think Superior will actually be “merged” with the NEALC. “The way I understand it is that the Superior Fed isn’t ‘merg- Celebrating Happy Holidays and a ing’ with NEALC, but plans to do a fee for service contract,” McKenna said. “That means they will still be part of their own 25 years! Peaceful, Prosperous 2008! Area Labor Council (in Northwest Wisconsin) with voting rights and positions on the Executive Board in Wisconsin, but it makes 11 East Superior Government Center more sense as far as resources go to have the NEALC, which Suite 210 1316 N. 14th St. already has staff close by, provide support to the labor movement in Superior.” Duluth, MN 55802 Superior, WI 54880 Janice Terry, President of the Superior Federation of Labor, (218) 727-4565 FAX: (218) 726-6338 said she had heard that her area, perhaps as far as Ashland, would pay McKenna to do their work. “The rest of Wisconsin can fall into alignment if we can get help from Minnesota,” Terry said. “Madison’s four hours away.” Problems to be overcome would include huge differences in electoral politics and state government between the geographi- cally stressed areas and the adjoining, servicing states. Wisconsin is considering having only three merged central labor councils: Milwaukee, Madison, and west central, which would be comprised of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. By October, Wisconsin’s State AFL-CIO will add 25 cents to their per capita, making it $1 per member per month, to help pay for staffing New Alliance positions. The Minnesota AFL-CIO at a May 2006 Special Convention increased their per capita tax by 25 cents per member per month, from 65 cents to 90 cents, a 38.5 percent jump, July 1, 2007 for the same purpose. HHaappppyy HHoolliiddaayyss Season’s Greetings from the TToo AAllll!!

Organizing workers in the printing, publishing and non-profit sectors 612-789-0044 [email protected] www.mnguild.org Proudly representing the Labor World editor since 1989 Mike Buesing, President Eliot Seide, Executive Director

PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 May your holidays be blessed with peace and contentment and the enjoyment of good friends and family. And, in a season increasingly May this Holiday Season characterized by materialism, consumerism and excess, let us bring you Joy and Peace. hope that everyone can find Thanks for helping make the time to reflect on what ought our region a better place to be the spirit of the season to live and work. and realize that giving is different from self-indulgence. Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon Let’s take a moment to think about Minnesota Senate District 7 F AFL-CIO & DFL Endorsed those among us who have not been Paid for by the Prettner Solon Volunteer Committee, Elaine Hansen, Treasurer invited to the party.

Bill and Laurie Hilty

SSeason’s GGreetings!

2008 You can help our members have better holidays if you would PLEASEPLEASE BOYCOTTBOYCOTT THETHE FOLLOWINGFOLLOWING COMPCOMPANIES:ANIES: Como Oil & Propane Superior Fuel Curtis Oil & Propane TTeamsters LLocal 346346

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 9 Buying American, Looking for Union Labels, PatronizingHappy firms that Holidays use Union Labor make Your Goals. Northern Wisconsin Our Global Resources. Building & Construction Trades Council President Norm Voorhees, Ironworkers Local 512, (218) 724-5073 Boilermakers Lodge 107~(262) 798-1267 Millwrights & Machinery Erectors Bricklayers Local 2 Local 1348-- (218) 741-6314 • Advisory Services • Mortgages (715) 392-8708 or (715) 835-5164 Operating Engineers Local 139 • Alternative Investments • Municipal bonds Carpenters Local 361~(218) 724-3297 (715) 838-0139 • Certificates of Deposit (CDs) • Mutual funds Cement Masons, Plasterers & Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 • Education Planning • Options Shophands Local 633-- (218) 724-2323 (218) 724-6466 • Estate Planning Strategies • Retirement Planning Electrical Workers Local 14 Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 • Equities • Structured Products (715) 878-4068 (218) 727-2199 • Insurance and Annuities • Taxable Fixed Income Electrical Workers Local 242 Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96 • IRAs • Trust Services (218) 728-6895 (218) 644-1096 • Financing Strategies • Unit Investment Trusts (UITs) Insulators Local 49~(218) 724-3223 Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 For more information, contact Iron Workers Local 512 (218) 724-6873 For more information, contact Sean McGee, Vice President–Investments (218) 724-5073 Teamsters Local 346 Sean McGee, Vice President–Investments 21 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802 Laborers Local 1091~ (218) 628-1034 21 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 728-5151 218-722-3344218-722-3344 800-444-0595 800-444-0595 [email protected]@ubs.com H A P P Y www.ubs.com/financialservicesincwww.ubs.com/financialservicesinc H O L I D A Y S UBS Financial Services Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and/or legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances.

