Get on the call with Senator Patty Murray

Election Day was huge. In race after race, voters rejected the 1% agenda. Across the country, candidates won elections because they committed to give us jobs not cuts.

Now we need to hold the politicians to their promises.

The first step: a tele-town hall with Senator Patty Murray beginning at 5:45 pm on Monday, November 12th.

Join thousands of folks across our state from Working Washington, SEIU, Washington CAN!, and other groups who will be telling the Senator we want what we voted for: we want the top 1% to pay their fair share so we can have jobs, not cuts.

Click here to RSVP for the tele-town hall and answer a simple poll question about what you want to see Congress get done in the months ahead.

Thousands of us made phone calls and knocked on doors to get out the vote this year because we knew how high the stakes were. For many of us, the election came down to a simple choice: healthcare for our families and good jobs for our communities — or tax cuts for the rich and budget cuts for the rest of us.

The votes are in and the verdict was clear: the 99% want jobs, not cuts. That's why we elected Jay Inslee to be our next Governor and that's why we're sending Suzan DelBene to Congress.

The top 1% wanted something different. Voters rejected their agenda on Election Day, but that's not going to stop them from trying to pressure Congress to give them more tax cuts, more special favors, and more of the same.

And that means we have to keep pushing back.

The first step: join the tele-town hall on November 12th to learn more about the issues before Congress and let Senator Patty Murray know what you think about about the 1% agenda of more tax cuts for the rich and more cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security for the rest of us.

Together, we have the power to push the politicians to do the job that we elected them to do.

It starts Monday.

Rob McKenna wins monster endorsement in Governor's race

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington — sage@workingwa.org

Fierce supporters promise to help McKenna "claw his way" to the top

As Election Day draws closer and the outcome of the gubernatorial race remains balanced on a razor edge, a powerful coalition today is making a well-timed announcement of support for Rob McKenna.

"Our decision was simple: Rob McKenna has the BRAAAAAIIINS to carry out zombie priorities," a zombie leader of Monsters for McKenna explained. The zombie cited McKenna's "BRAAAAAINNNY" attempt to suck the life out of a 12¢ minimum wage increase, as well as his mindlessly-consistent embrace of lower subminimum wages for some workers as a way of improving the economy.

"Also, BRAAAAAAAIIIIIIINS," he added.

Zombies aren't the only creatures emerging from the shadows to reveal their support for McKenna today. The Wolfman also offered an unusual endorsement.

"Basically, I'm a lone wolf, and I don't really care about anybody else," the Wolfman stated. "That's why I could not suppress my howls of delight when I learned about McKenna's budget proposals, which would make poor & disabled people pay more while they get less from Medicaid," stated the Wolfman.

"When wolves are grown they're on their own, and that oughtta be good enough for Washington too," he added. "If we're supposed to start caring about people who need healthcare, we might as well just get defanged. That's why McKenna's pay-more/get-less plan for working families is a two-fer I can get behind, no matter what the phase of the moon."

McKenna's monster endorsers also issued a statement condemning the Good Witch's earlier announcement of her support for Jay Inslee:

"This is the high-pitched syrupy ranting of one out-of-the-mainstream witch, and it's hardly representative of the larger wand-wielding community.

It may be true as the Good Witch stated that Inslee understands there's no place like home — a home you can actually afford because you have a good job. But that doesn't change the fact that Monsters for McKenna fiercely believe there is no reason to let humans choose who should govern them on the basis of their own humanity. If Inslee would support these kinds of appalling human-first policies as Governor, then it's time they both go back on the broom they came in on.

Finally, we all know idle ballots are the devil's playground. That's why with just a week to go before election day, we urge all humans to abstain from this election and let the monsters decide for them."

Note: Additional statements from vampires, trolls, Sasquatch, and other creatures of the night are available upon request. Knock on any door with a glowing pumpkin outside to set up an interview.

Monsters for McKenna is a large and hairy coalition organizing to make sure fellow suckers of blood, brains, and guts understand what's at stake in the gubernatorial election. Leaders in the organization are fiercely committed to help McKenna claw his way to the top in order to ensure a ghoulish future for our state.

