Here Are Food Shelf Needs Including About 10,000 with This Saturday Is the Letter Carriers Food Drive and Since Some Form of Asbestosis

(ISSN 0023-6667)

An Injury to One is an Injury to All! WEDNESDAY VOL. 113 MAY 7, 2008 NO. 21 Huge jump in Latino deaths (Washington, April 28) - - Workplace fatalities have increased sharply for Latino and immigrant workers, reports the new AFL- CIO annual study: Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. In 2006, fatal injuries among Latino workers increased by seven percent over 2005, with 990 fatalities among this group of workers, the highest number ever reported. The total number of fatal workplace injuries in the United States was 5,840, an increase from the year before. On average, 16 workers were fatally injured and another 11,200 workers were injured or made ill each day in 2006. These statistics do not include deaths from occupational diseases, which claim the lives Fire Fighter Local 101’s Honor Guard was led by Sandy Solem as those who attended of an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 more workers each year. Duluth’s Workers Memorial Day observance April 28 gave their respect. It was the start of The fatality rate among Hispanic workers in 2006 was 25 per- a solemn occasion that remembered ten workers who lost their lives in the last year. cent higher than the fatal injury rate for all U.S. workers. Since 1992, when data was first collected in the BLS Census of Fatal Ten remembered at Workers’ Memorial Occupational Injuries, the number of fatalities among Latino The Twin Port’s observance young to be gone. Their fami- A tree was planted behind workers has increased by 86 percent, from 533 fatal injuries in of Workers’ Memorial Day lies came from Wisconsin and the Duluth Labor Temple to 1992 to 990 deaths in 2006. Among foreign-born workers, job April 28 at the Duluth Labor Minnesota’s Iron Range to be honor the victims of their jobs. fatalities have increased by 63 percent, from 635 to 1,035 deaths. Temple was the most difficult part of the observance and Mayor Ross, who was “It’s clear that the workplace safety net has more holes than of the 20 that have been held. receive official proclamation’s attending his first Workers’ fabric, and it is costing too many American workers their lives,” Ten workers were remembered to remember them by from Memorial Day observance, said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Our nation’s work- who lost their lives in the past Duluth Mayor Don Ness and said his family had planted a places have gotten more dangerous, not safer, under President year, many of them far too Superior Mayor Dave Ross. tree in their yard when they lost Bush. Congress and the next President must take real action by a grandchild. strengthening the OSHA Act with tougher civil and criminal “We look at it and it stirs our penalties, addressing increasing risks for Hispanic and immi- emotions,” said Ross, “and it is grant workers, increasing funding for OSHA, and fully imple- the same here. We have had far menting the provisions of the MINER Act.” too many funerals in the past The construction sector had the largest number of fatal work year.” injuries (1,239, up from 1,192 in 2005), followed by transporta- Ness said the past year was tion and warehousing (860), and agriculture, forestry, fishing, especially tragic with the loss and hunting (655). In the construction sector, there was a gap of ten workers and it is a good between Hispanic and non-Hispanic workers. In 2005, the death thing to remember them with rate for Hispanic construction workers was 12.4/100,000 full the planting of a tree but if we time workers compared to 10.5/100,000 non-Hispanic construc- are more cognizant of the value tion workers. of every worker perhaps these The report also examined OSHA staffing levels, finding that observances won’t be so to inspect each workplace once, it would take federal OSHA 133 painful. years with its current number of inspectors. The current level of Minnesota AFL-CIO Secre- federal and state OSHA inspectors provides one inspector for tary Treasurer Steve Hunter every 63,913 workers. This compares to a benchmark of one said we have a long way to go labor inspector for every 10,000 workers recommended by the as 5,700 workers died national- International Labor Organization for industrialized countries. ly last year, 50,000 to 60,000 have occupational illnesses Here are food shelf needs including about 10,000 with This Saturday is the Letter Carriers Food Drive and since some form of asbestosis. you’ll be putting food out near your mailbox for your letter car- “It will be nice to hopefully rier and volunteers to collect, you might as well put out things come one year and plant a tree that are really needed. CHUM Food Shelf Coordinator Meg just because it is a good thing Kearns says basic staples, non-perishable items in unbreakable to do,” Hunter said. packaging, are best. wonder if we’re going back- “Canned fruit, peanut butter, canned meat and chicken, mac- See Workers ...page 5 aroni and cheese, meals in a can like stew, chili, spaghetti-os, and ravioli, coffee, fruit juice, especially canned concentrate, spaghetti sauce, and kool-aid are always desirable items for people who need to use food shelves,” Kearns said. “Chicken noo- dle and vegetable soup are good items but tomato soup, and canned pumpkin or cranberries don’t move well. Canned peas are about the only vegetable we really need.” Because food may be warehoused for a time, grain products, Superior Mayor Dave Ross and Duluth Mayor Don Ness like rice and cereals, may not be the best items to leave she said. observed the apple tree being planted by Laborers Local Volunteers are always needed for the effort. All you need to 1091’s Larry Anderson and Dan Olson (back to camera) in do is show up at the rear of the Main Post Office in Duluth and honor of the 10 area workers who lost their lives on the job say, “I want to help stock the food shelves.” Someone will give in the past year. you a task. Thanks! Trades’ 18th DADS Golf Outing June 14th The Duluth Building & Alander works with the prizes for contestants is another Construction Trades Council Community Services Program fine way to be involved. Hole will continue their incredibly and the United Way of Greater sponsorships are also available. successful Dollars Against Duluth to make sure the money Make checks payable to Diabetes (DADS) Golf Outing ends up where it is needed. Duluth Building and Con- Saturday, June 14 for the 18th DADS money was used to struction Trades, DADS Golf consecutive year. Lester Park build the Diabetes Research Outing, and mail them to Golf Course has been home for Institute at the University of DADS Day Event, c/o Carpen- the event every year, rain or Miami (Florida). Proceeds are ters Local 361, 5238 Miller shine, beginning at 10 a.m. the now being used to retire the Trunk Hwy., Hermantown, second Saturday of each June. debt for the project and to fund MN 55811. For more info call “Since 1986, Trades Coun- diabetes research. 