Your Good Will is the foundation of our success. Accept our “Thank You” this Holiday Season as we wish you Happiness and Health in the coming New Year. www.afscmemn.org Representing Railway Labor and Local Unions “In the Public Service” their families for injuries on and off in Northern Minnesota include: #66--City, county, schools, others~~Alan Netland, President the job for over a half century! #695--MnDOT~~John McGovern, President #718--Minnesota DNR~~Darryl Arola, President #1092--Moose Lake Regional Treatment Center~~Diane Firkus, President #1123--Two Harbors Municipal~~Mitch Ekstrom, President #1934--St. Louis County Jail Essential~~Dan Marchetti, President #2829--MN Amalgamated~~Michael Nelson, President #2980--MN State Agricultural Employees~~Janet Nelson, President #3142--MN Dept. ofPublic Safety~~Steven Kuehl, President #3558--Non-Profits~~Michele Fremling, President HUNEGS, LENEAVE & KVA S #3801--UMD Clerical & Technical~~Denise Osterholm, President #3802--Silver Bay Veteran’s Home~~Susan Larson, President Attorneys at Law #3887--Moose Lake Corrections~~Lance LaFrenier, President 900 Second Avenue South, Suite 1650 #4001--MN State Colleges/Universities~~Mary Falk, President Minneapolis, MN 55402 Eliot Seide, Executive Director 612-339-4511 1-800-328-4340 John Westmoreland, Northern Director Eric Lehto, Organizing Director ~Investigators~ ~~ UNION REPRESENTATIVES ~~ Marsh Stenersen, Sarah Lewerenz, Ken Loeffler-Kemp, Arnie Flagstad Clyde Larson Laurie Johnson, Bob Buckingham Superior, WI. Duluth, MN 715-394-5876 218-348-3091 Give Us A Call At 1-218-722-0577 PAGE 10 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Senator Bob Jauch has informative session with Northern Wis. Trades Wisconsin State Senator members in our affiliates’ don’t want any spending or continual construction starting base level and aren’t something Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) and 21 households who make their liv- services.” He said it makes him next year until 2010 or 2011. you can trust employers to do.” members of the Northern Wis- ing from union construction angry that legislators are will- That started the discussion Trades members showed consin Building & Construc- work,” Secretary Treasurer ing to raise fees by $15 to $20, and sharing of ideas on how to Jauch a letter from University tion Trades Council all got an Larry Anderson told Jauch. which only hurts Wisconsin get local labor on the projects, of Minnesota Vice Chancellor education when they met for “We appreciate your efforts at residents, but won’t allow a along with prevailing wages, Greg Fox in which he extolled lunch Dec. 3. bringing projects home for us.” seven cent increase in gas taxes and project labor agreements. the value of Project Labor “We’ve got to do this again, The Maple School District that could raise $60 million and Luncheon participants were Agreements at UMD, which and before Superior Days next expansion, which is being built be applied to everyone who able to bring Wisconsin and has had over 50 years of nearly year,” said NWBCTC Presi- with a Project Labor Agree- stops at a Wisconsin gas pump. Minnesota experiences to bear constant union construction dent Norm Voorhees. ment is one example. He said the Senate is con- on the subjects and brain- projects. Efforts to get the “Oh, I’ll be getting ahold of Jauch said Maple built their trolled by Democrats who are stormed on what would work. University of Wisconsin sys- you soon with some answers,” middle school during President willing to see progress. With On prevailing wages and tem to accept PLAs has been said Jauch, who took notes Carter’s administration with Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, the grayer area of fringe bene- difficult Voorhees told Jauch. throughout the nearly two hour federal public works funding. the state is close to being able fits, Jauch said, “You’re open- “We need to turn the tide on session, which naturally con- Since then two failed referen- to bring projects home, but ing my eyes on this. I’ll do protecting workers, which has cerned construction projects dums have kept the district in Assembly Republicans won’t some research and think about been eroded by politics, with and state politics. Whenever a need of construction projects. It even consider them Jauch said. how we can change our law.” the Bush administration erod- topic was brought to a close, finally has happened and union He pointed to three projects for He had been told how hard ing it at the base level,” said Jauch would ask the delegates, workers are on the project. state universities that were it is to get Wisconsin employ- Jauch. He said if Democrats “What else is on your mind?” “I’d rather see government squashed by Republicans ers to provide prevailing wage can win three more seats in the There was a Boilermaker spend their money there rather because they were going to information. Even union con- Assembly they will control from Green Bay, Bricklayers than in Baghdad,” Jauch said. take place in Madison, Keno- tractors are poor at doing it, state government and be able to from Eau Claire, Douglas But the anti-tax movement sha and UW-Superior, that are even though it would make it do the people’s work. County and Superior residents, has destroyed government’s controlled by Democrats. Re- easier for them to win bids. In Other topics during the and union leaders that live in ability to fund needed projects. publicans passed projects for Minnesota, unions are able to lunch were the failure of Minnesota but have jurisdic- “Don’t believe them when areas of the state where they provide the information. Wisconsin to require electri- tion in Wisconsin. The oppor- they say taxes are too high,” have control. UWS projects Jauch said prevailing wages cians to be licensed, the need tunity to share a wide range of Jauch said. “They’re opposed fought their way back into the in construction are similar to for a better sprinkler law, the experience was beneficial to all to all taxes, and don’t want to long drawn out battle for a state the battle for minimum wage practice of employers calling “We’ve got about 6,000 fund government because they budget. Jauch said UWS is the increases since both are a “fun- workers independent contrac- centerpiece for job opportunity damental principle of reim- tors, and other tax dodges. in the region and should have bursement for workers at a

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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 11 Report exposes Bush regime’s scheme to discredit, cripple unions By Mark Gruenberg Horton” ad in the 1988 presi- new LM-2 forms, allegedly red tape. Lilly says. PAI Staff Writer dential election campaign. designed to halt conflicts of “Norquist stated the inten- OLMS claims more union WASHINGTON(PAI)--The Lilly’s 28-page report for interest, force unionist disclo- tion somewhat more bluntly: fraud and embezzlement has new, onerous union financial the liberal think tank, the sure of everything down to “We’re going to crush labor as been found during the Bush reporting requirements that the Center for American Progress, mortgages and car loans, if the a political entity” and ultimate- regime. But academics’ careful anti-worker GOP Bush regime makes clear unionists’ fears seller or lender to the worker ly “break unions.” More count of cases, almost all imposed on organized labor about the reporting rules were, did as little as 10% of its busi- recently Norquist pointed out, brought by the Justice Depart- several years ago--plus other if anything, understated. ness with unions and their “every worker who doesn’t ment or the FBI, not OLMS, rules scheduled to start January At the time, the AFL-CIO members and if the unionist join the union is another work- found most had double and 1--are far worse than labor calculated that imposition of worked on union business at er who doesn’t pay $500 a year triple-counting: Once each for warned when it unsuccessfully the new rules--which call for least 250 hours a year. to organized labor’s political the prosecutor’s announce- battled them, a new report says. item-by-item disclosure of The personal financial data machine,” Lilly reported. ment, trial, and sentencing. Indeed, writes Scott Lilly in union spending over $5,000 on DOL wants unionists to file on Unlike in other areas of the The revised count showed Beyond Justice: The Bush everything from paychecks to the revised 9-page LM-2 forms government, Lilly reports, the in at least 36% of the remaining Administration’s Labor De- paper clips, would cost unions would be posted on the Bush regime vastly increased 51 cases in fiscal 2005--the partment Abuses Regulatory an estimated $1 billion. agency’s website, the equiva- funds and personnel for the 48- most recent data available-- Authorities, the rules are really The rules divert union lent of unionists being forced to year-old OLMS, “so key politi- unions alerted the Justice a key part of a comprehensive staffers, who must disclose vir- open their own checkbooks to cal operatives in OLMS could Department to the problems. Bush/Radical Right scheme to tually every minute of their anyone’s view. People who expand and exercise regulatory But DOL instead sent OLMS‚ totally discredit and emasculate activities, from their main job don’t report, but should, could authority to: Impose costly and phony data, with double that unions. And the rules are of representing workers to one be criminally prosecuted under confusing new reporting number, to the so-called Center administered by the Bush DOL of filling out LM-30 account- DOL’s new rules. requirements, attempt to for Union Facts, run by another Office of Labor-Management ing forms and itemizing every- All this, Lilly says, is part of increase the number of crimi- GOP operative, Lilly reported. Standards (OLMS), headed by thing and every campaign. a calculated plan, first articulat- nal prosecutions” of unionists, Bush DOL ordered employees GOP political appointee Don That burden, Lilly said, will ed by then-House Speaker “disclose the results to the pub- to cooperate with the center’s Todd--a man with no labor or extend on January 1 to an esti- Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and lic in seriously misleading campaign to discredit unions. accounting experience whose mated 250,000 rank-and-file now championed by Radical ways and mischaracterize the As for the LM-30 rules, main claim to fame was to union members--officers, shop Right GOP heavyweight published data through a vari- “Most unions have spent con- come up with the data and idea stewards and others--due to Grover Norquist, to destroy ety of false analyses.” siderable sums in purchasing for the racist GOP “Willie new Bush DOL rules. Those unions and entangle them in For the fiscal year that new software packages” to began Oct. 1, the Democratic- comply with the new and vast- run Congress cut OLMS funds, ly larger forms “and had to ask thanks to Wisconsin Rep. nearly all employees to engage David Obey, who heads the in additional record-keeping Appropriation’s Committee, and pay for significant addi- but they’re still far above pre- tional hours of work” by their Bush spending levels. accountants, Lilly says. One “The underlying purpose, of small international said modi- course, is to undermine the rep- fying accounting software cost utation of the labor union it $1 million--before personnel. movement through a classic The end result Lilly says is political misinformation cam- “to sow public mistrust of paign--all under the supervi- unions....Do we want a politi- sion of a lifelong partisan polit- cal system that grants winners ical operative whose career has the ability to use the law of the been dedicated to the destruc- land to weaken, disable, and tion of his political opponents,” destroy political opponents?”

