(ISSN 0023-6667) AFSCME, county partner on child care Significant improvements Our new union will give us a Together/AFSCME. “There’s are on the way for home-based unified voice and clout at the an urgent need for us to start child care in northern Capitol.” working together to improve Minnesota after a ground- Both providers and con- child care.” breaking partnership between sumers share concerns about Partnerships with metro AFSCME and St. Louis deep funding cuts and low counties have been stalled as County was reached Dec. 13. salaries. In Minnesota, $140 the Service Employees Inter- County commissioners million in childcare cuts has national Union compete with took a bold step forward when hurt prospects for higher pay AFSCME for membership of An Injury To One Is An Injury To All! they voted 6 to 1 to partner and quality child care. child care providers. WEDNESDAY VOL. 111 with 420 licensed providers in Licensed providers state- AFSCME is the only union the county who are represent- wide earn only $2.83 an hour with a division founded by and DECEMBER 21, 2005 NO. 13 ed by Council 5 of the on average, according to the for family child care pro- American Federation of State, Minnesota Department of viders. Today, Child Care County and Municipal Em- Human Services. The cost of Providers Together/AFSCME ployees. Only Dennis Fink quality will be higher salaries works with 150,000 family voted "no" with even County to attract more qualified care- child care providers nation- Attorney Alan Mitchell giving givers. wide to deliver training oppor- the deal his seal of approval. Nearly 10,000 families tunities, higher pay and better “For decades our union has have lost child care assistance benefits. teamed up with county gov- due to recent cuts in subsidies The union has made an ernments to improve service established by the state. This ongoing commitment to help delivery,” said Eliot Seide, has forced many parents to working families with their AFSCME Council 5 executive quit their jobs to take care of child care needs. AFSCME director. “Our newest partner- their children at home. To- lobbies for increased funding ship will lead the way to gether the union and county for child care and for tougher improved child care. I will try to reverse this trend by regulations to ensure safe and applaud St. Louis County for raising awareness about the stimulating care. It has won its commitment and leader- value of child care as a proven, family-friendly programs ship.” cost-effective investment. through contract negotiations, The union will give There is a direct link advocacy and public educa- providers a unified voice between quality child care and tion. regarding regulations, training success in school and later in "That's the next step in the opportunities, pay and bene- life. In fact, every dollar spent process in St. Louis County," fits. The county regulates on early childhood education said AFSCME Council 5 Buddy Robinson of the Citizen's Federation gave a seminar child care and will work with yields $13 in public benefits, organizing director Eric Lehto. on Medicare Part D to a packed Hall B in the Labor Tem- providers through their union according to a study by the "We'll meet and identify issues ple Saturday morning. There have been many such semi- to ensure that its license is a Federal Reserve Bank of we can agree so we can start nars to help people make decisions on that drug coverage sign of quality. Minneapolis. finding solutions to make before the May 15, 2006 deadline. On page 3 of this issue Like child care providers in Because counties regulate improvements in child care for you can find the chart Robinson is using in this photo. the Duluth and Iron Range child care, it makes sense for kids, parents and providers. areas, many of Minnesota’s them to partner with a union of We'll work on a plan with the St. Cloud area special election 14,000 licensed providers providers to improve it. More county on lobbying efforts If you can believe it, Governor Tim Pawlenty, of the have signed cards saying they than half of the 860 providers with the state to get more Republican Party that has a history of winning special elections would like to join a union. in Ramsey County have money for child care in in Minnesota, has set a date of Tuesday, Dec. 27 for one in the They envision acting together already signed up to join Minnesota." St. Cloud area. to improve child care for fam- AFSCME and they await a Senate District 15 and House District 15B both have candi- ilies and providers alike. partnership vote by county WHAT’S INSIDE? dates with strong union support and the Minnesota AFL-CIO's “This is a first – child care commissioners. A union drive Pols report cards.....page 2 Just the Fax says "Yes, Gov. Pawlenty did set the date to cause providers in our state haven’t is also underway for Hennepin maximum confusion and minimum turnout for two candidates." had union representation until County’s 1,400 providers. Part D disliked.....page 3 If you live in those areas consider voting for Tarryl Clark in now,” said Donna Thompson, “I urge other counties to Molly Ivins hates spying....4 the Senate District 15 race and Larry Haws for House District a Duluth child care provider. welcome our union like St. Opinions.....5 15B. Encourage family members and friends to vote. “We’re isolated, we work long Louis County did,” said Judy Skin problems.....6 You can vote before the election at your county auditor’s hours for low pay, and we Massey, a St. Paul child care Glass ceiling flunks.....8 office: Benton County - 320-968-5006: Sherburne County - don’t have time to lobby law- provider and chair of Ramsey 800-438-0576; Stearns County - 320-656-3920. makers on issues that affect us. County Child Care Providers Rich to get richer?.....10 Goldfine's pickets.....11 Possible Knight Ridder sale could be devastating locally Wal-Mart homework...12 An investment manager’s In early November, Sher- nology needs unmet. Kuchera, president of the Truth on Big Pharma.....17 ploy to increase the return for man, who holds about 19 per- But things could get worse Newspaper Guild’s local. “The Greenspan's legacy...... 19 his clients could cause the loss cent of Knight Ridder stock, if the company is sold. Guild is working with unions 2006 Union vehicles..... 20 of union jobs in Duluth and demanded the company be Research by the Communi- at other Knight Ridder papers reduce local news coverage by sold or that management take cations Workers of America to monitor developments, and Labor opposes Alito...21 the Duluth News Tribune. other measures to obtain the indicates an asset-only sale of to ensure that the company New progressives.....22 Bruce Sherman, founder of maximum return for share- the News Tribune would allow doesn't use the uncertainty as Union bug fraud....23 Private Capital Management, holders. A couple of other the buyer to declare union con- an excuse to violate contracts the largest shareholder in investment firms signed on to tracts void, fire all employees or the rights of the workers we Knight Ridder, the News the demand, and Knight and force them to re-apply for represent.'' Tribune’s parent company, Ridder is exploring a sale. their jobs, probably at lower The News Tribune employs wants to show “strongly posi- What a sale would mean pay. more than 160 union workers, tive results" in his portfolio, for News Tribune employees If Knight Ridder changes most represented under the which is invested heavily in and local news coverage is hands through a stock sale, umbrella of the Communi- newspapers. Because Knight uncertain, but the possibility union contracts would proba- cation Workers of America. Ridder’s stock is not con- of a sale already is being felt. bly stand, though staff cuts Pressroom workers are repre- trolled by a family interest, as While exploring a sale, Knight could be possible. sented by Graphics Com- are many of the nation’s Ridder has imposed a freeze "There is a lot of uncertain- munication Local 76-C, a largest newspaper publishers, on hiring and capital spending, ty right now, with people won- Teamster's affiliate. the company is vulnerable to leaving key jobs in the news- dering about what will happen shareholder demands. room unfilled and critical tech- with the company,’’ said Steve See Knight Ridder...page 7 Happy Holidays & Enjoy 2006! Get a report card on your congressional reps Labor World Newspaper The AFL-CIO launched a site will come up that allows side on issues that are vital to nationwide "Who’s On Our you to click on each Congress- their futures," said AFL-CIO 2006 publication schedule Side?" campaign Dec. 13 to man from that state and get Secretary-Treasurer Richard The Labor World Board of Directors has set the 2006 publi- hold members of Congress their reportcard. Trumka. "Working families— cation schedule for 24 issues of the newspaper. The sched- accountable for their votes on The lawmakers were evalu- with the facts in hand—have ule (all are Wednesdays except for Tuesday, Nov. 21) is as working family priorities. ated on their votes in five cate- the power to take back the follows: In nine states, including gories: jobs and wages, retire- country and make sure we are Minnesota and Wisconsin, ment security, health care, tax represented by leaders who are January 11 and 25 working family activists are fairness and education. fighting for our best interests, February 8 and 22 releasing report cards grading Your Senator Norm Cole- and not the special interests, March 8 and 22 their U.S. senators and repre- man didn't do so well. Your every day." April 5 and 19 (Workers’ Memorial Day/Safety issue) sentatives on working family Congressman Jim Oberstar The report cards looked at May 10 and 24 issues during the 2005 con- has a perfect report card. votes on trade, the minimum June 7 and 28 (110th Anniversary issue) gressional session. "The AFL-CIO’s ‘Who’s wage, community wage stan- July 12 and 26 You only have to go to On Our Side?’ campaign is dards, child labor standards, August 9 and 30 (Labor Day, Primary Election issue) www.aflcio.org/reportcards going to make sure working protections for wages and pen- September 13 and 27 and click on the states and a families know who’s on their sions, Medicaid, health care, October 11 and 25 (General Election issue) consumer protections, tax cuts November 8 and 21 Next on Minnesota At Work for the wealthy, student loans UM-Labor Education Service's “Minnesota At Work” is seen and funding for public educa- December 6 and 20 (Holiday issue) on 19 stations including: Duluth, Channel 20-Th/9:30pm, tion. Throughout 2006, the The paper is printed in Hibbing, MN and goes to press the F/12:30am, Sat/5:30pm; Proctor, Ch7-M/9:30a.m., 3:30pm "Who’s on Our Side?" cam- day before it's printed. Deadlines are Fridays prior to publi- Hermantown, HTV7-M/9pm, Th/10am, Sat/5pm; Cloquet, Ch7- paign will include continuing cation unless other arrangements have been made. Any sub- Tu/6pm, Th/ varies, Sat/7pm; Hibbing, Ch12-Tu/5pm, W/3pm, mitted materials should be generated electronically. altM/5:15pm; Iron Range Ch13-Sa/7pm,Su/8pm; St. Cloud, reports on lawmakers and Ch12-M/9 pm; The following are Duluth listings: grassroots mobilization to put The paper now has a mailing list of 16,300 subscribers. Dec. 22, 29--Men Working--Clips by independent producer working family issues at the Issues are posted on the web at www.laborworld.org. Mike Hazard of people reflecting on their work and the nature of top of the 2006 congressional For information phone (218) 728-4469, fax 724-1413, or labor. Includes Paul Wellstone, Jim Northrup, Thomas McGrath, agenda. email [email protected]. Frederick Manfred and more. Visit www.thecie.org for more. Jan. 5--Immigrants Organizing: Changing the Workplace, Changing the Union--The 2000 Twin Cities hotel strike highlights the role of immigrant workers, who not only achieved better work- ing conditions that reflected their needs but also led to the union changing to better represent foreign-born members. Jan. 12--From Field to Factory Update--The people of our Red River Valley depend on the sugar beet industry. This docu- mentary beautifully profiles the beet harvest and processing, as well as the economically interdependent relationships are all threatened by recently passed international trade agreements. Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 10 Retirees’ Luncheon Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1:00 p.m. Buffalo House I.U.O.E. Local 70 Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, 5:00 P.M. Duluth Labor Center, Hall B Dick Lally, Business Manager (651) 646-4566

IBEW 31 & 242 Retirees’ May you have a healthy and Annual Christmas Party prosperous new year! Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1:00 p.m. Left to right (top row): Sean Quinn, Jim Peterson, Jim Balmer, Eric Beyer & Tanna Schwarz The Shack (bottom row): Bill Thompson, Ronny Reindeer & Bob Falsani (not pictured: Stephanie Balmer) The Best of the Season to All!