218-724-3297. cils across the country have “This golf outing is used in raised over $40 million,” said the fight to find a cure for that Go bowling Jerry Alander, Duluth’s Tour- dreaded disease which affects nament Founder and Chair. so many of our members and for kids’ sake “We’ve had really good sup- friends,” Alander said. “Every- Get your family and friends AFSCME #66’s Fletcher Hinds, a U.S. Marine in Vietnam port here every year, and last one has a great time while together for a bowling party to year we raised over $9,000 for making an important contribu- in 1969, was among the speakers at a UMD rally to com- help Twin Ports children. memorate the 5th Anniversary of President Bush’s “Mission diabetes research and local tion to a worthy cause.” Labor Bowl for Kids, Too is charities.” A member of Carpenter’s Accomplished” photo op for the Iraq War. Hinds said war Saturday, May 31 from 3:00 to makes it impossible for government to work for the com- Local 361, Alander is a golfer 6:00 p.m. at the Incline Station, and knows people want to par- mon good of the American people, and causes us to lose the INTERSTATE 601 W. Superior Street, Duluth. good will of the people of the entire world. ticipate in the 4-person scram- Cost is $25/person or $100 SPUR ble, have lunch, check to see if for a 4-person team, which they’ve won door prizes and covers three games of bowling, Lucy to address MAPL grads get back to their families. It is shoe rental, pizza & soda, and The UMD Masters of Advocacy and Political Leadership the most efficiently run golf lots of prizes. Hey, ask your Program will have AFSCME’s International Secretary-Treasurer tournament anywhere, taking union to sponsor you! Bill Lucy as its graduation speaker on Friday, May 16 in the half a day, unlike other scram- Proceeds from the event are Kirby Student Center Ballroom from noon to 2 p.m. The MAPL bles which can take all day. donated to worthy children’s program is directed by Wy Spano. Cost of the tournament is programs in the Twin Ports, so Lucy has been associated with the 1.4 million-member 2700 W. Michigan St. $100 per individual, $400 per even if you can’t attend and/or AFSCME staff since 1966. He was first elected secretary-treas- team, which includes golf bowl, a donation would be urer in 1972 and re-elected in 2004 to another four-year term. GAS - DIESEL carts, greens fees and lunch. GROCERIES greatly appreciated by the Lucy is a former President of Local 1675, Contra Costa County If you are unable to attend Duluth AFL-CIO Community (Cal.) Employees Association, where he worked for 13 years. You’ll really like the June 14 event a donation Services Program, and the kids. He is the highest-ranking African American in U.S. labor. for the cause would be greatly In the past donations have our car wash! appreciated. Donating door bought boots, tennis shoes, and Come Celebrate 26 Years of Labor winter clothing for children in I.U.O.E. Local 70 the area’s poorest schools. Management Cooperation With Us! To register contact Yvonne Lake Superior Area Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting Harvey at 728-1779 or send Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 5:00 P.M. check payable to: Labor Bowl Labor Management for Kids to Yvonne Harvey, Association’s Duluth Labor Center, Hall B Community Services/United Dick Lally, Business Manager (651) 646-4566 Way, 2002 London Road, Annual Dinner Room 94, Duluth, MN 55812. Wednesday, May 21, 6:00 p.m. We Install Peace of Mind! SPRING Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Duluth Guest Speaker: Ask about our Discount for Sav Ings! Paula Reed, President, Union Households! United Way Union Households! CHOOSE FROM of Greater Duluth 40% OFF Cost: (218) 624-5650 FRAMES STOREWIDE $50 for LSALMA or -OR- United Way contributors, Buy One $60 for all others Affiliated with IBEW Local 242 Get One FREE! If you have legal questions concerning And mark your calendar for our 18th Annual Golf Championship • Small Business or Non-Profit Organizations • Real Estate • Wills, Trusts, or Probate Nemadji Golf Course Bankruptcy or Business Workouts Superior, Wisconsin • OPTICAL • Municipal Law Wednesday, July 9 You know Greg Gilbert can help you! DULUTH • SUPERIOR Tee times begin MOOSE LAKE• CLOQUET at 11 a.m., $75/player, GGilberilbertt LawLaw OOfficeffice GRAND RAPIDS • AURORA 4-person team scramble Individuals are welcome and will be teamed-up (218) 625-8777 [email protected] *Must be of equal or lesser value: select from special collection of frames and plastic lenses. Up Suite 563 Duluth Technology Village 11 E. Superior St. to a $258.95 value. See store for details. Visit www.LSALMA.org for a registration form!

PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 Let the school board do their job, and implement LRFP (Note: This letter was sent to Minnesota state senators Tom Bakk and Yvonne Prettner-Solon, and representatives David In recent weeks when the Dill, Tom Huntley, Mike Jaros, and Mary Murphy.) Olympic torch was being Respected Duluth Senators and Representatives: paraded around for the Beijing games, Tibetan protesters and The Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council supporters greeted it nearly (Council) and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce everywhere. WDIO-TV 10 ran (Chamber) strongly support the Duluth Independent School a national feed of the story and District’s Long Range Facilities Plan. Further, the Council and when it was over anchor the Chamber continue to have complete confidence in the effec- Dennis Anderson said some- tive implementation of the plan by the Duluth Public Schools thing to the effect of, “It seems Board and the Superintendent of Schools. like there is a protest for every- We believe the $257 million investment in needed improve- thing now.” I say as well there ments to our school buildings is long overdue. Additionally, we should be considering the times welcome the employment the investment will bring to our local contractors and to members of our area’s building and construc- we’re living in. all human beings. national Longshore and Ware- Another broadcast about an tion trades unions. The local building trades in Duluth are expe- In the past week we’ve had house Union pulled off a one- riencing a 20% unemployment rate. The District’s plan will pro- alleged sexual assault on a two anti-war rallies but no one day strike this May Day to local college campus drew a vide needed jobs for Duluth’s working families. Work associat- showed up. In spite of Repub- protest the war, much to the ed with the plan will have an immediate, positive impact on con- post story response from lican presidential candidate chagrin of their employers. Anderson to the effect of “this struction families. Duluth needs the investment and the jobs that John McCain saying we should They all took a vacation day. the District’s plan will bring to our community. was just an isolated incident stay in Iraq for a 100 years if And polls are showing Min- and not part of a pattern, cor- It is, therefore, concerning to us that Representative Jaros is necessary, the American public nesota voters are tired of initiating legislative action intended to delay or discontinue rect?” She wasn’t anybody I seems to have grown tired of spending billions on war when knew