from our Membership Officers and Staff

LaborersLaborers LocalLocal 10911091 Among labor elves this holiday season were the members of AFSCME 3801, who not too long ago were on strike at UMD. Kimberly Butson, left, and Leona Krieg (in black), Duluth, Minnesota / Superior, Wisconsin presented the Community Services Committee with the and Surrounding Counties union’s donation to Director Yvonne Harvey and Chair Todd Erickson. Leona is the newest member of the commit- tee and was at the Labor Temple Saturday with other mem- bers, sorting donated gifts so more people in the region could have happy holidays. PAGE 12 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Night work: Bad for your health in many ways, considered carcinogenic By Susan Perry — concludes that shift work “is work night shifts — specifical- linked shift work to a higher chronically sleep-deprived — www.MinnPost.com probably carcinogenic to ly, nurses and flight attendants risk of colon cancer in women even more so than the rest of Shift work has been added humans.” — are at increased risk of and prostate cancer in men. us. As Sothern reports in his to the list of risk factors for This finding marks a con- breast cancer. Even stronger is Nor is cancer the only book, one study of nurses cancer, but there are other siderable change in medical the evidence from animal stud- health risk that increases when found that 80 percent of those health problems you face when thinking. Until now, cancer ies. When rodents are constant- you work nights. A host of working evening and night working nights and evenings. organizations have tended to ly exposed to light, even dim other ailments, such as obesity, shifts suffered from sleep dis- In an article in the Dec. 7 slot shift work into the “uncer- light, or when they are put into heart disease, gastrointestinal orders compared to 23 percent issue of Lancet Oncology (reg. tain, controversial or un- situations that simulate chronic problems (including peptic of those working the day shift. req.), the International Agency proven” category of risk fac- jet lag, they are much more ulcers) and depression, are And as research has repeat- for Research on Cancer tors. likely to develop tumors. more common among shift edly shown, not getting enough (IARC) — the cancer arm of As the IARC notes, studies Other research, not directly workers. sleep is a major — and often the World Health Organization have found that women who cited in the IARC article, has About 20 percent of Ameri- unacknowledged — health cans are shift workers. Most hazard. are employed in the health Darkness is key 733-0100 care, industrial, transportation, Fortunately, shift workers communications and hospitali- can take some steps (short of KOLAR ty sectors of the workforce. getting a day job) to protect www.kolarnet.com Disrupting the their health. Here are Sothern’s A U T O M O T I V E G R O U P ‘night hormone’ suggestions: The IARC announcement • Fool your brain into think- didn’t surprise Robert Sothern, ing night has fallen — and into When Others Won’t...KOLAR Will PhD, a research associate at the releasing melatonin — by University of Minnesota’s Col- wearing specially designed lege of Biological Sciences and sunglasses with 100 percent 4781 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth, MN the co-author of Introducing protection from the sun’s blue Biological Rhythms (Springer, light on your way home from 2006). He’s spent an entire aca- work. Blue light blocks mela- demic career studying the tonin production. effect of disruptions in biologi- • Keep a regular sleep cycle Happy Holidays and have a cal rhythms on human health. routine. Go to bed and get up at Shift work, says Sothern, the same time each day. Make creates a “chronodisruption” in sure you get enough sleep — Great New Year! the body’s production of the the amount that leaves you hormone melatonin, a powerful feeling rested. Call us if you’re antioxidant that, among other • Keep your bedroom as thinking of building things, helps produce key com- dark as possible, and wear eye ponents of the immune system, shades while you sleep. “Our or remodeling-- including cancer-fighting natu- eye lids are not opaque,” says We’ll direct you to ral killer cells. Sothern. Light can thus sup- press melatonin even when our qualified, licensed “Melatonin cues the immune system to go into high eyes are closed. contractors that speed,” he says. And what sig- • If your home is noisy, wear earplugs or use white employ trained, skilled nals the body to make mela- tonin? Darkness. noise or background music to trades’ members of “When the sun’s going mask sleep-disruptive sounds. down, it’s a cue to the body to • Consider taking 1 mil- these unions: ligram of melatonin before Boilermakers Lodge 647 ~~ 724-6999 Operating Engineers Local 49 start making melatonin,” Sothern explains. “The prob- climbing into bed. “It helps set the body clock,” says Sothern, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers 724-3840 lem for shift workers is when they get off the night shift, they “and can help you fall asleep.” Local 1 ~~ 724-8374 Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 But talk with your doctor first. 724-6466 don’t shield themselves from Carpenters Local 361 ~~ 724-3297 the sunlight.” Melatonin can interact with No darkness. No melatonin. other medications, and its long- Cement Masons, Plasterers & Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 term side effects remain 727-2199 No beneficial antioxidant Shophands Local 633 ~~ 724-2323 activity. unknown. Electrical Workers Local 242 ~~ 728-6895 Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96 Shift workers are also 218-644-1096 Elevator Constructors Local 9 24 HOUR Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 HOME & (612) 379-2709 SERVICE 724-6873 BUSINESS Insulators Local 49 ~~ 724-3223 HEATING Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 INSTALLATION Iron Workers Local 512 ~~ 724-5073 (701) 281-1514 FREE & Laborers Local 1091 ~~ 728-5151 Teamsters Local 346 ~~ 628-1034 ESTIMATES SETUP Millwrights & Machinery Erectors Local 1348 ~~ 741-6314 DuluthDuluth BuildingBuilding && ConstructionConstruction TTradesrades CouncilCouncil Harbor City Oil & PROPANE “The cost is less when you use the Best!” 3020 West Superior Street • 624-3633 Craig Olson, President, 1-218-724-6466 Warming the Northland for over 40 years LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 13 New strategies promise greater leadership roles for women in unions The Institute for Women’s women workers, but they could strategies outlined in this report union-based activism, accord- labor force participation and Policy Research (IWPR) on be much better at promoting are designed to help women ing to the report titled I Knew I growing unionization in the Dec. 5 issued a report outlining women into leadership posi- claim a voice of authority in an Could Do This Work. jobs they dominate, such as strategies for unions to use in tions,” said Amy Caiazza, area that is traditionally domi- Among them are women’s nursing, teaching, and clerical promoting women’s voices and Director of Democracy and nated by men.” lack of visibility in leadership; jobs. As of 2004, 44 percent of leadership. Society Programs at IWPR Women experience a wide the fear of retribution as a union members are women, “Unions are good for and the report’s author. “The range of obstacles to their result of union activism; dis- and the majority of new work- comfort with conflict and pub- ers organized over the past two lic roles; neglected priorities of decades have been women . In Get Yourself Holiday-Ready! women workers; the time some unions, particularly in the With the number of hours we’re open, there’s demands of union work; bias service industries, women within unions; and lack of already comprise 50 percent or no excuse for not looking your best for the awareness of what unions do. more of membership. The report, which is based Still, women are not propor- holidays. Hunting season’s all but over so on interviews with women who tionally represented within come in and look good again for the family! are union activists, outlines union leadership. Women are seven strategies to promote about 21 percent of lead union $$$COUPON$$$ women’s leadership: organizers, and they hold rela- UUnionnion BBarbersarbers 1. Address Women’s True tively few top union positions, $2 Off 2002 London Road Priorities: If unions more visi- even in unions with strong Use 20th Avenue East entrance, bly address women’s concerns, female membership. In no Your Next Haircut Santa Robert gets they are more likely to inspire union does women’s leadership With This Ad! left down hall to Suite 96 IBEW 242 Retiree their long-term, active involve- match their level of involve- $$$COUPON$$$ Clarence Whelan ment. ment. 728-0336 ready for Christmas. 2. Create and Support Unions are good for women SHOP HOURS: H o l i d a y G i f t C e r t i f i c a t e s A v a i l a b l e ! Formal Mentoring Programs: workers. Unionized women While a good deal of mentor- earn 30 percent more than non- Mon.-Fri. 9-6 / Sat. 9-1 By appointment or just walk-in ing occurs informally, it could unionized women, and union be more intentionally incorpo- workers have more paid leave rated into union organizing as a and are more likely to have source of ongoing support. health insurance. As more and 3. Provide Opportunities for more women work, their Women to Strategize Together: wages, benefits, and job char- Unions can cultivate women- acteristics have far-reaching specific training programs, impact on their families and conferences, women’s commit- communities. tees, and networks at the local, Women are powerful, effec- regional, and national levels. tive leaders who can benefit 4. Put Women in unions. For example, lead Leadership: Placing women in organizers who are women visible local and national lead- have higher success rates than ership roles provides role mod- men do; women of color have els and articulates respect for the highest rates of all. their authority. Finally, women’s union A Research-in-Brief and the leadership can lead to their report are available at leadership in other areas of www.iwpr.org. Important public life, including politics, points on the report include: by building skills in talented Women are an increasing women and encouraging them proportion of union member- to expand their personal goals ship, thanks to their higher and expectations.