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers Local 118 ~Members Notice~ Election of officers will be by white ballot for the following individuals and offices: President Dennis Tollers; Vice President Bernie Conklin; Financial Secretary Paul Freer; Recording Secretary Tom Nichols; Sergeant-at-Arms Rick McDermott, and; 3-year Trustee Tim Paske. ~Thomas P. Nichols, Recording Secretary PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 IBEW 31 & 242 Retirees’ Annual Christmas Party Part D: Where are you? Medicare Part D opposed by wide margin By a large margin, Amer- Overall, the Hart poll found of seniors approve of what ica's seniors are dissatisfied that some 56 percent of voters Congress is doing and by the with the Bush administrations think the United States is on largest margin in 11 years of Medicare prescription drug the wrong track domestically- similar Hart polling, voters plan, according to a new and they point to health care as overall say they would prefer a national poll by Peter D. Hart an area where the country is Democratic-controlled Research Associates commis- seriously misdirected. Fully 69 Congress: 45 percent to 34 sioned by the AFL-CIO. percent of the public surveyed percent. The new Medicare law- says the nation is on the wrong Poll findings were released passed by Congress in 2003 track regarding health care. at a press conference call this and championed by the Bush The number rises to 76 percent week in which AFL-CIO administration-made the most among political Independents Secretary-Treasurer, Richard sweeping changes to the popu- and 72 percent in so-called Trumka announced the launch lar program since it was creat- purple states, those states of an intensive national cam- ed 38 years ago. It was only closely contested in the 2004 paign -- the AFL-CIO's able to pass in Congress after election with relatively equal "Who's On Our Side" cam- Republicans held voting on numbers of Democrats and paign, which will seek to hold the bill open three hours past Republicans. Congress accountable for the the time it was to expire. The The public's dissatisfaction votes they cast for or against three votes needed for passage is also reflected in their views the priorities of working fami- (1) Drugs through the VA: You can, and should, keep were strong-armed. of Congress. Only 22 percent lies. (See story page 2) what you have - it's better than Part D. The survey, conducted the (2) Supplement WITH drugs: You can keep it if you first week of December, shows want. First see whether it's better than Part D. that a striking 49 percent of registered voters age 65 and (3) Drug company program: WATCH OUT! Some of older are dissatisfied with the these programs are being dropped. See if you qualify for the drug plan, while only 28 per- extra Part D subsidy, and if so, apply for it. cent are satisfied. Another 23 (4) Retirement drug benefit: Find out what your former percent say they still don't employer is offering: Some are keeping drug coverage, some know enough about the plan to are dropping it. You should have been notified by Nov. 15. offer an opinion. Among those (5) No drug coverage at all: who do have an opinion, 63 A. If you have very low income and assets: Apply for the percent say they are dissatis- subsidy. You'll save 80% - 90% . fied with the Medicare drug B. If you don't qualify for the subsidy: Part D will only save plan and just 37 percent are most people 20% to 40%. With extreme bills of about $10,00 satisfied, according to the poll. per year or more, Part D will save about 50% to 60%. You can get bigger savings- 50% to 75% -from Canadian and generic mail order drugs. If you're worried about paying a penalty: You can buy a low-coverage Part D policy for $2 per month. (6) Medical Assistance: You will be put on a Part D drug policy, whether you pick one or not. (7) State's Low Income Drug Program: You will be put on a Part D drug policy, whether you pick one or not. Season's Greetings

From Local 1091~Duluth Area The Officers and Members of

IRONWORKERS Duluth, MN / Superior, WI and surrounding counties LOCAL 512

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 3 Spying on American citizens shows again King George thinks he's above law By now overlook. Here is a curious fact about us with the dread specter of From my point of view, Molly Ivins That the president of the the government of this country war, as though they alone are Bush has made one terrible AUSTIN, Texas--- United States unconstitution- spying on its citizens: It the hard-headed pragmatists, decision after another concern- Uh-oh. Excuse me. ally usurped power is not in always goes wrong immedi- while only woolly minded lib- ing national security, from I'm so sorry, but we dispute. He and his attorney ately. For some reason, it's not erals care about the Constitu- how Homeland Security are having a consti- general, Alberto Gonzales, as though we start with people tion. "Don't these people real- money was spent to attacking tutional crisis. I both claim he has the right to anyone would regard as suspi- ize we're at war?" Well, yes. Iraq. The New York Times is know the timing do so on account of he is the cious and then somehow slip Why that justifies treating not responsible. couldn't be worse. Right in the president. gradually into spying on the Unitarians like Islamofascists E-mail [email protected] middle of the wrapping paper, Let's try this again. The Girl Scouts. We get it wrong is beyond me. with suggestions on "how-we-fix-it" president is not above the law. from the beginning every time. This is the same pattern we that addresses America's problems. the gingerbread and the whole © 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. shebang, a tiny honest-to- I wish I thought I were being Never seem to be able to dis- have seen with Bush when it www.creators.com goodness constitutional crisis. too pompous about this, but tinguish between a terrorist came to the Geneva Conven- Now is the time for all the greatest danger to our free- and a vegetarian. tions for handling prisoners good men to come to the aid of dom always comes when we The Department of De- and to using torture. Not only their country: Damn the incon- are scared or distracted -- and fense has just proved this yet does he consider himself DON’T venience, full speed ahead. On right now, we are both. again with its latest folly of above the law, he has sur- his own, without consulting As an ACLU liberal, I mistaking a flock of Florida rounded himself with people LOSE YOUR the Congress, the courts or the would like to say how proud Quakers for a threat to over- who keep inventing perverse people, the president decided and honored I am to stand with throw the government. A few readings of the Constitution to EYEWEAR to use secret branches of gov- so many American conserva- months ago, a student at the justify him. Makes it especial- ernment to spy on the Amer- tives on this issue. You do University of Massachusetts at ly nice to hear him go on about YEAR END ican people. He is, of course, credit to all your heroes. Barry Dartmouth tried to check out a the importance of bringing using 9-11 to justify his Goldwater would be so proud. copy of Mao's "Little Red democracy to Iraq. BENEFITS! actions in this, as he does for One of the more annoying Book" and wound up being Bush defended his actions everything else -- 9-11 hap- things about this usurpation of interviewed by two feds. Monday by saying it was part We’ll bill your pened so the Constitution does power is that it is both stupid Cointelpro and all those mis- of "connecting the dots." A not apply, 9-11 happened so and unnecessary. As large begotten Nixon-era spy pro- painful moment, since the 9-11 insurance there is no separation of pow- numbers of people have point- grams were always making Commission just finished giv- company. ers, 9-11 happened so 200 ed out, it takes almost nothing ludicrous mistakes. ing this administration grades years of experience curbing to get a warrant to do what The usual suspects, like of D and F in terms of pre- the executive power of gov- Bush has been doing illegally - that silly congressman Dan venting another terrorist attack ernment is something we can - it's almost pro forma. Burton, solemnly try to scare -- and it has jack-all to do with wiretapping. This administra- tion has cried wolf so many times using the national secu- rity excuse it has lost all credi- bility. DULUTH • 218.728.6211 Bush just could not resist GRAND RAPIDS • 218.327.0070 that especially nasty little fillip CLOQUET • 218.879.5022 at the end: blaming the people SUPERIOR • 715.394.7999 May this Holiday Season who reported the problem. As SUPERIOR • 715.392.2204 bring you Joy and Peace. though the sin were telling the people of this country what is Thanks for helping make happening, what is being done our region a better place in our name with our money, as though we have no right to ishing to live and work. know. W Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon Please patronize our brothers Minnesota Senate District 7 F AFL-CIO & DFL Endorsed Labor World and sisters Paid for by the Prettner Solon Volunteer Committee, Elaine Hansen, Treasurer advertisers a Happy Holiday and a [ repetitive injury ] Happy New Year!

Week after week you go to work. Doing the same task. Over and over. Then one day you notice that your back or neck hurts. Statistics show that in Minnesota more than 8,000 workers are injured on the job each year due to repeated activity. And that’s only the ones we hear about. If you’re injured on the job you need proven statistics working for you. We 130 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802 have over 50 years of trial experience and a 218-727-5384 Roofers team approach to personal injury cases. Fact 800-535-1665 is, OUR SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT. cuzzo.com Local 96 PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 Long term security possible for city and workers' health By Ken Loeffler-Kemp Union Representative, AFSCME Council 5 If a rich man can enter the No one has a greater interest in the financial condition of the Kingdom of Heaven when an City of Duluth and the long-term stability of the city’s health ox gores the eye of a needle care fund than city employees. and the Vikings win the 'Bowl, That is why, for over twenty years, we agreed to very low I should be able to get there employer payments toward the cost of family health coverage. too as a hypocrite in a Santa By 2004, each employee was required to pay about $800 per suit after whining about not month, plus additional out-of-pocket expenses, for family cov- having time for the holidays. erage. At that point, less than twenty-five percent of city Plus I like to dress up in print. employees remained on family insurance. Essentially, we We're short-timers now, as agreed to forgo family coverage while employed in order to in the holiday is almost here, receive health coverage upon retirement. and we have so much to be That is why we agreed to significant changes in retiree health thankful for. Wait a minute. Now everyone's trying to scare make I-35 a toll road through care benefits in the last two labor contracts; changes in the ben- Did I miss Thanksgiving? the baby jesus, sorry, beejee- town. How much would that efits provided and how employees become eligible - changes We can be thankful Mayor bers, out of us by talking city bring? Better ask Oberstar, tho resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings annual- Herb didn't kill himself driving bankruptcy. You talk about You know the Goldfines ly and millions of dollars in the city’s long-term liability. drunk. That incident reflects a quick to take a clue....from would buy the Lakewalk if we That is why we have developed and proposed numerous little on why he was elected. NWA and all points of the gave them some tax increment cost-saving measures, including the re-importation of prescrip- Voters felt he was one of us, compass. Listening to business financing but what for they tion drugs, implementation of a Medicare supplement plan, well, not you holy angels. He's I thought we always were couldn't quite afford it. requiring Medicare and other insurance carriers to be listed as just now getting his Ten Com- bankrupt. Besides, our good If Herb had bought it first payer, investing in employee health and wellness and work- mandments reward right? King Bush knows Deficit Rd. against that Wisconsin bridge er safety programs, greater oversight of the health care fund, With our city supposedly It's where he goes to make his the city would have transferred and administrative efficiencies. As a whole, these cost-saving such a mess (okay, I live in a money, why wouldn't we emu- to Jeno Paulucci, even though measures have the potential to save the taxpayers of Duluth two township) we'd really be in late him? We could sell our the council is supposed to to three million dollars per year and to reduce the unfunded tough shape sans Herb so go ball team too. I'll keep my appoint to fill the vacancy. retiree health care liability by more than 52%; about 150 million easy on him. Have to call in a Husky, thanks. Because sell- Quality severance language dollars. teetotaler from somewhere to ing assets is what comes next. in their contracts would then And that is why we very much appreciate the extensive work cover us for awhile. Where is Anyone want a golf course or transfer the DECC to Dan of the Retiree Health Care Task Force; its findings and recom- John Fedo? Wouldn't that be two? Spirit Mt. suit your fancy Russell, who thinks he owns it mendations.. The Task Force recognizes the efforts of the fun now that he's decided that for development? You can buy anyway, and Kurt Soderberg unions in working to reach resolution and supports the cost-sav- maybe unions are a problem it and think of the great view would have gotten WLSSD, ing measures we have long proposed. We are pleased with these after he helped create the you'd have of Clough Island with the second "S" then findings. The full set of recommendations provides a valuable retiree health care benefit and when it isn't foggy. becoming "Soderberg." (Won- blueprint in which long-term financial security in the city’s did nothing else about it? I love the Top of the Harbor der why he advertisers in health fund can be restored. I still can't figure out why restaurant even though I'm a every paper in the region but Preliminary discussions are currently underway in prepara- there was a task force created little disappointed they didn't the Labor World? Kurt?) tion for upcoming contract negotiations. It is essential that the on retiree health care and all decorate with their Christmas There, giving all those gifts city demonstrate good faith entering negotiations by commit- but Don Bye ignored the crown. Think what the Radis- has put in the holiday spirit. ting to the entire set of task force recommendations – not in just notion that the process is a son could do with a similar Let me be the first to say, words, but in actions and measurable progress. All necessary function of collective bargain- venue on top of Enger Tower. "May Angels Watch Over Your steps need to be taken to assure the city’s health care fund will ing. Maybe because they're Someone will want to Flock Before Fleecing." be adequately funded and properly administered and that the top-down corporate types. proposed cost-saving measures will be enacted as soon as pos- sible. LABOR WORLD The task force has presented us with a watershed opportuni- Known office of publication 2002 London Road, Room 110 ty – a comprehensive plan to fully-restore long-term security to Duluth, MN 55812 the city’s health care fund. We believe the community supports (218) 728-4469 this effort. We remain eager to work jointly with the city admin- FAX: (218) 724-1413 istration in achieving this objective. [email protected] A Holiday Wish We approach this issue with a firm belief in the fundamental www.laborworld.org principle that access to affordable, quality health care is a right ESTABLISHED 1896 For Our of every citizen and individual. We should not engage in a race Owned by Unions affiliated with Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body to the bottom where health care coverage is being stripped away Trade Union and more and more people are being denied access to affordable 6 quality health care in our community at a time when they need 7 Brothers and Sisters it most – when they are retired and on a fixed income. We believe that long-term stability can be restored to the Periodical Postage Paid and Your Families... health care fund by fully implementing the cost-efficiency Duluth, MN measures proposed. We believe this can be done without under- Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager mining the health care coverage provided to employees and Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper A Joyous Holiday retirees. To do otherwise would be a disservice, not only to city Published 24 times per year and a employees, but to the entire community. Subscriptions: $22 Annually While there is much work ahead, we are confident that POSTMASTER: Very Prosperous, through our work together, and with the continued support of Send address changes to: the community, we will restore long-term security to the city’s 2002 London Rd., Room 110 health care fund. Duluth, MN 55812 Healthy 2006 Board of Directors Bricklayers & Allied This Day In History--December 21, 1919 President/Treas. Mikael Sundin, Painters 106; V.P. Paul Iversen, Crafts Local 1 from www.workdayminnesota.org BMWE 1710; Sec. Al LaFrenier, Emma Goldman and more than 200 other immigrants UNITE HERE! Joint Bd.; Jim Minnesota & North Dakota were picked up and deported to Soviet Russia. Walters, Plumbers & Steamfit- It was among several "raids" made by Attorney General A. ters 11; Tom Selinski, IBEW 242; Mitchell Palmer to rid the United States of people that he Laurie Johnson, AFSCME Co 5; considered undesirable. Over several months, thousands of Lynette Swanberg, MN Nurses; Mike Kuitu, Operating Engineers labor activists and others were picked up and deported in 49; Marlys Wisch; CWA 7214 violation of their civil rights. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 5 Work & Health With Best Wishes for a Safe and Happy By Phillip L. Polakoff, M. D. National Holiday Season Many causes of Association of skin problems In many ways, your skin is your body’s first line of defense. Letter Carriers As the body’s largest organ--yes, it is an organ--that covers all the rest, the skin is “out there” and subject to all the hits of irri- Zenith Branch tation imaginable. The world is full of irritants that can lead to skin problems, 114 Merged and no one of any age is immune. In fact, it is estimated that one-third of all visits to pediatricians involve contact dermatitis. Duluth, Also called irritant dermatitis, the condition occurs when the Two Harbors, Silver Bay skin comes in contact with something that irritates it. Where you work and the kinds of materials you handle are obvious causes for a variety of skin problems. Caustic cleaning solutions are often the villains. Some are more subtle, ranging Hoping you had a safe and successful year that allows for from an ingredient in a soap to a cosmetic. The way your skin reacts depends largely on the strength and amount of the irritant, and the type of skin and its sensitivity. Strong irritants such as acid and lye can cause blisters, ulcers Happy Holidays and inflammation within minutes. Weaker ones--including many found in soaps, cosmetics and medications--may not from your friends in the 19 affiliated unions of the cause a problem until after weeks of exposure. The workplace environment can also play a role. High humidity makes it easier for irritants to penetrate the skin. Iron Range Building & Trades Council Skin that is young and/or lightly pigmented is more prone to dermatitis than older and/or darker skin. Contact us - we can direct you to the highest quality A second type of contact dermatitis is allergic dermatitis. It’s contractors who use the most skilled, area workers! a little trickier to track down the source of the problem because it means finding out what you are allergic to. This usually President John Grahek, 1-218-741-2482 means trial and error. Typically, your doctor will apply a small Treasurer Michael Syversrud, 107 S. 15th Ave. W., Virginia, Mn. 55792 amount of a suspected allergen to your skin, then cover it with Recording Secretary Dennis Marchetti a patch and allow it to “incubate” for 48 hours. If redness or blistering develops, the test is considered posi- tive. If there is no allergic reaction, the test is repeated using other possible “candidates.” Finding these possible causes involves a bit of detective work. Your doctor is likely to question you about your job, hob- bies, diet, clothing, cosmetics and medications you may use on your skin. Many of these may provide clues to what’s trigger- ing the problem. Although most cases of contact dermatitis aren’t usually serious, if the symptoms last longer than a week or the condition gets worse, consult your doctor. Expertise Your pharmacist is a good source of information about pre- parations that may help relieve some annoying symptoms. Astringents--such as witch hazel, aluminum acetate and other compounds containing aluminum--help dry up blisters. However, use of these products can also cause the skin to crust over, and removing the crusts can lead to bleeding and possible infection. What does health plan expertise mean for Antipruretics are “anti-itch” remedies. They include oral Taft-Hartley Funds? It means making dollars antihistamines, steroids, and topical anesthetics that temporari- ly deaden the nerves. However, be aware that antihistamines work harder for Fund members. It’s negotiating themselves may cause contact dermatitis. better network discounts. It’s developing Topical hydrocortisone is a steroid that is applied to the skin to relieve itching. However, this medication should never be innovative health management programs to used if infection is present or suspected. improve member health and lower claims Protectants such as zinc oxide are applied to the skin to pro- costs. It’s understanding and meeting member tect damaged areas. If you have questions or suggestions for articles, write Dr. Phillip needs. It’s having a track record of more than L. Polakoff at 171 Alvarado Road, Berkeley, Calif., 94705. 70 years serving Minnesotans. And it’s what (Copyright 2005 by Dr. Phillip L. Polakoff and medical writer Jack Tucker/PAI) has helped Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota earn the trust of over 90 percent Thanks to all our employees and everyone of Taft-Hartley Funds to deliver health plan else who helped us have a great 2005! benefits for their union members. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year Proud to be a Union Contractor! LAKEHEAD Painting Co. “Serving the upper midwest since 1965”