either. implementation of the District’s plan. war talk and wishes it would our economy is hurting so bad. In conclusion, we respectfully appeal to you, our elected offi- I think back to an American just go away. The war will still Some are getting the message literature class with Prof. cials, to allow those who were elected to lead the Duluth School be there even if we ignore it so evidently, but even if the econ- District (school board members) to carry forward the work with Wendell Glick at UMD 40 we’d better address it. Thank- omy was singing like it was in years ago. He’s talking about a which they have been empowered. In doing so, you will allow fully there are people who will the 1990s we should be against the needed investment and employment contained within the Mark Twain story where a pad- stand in front of the Gerald this war, all war. dlewheeler’s boiler explodes District’s Long Range Facilities Plan to occur within our beloved Heaney Federal Building in Over 4,000 of our troops community. “no one was hurt, but (a Black Duluth on a cold, rainy April have died for the Iraq oil we child) was killed who was sit- Thank you for considering this request. 24th to protest war. Not one can’t afford at home. War costs United in support of the-District’s plan, ting on the relief valve.” You media outlet other than the are somewhere around $526 could learn a lot from Glick Labor World, in my notion of a billion and growing at about Craig Olson, President and Twain about the value of busman’s holiday, was there. $14 million an hour. We were Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council On International Workers told it’d be about $50 billion David Ross, President ~NOTICE~ Day, May 1, a protest at UMD when we were still shining Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Next issues of Labor World under the auspices of the DFL swords. People are getting rich are: May 21; June 4, 25; taking Sen. Norm Coleman to off this war that we and future April unemployment at 5% July 9, 23; Aug. 6, 27; task for his support of the war generations will pay for. War, WASHINGTON (PAI)--The nation’s unemployment rate fell Sept. 17; Oct. 1, 15, 29; drew only another handful. it’s just good business. by 0.1% in April to 5%, the Bureau of labor Statistics reported. Nov. 12, 25; Dec. 17. Both events had excellent Jobs are down, foreclosures The number of unemployed fell by 189,000, to 7.626 million information about the effect of are up and so are gas and food people. A separate survey showed businesses shed 20,000 jobs LABOR WORLD the war on our troops, the econ- prices. A state of depression last month, on top of 232,000 in the first three months of 2008. (ISSN#0023-6667) is published semi-monthly except one issue in omy, oil prices, education, pol- can be found in too high a per- The data shows 1.676 million more people were jobless in December (23 issues). itics, and health care but we’ve centage of the population. April than when GOPer George W. Bush entered the Oval Office The known office of publication is distanced ourselves enough not And who will beat Norm in Jan. 2001. That month, the last figures gathered under Labor World, 2002 London Road, to have to worry. Coleman in this perfect envi- Democratic President Bill Clinton, there were 5.956 million job- Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. Periodicals postage is paid at Have your tulips bloomed? ronment to kick the bums out? less and unemployment was 4%. There are more bad numbers: Duluth MN 55806. Look around. Do you notice We lost when the cry was, * 3 of every 8 jobless in April were permanently laid off, POSTMASTER: even the middle class strug- “It’s the economy, stupid!” down slightly from the 4 in every 10 in March. Send address changes to: gling to get by? It’s the war, Will we lose again when the * Factories continued an 8-year slide shedding 46,000 jobs, Labor World, 2002 London Rd., smashing us all in the face on call can be, “It’s the war, stu- 13.596 million on a seasonally adjusted basis. Factories have Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 the 5-year anniversary of pid!” We will if we just hope it lost 3.3 million jobs since 1999, many of them due to subsidized 6 7 “Mission Accomplished.” This all goes away. foreign imports and half—according to the AFL-CIO Industrial president is such a normal, Did I tell you I saw my first Unions Council, well-paying union jobs. (218) 728-4469 FAX: (218) 724-1413 straight-shooting guy that he mourning dove nest in a * For the fourth straight month, at least, construction also [email protected] allowed a press release hours Colorado Blue Spruce I plant- shed jobs, joining the factories. The industry lost 61,000 jobs www.laborworld.org before that anniversary would ed 25 years ago. Just another last month and 1457,000 since its peak last September. The job- ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ make the news to say it was a thing in life to tip-toe around. less rate for construction workers was 11.3% in April, far above Owned by Unions affiliated with the mistake to take that posture on the 7.9% unemployment they suffered in April 2007. Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body the war back then, but it really * Long-term joblessness stayed high in April, with 34.5% of Subscriptions: $22 Annually wasn’t his take, it was all about the jobless out of work at least 15 weeks, with 17.8% of all job- Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager the servicemen on that particu- less out at least six months, BLS said. That’s a 0.9% increase in Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper This Day In History lar ship having had a successful from one month. Those workers have exhausted their unemployment Board of Directors mission. Believe it? www.workdayminnesota.org benefits. Bowing to pressure from anti-worker GOP President President/Treas. Mikael Sundin, I hope my Virginia Blue Bush, the Democratic-run Congress--rejecting labor’s lobbying- Painters & Allied Trades 106; Bells can beat the dandelions. May 7, 1912 -refused to extend jobless benefits to 39 weeks in a “stimulus” V.P. Paul Iversen, BMWED 1710; This is the first U.S. war in The Hotel Workers package it approved earlier in 2008. Union and congressional Sec. Marlys Wisch, CWA 7214; the history of the AFL-CIO that leaders, however, have agreed on the outlines of a second stim- Tom Selinski, IBEW 242; Mike Industrial Union went out on Kuitu, Operating Engineers 49; Al the federation has officially strike at New York City’s ulus package, with an unemployment benefits extension. LaFrenier, UNITE HERE! opposed and yet too many of us finest hotels and restaurants. * Adding together the jobless, those forced to work part-time Shane Sweeney, BCTWGM 167G have fallen asleep. Not in San The Waldorf and Astoria when they really want full-time work and discouraged workers Larry Anderson, Laborers 1091; Francisco, however, where hotels and the Plaza were who have stopped job-hunting, one of every 11 workers was Susan Jussila, MN Nurses Assn. 25,000 members of the Inter- among the hotels affected. unemployed or underemployed. