Mayoral Screening May 10
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(ISSN 0023-6667) If EFCA becomes law, unions would be 22% By Mark Gruenberg million would receive pensions range from statutes that are PAI Staff Writer It based those calculations similar to U.S. law to those that Union density in the U.S. on present data, which show are even more pro-worker than would rise from its present 12.4 union members are 28 percent EFCA. percent of all workers to 22 more likely than non-unionists Citing a Canadian study, percent--over a period of years- to get employer-paid health Lotke explained “mandatory -if the Employee Free Choice care, and 22.5 percent more votes” on whether to unionize Act (EFCA) were to become likely to have traditional “had a negative effect on law, two analysts of the mea- employer-based pensions. (union) certifications.” U.S. An Injury to One is an Injury to All! sure’s impact said. Eisenbrey and Lotke labor law now makes such Speaking at an April 30 tele- explained there are several rea- votes the prime way unions are WEDNESDAY VOL. 112 sons the Employee Free Choice certified in workplaces. But MAY 9, 2007 NO. 21 phone press conference organ- ized by the Institute for Ameri- Act would lead to a 10 percent- the U.S. votes usually follow ca’s Future--a Democratic-ori- age-point increase in union employers’ extreme anti-union ented think tank--Ross density. Polls for the AFL-CIO campaigns, harassment, intimi- Eisenbrey of the Economic have shown more than 60 per- dation and firings. Policy Institute and Eric Lotke, cent of non-union, non-super- “Comparing Canadian co-author of a report on the visory workers, given the provinces with different certifi- measure’s impact, said that chance to unionize free of cation rules, mandatory votes increase is a minimum figure. employer coercion and intimi- reduce the certification success The report, released by the dation, would opt to do so. rate by approximately 9 per- institute, also said if EFCA One reason is that their centage points below what it becomes law, an additional study compared U.S. union would be under card check,” 3.54 million people nationwide densities, under weak U.S. the union recognition method would receive health care ben- labor law, with those in Cana- at the center of EFCA, the efits and an additional 2.77 da, where provincial labor laws report said. Other reasons union density in the U.S. would rise by 10 Mayoral screening May 10 percentage points if the law is The Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body will con- changed include “the length of duct screenings for this year’s Duluth mayor’s race at time before elections,” and the 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 10, in Wellstone Hall of the fact that, as Eisenbrey put it, Colten Danelski was among those who enjoyed the Workers Duluth Labor Temple. Possible endorsements in the “60 million people want to Memorial Day Solidarity Breakfast in Wellstone Hall, hon- unionize, but that doesn’t guar- race could be brought up at the regular monthly meet- antee they’d actually be able to est. He was with his Dad, Corey, right, a member of Fire ing that will immediately follow the screenings. Fighters Local 101’s Honor Guard that was part of the do so. Unions would have to Screenings are open to anyone interested in attend- come to their workplaces.” Workers’ Memorial Day observance, and Grandpa Ken ing, but only delegates to the Central Body or invited Danelski, a retired member of FF101. The speakers said the report guests are allowed to be part of the endorsing meeting. provides another piece of evi- Fallen workers’ remembered An endorsement requires a two-thirds majority of vot- dence for passage of EFCA, ing delegates. which faces a planned GOP fil- Just a week before the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body ibuster--an attempt to talk it to and unions worldwide observed Workers’ Memorial Day, anoth- death--in the Senate. er miner died near Eveleth, Minnesota. Dean Driscoll, 50, a Democrats and their allies need member of United Steelworkers Local 6860 at Cleveland Cliff’s 60 votes to stop such a talka- United Taconite for 31 years, died when his rotary drill tipped thon. It passed the House on over. The drill was a leased piece of equipment. March 1, 241-185. At Duluth’s Workers’ Memorial Day observance April 23rd, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Steve Hunter said it who joined the conference call, will be a sad remembrance with so many deaths but those vic- called prospects for Senate pas- tims memories can be honored also whenever unions or individ- sage “pretty good,” but admit- uals work to make their