© 2005 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Free Estimates Superior, WI (715) 394-5799

PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 Knight Ridder sale ominous...from page 1 While a sale of Knight which has lost more than 20 situation and see it as a test Ridder is not certain, news positions in the past five years, case for the future of newspa- Season’s Greetings reports say a number of enti- and reduce local news and pers. While investors have ties, including equity firms sports coverage. soured on newspapers as cir- To all our and other newspaper chains, Analysts foresee a mini- culation and advertising rev- Brothers & Sisters expressed interest in Knight mally better outcome for enue drop, mostly because of Ridder by the Dec. 9 deadline. employees and readers if competition from Internet in the Labor Movement McClatchy, owner of the another newspaper chain buys sites, newspapers remain high- Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Knight Ridder. While staff ly profitable. They also are the May We Have Gannett, publisher of USA cuts would still be possible, nation’s largest source of news Today, are rumored to be the News Tribune has little and information, with their Peace & Prosperity among them. room for more cuts without stories often recycled by TV Financial analysts paint a substantially hurting its news and radio news broadcasters In The New Year fairly consistent picture of product, an aspect of the busi- and Internet sites. Without what could happen if an equity ness analysts say other news- newspapers, many of them firm buys Knight Ridder. paper publishers are more like- would be forced to invest in The Superior Federation of Labor Because equity firms focus on ly to preserve. The News the reporting now being done short-term gains, most ana- Tribune also is quite prof- by newspapers, a move many lysts predict an equity buyer itable, with an annual profit analysts say would be impos- would slash jobs as far as pos- margin rumored to be 20 per- sible. sible to increase profits, then cent or higher, about double The Duluth News Tribune Happy Holidays & sell individual newspapers to the average for Fortune 500 is still the largest news-gather- gain the highest return. Such a companies, but average for the ing operation in the Northland, move could decimate the newspaper industry. and probably would keep that News Tribune newsroom, A third possibility is a position if Knight Ridder is Happy New Year! switch to a private corporation sold, even under the worst- that doesn’t trade stock on the case scenario of an equity firm INTERSTATE exchanges. Knight Ridder is buyout. But a loss of union worth somewhere around $4 jobs -- and their pay and bene- SPUR billion, so the corporation’s fits -- could hurt the communi- management would need to ty financially. find some deep pockets to pur- Readers also could lose chase all the stock. Analysts under the worst-case scenario, say this scenario is unlikely, with less coverage of local but could be better for employ- politics, government, general ees and readers because the news, sports and entertain- company would be immune to ment. The only winners would Communications Workers market pressure and could be partners or shareholders in 2700 W. Michigan St. focus on long-term sustain- the new owner, who probably of America, Local 7214 GAS - DIESEL ability instead of short-term would suck as much money as profits. possible out of the Northland GROCERIES Industry analysts are close- and leave behind a weak and OPEN 24 HOURS ly watching the Knight Ridder timid newspaper. Buy American...Look for Union Labels... Patronize firms that use Union Labor... Thoughts and actions that make for a... Happy Holiday Season Northern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council President Mike Rydberg (218) 727-2199 Vice President Dan Westlund Secretary-Treasurer Larry Anderson P.O. Box 577, Superior, Wisconsin 54880, (715) 392-2129 Boilermakers Lodge 107 Laborers Local 1091 (262) 798-1267 (218) 728-5151 Bricklayers Local 2 Millwrights & Machinery Erectors (715) 392-8708 or (715) 835-5164 Local 1348-- (218) 741-6314 Carpenters Local 361 Operating Engineers Local 139 (218) 724-3297 (715) 838-0139 Cement Masons, Plasterers & Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 Shophands Local 633-- (218) 724-2323 (218) 724-6466 Electrical Workers Local 14 Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 (715) 878-4068 (218) 727-2199 Electrical Workers Local 242 Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96 (218) 728-6895 (218) 644-1096 Insulators Local 49 Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 (218) 724-3223 (218) 724-6873 Iron Workers Local 512 Teamsters Local 346 (218) 724-5073 (218) 628-1034

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 7 Reich: Companies flunking "glass ceiling" BOSTON (PAI)--A decade corporate executives surveyed The survey, of 97 members after a federal report on the were female, but that percent- of the Fortune 500, showed six “glass ceiling,” which blocks age had declined to 18.8 by voluntarily disclosed, to the women from jobs and promo- 2000, noted Reich, now a pro- public and to investors, all the tions to upper company eche- fessor at Brandeis University data they provided the govern- lons, firms are still flunking in the Boston area. The minor- ment on promotion of women “glass ceiling” tests, former ity percentage was unchanged, and minorities. Nineteen gave Labor Secretary Robert Reich at 11 percent. data only to investment ana- says. Meanwhile, women rose lysts, or on request, while 15 Speaking at a telephone from 45.8 percent of the work- gave out no information. The press conference Dec. 7, force in 1990 to 46.8 percent rest disclosed bits and pieces. unveiling a report on the in 2000, and minorities were Sponsors of the report progress--or lack of it--in 22.1 percent of the workforce noted that it is companies’ best breaking the ceiling, Reich in 1990 and 27.2 percent in interest to promote women said it is time for the govern- 2000. and minorities into top-level ment to mandate disclosure of “Our feeling was that with jobs, given increasing diversi- corporate hiring and promo- more disclosure, there would ty in the workforce. They tion data, by sex and back- be more information available noted investors are more ground. to customers and investors favorable to firms that pro- “Only a handful of firms about those efforts to try to mote women and minorities. are doing what the Glass break through the glass ceil- The Glass Ceiling Com- Ceiling Commission hoped: ing” and achieve workforce mission recommended manda- disclosing data” about hiring diversity, he added. tory disclosure, 10 years ago, and promotion of women into “But very little progress Reich noted. “Given the very corporate positions “that they has been made, and the 2000 disappointing results, it’s time have to provide the federal Census data and other surveys for the government to require government, anyway,” said show women and minorities companies to disclose this Reich, the panel chair. are not making it. There’s data. Ten years is a long time And from the census data been some suggestion there’s to wait,” he said. that is available, he added, the been a slide back to the very corporate record is not good. poor record we had before the In 1990, 31.9 percent of all 1990s,” he said. Stretch Season'sSeason’s GreetingsGreetings your finances!

to the working men and women of the

Minnesota AFL-CIO

Skip a Consumer

Loan We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and a very Happy New Year. Payment

Ray Waldron, President Steve Hunter, Secretary-Treasurer during December!

Bill Moore Judy Grudem Lori Williams Call for Details! Chief of Staff Office Manager Computer/Info. Specialist

Brad Lehto Jennifer Schaubach Verretta Strickland Legislative Director Legislative Support Specialist Accounting

Diane O’Brien Dan Mikel Barb Hitzeman Communications Director Retiree Council President Secretary-Receptionist Main Office Branch Office Wayne Cox Tim Geelan Mike Goldman 4477 Lavaque Rd. 2002 London Rd. MN Citizens for Tax Justice Organizing Director Dislocated Worker Liaison 729-7733 728-3850

PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 A Happy Holiday Season! To All Union Members & Area Contractors

from Cement Masons, Plasterers & Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season Shophands and a Local 633 Prosperous New Year State Representative MIKE JAROS District 7B Paid for by Jaros Volunteer Committee, 3108 Minnesota Ave, Duluth, MN 55802

HHaappppyy HHoolliiddaayyss TToo AAllll!! AFSCME Council 5 AFL-CIO

Mike Buesing, Council 5 President Eliot Seide, Council 5 Executive Director Located at intersection of I-35 & 26 Ave. E. 2530 London Road Duluth 218-724-8818