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 PAGE 3 Soaring gas prices require action to help by U.S. Senator companies, posted record quar- I have asked the Department of Amy Klobuchar terly profits last week - $9 bil- Justice to initiate a special task Across Minnesota, May lion and $7.6 billion respec- force go after fraud and manip- marks the beginning of “Lake tively. ulation in the run-up in oil and Season,” a time when people Just last month, a panel of gas prices. For example, when start thinking about camping energy analysts testified before Congress asked the Federal trips, lake cabins and launching Congress that the current price Trade Commission to look into their family boats. But this of oil simply cannot be gas price increases following spring, Minnesotans will take explained by normal market Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it one look at the price of gas and fundamentals. An executive found fifteen major examples they will wonder how they can from Exxon Mobil testified of price-gouging at the refin- even balance their family that the price of oil should be ing, wholesale or retail level. budget, much less drive to the about $50 to $55 per barrel It’s also time to close the cabin or go out on the boat. based on the forces of supply “Enron loophole’’ that prevents The average price of gas in and demand. Yet oil was actu- federal commodities regulators Minnesota has soared to $3.58 ally trading at $118 a barrel. from supervising electronic per gallon, from less than $3 Its time for an energy policy trading in energy futures. What last year. The price of diesel, at that benefits the public instead was once a tiny niche market is $4.16 per gallon, has risen even of the profit margin of Big Oil. now a booming industry, faster. The price of oil has Our country needs a strong, attracting hedge funds and big Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer sensible long-term energy poli- investment firms and with the (in suit and tie) and two dozen others, including his wife, tripled since 2002 – but pay- checks certainly haven’t tripled cy that can reduce our use of power to make oil and gas Sara (far right), from the 8th Congressional District DFL fossil fuels and cut our depend- prices much more volatile. convention in Duluth last weekend used their free time to to keep pace. Business and residents ence on foreign oil. Last year, There is no one silver bullet picket at Valentini’s on Saturday. They got to display the as part of the 2007 Energy Bill, we can use to solve the prob- shiny new signs that will last the tourist season. Owners Ed across greater Minnesota are especially hard-hit by these we adopted the first increase in lem of skyrocketing energy Marsman and his wife Carol Valentini, along with employ- vehicle fuel-efficiency stan- costs. But with imagination ees, have been coming out of the establishment to confront skyrocketing energy costs, and farmers are experiencing dards since the 1970s. That will and leadership we can design a picketers for being on the public sidewalk. Rumors had raise average fuel efficiency by “silver buckshot’’ strategy – pickets being all but over because the old picket signs were incredibly high input prices. Meanwhile, Royal Dutch 40 percent, to 35 miles per gal- solutions that give consumers a all but done in by the weather. This new batch of signs will lon – saving the average family fair shake in the marketplace greet deck diners shortly when the weather allows. Photo by Shell and British Petroleum, two of the world’s biggest oil $1,000 in fuel costs annually. today and a fair shot at energy Bob O’Connor, IBEW Local 242 Organizer) Our next step should be to independence in the future. boost investment in cutting- edge conservation technology, such as hybrid electric vehicles and the next generation of renewable homegrown fuels. Rural Minnesota already is a leader in clean, renewable energy – the third-leading producer of wind power and a major producer of biomass and biodiesel. With cutting-edge research at the University of Minnesota and the commit- ment of Minnesota’s farmers, it can be a national model in pro- ducing the next generation of homegrown renewable fuels – using cellulosic crops that can be grown on marginal land – that would save money for consumers and reduce our depend- ence on foreign oil. There are also immediate steps we can take to provide some relief at the pump. There was a lot of donkey Senators Chuck Schumer, business but no monkey Byron Dorgan and I have asked business at the 8th Congres- House Republican leaders are lying again. Their new TV ads President Bush to use his bar- sional District DFL conven- blame soaring gas prices on the 2008 transportation bill. gaining power with OPEC – a tion in Duluth last weekend We blame President Bush and his big oil cronies. cartel that exists purely to con- as members of the Duluth trol oil production and prices – Building & Construction to increase production enough Trades Council, including Since April 1, the average price for a gallon of gas has to stabilize oil prices world oil Roofers #96’s Vance Ander- increased 32 cents. Only two cents are from Minnesota’s markets. We have also asked son, served as security. new gas tax for safe roads and bridges. The other 30 cents the President to temporarily Two area trade unionists, suspend oil purchases for the Mike Sundin of Painters & fund record profits for big oil companies. federal government’s Strategic Allied Trades Local 106, and Petroleum Reserve. There is no Larry Anderson of Laborers Call Rep. Marty Seifert at 651-296-5374 or 1-888-234-1242 and reason for the government to Local 1091 were elected out as delegates to the Demo- tell him to stop the dishonest gas tax ads. be taking oil off the market at a time of record high prices – cratic National Convention creating further expense of the in Denver in August as driving public. Hillary Clinton and Barack Senator Maria Cantwell and Obama delegates respective- ly. PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 Workers remembered April 28...from page 1 The AFL-CIO’s Death on this year, unfortunately, in part, 2007, when a crane tipped over the Job report for 2006, the because there were so many at Mittal Steel’s Minorca Mine. most recent year with data deaths. But the Solidarity • Joseph Kimmes III, from the Bureau of Labor Breakfast that takes place prior Operators Local 139, Scott Statistics said 5,840 U.S. work- to the observance had over 140 Kimmes, Laborers Local 1091, ers died that year, 78 of them sign up and eat. Chef Todd Paul Cossalter, IBEW Local Minnesotans. Erickson and sous chef Dan 242, and Harold “Tim” Olsen “Days like today make me Leslie were kept busy mixing died Nov. 1, 2007 after they wonder if we’re going back- great pancakes from scratch as were overcome by toxic fumes wards,” said Duluth AFL-CIO chafing dishes were emptied. in a manhole in Superior. Central Labor Body President In years past United Way of • Superior residents David Alan Netland about 10 deaths Greater Duluth staffers, who Mussatti, Jr. and Steve in the past year. He said we’re work the event with the Arnovich, USW Local 2-2003, here to memorialize those who Community Services