year from now we should AAbe rejoicing following the elections of November 2008, which will be critical with a new president and congress. If we start now, working to ensure Labor- Friendly candidates are elected, it will be a very Merry Christmas. IrIronon RangeRange LaborLabor HappyHappy Holidays holidays fromfrom the the officers Officers AssembAssemblyly andand Staff staff of of the the MinnesotaMinnesota AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO Tom Cvar, President Artwork courtesy of Ricardo Levins Morales and Northland Poster Collective.

PAGE 14 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 USW: BP refinery hazards still widespread in oil industry after Texas City By Mark Gruenberg 29. USW President Leo Gerard ing in February 2009. The U.S. Chemical Safety “We have circulated this PAI Staff Writer and other officials said findings The report’s theme was Board strongly criticized BP report to all our locals in the Confirming what a top fed- included faulty atmospheric punctuated the very morning of for numerous safety failings, petrochemical refining industry eral safety official stated, safe- valves and lack of process safe- its release when an explosion including failing to monitor and mailed it to the compa- ty hazards in oil refineries ty plans covering entire refiner- and fire killed two workers at safety of the entire production nies,” Gerard said. “We intend exposed by the fatal March ies. They promised that unless an oil pipeline terminal in process and cutting back safety to launch a major education 2005 blast at BP’s Texas City, the oil firms took action to fix Clearbrook, Minn. That termi- personnel, in an earlier report. campaign of our members and Texas, refinery are widespread, the mess, USW would take its nal handles oil imports from Its chair told Congress hazards hopefully we’ll get agreement the Steel Workers say in a cause to Congress, to the 2008 Canada and approximately found at Texas City easily with the companies on educat- detailed survey released Nov. campaign and then to bargain- 15% of all U.S. oil consump- apply not just to the oil indus- ing workers on safety condi- tion. Its Canadian-owned firm, try, but to factories in general. tions.” BP has agreed, he said. Enbridge Pipelines, is non- USW’s report, with data, Process safety standards A Happy Holiday Season! union. confirmed her findings. cover a refinery’s entire opera- tions and production processes, not just individual components. To All But OSHA has conducted few Union Members & The Best of the Season and such inspections nationwide in the last decade--and none at Area Contractors New Year to All Our Friends! Texas City. from Another hazard is oil firms’ from the members of determination to subcontract safety monitoring to outsiders Cement Masons, who are often unfamiliar with International Association petrochemical production pro- Plasterers & cesses, Gerard said. BP has of Heat & Frost reversed course on that since Shophands Insulators and Texas City, which killed 15 and injured hundreds of others. Local 633 Asbestos Workers Those 15 were in flimsy trailers--trailers found at other Local 49 refineries, the report says --and 1-218-724-2323 We're The Insulators! didn’t need to be there. They America’s Oldest Building Trades Union• Est. 1864 were “non-essential” clerical workers, it notes. The report says the same situations exist elsewhere. Specifically: from the members of • Workers at 90% of the 51 refineries said their facilities had at least one of the condi- IBEW Local 31 tions found at Texas City. 61 IBEW Local 31 percent of the respondents, rep- resenting 31 refineries, report- ed at least one incident or near miss involving at least one of the four contributing factors in the past three years. • Many of the refineries that had at least 1 of the 4 condi- Representing workers at: tions reported after BP’s explo- WishingWishing sion either did not take action Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Cooperative Light & Power Association or took actions judged as less Lutsen, MN of Lake County than very effective. Two Harbors, MN “These conditions have YouYou Bayfield Electric Co-op Iron River, Wl Crow Wing Cooperative Power & Light existed for 30 years,” added Brainerd, MN USW VP Gary Beevers. Peace City of Brainerd - Gerard said the only reason Peace Administrative Support Itasca Mantrap Cooperative Electric Assn. other refineries haven’t explod- andand aa Brainerd, MN Park Rapids, MN ed as Texas City did is “luck.” City of Brainerd - Lake Country Power • Refiners are not following Fire Department Grand Rapids, Kettle River & Virginia OSHA’s process safety stan- JoyousJoyous Brainerd, MN dard. When 16 process safety Mille Lacs Electric Cooperative City of Brainerd - Aitkin, MN systems for startups or shut- Water & Light Dept. Minnesota Energy Resources Corp. downs were rated, 87% of HolidayHoliday Brainerd, MN workers said overall manage- (Formerly Aquila) City of Moose Lake - Cloquet, MN ment of the systems was less Water & Light than very effective. SeasonSeason Minnesota Power Moose Lake, MN Duluth, MN • Other shortfalls included City of Staples - inadequate staffing, lack of Public Utility Commission of Aitkin Water & Light Commission safety preparedness for con- Staples, MN Aitkin, MN tract workers, insufficient City of Two Harbors - Public Utility Commission of Proctor refinery preparation for han- Proctor, MN Water & Light Dept. dling hazardous materials Two Harbors, MN Superior Water, Light & Power emergencies and lack of emer- Superior, WI gency response training. City of Wadena - The union has offered to Electric Water Dept. Todd-Wadena Electric Co-op Wadena, MN Wadena, MN train workers in safety and even pay the costs.

