Seattle Press on Line - Union Notebook

Union Notebook

May 18, 2000 -- Ron Judd, who has headed the King County Labor Council since 1993, has been appointed Western Regional Director of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO.) Judd will supervise activities of the national labor body in organizing, political activities and other union matters in an eight state region.

Steve Williamson, currently staff director at Teamsters Local 174, is seeking to replace Judd at KCLC. Though more than a dozen candidates for Judd's job ran their flags up the flagpole, Williamson was the only candidate left standing at filing deadline May 12. The full labor council votes on the nomination at its May 17 meeting.

The King County Labor Council represents 220,000 Seattle area union members.

***

Several current and former Shuttle Express drivers have filed a class action suit against the company for thousands of dollars in back wages and penalties for unpaid overtime.

The drivers, members of Communications Workers of America, won a union representation election at Shuttle Express nearly two years ago, and have been in contract negotiations ever since.

The drivers say that the company has violated the Washington Minimum Wage Act by failing to pay time-and-a-half for the overtime the drivers were required to work.

***

A first union contract was signed March 1 covering over 150 child care teachers at 14 Seattle area Child Care Centers. The contract has some unusual financial backing for the wage and benefit increases it brings to the workers.

When teachers at Seattle area child care centers started organizing a union two years ago, they knew that many families using the Centers couldn't afford higher fees. So instead of seeking wage increases from the employers which would be then passed on to customers, the teachers embarked on an intensive political action program which resulted in a King County grant of up to $20,000 per child care center, for the purpose of strengthening wages and benefits for workers. "It's an important part of improving child care for working families," explained Gregg Nickels, King County Council member who sponsored the legislation.

The Child care union also persuaded Governor Locke to fund a pilot career and wage ladder for teachers in center-based programs, which rewards longevity and increased education.

The state and county grants will help the child care centers pay for wage increases and other benefits included in the contract. The teachers are members of Service Employees Local 925.

Reader Comments

Discuss this article in the forums!

No comments yet!