workplaces safer. He asked those in ted “the 60 votes might be attendance to continue to pressure their elected officials to work problematic.” Even if the fili- to improve the Occupational Safety and Health Act. buster is overcome, anti-work- Mayor Herb Bergson asked that everyone remember and pray er GOP President Bush plans to for Shelby Adolphson, a member of USW Local 9460, who “is veto the bill, Vice President fighting for her life” after being shot by her husband as she Richard Cheney says. returned to work from lunch March 21st. Bergson had procla- That got Harkin’s back up. mations on behalf of Ironworkers Local 512’s Arne Fliginger “We shouldn’t not act just and Mike Rathjen, and Andrew Reed, who all lost their lives on because the president said he the job last year. Reed also worked for Cleveland Cliffs at Forbes plans to veto it, or just because An apple tree was planted behind the Labor Temple “sym- the National Association of bolic of hope for the future” on behalf of those fallen workers Manufacturers opposes it,” he said Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body President Alan said. Netland. “We always hope this observance will be easier next year,” Netland said. See how to contact Senator Norm Coleman and ask him Chris Luecken remembered to support EFCA on page 7 In the April 18 Workers Memorial Day issue of the Labor World, Chris Luecken should have been remembered as a union member who lost his life on the job last year. Chris Luecken was a member of Operating Engineers Local 49 from Angora, MN. He died November 10, 2006 when a con- Remember to leave non-perishable food items near veyor collapsed on him while working for Seppi Brothers Concrete Products of Virginia, MN at their Jammer Lake Pit. your mailbox this Saturday for the NALC Annual The rock conveyor had been modified from being a stationery Food Drive. Your carrier and many volunteers will be conveyor. It was to be moved to another section of the pit. In dis- filling this area’s food shelves, which are hit hard in the mantling it, the 1,800 pound head pulley fell on Luecken. summer months since children don’t eat meals at The Labor World regrets not including Chris Luecken in school. Volunteers are always welcome. Show up at the those who were remembered for Workers Memorial Day 2007. Main Post Office’s back entrance off 29th Ave. West. Trades’ 17th DADS Golf Outing June 9th Carpenters to hold open The Duluth Building & Lester Park Golf Course in raised over $20 million,” said Construction Trades Council Duluth has been the home for Jerry Alander, Duluth’s Tour- fishing tournaments June 2, 16 will continue their successful the event every year, rain or nament Founder/Chair. “We’ve You can get into an All Carpenters Fishing Tournament on Dollars Against Diabetes shine, beginning at 10 a.m. had really good support here Saturday, June 2nd at Fortune Bay Casino, Lake Vermillion just (DADS) Golf Outing Saturday, “Since 1986, Trades Coun- every year. Last year we raised by fishing with a Carpenter. June 9 for the 17th year. cils across the country have about $9,000 for diabetes Only two people can be in a boat and one has to be a Carpen- research and local charities.” ter, Millwright, Piledriver, Lather, or Floor Coverer. The person Speak out on Duluth’s gov’t Alander works with the can be a union member or work non-union. Organized fishing, With all the complaining that goes on over city government, Community Services Program you could call it, or “Reel ’Em In” as the tournament is called. you’d expect considerable public input when it’s requested. The and the United Way of Greater “We’ll have a great time and look forward to meeting as City of Duluth Charter Commission is studying the strengths and Duluth to make sure the money many folks as we can,” said Wayne Nordin of the Lakes and weaknesses of the existing strong mayor/weak council system. ends up where it is needed. Plains Regional Council of Carpenters & Joiners. “Anyone It’s comparing it to the city manager/council and other systems, DADS money was used to interested can call me at 724-6364 and we’ll get you into a and wondering if it should recommend a change. build the Diabetes Research boat.” The Charter Commission will be meeting today and again at Institute at the University of Pre-registration entry fee is $50 per person if postmarked by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 17 in the City Council Chambers, 3rd Miami (Florida). Proceeds are May 21, $65 after May 21. Floor, City Hall, 411 West First Street. and will accept written now being used to retire the Hotel reservations for Fortune Bay can be made for only $79 and oral comments from the public.