Program, died Nov. 28, 2007, from an lost their lives because of their have been in Wellstone Hall explosion and fire on an jobs, but you have to wonder if trying to get people to eat Enbridge Energy pipeline in OSHA regulations are being more. Not this year. Clearbrook, MN. taken seriously enough. “I Those workers who lost • Jason Zunker, Chippewa Mayor Don Ness presented Workers Memorial Day procla- hope this year is just an aberra- their lives last year included: County (WI) Deputy Sheriff, mations to families who lost loved ones in the past year due tion,” he said. • Deane Driscoll, USW died Jan. 5, 2008, of injuries to workplace accidents. Candace Arnovich lost her hus- The turnout for Workers’ Local 6860, died April 18, after being struck by a vehicle band, Steve, when an Enbridge Energy pipeline caught fire Memorial Day was very good 2007, when a drill fell on him while directing traffic. and exploded Nov. 28 in Clearbrook, MN. Steve’s mother, at Eveleth’s Thunderbird Mine. • Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Elaine Arnovich, left, also attended the April 28 observance. Unions plan • Donovan Dunblazier, Pionk died January 9, 2008, in David Mussatti, Jr. died in the same accident. Both men permanent USW Local 6115, died June Iraq while serving his country. were members of USW Local 2-2003. workers’ memorial By Mark Gruenberg PAI Staff Writer SILVER SPRING, Md. -- One day soon, the late Larry Bevis, an American Federation of Teachers member from Birmingham, Ala., will be remembered forever. That’s because Bevis’ name, thanks to his union, will be one the first to be inscribed in the brick- work of the permanent Work- ers Memorial to be erected on the grounds of the National Labor College/George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md. Bevis died two years ago. His name will join those of thousands of other workers who have died on the job, starting with the Haymarket mas- sacre by Chicago police in 1886. The names will be reminders that toiling for a living, as one speaker at the April 28 candlelit memorial ceremo- ny said, can still be at times “dirty, dangerous…deadly.” Bevis’ name and story was one of dozens read at the April 28 groundbreaking for the memorial to be financed by union and individual contribu- tions. It will feature individual bricks honoring individual workers who died on the jobs and benches from the unions that honor groups of workers. For details on how to buy a brick at the memorial ($125), or slate pavers ($2,000) com- memorating historic workplace tragedies, such as the Sago mine disaster, or whole cate- gories of fallen workers via the granite benches ($10,000), contact the college at (301) 431-5406. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 PAGE 5 UTU Local 1067 affiliates Trade Union Directory United Transportation Union Local 1067 members unani- “ The world is run by those who show up!” mously voted to affiliate with the Duluth AFL-CIO Central AFSCME COUNCIL 5— President Mike CEMENT MASONS, PLASTERERS & INTL. ASSOCIATION OF HEAT & FROST Labor Body at their March meeting. The local has 78 members Buesing, Local 1011; VP Deb Bloom, Local SHOPHANDS LOCAL 633—Duluth & Iron INSULATORS AND ALLIED WORKERS 66; Treas. Clifford Poehler, Local 2938; Sec. Range Area Office: Mike Syversrud, 2002 LOCAL NO. 49—Meets 2nd Friday each who are Conductors and Enginemen on the DWP/CN Railway. Mary Falk, Local 4001; Director Eliot Seide; London Road, Room 112, Duluth 55812; month, 8 p.m., Duluth Labor Temple. Busi- Area office, 211 West 2nd St., 218-724-2323; Meetings to be announced ness Manager Dick Webber, 2002 London “Our members are looking forward to receiving your publi- Duluth, MN 55802; 722-0577 Rd., Room 210, Duluth 55812, 724-3223; cations of “Labor World” as well as other benefits associated DULUTH AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR Pres. Wade Lee; VP Garth Lee; Rec.Sec. AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 66—Meets 1st BODY —Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m., Well- Randy Neumann; with your organization,” President John J. Wentzlaff wrote in a Tues. at 7:00 p.m. in the AFSCME Hall, stone Hall, 2002 London Rd., (218) 724- Fin. Sec./Treas. Gerry Nervick Arrowhead Place, 211 W. 2nd St. 1413, President Alan Netland, AFSCME 66; letter to the Central Body. Pres. Alan Netland; VP Deb Bloom; Treas. VP Beth McCuskey, Duluth Fed. of Teach- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER Besides Wentzlaff other local officers include Vice President Joe Griffiths, Rec. Sec. Kathy Stevens. ers; Rec. Sec. Terri Newman, CWA 7214; CARRIERS, BRANCH 114 MERGED— Union office, 211 W. 2nd St., Duluth, MN Treas. Sheldon Christopherson, Operating Meets 2nd Mondays, 7 p.m., Reef Bar (back Jason Abbott, Secretary/Treasurer Jerel Liimatta, General 55802, 722-0577 Eng. 70; Reading Clerk Larry Sillanpa, MN room) President Robert Marshall, 727-4327 Chairperson for Enginemen Patrick Etter, General Chairperson News Guild/Typos 37002 (office), P.O. Box 16583, Duluth 55816; VP AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1123—City of Two Kevin Lammi; Recording Secretary Regina for Conductors Patrick Ojard, Local Chairperson for Enginemen Harbors workers. Meets 1st Wed. of each DULUTH BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION Westerlund; Financial Secretary Scott Joe Rosman, and Local Chairperson for Conductors Steve month at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall, Two Har- TRADES COUNCIL—Meets 3rd Tuesday, Dulas; Treasurer Karl Pettersen bors. Pres. Brad Jones, 723-15th Ave., Two 3:00 p.m., Freeman Hall, Labor Temple. Moerke. Harbors 55616; Sec. Karrie Seeber; Pres. Craig Olson, Painters & Allied Trades NATIONAL CONF. FIREMEN & OILERS Treas. Paul J. Johnson 106, 724-6466; Treas. Jim Brown, IBEW SEIU 956—Meets 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m. Wentzlaff said an important issue for Local 1067 right now 242, 728-6895; Rec. Sec. Dan Olson, Meetings held at Central High School. is working on passing a local “borrow out agreement” with the AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1934— Laborers 1091, 728-5151 Pres. Jerome DeRosier, 315 W. 5th St. St. Louis Co. Essential Jail Employees. Duluth, MN 55806; Treas. Dennis rail carrier Canadian National Railway. Meets 3rd Wed., 3:15 at Foster’s Bar & Grill. DULUTH MAILERS UNION LOCAL ML-62 McDonald, 7208 Ogden Ave., Superior, WI Pres. Dan Marchetti, 726-2345, Meets 3rd Monday, Duluth Labor Temple, 54880, 628-4863; Sec. Steve Lundberg, “This agreement would allow for the borrowing of employ- VP Glen Peterson, Sec. Robert Parker, 2002 London Rd., Pres. Oscar Steinhilb: 8304 Grand Ave, Duluth 55807, 624-0915 ees from adjoining local labor unions, allowing the carrier to bet- Treas. Heather Ninefeldt Sec. Marty Lee-Burgener, 106 S. 62 Ave. W., Duluth, MN 55807, 218-624-7537. NORTH EAST AREA LABOR COUNCIL, ter address fluctuating manpower needs from one property to AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 3558 - Non-profit AFL-CIO-Field Coordinator Chad McKenna, employees. