Special session starts Monday

The Legislature did not approve a budget or revenue package by midnight Thursday, the end of the 60-day session, so Gov. Chris Gregoire has called them back for a special session starting at noon on Monday.

She said she wants them to wrap up work in seven days. But once a special session starts, it can go as long as 30 days. Legislators decide that timing issue now.

So, keep the calls coming. We expect more job actions to keep legislators and the public aware of the high stakes involved in protecting quality public services.

But before we repeat the calls to action….

RALLY MONDAY TO END $67 MILLION TAX LOOPHOLE FOR OUT-OF-STATE BANKS

As part of the revenue debate in Olympia that will continue in the special session starting Monday is a proposal to end a $67 million giveaway to big out-of-state banks. But powerful bank lobbyists are working hard to make sure this plan doesn’t end up in the final revenue package.

We need to join with our coalition partners and call out the banks and pressure legislators to do the right thing so they cut this wasteful tax giveaway and not schools, healthcare, services for those in need and public safety.

The event is:

• 11 a.m., Monday, March 15, at the Chase Bank branch at Second and Union in downtown Seattle.
• You can join a pre-rally sign-making party from 9-10:45 a.m. at the Fuse Office at 1402 Third Ave., Suite 510, Seattle, WA  98101.

CALLS TO ACTION:

• HEALTH INSURANCE CALL TO ACTION:
  
  STOP THE HEALTH CUTS! Call 1-800-562-6000. Tell legislators to fund state worker health insurance at the level in the House supplemental budget (ESSB 6444) – with no mandate to bargain over premiums!

• REVENUE
  
  The House’s revenue package is at least $150 million short of what is needed.
  
  CALL TO ACTION ON REVENUE:  Please call your legislators at 1-800-562-6000 and urge them to support common sense proposals to raise the $150 million in additional revenue by supporting HB 3181 and HB 3021.

• FURLOUGHS
  
  The House stripped furlough language from its budget. The Senate has not. And the furlough bill, SSB 6503, is still alive in the House—with a proposed amendment to take away your personal holiday.
  
  CALL TO ACTION ON FURLOUGHS:  Call 1-800-562-6000. Tell your legislators: OPPOSE SSB 6503, the state employee furlough bill.

• RHCs
  
  CALL TO ACTION ON THE RHC WIPEOUT BILL: Call 1-800-562-6000 and urge your legislators to oppose SB 6182, the RHC wipeout bill.

• INSTITUTIONS CLOSURES
  
  The Senate and House budgets are far apart, with the Senate generally wanting to close more state RHCs, JRA facilities and Corrections centers than the House.  But they’re all at risk in the short term (Frances Haddon Morgan Center, Maple Lane School, Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women) and long-run (all RHCs, most JRA, Pine Lodge).
  
  CALL TO ACTION ON INSTITUTIONS CLOSURES:  Call 1-800-562-6000 and urge your legislators to oppose closures of state institutions in the supplemental budget (ESSB 6444)!

KING COUNTY MEMBERS STRATEGIZE SATURDAY

Members of the Federation’s many King County locals are invited to a strategy session this Saturday to step up the fight in any special session and during upcoming contract negotiations.

The meeting will be 12 noon, this Saturday, March 13, at the King County Labor Temple, 2800 1st Ave., Hall No. 1, Seattle.


SPECIAL 49TH DISTRICT TOWN HALL MEETING SATURDAY

Legislators in the 49th District of Vancouver hold a town hall meeting 10 a.m.-noon, tomorrow, March 13, at the Election Office at 1408 Franklin St., Room 226, Vancouver.

IN MEMORIAM:

    Some sad news….

IN MEMORIAM: Tom Adams, a retired member of Local 482 at the Veterans’ Home in Retsil, passed away peacefully Feb. 12 with his family at his side after a four-month illness. His death came on his 61st birthday.

Adams had been a trades helper in Retsil.

He was also an honorary member of Pierce County Local 53 as he supported the activities of his wife of nearly 40 years, Theresa Adams.

Theresa thanks all those who supported her emotionally and by donating shared leave. She also wants to thank the Local 53 membership for taking up a donation at their local meeting, allowing her to help pay for an apartment while she worked in Seattle for almost 60 days while Tom underwent treatment at Harborview Medical Center.

A celebration of Tom Adams’ life was scheduled at a memorial, 1 p.m., Saturday, March 27, at Parkwood Community Center, 3045 Madrona Drive S.E., Port Orchard.

IN MEMORIAM: Local 53 members at the Region 5 Tacoma Division of Child Support office mourn the sudden death Feb. 28 of co-worker Diane Racine, a support enforcement officer 2. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., tomorrow, Saturday, March 13, at Tuell-McKee Funeral Home, 2215 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. You can sign an online guestbook at www.tuellmckee.com.