DAILY NEWS
Inslee’s flip-flop ● Boeing-FAA trust issues ● Unions are a ‘tried and true’ fix
Monday, May 20, 2019
THIS WASHINGTON
ALSO at The Stand — Inslee chooses climate optics over balance (by WSLC President Larry Brown) — Unfortunately, by ignoring science in favor of politics and optics, the governor makes it more difficult to hold together the very labor-environmental coalition that helped achieve his goals.
► From L&I — Dollar Tree faces one of largest-ever fines for repeated safety violations — Blocked emergency exit routes, unsafe ladder use and improper stacking of merchandise are among the numerous safety hazards that have the Dollar Tree company facing one of the largest Washington State Department of Labor & Industries fines ever issued.
► In the Seattle Times — ‘Gray money’: New Washington law to lift the cloak on PAC funders — Through a series of “nesting doll” PACs, campaigns or political parties can cloak donations by individuals, corporations, industry associations or labor unions. Now, a measure passed by state lawmakers this year could aid voters by revealing some of the top donors or organizations behind the cryptic groups.
BOEING
► In the Seattle Times — Boeing and the FAA must restore public trust (editorial) — The tragic and inexcusable failures of the 737 MAX have shredded all confidence that Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration are competently protecting the flying public. As presented in The Seattle Times’ coverage and confirmed in Wednesday’s Congressional inquest, the federal agency charged with governing the manufacturer has tilted too far toward deference, rather than regulation. The FAA must reassert its authority as an agency responsible for the safety of millions of lives and hold Boeing accountable. And Boeing must work diligently to restore the sense of integrity it earned across generations but damaged with its apparent rush to get the 737 MAX to customer airlines.
► In the (Everett) Herald — Find, fix failures to restore trust in Boeing, FAA (editorial) — It’s not known how soon the 737 Max may return to service, but the crashes of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights — and the response by Boeing and the FAA before and after those tragedies — has arguably degraded confidence in both. As the investigations and hearings continue, only full and candid cooperation can hope to restore that trust.
LOCAL
► In the Seattle Times — As Seattle’s new hotels roll out automation to serve guests, workers worry — Embassy Suites employees, represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, are negotiating to include in their first contract with Hilton the right to collectively bargain over the implementation of new technology.
► In the Columbian — Vancouver Public Schools bus driver calls for change after attack — Jeanette Weaver, an 18-year school bus driver in the west Clark County school district for 18 years and an SEIU shop steeward, said the attack points to a larger issue: a lack of support in the district for bus drivers despite ongoing concerns about student behavior.
THAT WASHINGTON
► From The Hill — This week: Democrats, White House set for infrastructure, budget talks — Democrats are set to sit down with the White House this week to try to make progress toward separate deals on an infrastructure package and raising the budget caps. A Senate aide said they expect Trump to use the meeting to “present his plans for how to pay for a $2 trillion infrastructure plan.”
► From Politico — Trump FCC prepares to approve T-Mobile-Sprint merger — A Trump administration regulator on Monday moved to bless T-Mobile’s $26 billion merger with Sprint, a deal that critics say will reduce wireless competition and raise prices for consumers.
► Jayapal explains why we should ‘scrap the cap’ on Social Security — Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7th) explains why “scrapping the cap” would not only be fair, it would strengthen and improve our Social Security system.
We know Social Security would work better if people with high incomes paid their fair share. In @HouseBudgetDems today, I broke down how one simple change could keep Social Security strong. pic.twitter.com/Stp3gjkni9
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) May 15, 2019
POLITICS
► In today’s NY Times — There’s no boom in Youngstown, but blue-collar workers are sticking with Trump — “The Democratic Party has lost its voice to speak to people that shower after work and not before work,” he said. “All we’re saying is he won’t turn over his tax returns. He’s saying, ‘I’m fighting China to get you better jobs.’” He added: “They don’t care about his taxes — they just don’t.’’
► In today’s Washington Post — The Koch network is reorganizing under a new name and with new priorities — The Koch network is getting a new name to reflect its shifting strategy. The Seminar Network, which includes the constellation of groups funded by the billionaire industrialist Charles Koch and around 700 like-minded conservatives and libertarians who contribute at least $100,000 annually, will now operate as Stand Together.
NATIONAL
ALSO at The Stand — From insulting to illegal: IAM files charges against Delta Air Lines
► Last week from Patch — Macy’s employee strike averted with tentative contract — One day after announcing a strike could come “at any minute,” Macy’s employees across Rhode Island and Massachusetts agreed to a tentative contract this week that includes time-and-a-half pay on Sundays, wage increases and more. UFCW Local 1445, the same union that represents Stop & Shop workers who recently went on strike, has been in negotiations with Macy’s for four months.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ready for a raise? Get a union! Get more information about how you can join together with co-workers and negotiate a fair return for your hard work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!
TODAY’S MUST-READ
The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 10 a.m.