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.. IBEW LOCAL 31 (UTILITY WORKERS)— 218-310-8412, [email protected] another,” Wentzlaff said. “In conjunction with these conces- AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St. Pres. Rm.105, Duluth Labor Temple, 728-4248. 2002 London Road, Room 95B, Duluth, MN sions the carrier agreed to a considerable raise in pay for “bor- Michelle Fremling ; VP Todd Kneebone; Pres. Tim Ryan; VP Paul Makowski; 55812, Sec. Susan Cook; Treas. Yvonne Harvey Rec. Sec. Bob Fonger; Treas. Dan Leslie; rowed” employees as well as a 90 day lodging agreement for any Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Mark Glazier, NORTHERN WISCONSIN BUILDING & AFSCME LOCAL 695 - Meets 4th Tuesday Asst. Bus. Mgr. Dick Sackett CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL— and all employees forced to relocate more than 100 miles from of even numbered months at Council 5 Monthly Meetings: Duluth: 1st Wednes- Meets the 3rd Wednesdays, Old Towne Bar. their home terminal.” Duluth offices and odd numbered months days, 7:00 pm, Labor Temple; President Norm Voorhees, (218) 724-5073, at Gampers in Moose Lake. Iron Range: Gilbert VFW, 2nd Tuesdays, 2002 London Rd., Duluth, MN 55812; He said such an agreement would help to “stave off less President John McGovern, 393-5718 7:15 pm; Grand Rapids Blandin Workers V-P Dan Westlund Jr., Sec.-Treas. palatable solutions to the rail carriers on-going manpower short- Hall, 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm; Larry Anderson, (218) 428-2722 AFSCME LOCAL 3801 - Representing Western Area: 3rd Wednesdays, all at 7:00 ages.” ‘Borrowed’ employees would also benefit from a $30 per UMD Clerical & Technical employees, Room pm: Jan., Brainerd Legion; Feb., Park OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49 — 106 Kirby Student Center. Meets 2nd Wed., Rapids Legion; March, Nisswa Tasty Pizza Meets 2nd Tues. of month at 7:30 p.m., day meal allowance as well as carrier-provided suitable lodging 12:00 pm, KSC, 3rd Floor; North; April, Little Falls Cabin Fever; May, Hall B, Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London President Denise Osterholm, 726-6312 and transportation for the duration of their borrow out period.” Ironton Legion; June, Jenkins VFW; July, Rd., Bus. Rep. Brent Pykkonen, 724-3840, The agreement was negotiated by Rosman, Moerke, Etter, AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION Park Rapids Legion; Aug., Little Falls Cabin Room. 112, Duluth Labor Temple. AFL-CIO Greater Northland Area Local— Fever; Sept./Oct. Brainerd Legion; Nov., Nis- All members attend each meeting. Ojard, and UTU International Vice President John Babler. swa Tasty Pizza N.; Dec., Wadena P.O. Box 16321, Duluth, MN 55816. OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 70— Membership meetings held monthly in Superior: Shamrock Pizza, 4th Tues, 7 pm Ballots are due to be counted this week. Quarterly Meetings: 3rd Mons. Jan., April, Union office, 2417 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. Duluth, bi-monthly on Iron Range (in odd Paul, MN 55113, 651-646-4566. Bus. Mgr. On the national level a hot issue has been merger talks numbered months), 218-722-3350 July, Oct. at Schroeder Town Hall, 7 pm Locations Dick Lally. Meets 2nd Tues. at 5 p.m. in the between UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers International Union. BRlCKLAYERS & ALLIED Duluth-Labor Temple-2002 London Road Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd. Both unions’ conventions and/or membership have voted on and CRAFTWORKERS LOCAL NO. 1—Chap- Brainerd-American Legion, 708 Front St. PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES LOCAL ter #3, Duluth & Hibbing meetings are listed Crosby/Ironton-Ironton American Legion 106 Meets 1st Wed., 6:00 p.m., Duluth approved a merger of the two organizations but it has been in the quarterly update newsletter. Chairman Gilbert-Gilbert VFW, 224 N. Broadway Labor Temple. President Lee Carlson; VP stalled in the courts. A temporary restraining order (TRO) that Jim Stebe, Recording Secretary Stan Grand Rapids-Blandin Papermill Workers Ron Folkestad; Rec. Sec. Mikael Sundin; Paczynski, Sergeant at Arms Jerry Lund, Hall, 1005 NW 4th St. Fin. Sec. Brian Coyle; Treas. Bryce Sjoquist halted the merger’s implementation has been extended until June Field Rep. Jim Stebe, 218-724-8374 Jenkins-VFW, 3341 Veterans St. Bus. Rep. Craig Olson, Duluth Labor Little Falls-Cabin Fever, 15331 183rd St. by a federal district court in Akron, Ohio. The merger seeks to BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL Temple, Room 106, 2002 London Rd. Nisswa-Tasty Pizza North, Hwy 371S, Duluth, MN 55812, 724-6466. AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS Pequot Lakes create the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and LOCAL 512—Northern MN office/training Park Rapids-American Legion, Hwy. 34 PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS Transportation (SMART) Workers. center, 3752 Midway Road, Hermantown Schroeder-Town Hall, 124 Cramer Rd. LOCAL 11, U.A.— Meets 1st Thursdays at MN 55810, (218) 724-5073, Pres. Frank Superior-Shamrock Pizza, 5825 Tower Ave union hall, 4402 Airpark Blvd. (218) 727- However, eight former or current UTU officers said their Vento, B.M./F.S.-T. Charlie Witt, B.A. Darrell Wadena-Pizza Ranch, 106 Jefferson St. S. 2199; President Dan O’Neill; VP Scott members had not been given sufficient information to make an Godbout, Rec. Sec. Lance Queen Randall; Rec. Sec. Butch Liebaert; IBEW LOCAL 242 (CONST., R.T.V., MFG., informed vote last year to approve the merger. Federal Judge BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Jeff Daveau, MAINT.)—Rm.111, Labor Temple, 728-6895. Ass’t Bus. Mgr. Dave Carlson WAY EMPLOYES DIVISION LODGE Pres. Jesse Wick; Rec. Sec. Don Smith; John R. Adams issued the TRO Dec. 27, and has extended it 1710—Meets 1st Mon. of each month at 7 Treas. Stan Nordwall; Bus Mgr./Fin. Sec. SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10— twice. The last extension was ordered April 10 and is effective p.m., Pit Stop, Boundary Ave.; Gen. Jim Brown. Meetings 4th Wed. of every Duluth-Superior area meets 2nd Mondays Chair/Sec. Treas. Mike Nagle, 6049 Seville month at Duluth Labor Temple. at 5:00 p.m. in Wellstone Hall, Duluth Labor until early June at which time another hearing will consider Rd. Duluth, MN 55811, 729-9786; Unit meetings - Brainerd, American Temple, 2002 London Rd. whether to lift the TRO and permit the merger or make the Pres. Bart Berglund; 1st Vice Chair Alan Legion, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wed. each month. Iron Range meets 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Hansen; 2nd Vice Chair Jim Sonneson Regency Inn, Beltline/Howard, Hibbing. injunction permanent. INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Bemidji area meets 3rd Thursday Jan., BUILDING & GENERAL LABORERS WORKERS, LOCAL 294 - Meets 4th Thurs- UTU represents 125,000 active and retired members in the LOCAL 1091—Meets 3rd Thursdays, 8 pm April, July & Oct., 6:00 pm, Carpenters Hall day, 7:30 p.m., Local 294 Building located at Bus. Mgr. Craig Sandberg, 1681 E Cope railroad, bus and public transit sectors across America. Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall. Presi- 503 E. 16th St., Hibbing, MN. Business dent Larry Anderson, V.P. Bill Bukovich, Ave., St Paul, MN 55109, 612-770-2388-89. Management Scott Weappa, (218) 263- Duluth-Superior-lron Range area. Bus. Rep. The Sheet Metal Workers represent 150,000 building trades Rec. Sec. Bill Cox, Bus.Mgr./Fin.Sec./ Treas. 6895, Hibbing. I.B.E.W. Local 294 Unit Be- Dan Olson; (218) 728-5151 Dennis Marchetti, 2002 London Rd., Duluth and shop work workers in the sheet metal, heating, air condi- midji, meets 3rd Thursdays of the month at 55812, 724-6873. 7 p.m. in Carpenters Hall. CARLTON COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR tioning, roofing and other skilled trades. UNITE HERE! LOCAL 99 — Executive BODY—Meets 1st Monday of month except INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Sept. which meets last Monday in August. Board meetings 2nd Mon. each month: 1:30 WORKERS, LOCAL 366—(Electrical, Sig- p.m. in Mar., June, Oct., & Dec., 9:30 a.m. in Meeting 7:00 pm 2nd floor of Labor Temple, nal & Communication Workers of C/N) - 1403 Ave C, Cloquet 55720; President Bob all other months. Quarterly regular member- Meets 3rd Thursdays, Proctor American Le- ship meetings are held on the 2nd Mon. of Oswold, VP Tom Beltt, Treas Dan Swanson, gion. President/Local Chairman Greg Arras, Sec. Diane Firkus, 390-9560 Mar., June, Oct., & Dec. at 2:30 p.m. Meet- 745 Laurel St. Cloquet MN 55720, 879- ings are held at the Duluth Labor Temple. 6129; VP David Winek; Fin. Sec. David Need food at your meeting? President Todd Erickson, 728-6861 CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 361— Ostby, 303 Park Ave. Cloquet, MN 55720, Meets 2nd Tues. of the month at 6:30 p.m. 879-0941; Rec. Sec. Brian Johnson; Treas. UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 241 — If your Union (or organization) needs food or pizza to at Training Center, 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy., Richard Swenson. 724-3297. President Steve Risacher, Meets Ist Tues. of the month, 7:30 p.m., Du- get people to attend meetings, or help them get through VP Susan Erkkila, Rec. Sec. Chris Hill, Fin. luth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd., P. Del Sec. Larry Nesgoda; Treas. Chuck Aspoas, Soiney; Fin. Officer Eric Sparring, 259 them, give us a call and we’ll give members a reason to Field Reps. Tony Radzak, Steve Risacher, Canosia Rd., Esko, MN 55733 Chris Hill UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL show up, and keep ’em awake during discussions. WORKERS LOCAL 1116—Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd., Rm. 211, P.O. Box 16388, Duluth 55816-0388. President 2531 West Steve Gilbertson; Sec. Treas. Joyce Berglund, 218-728-5174. Superior St. Retirees' Club meets 2nd Monday, 1:30 p.m., Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall 727-0020 UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1028 - Meets 2nd Tues., Room 212, 2002 London Grill Rd., Duluth 55812, 728-9534. Pres. Bruce Lotti, VP Mike Connolly, Fin. Sec. Larry Libra, Treas. Lee Popovich, 727-9582 Rec. Sec. Dave Lubbesmeyer Bar UNITED STEELWORKERS 1028 RETIREES ASSOCIATION—Meets 3rd Wed., West Duluth Evergreen Center, 5830 “You bet we’re a Union House” Grand Ave. at 3 p.m. All retirees from USWA Deliver! ou Know We 1028 welcome. President Robert Jones, Y Affiliated with UNITE HERE Local 99 Treas. Mary S. Petrich, Sec. Lois Pelander PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 Konopacki’s illustrated adaptation of Howard Zinn’s classic is brilliant A People’s History countries -- from the seizure of I’ve always resented state- fire,” later known in the of American Empire the Philippines, Puerto Rico, ments of politicians, media Vietnam War as napalm. by Howard Zinn and and Cuba in the Spanish- commentators, corporate exec- German soldiers and French Paul Buhle, illustrated by American War, to George utives who talked of how in civilians died horrible deaths Mike Konopacki Bush’s invasion of Iraq. It also America, if you worked hard from this bombing, and Zinn Henry Holt, ISBN shows that U.S. foreign policy you would become rich. The realized that he’d followed 13-978-0-8050-8744-4 is and always has been insepa- meaning of that was, if you orders to commit an atrocity. rable from domestic policies were poor, it was because you He tells us how this event by Al Hart and Gary Huck that have stolen land from and hadn’t worked hard enough.” helped him discover that “the Labor and political cartoon- massacred Native Americans, Later Zinn served in World good war” to defeat fascism ist Mike Konopacki -- close crushed workers’ movements, War II as a bombardier in a B- and save democracy was also, friend and collaborator of UE’s and employed racism and 17 Flying Fortress. Three from the standpoint of the cartoonist Gary Huck -- has immigrant bashing to divide weeks before the war in Europe rulers of the United States, a produced a brilliant book- and conquer working people. ended, his plane and 1,200 war for profits and for empire. length graphic adaptation of a In 1980 Howard Zinn pub- other Flying Fortresses were Learn more at http://www. major portion of Howard lished A People’s History of the sent on a strange mission, monthlyreview.org/mrzine/ Zinn’s classic “A People’s United States, a big but highly bombing an isolated German hh050408.html History of the United States.” readable and engaging retelling history, starting in 1492, Native unit, no longer any military Al Hart is the managing edi- Created in collaboration of American history “from the threat, holed up in the small tor, and Gary Huck is the car- with Zinn and historian Paul Americans, sailors, slaves, bottom up.” In the standard immigrants, women, and other western French village of toonist, for the UE News, pub- Buhle, Konopacki’s “A textbooks most of us endured Royan. It turns out that they lication of the United Electri- People's History of American workers are at the center of in school, “history” was some- things. Zinn’s book tells the were testing a new weapon -- cal, Radio and Machine Work- Empire” tells, in pictures and thing that was done by “great something then called “sticky ers of America (UE). text, the story of U.S. govern- truth about the misdeeds of the men,” and people like us were rulers -- the ways they have ment and corporate policies of largely invisible. But in Zinn’s Mike Konopacki was exactly the right cartoonist to visually controlling other people’s attempted throughout our his- interpret Howard Zinn’s voice. Mike incorporates every- Mike Konopacki’s wonderful art makes this book an irre- tory to suppress democracy at thing he’s learned in four decades of cartooning into each sistible read, and the stories and lessons it conveys make it home and to dominate other frame. As adept on the computer as he is with a brush and unforgettable, and indispensable. Five years into Bush’s countries, all for the sake of ink, the drawings in this book are masterful in their execu- Iraq war -- one of the most disastrous misadventures on the greater corporate profit. He tion. Mike incorporates actual photos at key moments in American Empire -- America needs