Alaska AFL-CIO - Employee Free Choice Act

Labor Leader Spotlight: Jack Veit, AILU

The Port of Anchorage is one of the busiest sites in Alaska with over 4 million tons of cargo annually moving through the ships that land at its docks.  That material doesn’t move by itself, however; members of the Anchorage Independent Longshore Union, Local 1, handle much of that cargo.  “We work through all kinds of weather and we have to work round-the-clock until a ship is completely unloaded,” says member Jack Veit.  A 29-year member of the AILU, Jack recognizes that his union plays an important role in his work and family life.  “One of the hot topics right now is health care…For me, it hasn’t been a problem.  I have a great health care plan that covers me, my wife, and my two daughters.”    

Jack plans to retire in another year or so, and he can point to several items that will make his retirement comfortable.  “Not only do I have a secure pension, my wife and I will have reliable health care.  And with the decent wages that our business agent Bob Witt has gotten for us year after year, we’ve been able to put our two daughters through college without any debt.”  Particularly concerned about younger workers who might not have that safety net, Jack devotes his time to supporting local labor-friendly candidates and speaking with fellow workers about the Employee Free Choice Act.  “One thing that really upsets me is the comment made by the Home Depot CEO.  He said that any corporate leader who hasn’t donated money to fight the Employee Free Choice Act “should be shot.”  That’s just plain wrong on so many different levels,” Jack comments.   

AFL-CIO's Trumka at SMWIA: Which Side Are They On?

Local Union Spotlight: UA 367

Alaska’s unions have a rich and unique history that distinguishes them from their counterparts in other states.  As Alaska celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its statehood in 2009, it’s clear that union men and women have been integral to the building of America’s last frontier.  In many cases Alaska’s unions were even present before statehood was official.  But rather than resting on their laurels, Alaska’s union members are mobilizing to make the next fifty years just as fruitful for future generations. 

Chartered in 1938, Local 367 of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), for example, is active in the campaign to turn America around.  With a membership of about 900 members and 95 apprentices in various stages of training, Local 367 was active in the successful Labor 2008 campaign.  Currently, Local 367 is putting its muscle behind the Employee Free Choice Act.  Aaron Plikat, a fourteen-year member of the UA, is a regular fixture at worksites across the region as he speaks to workers about labor law reform.  “I’ve witnessed on several campaigns the fear, the intimidation, the closed door meetings, the problems of winning the contract…and then the retaliation against the employees after one, two, three, even seven years of negotiations,” Aaron says.  A second-generation pipefitter, Aaron grew up seeing how unions empower working people and he’s now acting to extend that benefit to others.  “The Employee Free Choice Act is the first piece of legislation in a long time that’s going to give people a fair shake and fair deal at the table,” he comments.

In the News....

New study examines Alaska's middle class
by Megan Baldino

(visit the link below to see a video of the broadcast)

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?s=10815900

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A new study in progress at the Alaska Center for Public Policy is focusing on the state of working Alaska.

According to the center's director, Dr. Lawrence Weiss, the middle class in Alaska is just barely holding on.

Weiss says a family of four in Anchorage needs $53,000 a year, and that barely covers food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

"Anyone at that level is just barely hanging on with their fingernails to middle class existence in this state," he said.

The idea of the study is to get the discussion started, said Chris Tuck, a state representative and business representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Tuck says the recession is affecting Alaska, especially the lower and middle class.

"Everyone is struggling to at least maintain without losing," he said.

One big issue he says the middle class should concern themselves with is the Employee Free Choice Act. Some say it's the most significant labor-related legislation in 70 years in Congress.

"The struggles we see right now -- declining health care coverages, declining retirement benefits and everything else -- it's becoming more of burden on society," Tuck said.

In simple terms, the bill would make it easier for workers to unionize, and Tuck and others argue that creates stronger wages for the middle class.

Dr. Ellsworth James, the president of the Anchorage NAACP, says unions are good, but they need to do more to represent minorities better.

"We are the middle class, so anything that talks about the middle class we are interested in," he said. "Look at the statistics. That's where we live and breathe."

Not everyone thinks the Employee Free Choice Act is a good thing. The National Federation of Independent Business and the business lobbying giant U.S. Chamber of Commerce oppose the act.

Alaska's senators are split: Sen. Mark Begich is in favor; Sen. Lisa Murkowski is not. Rep. Don Young did not respond to an inquiry.

Advancing the Middle Class in Alaska Town Hall Forum

This Monday members of the Anchorage community gathered in a town hall meeting to express their concerns about the state of the Alaskan middle class.  Some people spoke about the difficulties of keeping pace with the rising cost of living while incomes either stagnate or shrink.  Just about everybody knew someone who had a health care horror story if they didn’t have their own account to share.  This litany of grievances is recounted far too frequently to be a series of flukes or the result of bad luck.  Something is broke and we have to fix it.  Working people, as one journalist describes it, are caught in a “big squeeze” and if corporate America has its way, the stranglehold will only get tighter. 
 
Dr. Larry Weiss, Executive Director of the Alaska Center for Public Policy, Dr. Ellsworth James, an industrial psychologist and President of the Anchorage NAACP, and Chris Tuck, a Representative in the Alaska legislature and Business Agent for IBEW 1547, presented different perspectives on the crises afflicting working people.  Ultimately, however, their views arrived at the same conclusion:  Without taking action and engaging in the political process, the race to the bottom is inevitable.    

