Federal workers | Spokane, UW ULPs | Black women’s labor legacy

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

TODAY’S MUST-READ

► From Vanity Fair — The Federal Workforce Resistance to Donald Trump Is Here — Federal civil servants, who in normal times simply keep their heads down and do their jobs in their respective corners of the government, take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to “well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office” on which they are about to enter. Consistent with that duty, they have begun to protest and resist the lawlessness they’ve encountered during the first month of the second Trump administration—both in and outside formal legal channels.

LOCAL

► From the Spokesman Review — Spokane County facing unfair labor practice complaints following decision to expand agreement with company providing care to detainees — [union rep. Greg] Beeman said the union has filed two unfair labor practice complaints with the state, as well as two grievances with the county, all related to the county’s failure to negotiate with the union prior to awarding the medical services contract. The county is working through the grievance process and impact negotiations with the union, which may go to arbitration in the coming weeks, Beeman said. The state’s Public Employment Relations Committee will run down the unfair labor practice complaints, and could have the power to send the county back to square one in securing a contractor, he added.

► From MyNorthwest.com — Family suing after toxic fumes killed former UW student’s father — Labor and Industries fined the company nearly $400,000 in Voloshin’s death. Indeed, the state has fined Two Rivers nearly a million dollars since 2023 because of workplace injuries. But Two Rivers has appealed the fines and continues to operate. KIRO 7 checked with L&I about why Two Rivers is still operating. They said they can’t shut down a company unless workers are in imminent danger. So, they impose hefty fines, as they have in this case.

► From the union-busting Columbian — Vancouver-based Rotschy buys sand and gravel business Storedahl & Sons — Last month, Rotschy was the low bidder awarded a $44 million Port of Longview railroad expansion contract, despite local union leaders highlighting a Washington State Department of Labor and Industries investigation into child labor and worker safety violations. A 16-year-old boy lost both his legs while working a for Rotschy at a project in La Center in 2023.

ORGANIZING

► From the Daily — UW advisers file unfair labor practice complaint, allege withheld pay amid unionization push — In response to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 925’s filing for union recognition, the group of advisers alleged that UW violated the “status quo” by denying advisers across multiple employee divisions hundreds of dollars per worker in merit pay. This amounts to more than $111,000 per month withheld from advising staff across all three UW campuses, impacting hundreds of employees.

NATIONAL

► From Word In Black — From Wash Tubs to Union Halls: Black Women’s Legacy in the Labor Movement — Black women are increasingly taking leadership roles in labor unions, transforming priorities to focus on issues like family-friendly benefits, healthcare, and protections against sexual harassment. Their presence has led to significant strides in workplace equity, reshaping union policies and representation. The journey from the Atlanta washerwomen’s strike to today’s labor movements is a testament to resilience, solidarity, and an unwavering demand for justice.

► From Forbes — Retail Unions Are Gaining Ground As Employee Dissatisfaction Grows — Unions have been making a lot of noise in retail recently and people are taking notice. Americans are increasingly taking the side of workers as public opinion has turned overwhelmingly pro-union in recent years. Fifteen years ago, only about half of Americans approved of unions. Last year, it rose to 70%, just one percentage point below the 71% hit in 2022. That was a historic high since 1972 when Gallup began tracking union approval ratings annually.

► From the Seattle Times — US inflation tops forecasts, dimming chances for Fed rate cuts — The BLS said nearly 30% of the advance was due to shelter, while grocery prices – namely eggs – also drove up the overall index. Wednesday’s report serves as further evidence that inflation progress is in danger of reversing – which, combined with a solid labor market, will likely keep the Fed on hold for the foreseeable future. Policymakers are also awaiting further clarity on President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly tariffs, which are already causing consumer inflation expectations to rise.

POLITICS & POLICY

Federal updates here, local news and deeper dives below:

• Musk’s DOGE Announces Millions in Cuts to Education Dept. Amid Legal Pushback (New York Times)
• Where Trump, Musk and DOGE Have Cut Federal Workers So Far (New York Times)
• Faith groups sue Trump administration over immigration enforcement in places of worship (Washington State Standard)

► From Northwest Public Broadcasting — Washington bills attempt to give public workers power to bargain on AI — “ The public sector workers, the labor unions don’t want to stop AI, they just want to have a say in how it’s implemented,” said Rep. Lisa Parshley, the primary sponsor of House Bill 1622. “ Ultimately, it will benefit workers, public employers, and the people of the state alike to have worker input regarding AI and how it’s adopted,” [WSLC Secretary Treasurer Cherika] Carter said. “The best experts in what will help versus harm our state services are the very people who provide them, the workers.”

► From the Seattle Times — Lawmakers propose $25 statewide minimum wage in 2031 — Daviyon Hinnant, a father of three and a member of Teamsters Local 117, testified in support of the bill. He said the majority of workers are “living to work” in order to keep the lights on and support their families. “In this process, we miss a lot of important milestones, as far as wedding anniversaries, kids’ sporting events and even parent teacher conferences,” he said. Regardless of what happens in the Legislature, employers should expect to pay more for labor in the coming years, according to [UW Professor] Vigdor. “Wages are going to be trending upwards in the labor market, with or without a minimum-wage increase,” he said.

► From Cascade PBS — Seattle poised to pass ‘excess compensation’ tax for social housing — Voters weighed in on two social housing questions in the Feb. 11 special election: whether to fund the new developer at all and, if so, by what means. On whether to fund social housing, Seattle voters are strongly in favor with Yes leading No 68% to 32%. On the question of how to fund it, Proposition 1A leads Proposition 1B 57.5% to 42.5%. A PAC funded by contributions from large Seattle-area businesses, including Amazon and Microsoft, spent more than $500,000 opposing Prop 1A and supporting Prop 1B in January and February.

► From MyNorthwest — Burien Special Election: Measure to increase minimum wage leading in votes — The increase comes after the Burien City Council increased the minimum wage, but carved out exceptions for union workers, counted tips toward wages, and, in some situations, counted benefits towards employee’s pay.

► From the New York Times — Trump Orders Plans for ‘Large Scale’ Work Force Cuts and Expands Musk’s Power — The “work force optimization initiative” was signed by Mr. Trump shortly before he and Mr. Musk spent roughly 30 minutes defending the drastic overhaul in front of reporters in the Oval Office. Mr. Musk, the world’s richest person, has moved rapidly to force change in Washington, an effort he asserted on Tuesday would benefit the public. The president’s new order instructed federal agencies to start initiating plans for “large scale” reductions in staffing.

► From the Guardian — Trump continues clearout of top US labor officials with fresh firing — Susan Tsui Grundmann, one of three board members at the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), has been dismissed, a White House official told the Guardian. She served as the agency’s chair. Trump is “committed to building a team fully committed to advancing his America-First agenda”, the White House official said.

► From the AP — House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling — Sen. Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the committee, said the GOP effort would in the end drive the nation deeper into debt through massive tax cuts that he said primarily benefit the wealthy. He said it’s a trend that has occurred repeatedly with Republicans in the White House. “We are seeing a replay of the charade one more time,” the Oregon senator said. “The trickle down never trickles down.”

INTERNATIONAL

► From the AP — Teachers across Algeria go on strike to protest low salaries and poor conditions — The action by teachers and students comes at a time when public criticism of the government is becoming rarer. Teachers say the strike is significant amid a gradual shrinking of rights, including for women, the press and opposition parties. The right to strike is “a right enshrined in the constitution,” said Hafidha Amiréche, a long-time trade unionist.

The Stand posts links to local, national and international labor news every weekday morning. Subscribe to get daily news in your inbox.