this book. -- Al Hart rebuts the official story line the book to remind the readers that this is, after all, histo- that U.S. government policy ry. He also slyly incorporates photos and drawings together, always advances “our national giving the impression that history is emerging from behind interest” and that its generous the drawings, which of course it is. But outside of his pro- goals have been to “spread found skills as an artist, Mike has lived his professional freedom and democracy.” life documenting people’s history as a labor cartoonist. He Zinn’s People’s History is has been preparing for this moment since I first met him. I now in its sixth edition, the lat- think you’ll agree -- he was ready! -- Gary Huck est version published in 2005. Each new edition updates the book with recent develop- ments. It has sold 1.7 million Support your local pharmacy copies and is now used as a Tell your union, health fund, and employer textbook in many classrooms. By creating a comic book ver- you want local pharmacy services sion that is very attractive and great fun to read, Konopacki It’s Better...Keep It Local! will enable Howard Zinn’s Your Local vs Mail Order important ideas about White Drug Pharmacy Pharmacies American history to reach an even larger audience. 3Personal service Service only by phone/computer Konopacki’s book is more 3Consulting at the pharmacy No personal contact. How do personal than Zinn’s original. you get questions answered? It makes Zinn the narrator, and 3Questions answered reliably, Allegations of re-dispensing Zinn tells us stories from his accurately product that has been returned own life that help us better understand his view of history. 315 minute service on No ability to customize orders In a chapter titled “Growing new prescriptions Up Class Conscious,” we see 3Ready RefillTM (Automated Two week delivery, often LATE how Zinn’s thinking was Refills) authorizations shaped by his childhood in the 3Free in town prescription Do you want your meds sitting in slums of Brooklyn. He says of delivery a 110 degree mailbox? his father, “All his life he 3We contact doctors for refills Some require you to get your worked hard for very little. own refill authorizations 3Monthly health screenings Why trust your health & safety to 733-0100 3Free blood pressure checks a nameless, faceless person? KOLAR Your local White Drug Pharmacy is more reliable than mail order. We are always available to answer your questions face to face with a local pharmacist. A U T O M O T I V E G R O U P www.kolarnet.com For a listing of locations visit www.thriftywhite.com Pinetree Plaza When Others Won’t...KOLAR Will Inside Super One Foods Cloquet, MN 4781 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth, MN 218-879-6768 • 1-800-967-3421 Store hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm • Sat 9am - 5:30pm • Sun 11am - 5pm LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 PAGE 7 Minnesota House joins Senate, passes resolution for federal EFCA By Steve Share, Editor, 40 minutes of debate. Two determine union recognition recognition once a majority of unions are still one of the best Minneapolis Labor Review union members who serve in “is broken because of the workers in a workplace sign ways to help people move up ST. PAUL - The Minne- the House defended the resolu- amount of [employer] intimi- union authorization cards. from poverty to enter the mid- sota House of Representatives tion in response to attacks by dation.” Under current law, the employ- dle class,” Nelson said. passed a resolution May 1 urg- some of the House’s most con- “This is all about allowing er can refuse to recognize the The Minnesota House vote ing Congress to pass the servative Republican members. everyone the freedom to join cards and insist on an NLRB urging Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, The resolution’s author, the union of their choice with- election. Employee Free Choice Act fol- union-backed legislation to Rep. Mike Nelson (DFL-46A), out the intimidation that’s In the run-up to a NLRB lows passage of a similar reso- strengthen the rights of work- a Carpenters Union member, going on,” Nelson told his election, Nelson said, employ- lution in the Minnesota Senate ers to form unions. The 84-10 told the House that the current House colleagues. ers who oppose unions subject last year. roll-call vote in the Minnesota system of National Labor The Employee Free Choice workers to captive audience “It’s a step toward pushing House took place after nearly Relations Board elections to Act would provide for union meetings, intimidation, threats Congress further to give to their jobs, and threats to strength to workers to organize close their business. in their workplaces,” said “We’ve seen an attack both Jennifer Schaubach, legislative on organized workers and director for the Minnesota workers who desire to be AFL-CIO.” organized,” said Rep. Tom Rep. Nelson noted on the Injured on the job? Anzelc (DFL-3A), former leg- House floor that today’s vote islative coordinator for the came on May 1 -- May Day -- Laborers District Council of observed worldwide as Minnesota and North Dakota. International Workers Day to “Let workers be heard. Let celebrate the social and eco- workers have a voice.” nomic gains of the labor move- “Collective bargaining and ment. McCain health plan hit WASHINGTON (PAI)--The health care plan offered in late April by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumed GOP presidential nominee, would dismantle the present employer-based health care system, leaving workers and their families defense- less against the insurance companies, says AFL-CIO political director Karen Ackerman. McCain’s plan features individual medical savings accounts- -a favorite Right Wing cause--taxing individuals for the value of employer-provided health insurance and a $5,000 tax credit for individuals to cover buying insurance. The senator claimed com- petition for individuals would drive prices down. Ackerman said that’s ridiculous. She predicted firms would dump health care. “McCain’s plan would be an absolute disaster for working families. It’s one only the insurance companies could love,” she commented. “Those people with pre-existing conditions would We can help. have a harder time finding coverage, while tax cuts he includes would provide $1.9 billion to the health insurance companies.” Despite rising sentiment among its rank and file for enacting government-run single-payer health care--the latest endorsement Receiving fair compensation for on-the-job injuries isn’t simple. came from the Chicago Teachers Union--the AFL-CIO has not endorsed a specific plan yet. It backs general principles: You may run into red tape and your employer’s Workers’ Universal coverage, cost containment, shared responsibility Compensation insurer may try to cut or reduce your benefits. among government, business and consumers for financing, the right to choose your own doctor, and having the federal government both a check on private sector excesses and as insurer for That’s where we come in. 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PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008