Informational Picket Line at the Anchorage Hilton on Thursday, July 30

It will be one year this Thursday since UNITE-HERE Local 878 started bargaining with Columbia Sussex, the firm that owns the Anchorage Hilton.  Even though the company imposed new working conditions in March, the workers continue to stand strong! 

Join your brothers and sisters at the Anchorage Hilton for an informational picket line on Thursday, July 30th at 3pm.  Let's show Columbia Sussex that Alaskans don't like outside companies degrading their jobs!!!!!!!

Local Union Spotlight: UFCW 1496

With the US economy leaning towards the service industries, the United Food and Commercial Workers is uniquely-poised to serve as a voice for those who work in the big-box stores that dot cities and small towns alike.  Unfortunately, corporations like Wal-Mart and Home Depot have the final say on whether their employees get to form and join unions.  “We live in the greatest country in the world,” says UFCW 1496 representative Frank Mutchie, “there’s no excuse for why millions of workers don’t have health care, good wages and something for retirement.  It all comes down to working people standing in solidarity with each other, and the law stands in their way.”  Frank is speaking from a perspective that only personal experience can provide.  A UFCW member since 1985, Frank was active as a shop steward when he worked at Carrs, and next month marks his second year as a Local 1496 staff member.  As a representative, Frank works with UFCW members to address their workplace concerns, but for the last several months he’s devoted his time to mobilizing support for the Employee Free Choice Act. 

With nearly 3500 members throughout Alaska, UFCW 1496 has generated a great deal of support behind labor’s toughest battle since the 1940s.  Local union activists and staff members in Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and the Mat-Su Valley, just to name a few places, have turned out an amazing number of petitions, letters and phone calls.   As Frank indicates, this fight isn’t just a political issue, it’s about turning America around.  “The Employee Free Choice Act should be the concern of every working family,” he comments.  “The right to organize should be a human right; employers shouldn’t have the kind of power that they do.”

Town Hall Meeting Tonight!!!

Advancing the Middle Class in Alaska Town Hall Forum

Sponsored by the Alaska Center for Public Policy and the Alaska AFL-CIO

Disappearing pensions.  Costly health insurance.  Stagnating wages. 

Worthless 401Ks: Is the middle class in danger?
Can our country survive if we fail to advance the middle class? 
What are the barriers to advancing the middle class in Alaska?

Come discuss these issues and more at our Town Hall Forum.

July 27th 6:30-8:00pm

Anchorage Senior Center

1300 E 19th Ave

Panelists Include:

Dr. Ellsworth James, President, Anchorage NAACP

Dr. Larry Weiss, Executive Director, Alaska Center for Public Policy

Rep. Chris Tuck, Alaska Legislature, member of IBEW 1547

Labor Leader Profile: Dave McAllen, IBEW 1547

Dave McAllen, a member of IBEW 1547 and the State Training Director for the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Trust, is used to seeing the construction industry from different perspectives.  Joining the IBEW in 1985, Dave worked as an inside wireman before he started his present position in 2006.  Now, Dave oversees a training program with 430 apprentices who work as far south as Ketchikan, all the up to Barrow, and dozens of points in-between.  If you listen to Dave discuss his progression from the craft to the school, however, one constant trend becomes pretty apparent.  “Training apprentices has always been a passion of mine.  I did this in the trade and I do it now in school,” he explains.  “Teaching is very important to me.” 

IBEW apprentices can specialize in different fields, but certain core principles are emphasized in each program.  “We teach the apprentices about unionism, about labor history, and why it’s so important for workers to have the opportunities that they [the apprentices] have,” Dave says.  To drive his point home, Dave often describes the different ways union and non-union contractors treat their employees.  “Union workers are treated better, that’s the plain truth,” he points out.  “Because of a strong union they have secure health benefits, good retirement and opportunities to learn new skills.  Non-union workers don’t have that kind of voice.”  As Dave tells it, the economic downturn only reinforces the reasons unions are so important.  “The Employee Free Choice campaign really underscores what we teach about unionism.  It’s a difference of night and day.  Our apprentices leave this program and can travel to wherever work is available.  They not only bring with them a great set of skills, they know why it’s so important to have a voice on the job.”  

Upcoming Event: Advancing the Middle Class in Alaska Town Hall Forum

         Advancing the Middle Class in Alaska Town Hall Forum

Sponsored by the Alaska Center for Public Policy and the Alaska AFL-CIO 

Disappearing pensions. Costly health insurance.  Stagnating wages. Worthless 401Ks: Is the middle class in danger?

Can our country survive if we fail to advance the middle class? 

What are the barriers to advancing the middle class in Alaska? 

Come discuss these issues and more at our Town Hall Forum. 

July 27^th

6:30-8:00pm

Anchorage Senior Center

1300 E 19^th Ave 

Panelists Include:

Dr. James Elsworth, President, Anchorage NAACP

Dr. Larry Weiss, Executive Director, Center for Public Policy

Rep. Chris Tuck, Alaska Legislature, member of IBEW 1547