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 15 AFSCME Council 65 endorses Mike Ciresi Nashwauk-based Greater Chanhassen Public Library, on Steve Giorgi. “He understands Minnesota Council 65 of November 19. After nearly two the importance of providing AFSCME has endorsed Mike hours of extensive questioning good paying jobs, pensions and Ciresi for U.S. Senate. It is of the candidates, Mike Ciresi making sure that employees Ciresi’s first labor endorse- came out as the candidate who have health insurance. Mike ment. He is one of four demonstrated the passion, has a track record as a legal Democrats vying for that enthusiasm and determination advocate to take on the tough party’s endorsement to run to wage the battle against a sit- battles, to work as hard as nec- against Norm Coleman next ting incumbent and we believe, essary to win the fight and he year. to prevail,” Council 65 said in has a proven track record of AFSCME Council 65 repre- their press release. delivering positive results for to Union Members sents nearly 13,000 members “It was clear to us that Mike the working people of from border to border in Ciresi is the best candidate to Minnesota.” and Your Families greater Minnesota. It covers 59 beat Norm Coleman,” said The press release said all county employee groups, and AFSCME Council 65 Director four candidates can be com- represents employees in over Steve Preble. “He is the only mended for their positions on & PA 70 different counties in candidate with the judgment working class issues, their Andrew Bransky Minnesota. and experience to win in vision for the future and their AFSCME Council 65 did November. Mike grew up in a passion for making this a great not join AFSCME Council 5 in working class family and has country once again, but Tim Andrew ~ Aaron Bransky its endorsement of Al Franken. never forgotten his roots.” Council 65 and its statewide “Council 65 held a candi- “As a life long Minnesotan, membership will be working Representing Unions and their Members date forum, hosted by Local Mike Ciresi is one of us,” said with Mike Ciresi in his quest 2789 (Carver County) at the Council 65 Assistant Director for the DFL endorsement and a 302 W. Superior St. Suite 300 seat in the United States Duluth, MN 55802 218-722-1764 Senate. Council 65’s endorsement provides statewide connections in the cities, counties and town- ships where precinct caucuses STRETCH will determine delegates to A Holiday Wish County DFL caucuses, and eventually to the State DFL your finances! For Our Convention. Ciresi, Franken, Jim Cohen, Trade Union and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer all have stated that they will abide Brothers and Sisters by the DFL endorsement and Your Families... process. A Joyous Holiday INTERSTATE and a SPUR Very Prosperous, Healthy 2008 Skip a Bricklayers & Allied Crafts Local 1 2700 W. Michigan St. Consumer GAS - DIESEL Minnesota/North Dakota GROCERIES You’ll really like Loan our car wash! Payment From Our Family To Yours, Happy Holidays during December! You’ve worked hard on my campaigns, Call for Details! We’ve worked hard on working family issues, Together we are making a difference. Looking forward to 2008! Our 62 years of experience is now available Peg Sweeney to all Northland residents and businesses HERMANTOWN DULUTH St. Louis County Commissioner, District 5 4477 Lavaque Rd. 2002 London Rd. Paid for by the Sweeney Volunteer Committee 729-7733 728-3850

PAGE 16 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Happy Holidays! H a p p y H o l i d a y s

State Rep. David Dill is endorsed by: 4DuluthIron Range Building Building and Construction & Construction Trades CouncilTrades United Steelworkers District #11 4 Iron Range Building and Construction Trades 2929 University Avenue SE, Suite #150 Duluth Building & Construction Trades Minneapolis, MN 55414 4IronIron Range Range Labor Labor Assembly Assembly 4 - USWMN AFL-CIO District 11 4 MinnesotaU.S. Steelworkers Association of of America, Professional District Employees 11 4 Minnesota Farmers Union - PAC Paid for by David Dill for 6A Committee; JoAnne Pagel, Treasurer, P.O. Box 293, Orr, MN 55771 4 DFL House Caucus Endorsed 4 Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers 4 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 633 4 Minnesota School Board Association "House Legislator of Year 2004" Paid for by the David Dill for 6A Committee, JoAnne Pagel, Treasurer, P.O. Box 293, Orr, MN 55771

Teamsters Joint Council 32 Minnesota • Iowa North and South Dakota

Happy Holidays Painters and EXECUTIVE BOARD Allied Trades AFFILIATED LOCAL UNIONS Local 106 DANIEL L. FORTIER President Local 90 Claudia Pettit, Secretary-Treasurer SUSAN E. MAUREN Local 120 Brad Slawson, Sr., Secretary-Treasurer Secretary-Treasurer Local 160 Wayne Perleberg, Secretary-Treasurer W e A p p r e c i a t e Y o u r PATRICK M. RADZAK Local 238 Gary Dunham, Secretary-Treasurer P a t r o n a g e ! Vice President Local 289 Dan Bartholomew, Secretary-Treasurer The only Reef MARK C. RIME Local 320 Sue Mauren, Secretary-Treasurer worth steering Recording Secretary Local 346 Pat Radzak, Secretary-Treasurer into has... DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW Local 421 Dave Baker, President Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Trustee Local 471 Dave Laxen, Secretary-Treasurer Local 638 Mark Rime, Secretary-Treasurer 7 Days a week LAWRENCE YOSWA Trustee Local 749 Randy Knudtson, Secretary-Treasurer Tuesday is Karaoke Night Local 792 Larry Yoswa, Secretary-Treasurer BRADLEY SLAWSON, SR. Wednesday has Live Music Trustee Local 970 Dan Fortier, Secretary-Treasurer Live bands Friday & Saturday, Local 974 Tom Tweet, Secretary-Treasurer from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Local 1145 Brad Slawson, Sr., Trustee The largest game room in town! We can set-up employee parties of up to 80 people! THE REEF In the Labor Temple, 2002 London Road, Duluth