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Priorities

By Nathan Jackson Working Washington is fighting for the 99%. We’ve pushed for good jobs & economic justice and stood with workers fighting for safety and fairness in their workplaces. We’ve made a difference already because of all the hard work you all have put in and we want to say thanks...and ask for more.

It’s election season and with all the noise from all political sides cranked up to “11,” we need to be clear.

We need to put the priorities of the 99% first and foremost. These are issues like good jobs, affordable healthcare and safety in the workplace.

We need an economy where everyone who works hard has a fair chance at success and fair tax rules that ensure the 1% and the big corporations pay their fair share.

The November elections can keep us moving in this direction. But continuing to push forward means spreading the word to our friends and family, taking action to hold big corporations accountable, and voting for candidates who are the best choice on 99% issues — and then holding them accountable to do the right thing after they get elected.

That's why Working Washington supporters are spending time & energy in the weeks leading up to the election supporting candidates like Jay Inslee for Governor, who has a long track record of standing with the 99%, and has put investing in good jobs at the center of his campaign.

In the 36th Legislative District (Queen Anne/Ballard/Magnolia/Greenwood), the 99% are helping get out the vote for Noel Frame, who wants to close tax loopholes for big corporations so we can stop the cuts to education and healthcare and start investing in the future of our communities.

Up north in the 44th Legislative District, right around Snohomish, Mary McNaughton is running for State Representative. As a nurse and a veteran, she has dedicated her life to healthy communities. She will be a champion for quality, affordable healthcare for families.

In the 47th Legislative District (Renton/Kent/Covington), Bud Sizemore is the clear choice. He's a firefighter who is determined to put people to work right away by investing in repairing our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and eliminating tax giveaways to the wealthy 1% and big corporations.

We also have a chance to send someone to stand up for us in Washington DC: Suzan DelBene, who is running for Congress in the 1st Congressional District (Redmond/Shoreline/KIrkland/Mountlake Terrace). Unlike her opponent, she is committed to invest in practical job training in local industries, cut tax loopholes for millionaires, and lower the cost of healthcare for working families.

Our work to get candidates who stand with the 99% elected is just one part of the fight for a fair economy.

Elections matter. We need to use every tool we have to fight for our priorities: good jobs, a fair tax system where the rich & the big corporations pay their fair share, and an economy where everyone has a fair shot at a better future.

That's why we're doing everything we can to elect candidates that put the priorities of the 99% first and why we'll be ready to hold them to account after Election Day.

Fuelers' fight for safety & fairness will continue

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***Contact Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org

Workers considering appeal; vow to continue fight for workplace safety & fairness at Sea-Tac

"Our fight for safety and fairness at Sea-Tac will continue," said Leon Sams, a Sea-Tac fueler, after hearing of the preliminary injunction issued today by Federal District Court Judge James L. Robart which restricts the right of ASIG fuelers to go on strike. "We'll continue to pursue all lawful options not prohibited by the injunction, because this decision doesn't do anything to make our working conditions safer." In an initial step in the legal process, Judge Robart sided with multinational airport contractor ASIG in its lawsuit against its own employees, issuing a preliminary injunction this morning which prevents fuelers from going on strike. Working Washington will completely comply with the injunction.

"Have no doubt," Sams added, "we will completely comply with the injunction, but we’re going to continue to stand up for safety and respect at Sea-Tac."

Fuelers employed by ASIG, who are responsible for fueling 75% of the planes at Sea-Tac, have repeatedly raised serious concerns about workplace safety & fairness at our airport with their managers at ASIG; with Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier that hires ASIG to fuel its planes; and with the Port of Seattle, the public agency that oversees our airport.

But instead of fixing faulty trucks, broken ladders, and leaking fuel nozzles, ASIG chose to retaliate against employees who raised workplace safety issues. Then the company took the unusual step of filing a lawsuit against its own employees.

"It's incredible: we have simply been asking ASIG to fix these safety issues and stop retaliating against fuelers. Instead, they took us — their own employees — to Federal Court to silence us," explained Sams, who was there in Federal Court to witness the hearing on Wednesday. "The company's approach doesn't make sense, and it won’t work. Instead of trying to silence its workers, ASIG ought to listen to us when we raise serious workplace safety & fairness concerns."