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 9 Rich keep winning with GOP The U.S. House of Representatives finished its legislative business Dec. 19 without taking final action on a $56 billion package of tax cuts for the rich. Must be the Christmas spirit. But the House did narrowly approve (212–206) more than $40 billion in spending cuts to vital working family programs. A Senate vote on the spending cuts was expected late Tuesday. The spending cuts are aimed at Medicaid, student loans, food stamps, child support enforcement and other important pro- grams. On the tax cut side, more than 84 percent of the House tax cut bill would go to households in the top 20 percent. The Senate passed a similar but slightly smaller tax cut bill. GOP congressional leaders said a final version expected to be reached during a January House/Senate conference likely would include the major House tax cuts for the wealthy, including capital gains, dividend and business tax cuts. “The poor suffer. The rich benefit. The middle class pays the bill,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) dur- ing debate on the tax cut. Visit www.unionvoice.org/ct/ep1612s1-ugS/ to tell your sen- ators and representative these tax cuts for the wealthiest and working family spending cuts are the wrong priorities. Meanwhile back in the suites, CEO pay is rising at an astro- nomical pace while workers’ wages are dropping or stagnating, according to new reports. The average CEO made 431 times the salary of a production worker in 2004, up from 301-to-1 in 2003 and 24-to-1 in the mid-1960s, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute. SSeason’s GGreetings! 7ISHINGŸ9OUŸAŸ ,IFETIMEŸOFŸ(EALTHŸ ANDŸ7ELLNESSŸTHISŸ For all your family’s Holiday meals Please Patronize these (OLIDAYŸ3EASON
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PAGE 10 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 Building Trades picket Steve Goldfine's gift shop at Barkers Island Carpenters, Ironworkers Superior and two 5-year hard on development issues union contractor that considers exactly why Americans and Laborers union members extensions after that for the with local government and its employees "independent demanded that government affiliated with the Northern shop located near the SS don't appreciate having them contractors" undermines the implement child labor and Wisconsin Building & Con- Meteor. He turned around and turn on us like this," said wage and benefit packages civil rights laws, unemploy- struction Trades Council have handed the project to his Laborers Local 1091 Business that unions have tried to estab- ment insurance and Social been picketing a new gift shop friends at non-union Builders Representative Dan Olson, a lish for all area workers. Security, OSHA and other being constructed at Barker's & Laborers Commonwealth, a Superior native and resident. Olson said a Builders Com- safety regulations, and numer- Island by Steve Goldfine. longtime thorn in union con- Norm Voorhees of Iron- monwealth worker at the site ous other laws that in part Goldfine received a 25- struction workers' sides. workers Local 512 said award- told him he doesn't pay into manage the economy." year lease from the City of "We've worked long and ing the job to such an anti- Wisconsin's unemployment In a letter to Goldfine, insurance program. Mike Rydberg, President of "That program is designed the NWBCTC, stated, "We to help all unemployed work- feel Builders Commonwealth ers," said Olson. and some of their sub-contrac- Arno Kahn, one of Builders tors do not adhere to several of Commonwealth's owners, told the above mentioned issues Olson that his company does that you seem to be in support primarily residential work. of...." Rydberg added workers' "But we've just run into compensation insurance, them at the Whole Foods Co- health care and pension bene- op in Duluth and now in fits to Goldfine's list. Superior," said Olson. Goldfine is co-owner of The fact that City of Duluth-based Vista Fleet, Superior-leased work isn't which reached an agreement allowed to go out for bid is with the City of Superior to troublesome for all the unions. dock the Vista Queen tour ship A worker for unionized at Barker's Island last May. Young Plumbing & Heating The 25-year leases for the boat Ironworkers 512, Laborers 1091, and Carpenters 361 union members affiliated with the left the site when the pickets and gift shop appear to be Northern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council are picketing a gift shop went up said Larry Anderson related. Vista Fleet has two being built by Builders & Laborers Commonwealth for Steve Goldfine at Barkers Island. of Laborers 1091. The electri- boats and gift shop in Duluth. cal work is by IBEW-affiliated Over $1.2 million has been When You Need It Done Today! Electric Systems. invested to upgrade Barker's What the union trades' Island as a tourist stop. • SGI is the only UNION AUTO workers find especially galling "Almost all the work has about Goldfine's non-union been union except for the GLASS SHOP in the Twin Ports awards is a letter to the editor blacktopping and now Gold- • The next time you need your he had published in the Duluth fine's gift shop," said Olson. windshield installed call the LOCAL, News Tribune on Nov. 19. In it "We'll continue to picket it as UNION auto glass company that he stated, "...people running we see activity there." businesses 'as they see fit' is backs its work with experience • Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 For ANY Glass Need members, Scott Swanson, Randy Ellison, and Nate Kiminski have over 20 years of auto glass experience Let us handle your insurance claims! SUPERIORSGISGI GLASS INC. 823 Belknap • Superior WI 394-5588 • 722-7400 • 1-888-899-6369 We can do repairs at your site or in our new service center! Serving this area for over 60 years! Don’t let the holidays stress you out. Get together with family and friends for a great night out in our warm, comfortable atmosphere of fine dining. That special person who prepares your meals all year will really appreciate being given the night off. Happy Holidays Everyone! 800-477-7089 218-722-1202 200 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 [email protected] LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 11 UMDUMD studentstudent doesdoes herher homework,homework, breaksbreaks herher WWal-Martal-Mart habithabit By Amy Forsell mal damage to your life insurance. "Each Wal-Mart store should reflect the values of its UMD Statesman, Humor Editor savings. You shop there Currently, only 46 percent It's the summer of 2003. I because they develop digital of Wal-Mart's employees' chil- customers and support the vision they hold for their live with my boyfriend. Bet- pictures for five cents less than dren benefit from health insur- community." ~Sam Walton Target; you can get a new CD ance. The rest make due with ween the two of us we make Vice President for Benefits However, these items are $18/hour and pay $629/month release for $13; you walk the welfare and/or Medicaid. aisles unaware, or in denial, of Susan Chambers, wrote: only designed to attract shop- in rent to live in a crappy Min- Wal-Mart is the wealthiest pers. Once inside the store, what your "wise" purchases corporation on the face of the "workers are getting sicker neapolis apartment. I'm only in than the national population, one needs only go 10 feet in the Cities for a couple months are responsible for: A com- planet making $10 billion in pany that refuses to allow its particularly in obesity-related any direction from an Opening until Duluth's foghorn beckons profits in 2004 alone. It's a Price Point to find unadver- employees to form unions; a crime 50 percent of its em- diseases....Our population me back to school. For 12 tends to over-utilize emer- tised products that are priced weeks in the Metro sun, I'm company that's okay with ployees and their children lack more than 50 percent of its gency room and hospital serv- the same, or even higher, than pinching pennies and spending health coverage as an employ- Wal-Mart's competitors. employees' children being on ment benefit. ices and under-utilize prescrip- weekends renting movies. tions and doctor visits. This The light at the end of our Medicaid or welfare; a compa- In a memorandum to the 3. You believe that phar- ny that refuses to fill some Wal-Mart Board of Directors, pattern is most evident among macies should fill all tunnel is that big, blue, cinder- our low-income Associates, block castle full of "low legal prescription drugs in its FDA-approved prescrip- pharmacies; a company that and the team hypothesizes that tions and medications. prices," excellent peanut butter this behavior results from prior cups, and cheap CDs. I was a makes the rich richer and the In 1998, Wal-Mart official- poor poorer; a company that experience with Medicaid pro- ly announced that it would no Wal-Mart shopper. I bought grams." underwear, shoes, clothes, counts on shoppers' ignorance longer fill prescriptions for to dictate business' policy We'll let Chambers' hypo- emergency contraceptives, DVDs, food, you name it, thesis speak for Wal-Mart's plunking down my dollars so across the world, especially to which include Preven and Plan Americans. sense of its obligation to keep B. The Food and Drug Admin- that smiley face could keep on employees healthy. She also beaming across the world. Students, you are Ameri- istration has approved these cans. You are being oppressed. outlines a plan to cut down on medications as safe and legiti- Then, I pulled the wool off employees' 401ks in the memo my eyes and acquired some You are being what Wal-Mart mate under mandatory guide- dignity. I forced myself to and its board of executives 2. The majority of items lines. Wal-Mart pharmacies, absorb all the studies, statis- want you to be, a shopper who sold at Wal-Mart are however, do not carry these tics, and stories of heart ache. takes their stores and purchas- priced equally (or higher) medications because of their For someone who finds it es at face value; a shopper who than the same products personal preferences. nearly impossible to admit zones in on the price tag and sold by its competitors. 4. You believe that compa- when she's wrong, it was a dif- not on how the price tag got to Wal-Mart came up with a nies should never base ficult pill to swallow. I stopped be so low; a shopper support- super way to get shoppers in their hiring on an appli- shopping at Wal-Mart. ing a billion-dollar corporation its doors and keep them there: cant's confidential health Now, I write this for my that uses moral/ethical prac- Opening Price Points. This is information. fellow students and the entire tices you may not agree with. the official term for the items It's another way to save the working class because you Don't take my word for it. that are at their lowest possible company millions of dollars, shop at "America's Favorite Here are a few reasons why price, advertised with large Chambers states in her memo, Supercenter" for the same rea- you shouldn't shop Wal-Mart: black and white numbers, smi- "...It will be far easier to attract sons I did: you're looking for 1. You believe children ley faces, and they also are the and retain a healthier work- the goods at the cheapest price whose parents work full- items most frequently found in force than it will be to change so you can make it with minal time should receive health Wal-Mart's advertisements. behavior in an existing one. These moves would also dis- suade unhealthy people from coming to work at Wal-Mart." The healthier the workforce the less likely they'll be injured on the job and the less money Wal-Mart has to pay to take care of them. Here's a question: How does Wal-Mart's human re- sources department determine which of their applicants are at an acceptable level of health? There are two options: HR people take the employees' word for it that they are fit enough to perform the duties required, or HR will have to dig into applicants' confiden- tial medical records to deter- mine who passes the test. More than 60 percent of the U.S. population is overweight, so that alone will cut down Wal-Mart's hiring options con- siderably. Factor in how many people smoke cigarettes www.ufcw1116.org and/or marijuana; how many people drink too much; how many people have diabetes; UFCW Local 1116 Steve Gilbertson, President how many people have bad cholesterol; how many people Tom Cvar, Jerry Feucht, Joyce Berglund, Dan Hudyma, Diane Rosendahl, Barb Lowe have high blood pressure...you get the idea. Good luck finding Please don't contribute to the Wal-Martization of America by shopping at a corporation people who are healthy that is driving workers' wages and benefits to the bottom. Shop Union, Shop Local, enough and desperate enough to work for you, Wal-Mart. Buy Union, Buy American! Any retail outlet is a better option than Wal-Mart! Continued on next page PAGE 12 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 UMDUMD studentstudent doesdoes herher homework,homework, breaksbreaks herher WWal-Martal-Mart habithabit ...Continued from page 12 auction" to see who will go force that is organized by con- stand their reasons, but we are Entrance until the halogen 5. You like American- lowest. According to one tracts to promote equality and not forced to listen to them flickers of Wal-Mart's parking made products and believe Chinese entrepreneur who humane treatment among the either. The bottom line: Wal- lot convince you to make a that factories, plants, and once worked as a supplier for employees. Unions often are Mart is promoting censorship left. If you find yourself want- American businesses and Wal-Mart, the one who "wins" responsible for outlining in the musical community and ing to do this any time soon, companies are vital to the Wal-Mart's business is often employee benefits, wages, there's no way to justify it. call me. I'll be your sponsor. country's economy. willing to sell their product for vacation days/sick time, work There you have it, Bull- We'll talk it through and, with Wal-Mart has always had a one penny less than the next breaks, harassment policies, dogs. I've attempted to shed any luck, you'll make a U-turn strict policy: if you can buy the lowest competitor. etc. Unions are designed to some light on the already and head for Target. product for cheaper overseas, 6. Quality matters to you. protect the employee from bright and glittery world of Sources: Memorandum to the sell it for the same price as if it I don't have any of the unjust practices his or her Wal-Mart's outer shell. I hope Board of Directors found at had been made in the U.S., and clothing that I purchased at employer may force on them. you have a sense of what's walmartwatch.com. All other bank on the profit, do it! The Wal-Mart in 2003 for one rea- Wal-Mart leaves no room for under that shell, the truth statistics from PBS's docu- retail giant is notorious for tar- son: it has fallen apart, literal- discussion of unions among its which is carefully hidden mentary, "Is Wal-Mart Good geting American businesses, ly, at the seams. Now I know employees because that would behind Wal-Mart's PR shield for America?", which can be manufacturers, and companies why that shirt only cost $6, mean workers had some con- of smiley faces and spokesper- downloaded at www.pbs.org. with their bullying. Wal-Mart settles for less-than- trol over matters of money, sons like Destiny's Child. It will be re-aired Tuesday, "We'll pay what we say good merchandise as long as health insurance, and their If you found yourself winc- Jan. 3 on most PBS stations. we'll pay, and not a penny the price tag is right. Never own well-being. ing at any of the information The show follows the trail of more. We don't care if Joe mind that those boots are 8. You are against censor- you just read, consider it rea- U.S. job loss from small towns Schmo has been working at going to leave blisters on your ship in the music industry. son enough to stop shopping at of Ohio—where one in six Rubbermaid for 20 years and heels; never mind that that pair No, we don't want our kids Wal-Mart. If you didn't, I manufacturing jobs has been is raising four kids. If your of pants will rip in the crotch running around listening to encourage you to keep your lost in just three years—to the company doesn't give us the two years down the road. If Eminem sing profane com- eyes and ears open to what plants in China that fill Wal- product for less than the the price is right now, that plaints about the world with your favorite store is up to. Mart shelves with brand- Chinese, we'll take our busi- seems to be all that matters. foul words. However, we Information, documentaries, name products ness elsewhere." Why is quality lower at don't want to begin censoring articles, studies, testimonials, Amy Forsell wrote this piece Recently, Wal-Mart drop- Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart is con- musical artists either. Wal- etc. are everywhere, from the for the December 1 issue of ped long-time American com- cerned with one thing in its Mart does not sell CDs with library to the internet. You can the UMD Statesman. She pany Rubbermaid from its daily business: low prices. profanity, but instead sells start your research right now, can be reached via email at suppliers because Rubbermaid Low prices also mean cheaper edited versions of the albums. in fact, by going to www.wal- [email protected]. was forced to increase its materials, which results in Why not just refuse to sell martmovie.com to watch the products' prices due to an crappier items on your favorite the CD in its entirety rather most recent documentary film increase in the cost of resin. Wal-Mart shelves. than neutering it to the point on Wal-Mart. After they closed business, 7. You support unions. that it doesn't relate the origi- No matter what, ignorance Rubbermaid sold one of its Wal-Mart has been consis- nal message? won't fly as an excuse to con- prized factory machines to tent in its refusal to allow its Musical artists choose the tinue driving up Central Chinese businessmen for a workers to form unions. In lyrics of their songs and music mere $850,000. Now, the same case you weren't aware, a for reasons; granted, we do not products that were founded union is essentially a work- always agree with or under- and made in America for decades are being milled out for a fraction of the cost over- seas, while U.S. workers search for new employment. Wal-Mart has more than 6,000 suppliers around the world. Eighty percent of these The members of the International Brotherhood of suppliers are in China, where Electrical Workers Local 242 would like to wish workers make between 25 and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 50 cents per hour to sew, assemble, and build the cheap Would you please help us make a difference for the items you can't live without. Northland's working families by buying American- How does Wal-Mart find the cheapest of the cheap? made products from locally-owned businesses, now Representatives from Chinese and throughout the coming year? companies sit in a small room Some big box retailers may offer a lower price on and, literally, do a "reverse some items but at what cost to our communities? While making billions, these so-called low-price retail- If you’ve had good fortune this year, even though it may have ers actually encourage their low-wage employees to come through your own hard work, remember those, especially use government-subsidized programs such as food at this time of year, who have hard times knocking at their door. stamps and medical assistance. Local retailers that pay living wages and benefits contribute to our local economy rather than drain valuable resources from it. On behalf of our members and their families, we wish to thank everyone for your support. We will continue to work for America's middle class and the communi- ties in which we work. Have a Peaceful Holiday and a Healthy 2006 Happy Twin Ports • Twin Cities • Virginia, Minnesota Holidays Over 89 years of service • 1916 - 2005 from IBEW General Contractors, Engineers and Equipment Rental Specialists Local 242