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 17 Teaching labor history gets From Our Family To Yours... hearing, support in Wisconsin Support is developing for a bill requiring every school district in Wisconsin to teach labor history and collective bargaining. We hope this Holiday Season finds you thankful for what High school graduates have an appalling lack of knowledge this year has brought and gives you hope for the New Year. about unions, David Nack said in representing the Wisconsin Labor History Society at a recent hearing. “When we’re talking about the history of working people, we’re talking about the his- GARRY KRAUSE tory of the United States,” Nack said. th “If this new proposal is to win passage, it’s critical that all Duluth City Council, 4 District persons who care about children being given education about Paid for by Garry Krause Vol. Comm., 1220 Stanford Ave., Duluth 55811 working people and their unions contact their state senators and representatives,” said Ken Germanson, president of the Society. Six senators have introduced Senate Bill 108 which would call for schools to meet an educational goal to provide: “Knowledge of state, national, and world history, including the history of organized labor in America and the collective bar- gaining process.” The bill proposes adding the words shown in Have a Safe & Enjoyable italics to Sec. 118.01 (2) (c) 6 of the State Statutes, a section that provides guidance on educating children. Have a safe and enjoyable This is the fifth time in the last 15 years that efforts have been Holiday Season made to pass a measure requiring the teaching of labor history. Labor Day weekend All attempts failed usually due to almost solid opposition of And please buckle up Republicans. The measure has passed the Senate in the past, with some Republican support, only to be stalled and never And please buckle up brought to a vote in the Assembly. From the Blue Cross Organized Labor Department SB 108 was given wide support by over a dozen speakers in From the Blue Cross Organized Labor Department testimony at a hearing Dec. 6 by the Senate Education (651) 662-6436 Committee. Phil Neuenfeldt, secretary-treasurer of the (651) 662-2934 Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, told the committee: “Labor history is really the greatest story never told.” The only persons registering against the bill represented school management interests, the School Administrators Alliance and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) is a strong supporter of unions and feels we all need to know more about labor and immigrant his- tory. But he told the Northern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council two weeks ago that it’s tough to WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE! mandate more curriculum responsibilities on school districts, and teachers would need to be trained to teach labor history because few would be able to do it now. “We need to mandate civics, too, and it’s not required,” Jauch RRememberingemembering said. “That would help us promote citizenship.” The future of the bill rests on action in the final months of the legislative session that continues into 2008. With Democrats in BrBrotherother Debs’Debs’ control of the Senate, it is expected there will be action on the measure. For it to be scheduled for a vote in the Assembly, some 152nd Birthday! Republicans will need to join in supporting it. 151st Birthday! Find out more at www.wisconsinlaborhistory.org HAVE A Eugene V. Debs HAPPY & SAFE 1855-1926 Holiday & Great 2008!

from the Members, Officers and Staff of Operating Engineers Local 49 Missabe Road) Pulling Our Weight In Minnesota, North & South Dakota www.local49.org

PAGE 18 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Milwaukee U.S. Bank workers vote in AFSCME MILWAUKEE - Some 500 tellers and other white-collar, non-supervisory employees of U.S. Bank in Milwaukee County, voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with Wisconsin Council 48 of AFSCME. U.S. Bank is the sixth largest commercial bank in the United States, with headquarters in Minneapolis. This is a first for AFSCME, nationwide, says Richard Abelson, the council’s executive director. The workforce, he points out, is employed entirely within the confines of Milwaukee County. For the past three decades, the employees were members of an independent association called the Bank Employees Union, also exclusive to the county. “As the bank has gotten larger, and as they’ve demonstrated less and less respect for us as employees, we felt that it was time to look at our options,” said Hady Bricco, who works in the bank’s fraud-detection department and is now president of their new AFSCME local – chartered as 777 not because of its lucky connotation, but because they work in what is known locally as the “777 building.” “We were approached as one of a handful of unions they were reaching out to,” said Abelson. “After a relatively short courtship, they decided on us. They’re obviously not a tradition- al group of workers that AFSCME would represent, but they fit nicely with our group, and we’re very excited to have them on board.” “We knew we didn’t want to get swallowed up by another union, so we thought about affiliating,” said Bricco. “It’s strength in numbers. We look forward to having AFSCME with us at the bargaining table.” Nationally, few bank employees belong to unions because organizing in the financial industry has been difficult. 7ISHINGŸ9OUŸAŸ AFSCME represents 1.4 million workers, most of them pub- lic employees. ,IFETIMEŸOFŸ(EALTHŸ Reprinted from the AFSCME website, www.afscme.org ANDŸ7ELLNESSŸTHISŸ Joyous Holiday Greetings from (OLIDAYŸ3EASON
Yvonne Harvey

Happy Holidays! Jim Ward Happy Holidays! *IM
7ARD UniversityUniversity ofof MinnesotaMinnesota 952-992-2662 LaborLabor Education Education ServiceService “The“The statestate is is our our campus!”campus” 3Training for unions and workers 3Labor Studies Certificate program WWWMEDICACOM 3Award-winning video production 3Minnesota at Work cable TV show 3Workday Minnesota website ‚

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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 19 Writers want fair share of new media profits By Michael Moore, St. That sliver, according to the accept an insignificant percent- Season’s Greetings Paul’s Union Advocate editor union, amounts to 2.5 percent age of VHS and DVD revenues As the Writers Guild of of revenue the studios, repre- from production companies. America’s nationwide strike sented by the Alliance of That’s why writers get just 4 To Our Sisters and Brothers in Labor entered its second month, a Motion Picture and Television cents per DVD sold today. dozen Twin Cities-based mem- Producers, earn from delivery The Writers Guild asks sup- bers of the union picketed in of writers’ work via the porters to call or write media The Superior solidarity outside the busy Internet, and 8 cents per DVD executives and tell them to give Uptown Theatre in Minneapo- the studios sell. union writers a fair share of the Federation lis Saturday December 8. Writers have made it clear billions they make syndicating The writers’ demands? Just they are willing to make sacri- TV shows and selling films on of Labor “a sliver” of the money TV and fices in the short term to avoid the Internet and on DVDs. movie producers are making losing out on new revenue Visit www.fans4writers.com, Janice Terry, President, 394-2896 off sales of so-called residuals, sources in the long term – a www.unitedhollywood. We meet the first Wednesday of each month (except like DVDs, video downloads mistake they admit making in blogspot.com or www. or online streaming. 1985, when they agreed to strikenotes.blogspot.com. July), at 7:00 p.m., at the Superior Public Library The Best of the Happy Holidays & Holiday Season and the New Year... Happy New Year! ...to everyone who works so hard to make our community a better place to Communications Workers live and work. of America, Local 7214