Fuelers and the legal team supporting them respect Judge Robart’s decision but believe that it wrongly interprets Federal law in issuing the injunction. Fuelers and their supporters are considering next steps, including appealing the court’s decision.

BACKGROUND:

• Documentation of some of the serious safety & fairness concerns Sea-Tac fuel technicians have raised is available online at this link: http://bit.ly/safetyviolations
• Judge James L. Robart was appointed to the Federal District Court in 2004 by President George W. Bush. Judge Robart’s court is within the jurisdiction of the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
• ASIG is a division of BBA Aviation plc, headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 2011, BBA Aviation realized $152.1 million in net profits after taxes on revenues of $2.137 billion. ASIG is hired by Alaska Airlines and most other major carriers at Sea-Tac to fuel their aircraft. BBA CEO Simon Pryce earned $1.976 million last year.
• Sea-Tac fuelers employed by ASIG work in difficult conditions with unsafe & faulty equipment, and earn about $10/hour, a wage which puts a family of 3 beneath the federal poverty line.

Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future.

For the latest information, visit itsOURairport.org

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Decision on lawsuit against Sea-Tac fuelers expected in 24-48 hours

Workers release documentation of serious safety & fairness issues

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 17, 2012 *** Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org

SEATTLE - A Federal Court judge today heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a low-wage airport contractor called ASIG against its own employees, who are responsible for safety fueling 75% of the flights at Sea-Tac. A decision on these workers' right to act together for safety & fairness is expected in 24 - 48 hours.

For months Sea-Tac fuelers have raised concerns about soft brakes, leaking fuel nozzles, and other hazardous working conditions. They have brought these issues to their managers at ASIG, the company that employs the fuelers; to the Port of Seattle, the public agency which oversees our airport; and to Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier which hires ASIG to fuel its planes.

But instead of fixing faulty trucks, broken ladders, and leaking fuel nozzles, this multi-national corporation opted to retaliate against workers and take its own employees to court in an attempt to deny their rights. The legal arguments in court today focused on whether or not the employer will be permitted to continue denying these workers their right to act together for safety & fairness.

Workers also released specific documentation of serious safety & fairness issues, including:

• Exhibit A - Hose on stationary cart continues to leak fuel, 10/9/2012
• Exhibit B - No latch on fuel nozzles; uniforms soiled with fuel, 10/6/2012
• Exhibit C - Non-functioning safety equipment on truck, 10/6/21012
• Exhibit D - Faulty fuel truck brakes, 10/5/2012
• Exhibit E - Broken trucks taken out of service prior to FAA inspection, 10/4/2012
• Exhibit F - Fuel pressure too high; no eye-wash station available, 9/18/2012
• Exhibit G - Small electrical fire started on 5,000-gallon tank truck, early 2012

A packet of documentation is available online at the link below:

http://bit.ly/safetyviolations

Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future. For the latest information, visit itsourairport.org

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Federal Court hearing today on Sea-Tac fuelers' right to strike for safety & fairness

** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR OCTOBER 17, 2012 ***Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org

Workers offer specific documentation of safety issues they have raised

For months Sea-Tac fuelers have raised concerns about soft breaks, leaking fuel nozzles and other hazardous working conditions. They have brought these issues to their managers at ASIG, the company that employs the fuelers; to the Port of Seattle, the public agency which oversees our airport; and to Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier which hires ASIG to fuel its planes.

But instead of fixing faulty trucks, broken ladders, and leaking fuel nozzles, this multi-national corporation has opted to retaliate against workers and take its own employees to court in an attempt to deny their rights. Today, US District Judge Robart will hear arguments on these workers' right to strike over safety & fairness issues. Specific documentation of safety issues raised by workers is available online here.

When: TODAY: Wednesday, October 17th at 9 am. Sea-Tac fuelers will be available outside the courthouse beginning at 8:45 am to offer comment on the serious safety issues they face and offer documentation of their concerns — please call to arrange an interview.

