Seattle Newspaper for the People by the People

Category archive

Jobs

Construction Projects Expected to Slow Down After Seattle Carpenters Go on Strike

Seattle Construction Strike 2021

On Thursday, hundreds of Washington carpenters took to the streets for the first time in almost 20 years to protest over low wages and poor working conditions.

Members of the Northwest Carpenters Union voted to approve the strike over the weekend, rejecting a tentative contract agreement by a margin of 56% to 44%. Early Thursday morning, pickets were scheduled across the city.

Hundreds of construction projects could most likely be affected by the strike, including both small projects with just a few carpenters and large projects with hundreds of carpenters. Both Eastside Microsoft office projects and Vulcan’s Block 38 will be impacted by this issue.

The ordinary population, on the other hand, may see little impact from the strike. Most of the city’s largest projects, such as the Sound Transit rail project and the Climate Pledge Arena, already have agreements in place that prevent a strike. Union carpenters will continue to work and contribute a portion of their earnings to a strike fund to help those who choose to walk out. According to the union, about 2,000 of its 12,000 members work at locations where they can go on strike.

To keep up with inflation, the carpenters said they’ll demand higher wage rises in their next contract. The walkout also highlights the divides inside the organization, whose members have voted against four tentative deals so far this year.

There were some rank-and-file members who campaigned against the idea while others urged a “yes” vote in the last ballot. Not long before the strike, a number of union members challenged why the union had not scheduled additional pickets while some union leadership expressed concerns about illegal wildcat strikes and sick-outs.

“Under this agreement, we were not able to come together as a team. The time has come for us to unite under a general strike.” stated the union’s executive secretary-treasurer, Evelyn Shapiro. The carpenters’ employer group, the Association of General Contractors of Washington, claims to have offered a “solid package” of salary increases to their members. The organization informed employers this week that contractors “plan to continue operating their companies.”

The AGC said in a statement released after the strike began on Thursday that it was “disappointed and mystified the union is going with this strike after such a comprehensive and competitive package offer.” The AGC warned that high building prices could “drive developers to other markets, cause loss of Union market share, and possibly cut carpenter hours.” It’s unclear when the two parties will meet again.

Total package increases amounting to $13.25 were all but rejected in a four-year plan recently voted down by union membership. The current hourly wage ranges from $46.92 to $48.42. In the last 4 years, the union said the salary would have climbed by $9.40 per hour. To be fair to retirees, the union had proposed a four-year rise in pension contributions from $8.60 to $11.15 per hour.

Carpenter Joe Sosa, who voted against the most recent contract proposal, said that union members who rejected it are calling for just a $15 increase in a period of 3 years and improved parking pay.

They want to gain millions, but refuse to share the money with the rest of the workforce, says Sosa. The pandemic and its resultant economic impact have brought to the fore the tough conditions workers face in almost every industry from meatpacking to construction. If labor is critically necessary for keeping the economy going through a crisis such as the present pandemic, then workers will be more emboldened to exercise their rights and power to demand better pay.

Photo: “Seattle Construction” by Rob.Bertholf is licensed with CC BY 2.0.

Obama May Negatively Impact Your Job

In a recent article for the Emerald City Journal, we spoke how voting for Obama may negatively impact your job and/or future job salary opportunities (lower offers).  We spoke about David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts and the email he wrote to his employees (thousands of them).  Today more CEO’s are stepping forward with the same warnings that your job maybe on the line if you support Obama.  This time the email is from Saddle Creek President Cliff Otto.  In the email he expresses many things but it comes down to Romney’s positions on energy and taxes align with the company better.

I do think it’s fair that employees know what is coming to them.  Most voters just look at the benefits (hey! free health care everyone) yet don’t understand the consequences that their employer will need to make adjustments in the company to make the numbers work and that means the possibility of cutting staff.  It’s a smooth move by Romney.  He expressed it on a conference call with the National Federation of Independent Business.  Unfortunately, I don’t think it has really hit the voters yet or they simply don’t realize that businesses can’t just write off Obama Care they have to balance their budgets.  You can’t spend money you don’t have.  Companies with 100 employees would need to come up with an extra 100K per year at least for the Obama Care program and that doesn’t just grow on the money tree in the backyard.

Another email from a car part manufacturer in Michigan (Lacks Enterprises) is expressing the same consequences.  It basically says that if you don’t for Romney, it could result in higher taxes and lower pay.  He earges his employees to for “less government”.