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 13 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. HUNEGS, STONE, LENEAVE, KVAS & THORNTON Attorneys at Law Representing Railway Labor Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron, right, came to town to swear-in Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body officers for 2006-2007 at the December 8 meeting. A com- and Practicing in All Aspects of plete list of those officers is in the Central Body's ad on page 24. (Photo by Marlys Wisch) Labor Law for over a Half Century A Great Holiday Season and New Year to all. We’ve earned it!

United Serving: ME Electmetal Steelworkers Lerch Bros. (Allouez) Local 1028 Duluth Steel Fabricators Cutler-Magner (Salt) HUNEGS, STONE, LENEAVE, KVAS & THORNTON Buy Union, Buy American All Year Long Township of Duluth (Police) 1650 International Centre 900 Second Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-339-4511 1-800-328-4340 Ring In Arnie Flagstad, Investigator, A Healthy Superior, Wisconsin, 715-394-5876 2006! Call us if you’re thinking of building or remodeling-- Happy We’ll direct you to qualified, Happy licensed contractors that Holidays!Holidays! employ trained, skilled trades’ members of these unions: Wilson-McShane Corporation would like Boilermakers Lodge 647 ~~ 724-6999 Millwrights & Machinery Erectors to wish you and your family a happy and healthy Holiday and New Year. Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1348 ~~ 741-6314 Local 1 ~~ 724-8374 Operating Engineers Local 49 Our firm employs over 150 professionals and 724-3840 administers funds throughout the Midwest. Carpenters Local 361 ~~ 724-3297 We provide stable, high quality and responsible third-party administration services for Taft- Cement Masons, Plasterers & Painters & Allied Trades Local 106 724-6466 Hartley negotiated benefit funds. Over the years, Shophands Local 633 ~~ 724-2323 Wilson-McShane has assembled a strong, experi- Electrical Workers Local 242 Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 enced team which ensures the highest level of 727-2199 service possible. As a client of ours, you can 728-6895 expect to work with the same claim's payers, Elevator Constructors Local 9 Roofers, Waterproofers Local 96 pension administrators and other professional (612) 379-2709 218-644-1096 staff members for years to come. Insulators Local 49 ~~ 724-3223 Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 724-6873 Iron Workers Local 512 ~~ 724-5073 Wilson-McShane Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 Laborers Local 1091 ~~ 728-5151 (701) 281-1514 Corporation Teamsters Local 346 ~~ 628-1034 Since 1969 Matt Winkel - President 3001 Metro Drive, Suite 500 2002 London Road, Suite DuluthDuluth BuildingBuilding && Bloomington, MN 55425 300 Duluth, MN 55812 ConstructionConstruction TTradesrades CouncilCouncil 1-800-535-6373 1-800-570-1012 3100 Broadway, Suite 805 1313 Berry Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111 Louisville, KY 50215 “The cost is less when you use the Best!” 1-866-756-3313 1-888-522-3501 Craig Olson, President, 1-218-724-6466

PAGE 14 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 State Rep. David Dill is endorsed by: 4DuluthIron Range Building Building and Construction & Construction Trades CouncilTrades 4IronDuluth Range Building Building & and Construction Construction Trades Trades 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

2006

Teamsters Joint Council 32 Minnesota • Iowa North and South Dakota Happy Holidays

EXECUTIVE BOARD AFFILIATED LOCAL UNIONS C. THOMAS KEEGEL President Local 4 Doug Rubbelke, President

DANIEL FORTIER Local 90 Claudia Pettit, Secretary-Treasurer Secretary-Treasurer Local 116 Dean Cypher, Secretary-Treasurer Local 120 Tom Keegel, President SUSAN MAUREN Vice President Local 160 Wayne Perleberg, Secretary-Treasurer Local 238 Gary Dunham, Secretary-Treasurer PATRICK RADZAK Recording Secretary Local 289 Dan Bartholomew, Secretary-Treasurer Local 320 Sue Mauren, Secretary-Treasurer MARK RIME Trustee Local 346 Pat Radzak, Secretary-Treasurer Local 421 Dave Baker, President DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW Trustee Local 471 Dave Laxen, Secretary-Treasurer Local 638 Mark Rime, Secretary-Treasurer LAWRENCE YOSWA Local 749 Randy Knudtson, Secretary-Treasurer Trustee Local 792 Larry Yoswa, Secretary-Treasurer Local 970 Dan Fortier, Secretary-Treasurer Local 974 Tom Tweet, Secretary-Treasurer Local 1145 Brad Slawson, Sr., Trustee

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 15 "Until there is commitment, there is hesitancy… Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things Twin Ports-Arrowhead Chapter occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues NATIONAL ELECTRICAL forth from the decision, raising in one's favor all CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings APi Electric Benson Electric Johanson Electric and material assistance which no man could have Hibbing, MN Virginia MN Cloquet, MN dreamed would have come his way. APi Electric Bergstrom Electric Kantor Electric Duluth, MN Superior, WI International Falls, MN Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin APi Technologies DECO, Inc Laveau Electric it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Duluth, MN Baxter, MN Wrenshall, MN Begin it now!" AEC Electric Electric Systems M. J. Electric ------Johann Wolfgang von Goethe International Falls, MN Duluth, MN Iron Mountain, MI Agate Electric Electrical Systems North Country It’s long past time to rejoin the world community, Two Harbors, MN Brainerd, MN Electrical Services and work to uphold the United Nations' Universal Laporte, MN Belknap Electric Energy & Air Systems Declaration of Human Rights and the rule of law. Superior, WI Superior, WI Nylund Electric It’s time to commit ourselves to working for Belknap Tel-Com Hoffmann Electric Duluth, MN Superior, WI Brainerd, MN Polyphase Electric peaceful resolutions of our world’s problems, and Benson Electric Holden Electric Duluth, MN fair and just distribution of our resources. Superior, WI Baxter, MN Seppala Electric “Begin it now!” Hibbing, MN ………..Bill and Laurie Hilty Prepared and paid for by Hilty Volunteer Committee, Finlayson, 55735

from the members of I want to help $$ you save money. IBEWIBEW LocalLocal 3131 $ (218) 728-6803 Call me today! You may qualify for money-saving auto insurance discounts. Jerome E Siljendahl Agency 2002 London Rd Ste 200 (218) 728-6803 Bus Duluth, MN 55812 WishingWishing Representing workers at: Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Cooperative Light & Power Association © 2000 American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries Home Office - Madison, WI 53783 z www.amfam.com Lutsen, MN of Lake County NA-16942 Two Harbors, MN YouYou Bayfield Electric Co-op Iron River, Wl Crow Wing Cooperative Power & Light Happy Brainerd, MN City of Brainerd - PeacePeace Administrative Support Itasca Mantrap Cooperative Electric Assn. Solidarity andand aa Brainerd, MN Park Rapids, MN City of Brainerd - Lake Country Power Holidays Fire Department Grand Rapids, Kettle River & Virginia JoyousJoyous Brainerd, MN Mille Lacs Electric Cooperative City of Brainerd - Aitkin, MN Water & Light Dept. HolidayHoliday Brainerd, MN Minnesota Power Duluth, MN City of Moose Lake - Aquila, Inc. Water & Light SeasonSeason Cloquet, MN Moose Lake, MN City of Staples - Public Utility Commission of Aitkin Aitkin, MN Carlton Water & Light Commission Staples, MN Public Utility Commission of Proctor Proctor, MN County City of Two Harbors - Water & Light Dept. Superior Water, Light & Power Two Harbors, MN Superior, WI Central City of Wadena - Todd-Wadena Electric Co-op Electric Water Dept. Wadena, MN Labor Wadena, MN Body

PAGE 16 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 The Truth About the Drug Companies...it's far different than their P.R. By Marcia Angell, M.D. increasingly difficult to do so. The industry’s principal tical industry turns out fami- taught about drugs and what Big drug companies spend output is minor variations or lies of me-too drugs for rela- they prescribe. The companies ig drug companies far less on research and devel- combinations of old drugs— tively mild conditions in afflu- support most medical confer- Bwant us to believe opment than on marketing “me-too” drugs. These drugs ent people, it pays almost no ences and education courses soaring drug prices are neces- (despite their denials). Accord- cash in on already established, attention to serious diseases, and deploy armies of sales rep- sary to cover their research ing to their own figures, the lucrative markets. For exam- such as malaria, affecting resentatives to visit doctors and development (R&D) top U.S. drug companies last ple, the world’s top-selling impoverished people. It also and teaching hospitals to tout costs—a claim that implies year spent only 15 percent of drug, Pfizer’s Lipitor, is the gives short shrift to less prof- their wares and hand out free they spend most of their revenues on R&D but 32 per- fourth of six cholesterol-low- itable drugs, so there now are samples and other gifts. There money on R&D, and after they cent on marketing and admin- ering drugs of the same type. shortages of some vaccines is ample evidence this huge pay for it, they have only mod- istration (of which the lion’s New drugs are not required and life-saving drugs. investment in medical “educa- est profits left over. Curtailing share went to marketing). The to improve on old ones, and The industry’s most inno- tion” pays off when doctors prices, they say, would choke industry claims to spend $802 there’s usually no way to know vative and key drugs stem write prescriptions. It also cre- off R&D and stifle innovation. million to bring each new drug whether they do. Although the from research done at govern- ates an unhealthy sense of The following 14 key facts to market, yet independent FDA must test drugs before ment or university labs, usual- entitlement in young doctors show an industry very differ- analysis shows the true figure they are marketed, they don’t ly in the public domain. Even and increases drug prices. ent from the one depicted in is a small fraction of that. need to be compared with sim- within me-too families, the The pharmaceutical indus- Big Pharma’s public rela- The pharmaceutical indus- ilar drugs already on the mar- original drug typically is based try has an iron grip on tions—and each problem can try portrays itself as a model of ket. The FDA only requires on government-funded re- Congress and the White be remedied by congressional American free enterprise, but they be reasonably safe and search, often done decades House. With the largest lobby action. in fact, Big Pharma is utterly better than nothing—a low ago. So consumers pay twice in Washington, D.C.-, the The pharmaceutical indus- dependent on government- standard indeed. This loophole for their drugs—once for industry employs more lobby- try claims to be a “high-risk” funded research and govern- in FDA regulations opens the research, and then at the drug- ists than there are Congress business, but year after year, ment-granted monopoly rights door for an unlimited number store. members. Over the past two drug companies stack up some and other special favors. of me-too drugs, which are Drug companies have enor- decades, Congress has enacted of the largest profits of any The industry claims to be easier to develop than innova- mous control over clinical tri- laws that ensure windfall prof- industry in the nation. In 2004, innovative, yet only a small tive drugs. als. They design studies that its to the pharmaceutical the top nine U.S. drug compa- fraction of its drugs can be Drug companies often pro- increase the likelihood of industry, all at public expense. nies—those listed on the classified as original. The U.S. mote diseases to fit drugs, favorable results—something For example, the Medicare Fortune 500—made a median Food and Drug Administration instead of the reverse. By that’s very easy to do—or they prescription drug benefit, profit margin of 16 percent of (FDA) determined nearly 80 using direct-to-consumer ads suppress unfavorable results, passed in 2003 and set to go revenues, compared with 5.2 percent of drugs approved in to persuade essentially healthy providing reason to believe into effect next year, specifi- percent for the other Fortune the past seven years were no people they have medical con- that much of the published cally prohibits Medicare from 500 industries. Consumers pay better than those already on ditions that need ongoing research on prescription drugs negotiating prices. for these enormous profits, the market. Some 70 percent treatment, they increase their is biased. The division of the FDA while employers who provide were old drugs in slightly new share of an untapped market. Big Pharma significantly that approves new drugs good health benefits find it forms. Even while the pharmaceu- influences what doctors are receives half its support from drug companies in return for quick reviews. That means the As you celebrate the Holiday Season you can also take comfort in FDA is dependent on the Congratulations to Labor World on your 107th Anniversary! industry it’s supposed to regu- knowing we’re getting ready to go back to the State Capitol in late and spends more on rush- Keep up the good work fighting for the workers of the ing drugs to market than mak- 2006 to carry on the good fight for Minnesota’s working families. ing sure they’re safe. The state and keeping them informed. FDA’s advisory committee members also are on the indus- try’s payroll because many David TOMASSONI members work as drug compa- ny consultants. The United States is the Tom RUKAVINA only advanced nation that does not regulate drug costs in some way, and other countries spend Tony SERTICH only about half as much for the Paid for by the Rukavina Campaign Committee, Mary Anderson, Chair; the Citizens for Anthony “Tony” Sertich; Rick Puhek, Chair, 1210 NW 9th Avenue, Chisholm, MN 55710 same brand-name drugs as and the Tomassoni Campaign; P.O. Box 29, Chisholm, MN 55719 Americans. Although these countries require reasonable pricing in return for patent protection, drug companies do not sell at a loss. As for importing drugs from Canada, there’s no evidence that it’s an unsafe practice, but it would make more sense to adopt a similar system for negotiating prices than to import drugs. Dr. Marcia Angell is author of The Truth About Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It (Random House) and former Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. A member of Harvard Medical School's Dept. of Social Medicine, Angell was named one of the 25 most influential people in America by Time magazine.