Where: U.S. Courthouse, 700 Stewart St. in downtown Seattle. Judge Robart’s courtroom is on the 14th floor

What: Federal Court hearing on Sea-Tac fuelers right to strike for safety & fairness.

More information:

Documentation of safety issues is available online here, including:

• Exhibit A - Hose on stationary cart continues to leak fuel, 10/9/2012
• Exhibit B - No latch on fuel nozzles; uniforms soiled with fuel, 10/6/2012
• Exhibit C - Non-functioning safety equipment on truck, 10/6/21012
• Exhibit D - Faulty fuel truck brakes, 10/5/2012
• Exhibit E - Broken trucks taken out of service prior to FAA inspection, 10/4/2012
• Exhibit F - Fuel pressure too high; no eye-wash station available, 9/18/2012
• Exhibit G - Small electrical fire started on 5,000-gallon tank truck, early 2012

Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future. For the latest information, visit itsourairport.org

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Airport workers are fed up

(Originally posted on itsourairport.org) Airport workers have been fighting for better work treatment for months now; workers and community members are still taking action to make every airport job a good job.

Workers for Menzies, a low wage contractor hired by Alaska Airlines handles bags for passengers. Workers, for months now have been asking for better wages, fair treatment and a voice in their workplace. The company has ignored them. The workers and community members have had enough and we marched on the Menzies HR office and demanded to be heard.

A security guard tried to force us to leave, but we held our ground. We’ve been ignored for long enough and they would listen to us this time. We were many and we were all in this together. Some of the workers were from different companies and different jobs. They know that when the workers get together in solidarity that is when real change can happen.

The manager on duty finally came out of the office and immediately launched into a “blah blah blah this is a private business, blah blah get outta here” type of speech, but he was interrupted by a Menzies worker.

“I work for Menzies,” said Ulysses. “I have every right to be here and you guys just haven’t listened to us when we go through our managers. So we’re here right now, together.”

The manager stopped using talking points and started to listen.

We handed him a petition signed by hundreds of airport workers that all are standing up for better pay, fair treatment and a voice in the workplace.

To Menzies Aviation, and the airlines that contract with Menzies:

We, the undersigned, are Menzies leads, ramp and other Menzies workers. We request that you take drastic measures regarding our management’s treatment of employees.

We need: • Adequate supplies of proper personal protective equipment, like back supports and knee pads • Higher pay—at least equal to the amount Menzies pays in other airports that have similar costs of living • Employer paid medical benefits

We work hard and we know that we make Sea-Tac Airport run well. We deserve respect!

Later, Menzies workers were joined by other airport workers as they went to Alaska Airlines to demand that the airline hold its contractors accountable for their mistreatment. Alaska has a good reputation with many travellers, but they seem to think that who it hires as contractors is somehow not reflective of their core beliefs.

Here’s the truth. Companies are responsible for the contractors they employ. If Alaska thinks that hiring contract companies absolves them of responsibility for the way that contractor treats its workers, Alaska is sorely mistaken.

Workers get this. They understand that if you want real change to happen you sometimes have to follow the money and make your voices heard. Walking down to an Alaska Airlines corporate office to talk to the Vice President of Sub-Contracting, who is in charge of Alaska’s contractor relations, they linked arms and walked in step.

The Vice President was on vacation and this isn’t the first time, must have a ton of frequent flyer miles, so we talked to a public relations officer instead.

He gave us the usual run around about Alaska cares for this or that, but he wasn’t really a decision maker. We will keep pushing. We won’t just accept someone’s word. We want real changes at our port. We’re asking for fair wages, fair treatment and a fair chance to make our voices heard.

The workers and the community around our port are standing together. We’ve seen what can happen when people fight and support each other and we’re just getting started.

We will have justice at our port.

Workers overlooked in safety inspection of Sea-Tac fuel operations

On Oct. 5, Working Washington issued the following statement in response to news of an FAA inspection of safety issues in Sea-Tac fueling operation. Two days after Sea-Tac aircraft fuelers announced their overwhelming vote to authorize a strike for safety & fairness, the FAA has reportedly been called in to look into the serious safety issues workers have raised.