Lastly, you probably have heard of Steve Wynn (Wynn Resorts).  They are the third largest casino operator in America.  Mr. Wynn went a step further and mailed a 60+ page packet to his 12,000 employees.  Steve Wynn has stated, “It would be a complete disaster if Obama wins, which is why I’m urging my employees to vote for Romney.”  It will cost Steve Wynn millions of dollars per year if Obama is elected.

Unlike David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts who doesn’t come out and say it (don’t vote for Obama) more and more companies are getting stronger in their statements and making it quite clear that your vote for Obama may put your job on the line.

You might be interested in

Civil Service Commission In Seattle Wants You!

The City Of Seattle Council is looking for a few good men or women for their Civil Service Commission.  It’s pretty much a volunteer position but you do get a small stipend each year.  It’s a 3 year term which starts on Jan 1st 2013.

The Civil Service Commission in Seattle is a team that provides fair and impartial meetings regarding alleged violations from the City Of Seattle’s personnel.

The team consists of 3 members.  First is appointed by the Mayor, second is appointed by the Council, and finally one is elected by Seattle City employees.  Team members normally meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month beginning at 9:30 a.m and it runs an hour or two.

The announcement came from Seattle Council Member Tim Burgess.

You might be interested in

Losing Your Job With Obama Care?

With Obama Care running wild in the next few years there will be a common trend… letting people go.  As a business owner, I understand how it works.  However, as an employee, you may not.   At his point, I will only hire independant contractors.  That will take care of me.  However, companies with a larger staff will need to make serious cuts to make it work.  That means if you’re currently employeed, your job is in jeopordy.  Making it work for new hires shouldn’t be a problem though.  They will just get offered less when they start the job.  It’s simple math.  A job that normally starts at 50K will be offered at 38K now to cover the extra Obama Care expenses.  Of course less jobs will be available because company’s will have to pay more.   Since there are a lot of desperate people looking right now, they will take the “offer”.  Companies will simply offer you less (when starting the job) to absorb the extra costs involved of the Obama Care program.  If you got dental or health insurance now with your company, you already are getting this cut from your paycheck or were offered less when you started to cover those costs.  You didn’t really think you were getting eye/dental coverage for free did you?  It was calculated into offer before you even applied for the job.

I recently read an article about David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts.  Mr. Siegel has a staff of 7,000 in Florida (battleground state).  He is very unhappy with Obama and sent out an email to everyone working for him basically saying that the economy isn’t a threat to you job but another 4 years of the same President puts your job at risk.  He continues to say that if any new taxes are levied on him he’ll be force to cut the size of his company.  He doesn’t mention Romneys name in the 1,400 word email and also says you certainly have the right to vote for whomever you choose.  However, it makes it quite clear employees will be cut if Obama is re-elected.

I admit I respect David Siegel for coming straight out with it.  SO many employees working right now will not get the luxury of that pre-notice email about their job.

 

You might be interested in

Unemployment Rate A Broken System

The numbers for unemployment came out today for September and it just so happened to decrease to 7.8%.  I’m not here today to call the calculations a little suspect due to the timing of Obama’s re-election and the next debate, however, you can find a lot of people online pointing fingers and calling it bull.

I just wanted to write this up to give you a better insight into these unemployment numbers and tell you why the system is broken.  First the system is used to give you encouragement.  It’s development in nature and technical aspects are pieced together to make America look really good.  Well lets just give the system the benefit of doubt and say these numbers provided (7.8%) of Americans are unemployed.  So if these numbers are right they are saying less than 1 in 10 are unemployed.  Seriously – u believe that?  That just sounds ridiculously low.  I am confident I could claim 20% (2 out of 10) in my group of friends for sure right now.  Think about 10 people you know and see if that makes sense to you.

Second and most importantly, the system doesn’t count “discouraged workers” which they say is 802,000 people.  “Discourage workers” are defined as people not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them.  First problem here is for a big system like ours in America there is no way to track who is “Discouraged” or not discouraged.  No one calls you after you’re fired or let go to know your personal situation.  They don’t know if you’re looking handing our resumes or not.  There is no way to track (unless they are getting unemployment checks – A LOT don’t bother with that hassle) who is sending resumes or who have given up 100%.  It’s all just based on make believe info when it comes to “discouraged workers”.  If I’m out of work how do they know that I’m trying hard to find a new job or not – They can’t and I shouldn’t be labeled a “discouraged worker” (not in the unemployment calculations) because I can’t find work.