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 17 Trade Union Directory “ The world is run by those who show up!” AFSCME COUNCIL 5— President Mike CEMENT MASONS, PLASTERERS & NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER Buesing, Local 1011; VP Deb Bloom, Local SHOPHANDS LOCAL 633—Duluth Area CARRIERS, BRANCH 114 MERGED— 66; Sec. Pam Lofquist, Local 1092; Treas. Office: Denny White, 2002 London Road, Meets 1st Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Reef Bar Clifford Poehler, Local 2938; Director Eliot #100, Duluth 55812; 218-724-2323; Iron (back room) President Robert Marshall, Seide; Area office, 211 West 2nd St., Range Area Office: Mike Syversrud, 606 727-4327 (office), P.O. Box 16583, Duluth Duluth, MN 55802; 722-0577 1/2 15th St. N., Virginia 55792; 218-741- 55816; VP Don McMillin; Recording Secre- 2300; Meetings to be announced tary Paul Oikarinen; Financial Secretary. AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 66—Meets 1st Scott Dulas; Treasurer Karl Pettersen Tues. at 7:00 p.m. in the AFSCME Hall, COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF Arrowhead Place, 211 W. 2nd St. AMERICA LOCAL 7214 — Meets 3rd NATIONAL CONF. FIREMEN & OILERS Pres. Alan Netland; VP Deb Bloom; Treas. Thurs., 8 p.m. VFW Post 137, 2024 W. Su- SEIU 956—Meets 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m. Joe Griffiths, Rec. Sec. Kathy Stevens. perior St.; President Terri Newman 723- Meetings held at Central High School. Union office, 211 W. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 4225; VP (US West and others) Ken Cu- Pres. Jerome DeRosier, 315 W. 5th St. 55802, 722-0577 sick; Sec.-Treas. Rawn Nilsen, 723-4225 Duluth 55806; Treas. Dennis McDonald, 4007 N. 21st., Superior, 54880, 626-4512; AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1123—City of DULUTH AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR Sec. Steve Lundberg, 8304 Grand Ave, Two Harbors workers. Meets 1st Wed. of BODY —Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m., Duluth 55807, 624-0915 each month at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall, Two Wellstone Hall, 2002 London Rd., (218) Harbors. Pres. Gayle Ostman,733 Valley 724-1413, President Alan Netland, AF- NORTHERN WISCONSIN BLDG. & CON- Rd, Two Harbors 55616; VP Brad Jones; SCME 66; VP Beth McCuskey, Duluth Fed. STRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL—Meets Sec. Lori Lynch; Treas. Paul J. Johnson of Teachers; Rec. Sec. Ellen Hanson, AF- the 3rd Wednesdays, Old Towne Bar. Pres. SCME 3801; Treas. Sheldon Christopher- Greg Sayles, (218) 727-2199, 4402 Airpark AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1934— son, Operators 70; Clerk Larry Sillanpa, MN Blvd., Duluth, MN 55811; V-P Dan West- St. Louis Co. Essential Jail Employees. News Guild/Typographical 37002 lund, Sec.-Treas. Larry Anderson, (218) Meets 3rd Wed. at 3:15 at the jail. 428-2722 Pres. Dan Marchetti, 726-2345, Sec. Peggy DULUTH BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION Kelley, Treas. Heather Ninefeldt TRADES COUNCIL—Meets 3rd Tuesday, OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49 — 3:00 p.m., Freeman Hall, Labor Temple. Meets 2nd Tues. of month at 7:30 p.m., AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 3558 - Non-profit Pres. Craig Olson, Painters & Allied Trades Hall B, Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London employees. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 5:30 106, 724-6466; Treas. Jim Brown, IBEW Rd., Bus. Rep. Brent Pykkonen, 724-3840, p.m. at AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St. 242, 728-6895; Rec. Sec. Don Watkins, La- Room. 112, Duluth Labor Temple. Pres. Michelle Fremling ; VP Gwen Domas; borers 1091, 728-5151 All members attend each meeting. Sec. Adrienne Kern; Treas. Yvonne Harvey DULUTH MAILERS UNION LOCAL ML-62 OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 70— AFSCME LOCAL 695 - Meets 4th Tuesday Meets 3rd Monday, Duluth Labor Temple, Union office, 2417 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. each month except March, July & Novem- 2002 London Rd., Pres. Wm. Stafford: Sec- Paul, MN 55113, 651-646-4566. Bus. Mgr. ber in Hall B, Duluth Labor Center. March, Treas. Keith Delfosse, 4215 W. 4th St. Du- Dick Lally. Meets 2nd Tues. at 5 p.m. in the July & November meetings in Moose Lake. luth, MN 55807, 218-628-3017. Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd. President John McGovern, 393-5718 IBEW LOCAL 31 (UTILITY WORKERS)— PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES LOCAL AFSCME LOCAL 3801 - Representing Rm.105, Duluth Labor Temple, 728-4248. 106 Meets 1st Wed., 6:00 p.m., Duluth La- UMD Clerical & Technical employees, 106 Officers: Pres. Tim Ryan; VP Mike Arezzo; bor Temple. President Dennis Setter, 4015 HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Kirby Student Center. Meets 2nd Wed., Rec. Sec. Bob Fonger; Treas. Dan Leslie; Grand Ave., Duluth, MN, 55807; VP Ron 12:00 pm, KSC, 3rd Floor; Business Rep. Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Robert F. Kasper; Asst. Folkestad; Rec. Sec. Mikael Sundin; Fin. John Westmoreland, 1-866-485-5785 Bus. Mgr. Curt Leno. Monthly Meetings: Sec. Brian Koyle; Bus. Rep. Craig Olson, The Following Establishments Duluth: 1st Wednesdays, 7:00 pm, Labor Duluth Labor Temple, Room 106, 2002 AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION Temple; Iron Range: Gilbert VFW, 2nd London Rd. Duluth, MN 55812, 724-6466. AFL-CIO Greater Northland Area Local— Tuesdays, 7:15 pm; Grand Rapids Blandin Are Affiliated With P.O. Box 16321, Duluth, MN 55816. Workers Hall, 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm; PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS LO- Membership meetings held monthly in Western Area: 3rd Wednesdays, all at 7:30 CAL 11 U.A.— Meets 1st Thursdays at ~UNITE HERE! LOCAL 99~ Duluth, bi-monthly on Iron Range (in odd pm: Jan., Brainerd Legion; Feb., Park union office, 4402 Airpark Blvd. Pres. Jeff numbered months), 218-722-3350 Rapids Legion; March, Nisswa Tasty Pizza DaVeau; VP Dave Carlson; Rec. Sec. Butch Liebaert; Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Greg ARROWHEAD CHAPTER, COALITION North; April, Little Falls Cabin Fever; May, Hotels and Inns Ironton Legion; June, Jenkins VFW; July, Sayles, Ass’t Bus. Mgr. Mike Rydberg, OF LABOR UNION WOMEN - For info (218) 727-2199 contact Pres. Lorraine Reinke, 628-2111, Park Rapids Legion; Aug., Little Falls Cabin Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Radisson Duluth VP Yvonne Harvey, Sec Janet Nelson, Fever; Sept./Oct. Brainerd Legion; Nov., SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10— 200 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 505 W Superior St, Duluth, MN Nisswa Tasty Pizza N.; Dec., Wadena Duluth-Superior area meets 2nd Mondays 722-1202 727-8981 BRlCKLAYERS & ALLIED Superior:, all meetings at Shamrock Pizza at 5:00 p.m. in Wellstone Hall, Duluth La- CRAFTWORKERS LOCAL NO. 1—Chap- 4th Tuesdays, 7 pm bor Temple, 2002 London Rd. Days Inn Hibbing Park Hotel ter #3, Duluth & Hibbing meetings are listed IBEW LOCAL 242 (CONST., R.T.V., MFG., Iron Range meets 2nd Tuesdays, 7:00 Highway 53, Eveleth, MN 1402 E Howard St, Hibbing, MN in the quarterly update newsletter. Chair- p.m., Regency Inn, Beltline & Howard, Hib- man Jim Stebe, Recording Secretary Stan MAINT.)—Rm.111, Labor Temple, 728- 744-2703 262-3481 6895. Pres. Dennis Tammen; Rec. Sec. bing. Paczynski, Sergeant at Arms Jerry Lund, Bemidji area meets 3rd Thursdays of Jan., Holiday Inn The Lodge Field Rep. Jim Stebe, 218-724-8374 Dale Carlson; Treas. Stan Nordwall; Bus Mgr./Fin. Sec. Jim Brown. Meetings 4th April, July & Oct. at 6:00 pm, Carpenters Hall 1500 Highways 11 & 71, Giants Ridge, Biwabik, MN BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL Wed. of every month at Duluth Labor Tem- International Falls, MN 1-877-442-6877 AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS ple. Unit meetings - Brainerd, American Le- Bus. Mgr. Craig Sandberg, 1681 E Cope LOCAL 512—Duluth, MN sub-office and gion, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wed. each month. Ave., St Paul, MN 55109, 612-770-2388- 283-8000 meeting place, Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 89. Duluth-Superior-lron Range area. Bus. London Rd., (218) 724-5073. INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Rep. Dennis Marchetti, 2002 London Rd., Restaurants & Eateries Pres. Frank Vento, B.M./F.S.-T. Charlie Witt, WORKERS, LOCAL 294 - Meets 4th Duluth 55812, 724-6873. B.A. Darrell Godbout, Rec. Sec. Al Greyson Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Local 294 Building lo- cated at 503 E. 16th St., Hibbing, MN. Busi- UNITE HERE! LOCAL 99 — Executive Pickwick Porter’s Timbers BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF ness Agent Scott Weappa, (218) 263- Board meetings are held on the 2nd Mon. 508 E Superior St 207 W Superior St Giants Ridge, WAY EMPLOYEES LODGE 1710—Meets 6895, Hibbing. I.B.E.W. Local 294 Unit of each month: 1:30 p.m. in Mar., June, Oct., & Dec., 9:30 a.m. in all other months. 727-8901 727-6746 Biwabik 1st Mon. of each month at 7 p.m., O’Mal- Bemidji, meets 3rd Thursdays of the month 1-877-442-6877 ley's Bar, Boundary Ave.; Gen. Chair Mike at 7 p.m. in Carpenters Hall. Quarterly regular membership meetings are Grandma’s Greenery Nagle, 6049 Seville Rd. Duluth, MN 55811, held on the 2nd Mon. of Mar., June, Oct., & in the Park Riverfront Bar & Dec. at 2:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the 207 W Superior St 729-9786; 1st Vice Chair Frank Malec; 2nd INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Hibbing Park Hotel 727-3387 Grill Vice Chair/Sec-Treas Jim Sonneson WORKERS, LOCAL 366—(Electrical, Sig- Duluth Labor Temple. 728-6861 nal & Communication Workers of C/N) - 1-800--262-3481 U.W.S. Cafeteria Holiday Inn, I.Falls BUILDING & GENERAL LABORERS Meets 3rd Thursdays, Proctor American Le- UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 241 — 1-218-283-4451 LOCAL 1091—Meets 3rd Thursdays, 8 pm gion. President Allen Johnson; VP David Meets Ist Tues. of the month, 7:30 p.m., Billy's Fine Foods UW-Superior Campus Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall. Presi- Winek; Fin. Sec. David Ostby, 303 Park Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd., P. & Spirits 394-8102 Lord Stanley’s dent Greg Willeck, V.P. Larry Anderson, Ave. Cloquet, MN 55720, 879-0941; Rec. Doug Koski, 1486 Shilhon Rd., Duluth Fin. Int’l Falls, MN Restaurant Rec. Sec. Dan Olson, Bus.Mgr./Fin.Sec./ Sec. Brian Johnson; Treas. Richard Swen- Sec.-Treas. Brian Stuberud, Box 151, Knife Top of the Harbor Treas. Don Watkins 728-5151 son, Local Chairman Greg Arras, 745 Lau- River, MN 55609 283-2440 505 W Superior St Days Inn, Eveleth rel St. Cloquet MN 55720, 879-6129 1-218-744-2703 CARLTON COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL 727-8981 BODY—Meets 1st Monday of month ex- INTL. ASSOCIATION OF HEAT & FROST WORKERS LOCAL 1116—Duluth Labor cept Sept. which meets last Monday in Au- INSULATORS AND ASBESTOS Temple, 2002 London Rd., Rm. 211, P.O. gust. Meeting 7:00 pm 2nd floor of Labor WORKERS LOCAL NO. 49—Meets 2nd Box 16388, Duluth 55816-0388. President Pubs and Taverns Temple, 1403 Ave C, Cloquet 55720; Presi- Friday each month, 8 p.m., Duluth Labor Steve Gilbertson; Sec. Treas. Joyce dent Bob Oswold, VP Tom Beltt, Treas Dan Temple. Bus. Mgr. Don Holte, 2002 London Berglund, 218-728-5174. Retirees' Club All American Club Norman’s Bar Terry’s Place Swanson, Sec. Christine Ringat, 879-1939 Rd., Room 210, Duluth 55812, 724-3223; meets 2nd Monday, 1:30 p.m., Duluth La- 1931 W Michigan St 113 W First St 2232 W Superior St Pres. Wade Lee; VP Garth Lee; Rec.Sec. bor Temple, Wellstone Hall CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 361— 727-9419 722-2905 727-9932 Brian Howard; Apprenticeship Coordinator UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1028 - Meets 2nd Tues. of the month at 6:30 p.m. Pat Meisner; Fin. Sec./Treas. Gary Nervick Border Bar North Pole Bar Hanson's Outpost at Training Center. Pres. Steve Risacher, Meets 2nd Tues., Room 212, 2002 London VP Michael Lowry, Rec. Sec. Rick Berg, Rd., Duluth 55812, 728-9534. Pres. Bruce 415 3rd Ave-Int’l Falls 5606 Raleigh St Hwy 53 & 18 St S Fin. Sec. Chuck Thaler; Treas. Chuck As- Lotti, VP, Fin. Sec. Tim Levens, Treas. Lee 283-2222 624-9841 Int’l Falls-283-9200 Popovich, Rec. Sec. Dave Lubbesmeyer poas, Field Reps. Chuck Thaler, Tony City of Ranier O’Gilby’s Bar Twins Bar Radzak 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy., 724-3297 UNITED STEELWORKERS 1028 Municipal-Ranier, MN 511 E Fourth St 501 E 4th St RETIREES ASSOCIATION—Meets 3rd Wed., West Duluth Evergreen Center, 286-3343 722-9139 727-3871 5830 Grand Ave. at 1 p.m. All retirees from Fifth Avenue Lounge Reef Bar Viking Bar & USWA 1028 welcome. President Darrill Er- Lounge ickson, 1615 Co. Rd. 146, Holyoke, MN 505 W Superior St 2002 London Rd 55749, Treas. Mary S. Petrich, Sec. Kay 727-8981 724-9845 412 3rd St-Int’l Falls Vigliaturo Kom-On-Inn Rustic Bar 283-4000 332 N 57th Ave W 401 N Central Ave V.F.W. Post #2948 Attend Your 624-3385 624-7463 236 3rd St-Int’l Falls Midway Bar Sneaker’s Bar 283-8777 Union Meetings! 1909 W Superior St 207 W Superior St Note: If town is It's how you find out 727-9956 727-7494 not listed, what's going on and Moose Lodge #1259 T-Bonz Bar establishment Moose Bldg-Int’l Falls 2531 W Superior St is in Duluth how you prepare for 283-3615 727-9582 your future! “We Thank You For Your Patronage!” PAGE 18 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 The questionable legacy of Alan Greenspan needs analysis By Thomas Palley WASHINGTON (PAI)-- mists call the recession of regulation must also be rebuilt. Thomas Palley is former chief economist of the AFL-CIO Alan Greenspan will retire as 2001, it left households sad- Financial innovation makes and former chief economist of the U.S.-China Commission, a chairman of the Federal dled with debt. However, the asset price bubbles more pow- congressionally created panel that monitors U.S.-China trade Reserve Board in January economic expansion has erful, and the Fed must be able and economic relations. Other economic analyses can be found 2006, and his retirement prom- proven fragile owing to the to contain them without on www.thomaspalley.com ises a flood of swooning retro- massive leakage of spending recourse to the blunderbuss of spectives. Writing anything out of the economy via the interest rates that wreaks (NOTE: GOP President George W. Bush nominated Ben else at this moment risks the trade deficit. havoc on innocent sectors, Bernanke, chair of his Council of Economic Advisers, to suc- charge of churlishly raining on This leakage is a problem, especially factory workers. ceed Greenspan.) the parade. However, there are but it is difficult to address it, good grounds for a more criti- owing to de-industrialization cal reading of Greenspan’s 18- and the new economic envi- year tenure at the Fed. ronment associated with glob- As Fed chairman, Green- alization and financial deregu- span has been one of the lation. world’s most powerful policy- In the pre-globalization era, makers for almost two large trade deficits could be Workers’Workers’ decades. During that time he corrected by dollar deprecia- has been a leading booster of tion, as happened in 1985. To globalization and financial prevent inflation from deregulation, developments increased domestic consump- CompensationCompensation that contributed to a new U.S. tion and reduced imports, boom-bust cycle founded on interest rates could be financial exuberance and increased. Taxes could also be cheap imports. raised and government spend- PrescriptionPrescription Financial exuberance drove ing cut. up asset prices and supported However, such corrections consumer borrowing and are now far more difficult. spending. Cheap imports have First, globalization has ServicesServices contained inflation and partial- allowed the trade deficit to ly compensated households reach record levels, making for wage stagnation and the scale of adjustment heightened economic insecuri- unprecedented and the infla- ty. The new cycle is a Faustian tion danger greater. Second, bargain, the price of which de-industrialization means  No out-of-pocket will be paid when the bust America may lack the manu- phase begins. facturing capacity to replace The Greenspan Fed’s sup- imports, which means the only expenses for you port for this new boom-bust way to close the trade deficit cycle is evident in its disregard may be through recession and  No confusing of the over-valued dollar and unemployment that lowers persistent growing trade incomes and import purchases. deficits, which have damaged Third, higher interest rates claim forms U.S. manufacturing. To could burst the housing bub- Greenspan, the over-valued ble, triggering recession.  Medication dollar has been a boon that has Unwinding structural im- helped contain inflation by balances is always difficult, cheapening imports. but the current difficulty is shipped Side-by-side, the trade compounded by scale and cir- deficit has been viewed as the cumstance. Debt-financed directly to your door product of “consenting adults” consumption has borrowed taking advantage of beneficial demand from the future. That trading opportunities that means even without economic globalization affords. Mean- shocks, the economy is while, manufacturing has been already headed for a period of tacitly analogized to agricul- weaker demand. ture, and its decline rational- If house prices fall, wiping QUALITY, CARING, ized as part of an inevitable out consumer wealth, that PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. transformation into a post- weakness could be severe and industrial society. the Fed may have difficulty START FEELING BETTER TODAY. And the Greenspan Fed has containing it. Lowering inter- shown a deep aversion to est rates, to stimulate the econ- financial market regulation. omy, may be little more than Thus it refused to use existing “pushing on a string.” With regulatory instruments (mar- expectations of falling house gin requirements) to curb the prices, buyers are likely defer stock market bubble of the purchases no matter what the 1990s. More importantly, it interest rate, as happened in refused to contemplate new Japan after its property bubble regulations that could have burst in 1990. helped curb the subsequent The Greenspan Fed has housing price bubble. cavalierly allowed imbalances Call to Enroll Today! The chickens are now com- to develop, brushing aside ing home to roost. Though the dangers with blithe references 888-321-7945 housing price bubble helped to the flexibility of the U.S. the U.S. escape what econo- economy. The next Fed chair- www.IWPharmacy.com man must take exchange rates This white space and trade deficits seriously. available for sale. Globalization means ex- change rates matter more, not Call 218-728-4469 less. The system of financial LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 19 2006's U.S. and Canadian Union-made vehicles From Our Family To Yours, Happy Holidays This guide will help you support union jobs in the U.S. and Canada. It is prepared by the United Auto Workers to provide You’ve worked hard on my campaigns, consumers information for buying vehicles produced by work- ers who enjoy the benefits and protections of a union contract. We’ve worked hard on working family issues, All vehicles on this list are made in the U.S. or Canada by members of the United Auto Workers (UAW), Canadian Auto Together we are making a difference. Workers (CAW) or the International Union of Electrical Workers-Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA). Looking forward to 2006! However, vehicles marked with an asterisk (*) are sourced from the U.S. and/or Canada and a third country. When pur- chasing them check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN.) AVIN beginning with “1,” “4” or “5” identifies a U.S.-made Peg Sweeney vehicle; “2” identifies a Canadian-made vehicle. Not all vehi- cles made in the U.S. or Canada are made by union workers. St. Louis County Commissioner, District 5 The Toyota Corolla, for example, is made in the U.S. by UAW members, but the Canadian model is made in a nonunion plant Paid for by the Sweeney Volunteer Committee and other models are imported from a third country. UAW CARS Ford Explorer Sport Trac Buick Lucerne GMC Yukon XL * Cadillac CTS GMC Envoy XL/Envoy EXT Cadillac DTS GMC Yukon/Denali * Cadillac STS Hummer H1 Alpha Cadillac XLR Hummer H2 Chevrolet Cobalt Hummer H3 Chevrolet Corvette Isuzu Ascender EXT Chevrolet Malibu (7 passenger) Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Jeep Grand Cherokee Chrysler Sebring Jeep Liberty Dodge Caliber Jeep Wrangler Dodge Neon Jeep Commander Dodge Stratus Lincoln Aviator 2520 Pilot Knob Road, #325 Dodge Viper Lincoln Navigator St. Paul, MN 55120 Ford Focus Mazda Tribute Ford Five Hundred Mercury Mountaineer Ford Freestyle Mercury Mariner/ 750 Torrey Building Mariner Hybrid Ford GT Duluth, MN. 55802 Ford Mustang Mitsubishi Endeavor Ford Taurus Saturn VUE Lincoln LS Lincoln Town Car UAW Vans Mazda 6 Buick Terraza Mercury Montego Chevrolet Express Mitsubishi Eclipse Chevrolet Uplander Mitsibushi Galant Chrysler Town & Country Pontiac G6 Dodge Caravan/ ,WXVHGWREHIXQ%XWQRZPDQLW¶VVRPHWKLQJ Pontiac Solstice Grand Caravan FRQWUROOLQJPHDQG,FDQ¶WFRQWUROLW«,¶YH¿JXUHG Pontiac Vibe Ford E-series RXWDORWRIWKLQJVEXWWKLVRQH,FDQ¶W¿JXUHRXW GMC Savana Saturn ION DQGLWPDNHVPHDQJU\ Saturn Sky Pontiac Montana Toyota Corolla * Saturn Relay UAW Pickups CAW Vehicles Chevrolet Silverado * Buick Lacrosse Buick Rainier Ford Escape/Escape Hybrid Chevrolet TrailBlazer '21¶748,7$/21( Ford Excursion GMC Envoy Ford Expedition Isuzu Ascender 7ORK3()&43ISAPROJECTFUNDEDBYTHE-INNESOTA0ARTNERSHIPFOR!CTION!GAINST4OBACCO Ford Explorer SAAB 9-7x 6+,)76 ZZZZRUNVKLIWVRUJ PAGE 20 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 Both labor federations oppose Alito's appointment to U.S. Supreme Court By Mark Gruenberg lars worth of media ads in choose to divert...funds to pay diana (Pa.) Hospital. The “Alito holds federal agen- PAI Staff Writer states Bush carried last year accrued wages and benefits.” NLRB upheld the vote and cies to an unrealistically high The nation’s two labor fed- but which have Democratic • A 2002 case where Alito threw out the hospital’s objec- standard when they seek to erations have formally joined senators, particularly those on ruled a company had not had tions, but Alito did not. enforce worker protection the broad coalition of foes of the Judiciary Committee. enough prior notice--despite • In 1997, Alito waded into laws, often reversing them on GOP President George W. The AFL-CIO documented 13 old job safety and health the bitter relations between the hypertechnical grounds and Bush’s nomination of federal 25 Alito case opinions--most violations--of 33 new OSHA UAW and Caterpillar, invok- depriving workers of impor- appellate judge Samuel Alito of them anti-worker--and sent charges that it “failed to abate” ing Taft-Hartley. Dissenting tant protections as a result. We to the U.S. Supreme Court. them, with Sweeney’s letter, to on-the-job hazards.Alito threw from the 8-judge majority of are also very concerned about AFL-CIO President John J. the Senate. They included: out OSHA’s new charges. the 11-judge court, he called Alito's views on the scope of Sweeney said Dec. 14 that his • A 1994 case where two • A 1997 case where a the “no docking" provisions of congressional power, given Executive Council opposes Reagan-appointed appellate GOP-named majority said a the UAW-Cat contract illegal. some of his rulings in this area, Alito. The Change to Win fed- judges ruled reporters for a coal processing plant was a “No docking,” the AFL- and his views about voting eration also opposed Alito. chain of Pittsburgh newspa- “mine” subject to federal CIO explained, is “a long- rights,” the letter added. The NAACP, a long-time ally, pers were entitled to overtime health and safety rules. Alito standing and widespread prac- also formally joined the oppo- under the Fair Labor Stan- dissented, saying it wasn’t. tice of employers and unions sition on the same day. dards Act (FLSA), despite its • In a 1998 case involving negotiating...provisions to Peace for Alito’s rulings and dissents exemption for workers at HERE and a failing Atlantic allow employees to perform as an appellate judge in the “small” papers. Alito argued City casino, all three judges grievance handling and other the Planet, Philadelphia-based Third Cir- “neither the statute nor the leg- ruled it did not have to give the collective bargaining functions cuit Court of Appeals “reveal a islative history supported the workers 60 days’ notice, on behalf of the bargaining disturbing tendency to take an majority's opinion” that the which the federal plant closing unit while drawing their regu- Prosperity for extremely narrow and restric- reporters should get overtime. law requires, because the state lar pay and benefits.” tive view of laws that protect • A 1991 dissent where Casino Control Commission • In 2000, Alito spoke for All People workers' rights” on health and Alito, disagreeing with two ordered the closing. HERE the circuit court in ruling the safety, wage and hour laws, other GOP-named judges, argued for advance notice. Constitution’s 11th amend- anti-discrimination laws and argued the FLSA covered sea- “Alito wrote separately to ment--the provision that pro- retaining pensions, Sweeney’s men sailing on reflagged emphasize his view employers tects states from immunity letter to senators said. Change tankers. The tankers had been are not required to give notice from lawsuits--meant state to Win chair Anna Burger said transferred to a “flag of con- under the WARN Act when workers could not sue their "Alito's workplace would be venience”--Kuwait--during the government, rather than states for violating the Family one where worker rights the first Iraq-Kuwait war and the employer, orders the plant and Medical Leave Act. “The would be severely curtailed." the majority said the labor law closing,” the federation noted. Supreme Court later decided The announcements came did not cover the seamen. • A 1991 Alito opinion otherwise with respect to the as groups on both sides • A 1997 Pennsylvania case overturning a National Labor family leave provisions of the increased advertising blitzes where Alito’s majority opinion Relations Board ruling that the FMLA,” in a decision written on the nomination of Alito to said corporate officers of employer involved “discrimi- by late Chief Justice William replace retiring Associate bankrupt firms could not be natorily failed to recall union Rehnquist, the AFL-CIO said. AFSCME Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. held liable for unpaid wages of supporters from layoff.” Alito Sweeney’s letter noted Senate Judiciary Committee the workers. “In Alito's view bounced the board’s decision Alito’s fellow appellate judges Local 3801 hearings on Alito open Jan. 9. ...because once a bankruptcy The workers stayed laid off. criticize his “excessively nar- University of Minnesota Radical Right backers of petition has been filed, they • A 1993 ruling throwing row view of worker protection Duluth Clerical & Alito bought millions of dol- are no longer empowered to out the union election in In- and civil rights statutes. Technical Employees 2005~ Wishing you It's Happy Holidays A and a Wrap! Great 2006!

