In an historic vote more than 60 years in the making, the House of Representatives late last night voted to approve (220-211) what AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka calls a ”momentous step toward comprehensive health care.” The bill survived a $100 million lie-and-distortion campaign by Big Insurance to kill it-the same kind of tactics these groups have aimed at health care proposals for six decades. Trumka says the bill is not “a baby step or half measure,” but a solid step forward to set our country on a path to health care that actually works for working families. Read More>>

Starting today, the union movement and our allies are taking our fight for good jobs now to the biggest Wall Street banks whose reckless greed has gone a long way to wreck the U.S. economy and kill American jobs. From March 15-26, working people will hold rallies and demonstrations at branches of the Big Six Wall Street banks—Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, Wachovia-Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley—across the country. They will tell the banks: “I Am Not Your ATM” and “Make Wall Street Pay for Creating New Jobs.” Read More>>

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Your elected delegates and other members have been working hard to interview and screen the candidates for positions across our county.  The process focuses on how candidates will stand up for the rights of the working men and women of all sectors in our economy.

Their recommendations were then voted by the delegate body.

You can click here to download a .pdf of the recommendations.  2009 Primary COPE endorsements.

 

On November 11, 1919, there was a showdown in Centralia, WA between members of the American Legion and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

Four Legionnaires were killed and an IWW organizer, Nathan Wesley Everest, was tortured and lynched. Eight IWW members were sentenced to 25-40 years in prison for shooting the Legionnaires, but no community members were ever brought to trial for the lynching of Everest. This year marks the 90th anniversary of this tragedy.

See the full story and download the .pdf for details.

Your elected delegates and other members have been working hard to interview and screen the candidates for positions across our county. The process focuses on how candidates will stand up for the rights of the working men and women of all sectors in our economy.

Their recommendations were then voted by the delegate body.

You can click here to download a .pdf of the recommendations:

General Election 2009 Endorsements.

Labor Day -- the last 3-day weekend of the summer or an opportunity to take a few minutes to remember Ralph Chaplin and all our own local labor leaders who helped keep the spirit of trade unionism alive for our generation?

Please take a few minutes this Labor Day to join us at our annual memorial ceremony honoring the life and accomplishments of longtime labor activist and songwriter, Ralph Chaplin. Among his many contributions to the labor movement is the writing of the words to "Solidarity Forever," the national anthem for organized labor. This short memorial service will be held at Calvary Cemetery, in Tacoma, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2009. See the attached flyer for additional information.

Bring the whole family to the annual Labor Day picnic starting at noon in Wright Park. Enjoy a free barbecue (hot dogs and hamburgers), live music by "Loose Gravel and the Quarry," and lots of fun kids' games. The highlight of the day is the annual tug-o-war between Unions. Who will take home the bragging rights this year? Put together a team from your Union -- no experience necessary -- or just cheer for your favorite. Contact Todd Iverson at America in Solidarity (253) 473-1123 or todd@americainsolidrity.org for more information.

To learn more about the life of Ralph Chaplin and his role as a leader of the union movement in the early part of this century, read Witness to History: The Life and Times of Ralph Chaplin, by Maria Pascualy, on the Washington State Historical Society's web site: http://columbia.washingtonhistory.org/magazine/articles/2001/0201/0201-a2.aspx.

Health Care Can’t Wait!
This week, Congress goes back to work on important health care legislation that could address our country’s health care crisis by lowering costs, making private insurers play by fair rules, and providing affordable coverage for everyone.

Can you make a quick call to your Members of Congress and ask them to stand firm for health care reform that provides quality, affordable health care to everyone in America?
CALL 1-877-264-HCAN (4226)
TO BE CONNECTED TO YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Here is a sample of what you could say to Senators or Representatives:

I’m calling from Health Care for America Now to make sure that Sen. Cantwell knows that we need real health care reform in 2009.

Please tell Senator Cantwell to support the legislation from the HELP Committee that provides:

• Coverage we can afford;
• Comprehensive benefits we can count on;
• Choice of a private or public health insurance plan; and
• Equal access to quality care.

Join the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO and Independent Unions from around the Puget Sound for the 29th annual Solidarity Day and food drive at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Sunday, July 26, gates open at noon.

The Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the county federation of labor representing over 50,000 members of 85+ unions throughout Pierce County. The mission of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation.

Read more...