Thank you for the honor and pleasure of serving the great State of Minnesota. I’ll always work to improve the lives of working families. I’m enjoying doing it! DFL/Labor Endorsed Tony Minnesota Senate Lourey District 8 Paid for by Tony Lourey for Senate, Tony Bundschuh, Treasurer, Bruno, MN 55712

PAGE 20 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Broadway Stagehands settle NEW YORK (PAI)--After three days of round-the-clock bar- gaining, Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 1 won a new contract for Broadway stagehands on Nov. 28 from New York’s theatrical producers, ending a 19-day strike. Details of the new pact were not disclosed pending a mem- bership vote on the contract. The producers wanted to cut the numbers of stagehands who do things like shift scenery, lights, sound systems and props, install sets and keep shows running smoothly. The local resisted the cuts, and noted stagehands lacked raises for years. ~~Clip This Coupon~~ News reports said the tradeoff was there could be some job cuts in each production in return for higher raises than the 3.5% $ Off Complete Eyewear $ hike the producers’ league initially offered for each year of the 5- 25 25 year pact. After the talks succeeded, IATSE Local 1 President James J. Limit one per customer--No other discounts apply Claffey Jr. told hundreds of stagehands gathered in midtown 2002 London Road Duluth, MN 55812 218-728-2863 Manhattan that “You represented yourselves and your families and your union proud.” Local 1 Business Manager Kevin McGarty called the pact “equitable for everyone involved.” But while one performing arts union settled with its produc- ers, another conflict may widen. The Writers Guild of America’s strike against Hollywood and New York TV and movie studios Dear Friends, shows no signs of ending. And writers for CBS News in Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York are planning to strike on Dec. 10, During this Holiday Season you are WBBM-TV, Chicago’s CBS affiliate reported. Democratic pres- much$EAR&RIENDS in my thoughts. Your support idential hopefuls, scheduled to debate in Los Angeles in a forum has made possible the realization of broadcast by CBS, pulled out and the debate was canceled. The CBS writers have been forced to strike because they’ve a life-long7ITHTHE(OLIDAY3EASONUPONUS dream: to chair the toiled without a contract for more than two years and because Transportation)WANTTAKEAMOMENTTOTHANKYOU and Infrastructure CBS is demanding a 2-tier pay system and the unlimited right to combine union and non-union shops. Committee.FORYOURSUPPORTOFMYCAMPAIGNFOR RE ELECTION9OUHAVEMADEPOSSIBLE WhileTHEREALIZATIONOFALIFE LONGDREAM we have accomplished much in theTOCHAIRTHE4RANSPORTATIONAND First Session in the 110th Congress, there is much work yet to )NFRASTRUCTURE#OMMITTEE “A Leader in Promoting Workplace Solutions.” do to get our country back on track. www.doli.state.mn.us With.OWTHEREALWORKBEGINS your help and support, I will Workers’ Compensation Hotline 1-800-DIAL-DLI continue working to: Minnesota OSHA-Workplace safety & health • honor)TISATIMETOTURNAWAYFROMTHE our veterans, bring peace to Iraq, and to bring our troops home. 1-877-470-OSHA • createPARTISANSHIPTHATHASSORECENTLYGRIPPEDTHE#ONGRESSANDTOS good paying jobs at home. ETABOUTTHEPEOPLES Workplace Safety Consultation 1-800-657-3776 • investBUSINESSINASPIRITOFHUMILITYANDCOOPERATION)AMREMINDED in our transportation infrastructure. OFTHECLOSINGWORDS Workers’ Compensation Tipline1-888-Fraud-MN • returnOF,INCOLNS3ECOND)NAUGURAL WHICHSEEMINCREDIBLYAPPROPRIAT some sanity to our nation's budget and spendingETODAY priorities. Labor Standards-Child labor/wages/overtime 1-651-284-5070 In the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee we have made h7ITHMALICETOWARDNONE WITHCHARITYFORALL WITHlRMNESSINTHERIGHTAS'OD Apprenticeship~Quality employee training dramatic progress. With your continued support, the best is yet to come. GIVESUSTOSEETHERIGHT LETUSSTRIVEONTOlNISHTHEWORKWEAREIN TOBINDUPTHE 1-651-284-5090 I look NATIONSWOUNDS TOCAREFORHIMWHOSHALLHAVEBORNETHEBATTLforward to the challenges ahead, knowing that I EANDFORHISWIDOWhave your Code~Boiler/High Pressure piping 1-651-284-5080 support,ANDHISORPHAN TODOALLWHICHMAYACHIEVEANDCHERISHAJUST your confidence, and your counsel. ANDLASTINGPEACE In theAMONGOURSELVESANDWITHALLNATIONSv months ahead, I hope you will stay in touch. Visit my web site: www.oberstar.org. Sign up for the Oberstar Democracy Project. )LOOKFORWARDTOTHECHALLENGESAHEAD KNOWINGTHAT)HAVEYOURSUPPORT YOUR Together,CONlDENCE ANDYOURCOUNSEL4OGETHER LETSBEGINTHISGREATWORK let’s begin the great work of increasing Democratic)NTHEMONTHS majorities in theAHEAD )HOPEYOUWILLSTAYINTOUCH4HANKYOU
House and Senate and returning a Democrat to the White House. Thank you! 3INCERELY

*IM/BERSTARFORYOU FORMINNESOTA *)-/"%234!2 -#

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 21 “Thank you for your support. May the Joy of this Holiday Season be with you and your family throughout the year.” Mary Murphy State Representative District 6B AFL-CIO & DFL Endorsed

Paid for by the Mary Murphy Volunteer Committee, 5180 Arrowhead Rd. Hermantown, MN 55811

Here’s hoping you had a safe and successful year that will allow for Happy Holidays from your friends in the 19 affiliated unions of the Iron Range Building & Trades Council Contact us - we can direct you to the highest quality contractors who use the most skilled, area workers! President John Grahek, 1-218-741-2482 Treasurer Michael Syversrud, 107 S. 15th Ave. W., Virginia, Mn. 55792 Recording Secretary Dennis Marchetti 2007~ Wishing you It's Happy Holidays A and a Wrap! Great 2008!