From your Friends at Minnesota LECET Contact us at 651-429-1600 www.minnesotalaborers.org Skilled Construction Laborers and Union Contractors Working Together LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 PAGE 21 New progressive organization forms with merger of MAPA, Progressive MN The Best of the Season and By Steve Share, Editor ate organizations are unions. "Issues that MAPA worked Minneapolis Labor Review MAPA's work has focused on in the past and campaigns New Year to All Our Friends! To win electoral contests on policy research and build- that Progressive Minnesota and issue campaigns, organ- ing coalitions to win state leg- worked on have had a real tie from the members of ized labor in Minnesota has islation. Victories include to labor. I think that will con- worked with community passing a state corporate wel- tinue," said Steve Hunter, allies. Now two coalitions fare law and strengthening longtime MAPA board mem- International Association allied with labor plan to fold protections for voting rights. ber and secretary-treasurer of of Heat & Frost and create a new, broader Progressive Minnesota, the Minnesota AFL-CIO. coalition. The new organiza- meanwhile, developed expert- In the wake of the split in Insulators and tion will launch in January, ise in grassroots organizing to the AFL-CIO, the new organi- growing out of Progressive win electoral campaigns for zation also could become a Asbestos Workers Minnesota (PM), founded in candidates and referendums. place where AFL-CIO and 1994, and the Minnesota Al- In recent years, "each Change to Win unions can Local 49 liance for Progressive Action organization started to grow in work together. "It's fun to be We're The Insulators! (MAPA), founded in 1988. the direction of the work the putting something together at a "Unions are an active part other organization was doing," time when things seem to be of launching this organiza- PM's Greenwood said. "That falling apart," the Moore said. tion...They'll have a strong made us question, why are we Both organizations have role," said Ryan Greenwood, apart? Are we stronger apart or annual budgets of about PM executive director. together?" $350,000 per year. MAPA cur- One member of the found- "Rather than duplicate, it rently has four full-time staff ing board is Bill Moore, chief made more sense to bring the and one part-time staff mem- of staff of the Minnesota AFL- two parties together," said ber. MAPA employees are rep- CIO. "To combine efforts is a Doug Williams, international resented by the AFSCME really neat idea and will make representative for IUE-CWA, Council 5 Employees Union. for a more effective and broad- who is a longtime MAPA PM's staff of 12 full-timers are er organization," he said. board member. "MAPA has represented by the United Currently, nine of MAPA's done well organizing organi- Steelworkers. 27 member groups are unions zations. PM has done well Visit www.mapa-mn.org. while eight of PM's nine affili- organizing individuals." or www.progressivemn.org.