The 7.8% does not include the “discouraged workers”.  So if I’m working at McDonald’s and I’m let go, don’t file for unemployment, I’m now discouraged.  Geez that is just about everyone who loses a job whether they are filed or let go. These people are not calculated into the 7.8% figure.  If they say we only have have 802,000 “discourage workers” who just gave up that they know of – then realistically there must be millions and millions.

To fix this the system needs to add everyone into one pool except underage, state disabled, never had a job, and retirees.  That, however, will never happen.  If it did Americas unemployment rate would be around 20% or more!

That my friends is why the unemployment rates are completely false, not accurate, and completely broken.

 

You might be interested in

Photo Of The Obamacare Law. That is a lot of pages!

Obamacare Information

Starting in 2014, Obamacare is a requirement of every American citizen.  Some individuals will get Obamacare through their jobs and

Senator Maria Cantwell

Senator Maria Cantwell

I recently wrote to our Senator Maria Cantwell regarding raising the debt ceiling and the nations over spending habits.  Here is

Seattle CEO Salaries On The Rise 2011

It’s true many of the top Seattle CEO salaries are up in 2011.  I find it amazing every time I hear someone complain about how bad their company is doing (as an employee) or why as a company they had to take a pay cut.  Internally I wonder if they really know what is happening and if they really know how companies operate.  Salaries are considered an expense so a 1 million dollar company that pays it CEO $950,000 then shares $40,000 for staff salaries and finally reports a $10,000 profit at the end of the year – doesn’t look or sound to profitable.  In reality the business (the CEO) are doing quite well.  Many hard working Americans are in this position.  If they have the courage to ask for a raise (they usually don’t know how much the top CEO’s are making anyway) they will be told “we simply don’t have the revenue” or “the company isn’t doing good enough for a raise”.   Unfortunately, those statements are true on paper.

This maybe hard to hear for many but the rich always win.  Do you want to not get screwed over in life?  Then make money and lots of it.  The more you make the less you pay in taxes,  the more free items you get, and simply an entirely better quality of life. 

It’s very true we as humans are products of our environments.  We are (or not in some households) raised on a type of religion and work ethic.  You are most likely a Republican or a Democrat because you were raised in that environment or around more of a certain type.  Many lower and middle class employees are programmed from early on to work their tails off making someone else rich 9-5 every single day.  The lower and middle class get pay day loans at 40% interests.  They are the largest consumers when it comes to cigarettes.  The rich politicians only keep cigarettes around because the tobacco lobby puts extra money in their hands and gets them elected.  Our system is setup this way and I’m not saying it is right – I am just saying what it is.

Lets take a look at some of the top Seattle CEO salaries many of which got big raises for poor company financial performance (on paper).

Intermec (Everett Washington).  They make bar code devices and scanners.  They lost money and their stock went down last year.  The CEO got a 69% raise to 3.5 million.

Motricity (Bellevue Washington).  The CEO (Ryan Wuerch) got a 300% raise.

Omeros (Seattle Washington).  The President/CEO (Gregory Demopulos) also got a 300% raise.

Finally Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s compensation for 2010 was 45% higher than in 2009.  He is one of the Seattle’s highest paid CEO at $21.7 million+. 

 

 

You might be interested in

Pay For The Port Chief

How much should Public Servants be paid? I think it should be capped at $100,000 to $120,000 except for the Gov. Chris Gregoire. She was paid $166,891 last year. She leads the state and should be paid the most(my opinion). We at least hear about her being on the go and know who she is. How many citizens would know who Tay Yoshitani is if you did a survey? His salary was $334, 300. He is the Port Chief. Evidently he could not squeak by on such a paltry sum and got a 9% raise. He now makes $366,825. The Port Commissioners gave themselves a 3.5% raise. The Port says it expects to get $73.5 million from our property taxes this year. Think of the gazillion dollars the Port handles and the pay checks they must hand out after taxing us out of our homes.

Most of the public service employees like us to believe they are slaving away (like slaves on a plantation) for us. That we should not hesitate to pay more tax and quit asking them what the heck they are really doing for us. There is no way the Port Chief can justify being paid $366,825 by taxpayers. If it were the private sector let them pay whatever they feel he is worth. There is not enough hours in a day for the Chief to do THAT MUCH GOOD FOR US.  There are a lot of really smart people looking for jobs that would gladly work for $100,000 or even $50,000. Why not hire 3 good ones at $100,000 each and one for $$66,825. or 6 good ones at $50,000 and one for $66,825. Let the chief retire on his $100,000 a year pension right now. Re do some contracts as you hire. The so called slaves are bankrupting the plantation at the moment. The state is broke and should almost be embarrasing for the Port.

Go to Top