From your Friends at Minnesota LECET Contact us at 651-429-1600 www.minnesotalaborers.org Skilled Construction Laborers and Union Contractors Working Together PAGE 22 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 Make your pick for this year’s Grinch Who is the greediest and • Joseph Luter III, chairman president of American Airlines, grouchiest corporate Grinch of North Carolina’s Smithfield, who has refused to reward the who has inflicted the most the largest pork slaughterhouse sacrifice of 95,000 workers harm on workers and working in the world employs 5,000 who made massive conces- families in 2007? You can workers and kills and dismem- sions in 2003, but has awarded decide as part of Jobs with bers over 32,000 hogs each millions of dollars in bonuses Justice’s seventh annual Grinch day. One of the most dangerous to top executives. of the Year contest. worksites in the U.S., working The winner of last year’s To vote for the 2007 conditions aren’t much better Grinch award, Goodyear Tire “Grinch of the Year,” go to than those described 100 years and Rubber Co., forced out on www.jwj.org/grinch.html. The ago in Upton Sinclair’s “The strike more than 15,000 United site has detailed descriptions of Jungle.” Workers have tried to Steelworkers members at 16 this year’s nominees, who are: organize the plant for 10 years plants in the United States and but have been harassed and Canada in October 2006. intimidated. Past Grinch candidates and Check out SGI at 4911 Matterhorn Drive! • Bob Toohey, Verizon’s VP winners have included Wal- of human resources: The huge Mart, George W. Bush, Donald When you need Any Type of Glass Work call this telecommunications company Rumsfeld, Cintas, Comcast, area’s only UNION, AUTO GLASS COMPANY! engaged in union-busting, Verizon Wireless, Angelica and We’ll handle your insurance claim and do the attempted to cut service to rural Continental General Tire. areas and threatened the health Jobs with Justice, founded repair at your site or in our service centers. care and retirement security of in 1987, has coalitions in over But auto glass repair/replacement is only part of its retired employees. 40 cities fighting for justice in • J. Nicholas Counter III, workplaces and communities. what we do. Residential and commercial glass work Nate Kiminski president of the Association of are a large part of our expanding business. Painters & Allied Motion Picture and Television Trades Local 106 Producers, who forced a strike RESIDENTIAL~~Thermopane Replacement~ Storm Sash/ by 12,000 members of the Screen Repair ~Patio Doors ~Glass Tub Enclosures/Shower Writer’s Guild, affecting the Doors ~Tables/Desktops ~Glass Beveling ~Mirrors entire entertainment industry. ~Entrance Doors ~Vinyl Replacement Windows SGISGI • John W. Chidsey, CEO of ~H-Windows ~Glass Handrails/Replacement SUPERIOR GLASS INC. Burger King, who refuses to 4911 Matterhorn Drive,Duluth improve the wages and work- COMMERCIAL~~Store Front Design/Fabrication 823 Belknap, Superior ing conditions of Florida farm ~Besam Entrance Doors ~Automated Door Systems 722-7400 F394-5588 workers who pick the tomatoes Serving the area for over 60 years! 1-888-899-6369 sold at his fast food restaurants. • Gerard Arpey, CEO and

www.ufcw1116.org Wishing our Brothers and Sisters a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Steve Gilbertson, President UFCW Local 1116 Joyce Berglund, Secretary Treasurer Representatives: Tom Cvar, Dan Hudyma, Gary Morgan Office Staff: Diane Rosendahl, Barb Lowe, Tamara Jones (Assistant to the President) Please don’t patronize the new Save-A-Lot supermarket in West Duluth’s mall. The owners have refused to meet with us, preferring to drive down the wages & benefits we’ve established at our affiliated supermarkets--Cub, Mt. Royal Fine Foods, Pike Lake Roofers Super Valu, and seven Super Ones. Don't contribute to America’s Wal-Martization. Local 96

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 23 Best Wishes for the Holidays and the New Year! If your Union isn’t listed here among our affiliates, please call 218-724-1413 to learn how to become part of our Labor Movement! AFGE 3935 (Duluth Federal Prison) Insulators 49 AFSCME 66 (City, County, Others) Ironworkers 512 AFSCME 4001 (Minnesota State College & University) Laborers 1091 AFSCME 695 (Minnesota DOT) Lake Superior News Guild 37008 AFSCME 718 (Minnesota DNR) Machinists District 165 AFSCME 1011 (MNDOT) Machinists Lodge 1575 AFSCME 1123 (Two Harbors Municipal) Mailers ML-62 AFSCME 1934 (St. Louis County Jail) Minnesota News Guild/Typographical 37002 AFSCME 2829 (Amalgamated Minnesota State Employees) Minnesota Nurses Association AFSCME 2980 (Minnesota State Agricultural Employees) Musicians 18 AFSCME 3142 (Minnesota Public Safety) National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 114 AFSCME 3558 (Duluth Area Non-Profits) National Conference of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU 956 AFSCME 3801 (UMD Clerical/Technical) Office & Professional Employees 12 AFSCME 3802 (Silver Bay Veterans Home) Office & Professional Employees 277 AFSCME Council 5 Operating Engineers 49 American Postal Workers Union--Greater Northland Area Operating Engineers 70 Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, Grain Millers 167G Painters & Allied Trades 106 Boilermakers Lodge 647 Plumbers & Steamfitters 11 Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers 1 Roofers 96 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Division 1710 Sheet Metal Workers 10 Cement Masons, Plasterers, Shophands 633 Stagehands 32 Communication Workers of America 7214 UAW 241 Duluth Federation of Teachers 692 UFCW 1116 Education Minnesota-Cloquet Teachers UNITE HERE Joint Board (Minnesota) Education Minnesota-Proctor Teachers UNITE HERE 99 Education Minnesota-Wrenshall Teachers UNITE HERE 150 Education Minnesota-Willow River Teachers University Education Association (UMD) Fire Fighters 101 USW District 11 Hermantown Teachers Federation 1096 USW 1028 IBEW 31 (Utility Workers, Others) USW 1028 Retirees IBEW 31 & 242 Retirees USW 9460 IBEW 242 (Construction, TV, Others) IBEW 366 (Canadian National) Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body Alan Netland, President Beth McCuskey, Vice President Terri Newman, Recording Secretary Sheldon Christopherson, Treasurer Larry Sillanpa, Reading Clerk Lori Doucette, Sergeant at Arms Teresa Gunderson, Assistant Sergeant at Arms Trustees Craig Olson, Bruce Lotti, Scott Dulas Executive Board Jim Brown, Marie Pechek, Laura Laaksonen, Brent Pykkonen

PAGE 24 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007