~~Clip This Coupon~~ $25 Off Complete Eyewear $25 joy • prosperity Limit one per customer--No other discounts apply peace • hope 2002 London Road Duluth, MN 55812 218-728-2863 ❄ May these gifts be yours this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

As we count our blessings this holiday season, Let us set aside our fear and anger. Let us be thankful for the fruits of our labor. Let us pray for the needs of our friends and neighbors.

And let us rekindle our hope for an even brighter future.

Jim Oberstar, U.S. Congress Eighth District Minnesota

PAGE 22 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 NY company fined for union label fraud A company selling fraudu- 2004, alone, Stone filled more union labels and bugs. :HNQRZ\RX¶YHEHHQJRRGWKLV\HDU lent "Union-made" lapel pins, than 2,400 orders with items UL&STD Secretary- WKDW¶VZK\ZH¶UHRIIHULQJDQHZ key chains and other promo- marked as "Union-Made" and Treasurer Matt Bates and tional items was slapped with "Made in the U.S.A." when, Label Letter editor Greg 6KDUH&HUWLILFDWH a $250,000 fine in New York "in fact ... none of Stone's Kenefick paid a surprise visit following complaints filed by products were manufactured to Stone's offices in Long the all-union Bastian Co. and in the United States by union Island last year and found supported by the Union Label labor," Spitzer found. large bags full of pins and but- and Service Trades Dept. Stone's products were man- tons lying around, but no man- NY Attorney General Eliot ufactured in China, Taiwan ufacturing activity. Employees Spitzer levied fines against and Hong Kong, according to appeared nervous when asked Stone Enterprises, Stone Inc. Spitzer's probe. As part of the where the pins and other items and company owner Leonard settlement or charges, Stone were made. A man identifying J. Stone as part of a formal set- promised not to engage in himself as Leonard Stone ap- tlement of charges. Between fraudulent or deceptive prac- peared and insisted all items January 2002 and December tices, including misuse of were union-made but he refused to disclose the address of the plant or provide a tour of the facilities. "There is a lot of fraud in the 'union-made' market, and unions need to be careful and ask questions of suppliers and vendors," Bates said. "If the price seems too good to be true; if the union label or bug Joyous Holiday Greetings is poorly stamped or hard to PRQWKV from read: if the pin or button seems DW Yvonne Harvey poorly made-these are all  warning signs. If a company $35 won't tell you exactly where -XVWLQWLPHIRUWKH+ROLGD\V their merchandise is made, &RQWDFWXV find a vendor or supplier who ZZZQRUWKHUQFRPPXQLWLHVFXFRP will. And let us know. We will SKRQH be happy to look into it." ~UL&STD's Label Letter 7KHRQO\ORFDOXQLRQFUHGLWXQLRQ www.unionlabel.org $QQXDO3UHFHQWDJH

AFSCME® Minnesota AFSCME Council 5 Eliot Seide, Executive Director Mary Theurer, Area Director; Marsh Stenersen, Sarah Lewerenz, Ken Loeffler-Kemp, Laurie Johnson, Representatives NOTICE TO UNORGANIZED, NON-PROFIT EMPLOYEES AFSCME nationally represents over 100,000 non-profit employees in social service, health care and service-related agen- cies. These non-profit agencies often are funded with substantial public financing by either federal, state or local funding sources. We have extensive knowledge and a working relationship with these funding sources. Our Union has organized employees at the Duluth Women’s Coalition, Benedictine Health Center, St. Scholastica Priory, Northland Extended Care (St. Luke’s Hospital Home Care), YWCA, Neighborhood Housing Services, Viewcrest Nursing Home, Franciscan Nursing Home, the Duluth City & County Employees Credit Union, the United Way of Greater Duluth and the Human Development Center. We have settled contracts at all those worksites. We feel confident that we can pro- vide active, democratic and member-directed representation for other non-profit employees in this region as well. If you, a family member, or a friend are an employee of an unorganized (not unionized) non- profit agency in the Duluth area, we suggest you give us a call about our union. We think we could be of assistance to you. All inquiries are strictly confidential. You can reach us by calling (218) 722-0577

LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 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! AFSCME 66 (City, County, Others) Insulators 49 AFSCME 695 (Minnesota DOT) Ironworkers 512 AFSCME 718 (Minnesota DNR) Laborers 1091 AFSCME 1011 (MNDOT) Lake Superior News Guild 37008 AFSCME 1123 (Two Harbors Municipal) Machinists District 165 AFSCME 1934 (St. Louis County Jail) Machinists Lodge 1575 AFSCME 2829 (Amalgamated Minnesota State Employees) Mailers ML-62 AFSCME 2980 (Minnesota State Agricultural Employees) Minnesota News Guild/Typographical 37002 AFSCME 3142 (Minnesota Public Safety) Minnesota Nurses Association AFSCME 3558 (Duluth Area Non-Profits) Musicians Local 18 AFSCME 3801 (UMD Clerical/Technical) National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 114 AFSCME 3802 (Silver Bay Veterans Home) National Conference of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU 956 AFSCME Council 5 Northland Area Postal Workers Union Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, Grain Millers 118 Office & Professional Employees 12 Boilermakers Lodge 647 Office & Professional Employees 277 Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers 1 Operating Engineers 49 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way 1710 Operating Engineers 70 Carpenters 361 Painters & Allied Trades 106 Cement Masons, Plasterers, Shophands 633 Plumbers & Steamfitters 11 Communication Workers of America 7214 Public Employees Retirees Duluth Federation of Teachers 692 Roofers 96 Duluth Federation of Teachers 692-1 (Clerical) Sheet Metal Workers 10 Education Minnesota-Cloquet Teachers Stagehands 32 Education Minnesota-Proctor Teachers UNITE HERE Joint Board (Minnesota) Education Minnesota-Wrenshall Teachers UNITE HERE Local 99 Education Minnesota-Willow River Teachers UNITE HERE Local 150 Firefighters 101 University Education Association (UMD) Hermantown Teachers Federation 1096 USW District 11 IBEW 31 (Utility Workers, Others) USW 1028 IBEW 31 & 242 Retirees USW 1028 Retirees IBEW 242 (Construction, TV, Others) USW 9460 IBEW 366 (Canadian National) Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body Alan Netland, President Beth McCuskey, Vice President Ellen Hanson, 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, Gaynelle Johnson Executive Board Jim Brown, Terri Newman, Dale Kilby, Marie Pechek "We Know How To Work!"

PAGE 24 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005