However, the FAA inspectors failed to speak to the workers who brought these issues to public attention. In fact, Alex Popescu — the fueler who was suspended after speaking out on safety issues and reporting a broken truck to his manager — only heard about the FAA inspection when contacted about it by the media.

Over the past several months, aircraft fuelers at Sea-Tac have repeatedly raised serious safety concerns with ASIG managers and corporate executives. They have brought serious safety issues like faulty fuel nozzles, loose brakes, and fuel-soaked work shirts directly to Alaska and the other airlines whose planes they are responsible for fueling. And they have spoken to Port Commissioners and other elected officials to make them aware of these matters.

The ASIG fuelers who have spoken out about these safety issues would be happy to talk with the FAA, the Port, Alaska Airlines, or ASIG management in order to improve safety on the job at Sea-Tac.

While the FAA has not spoken to us, workers remain ready, willing, and able to show inspectors the specific equipment they are concerned about in order to ensure that these safety problems are remedied and not swept under the rug.

Fired up about safety, Sea-Tac fuelers deliver a strike notice.

(Originally posted on www.itsourairport) By Nathan Jackson

“This here is a broken gear shift,” Alex Popescu, an Aircraft Service International Group,(ASIG) fueler said pointing at a blown up picture of a 5,000 gallon fuel truck gear shift. “ASIG fixed it as you can see, with good ol’ duct tape.”

ASIG is a poverty wage contractor hired by Alaska Airlines. This contractor treats workers poorly requiring them to work with shoddy equipment.

When Sea-Tac fueler Alex Popescu brought up workplace safety issues like soft brakes and taped up gear shifts to ASIG management, they ignored him. When Alex brought his safety concerns to the Port of Seattle in public forums, and then reported a broken truck to his manager, ASIG suspended him.

Workers have had enough.

They have been asking ASIG to address their workplace safety concerns to no avail. These fuelers drive and refuel 75% of the planes at our port and they have to drive 5, 10 or 15 thousand gallon fuel trucks.

So fuelers voted by an overwhelming margin to authorize a strike.

Standing in the shadow of the Sea-Tac Airport control tower, workers stood with community allies such as Faith Action Network,  Puget Sound Sage, One America, and Teamsters 117, held a press conference in front of no less than five television cameras.

“We are here to stand with these workers in solidarity,” said Michael Ramos from the Church Council of Greater Seattle. “Workers like Alex and the rest of these fuelers deserve — no demand — respect, safety and fairness in their work place and we stand with them. It’s time ASIG and Alaska Airlines did right by their workers and give Alex his job back.”

Ramos introduced another fueler to stand in front of the banners held by airport workers, Leon Sams. He approached the Q13 Fox microphone holding the letter that the fuelers have drafted to tell ASIG of their strike vote.

“My name is Leon Sams and I’m a fueler,” he said.

He cleared his throat and read from the letter.

“This past weekend, ASIG workers met and voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if you do not immediately return Alex to work with back pay, stop all management attempts at retaliation and intimidation, and take immediate steps to address the numerous safety issues at ASIG that we’ve repeatedly brought to you, Alaska Airlines, and the Port of Seattle Commissioners.

We have not called the strike yet. But we are ready. If we strike, we know we are protected by federal and state law. It is illegal for the company to threaten or intimidate workers who are exercising their lawful right to strike for safety and against worker retaliation. Threats made by ASIG representatives to workers in recent days are illegal. And they won’t stop us. We know our rights and are prepared to defend them.”

The large crowd cheered as faith leaders approached and introduced themselves. Collared priests, ministers and people of Muslim faith shook hands with workers pledging support.

Carol Harris of God First Ministries summed it up.

“We stand on the side of those who are standing up for their rights,” she said. “They deserve respect, safety and fairness and we got their backs.”

After marching to the ASIG offices, which were locked even though it was well within business hours, the fuelers decided to take their message directly to airline passengers. With TV crews following them, they reached out to people in Sea-Tac airport about safety issues and answered questions from many supportive travelers.

Alex Popescu handing out fliers answered the big question.

“It’s about safety,” he said. “We haul thousands of gallons of highly flammable fuel in trucks with soft, shoddy brakes. . . and duct-tape-maintenance. We’re concerned about . . .  our safety.”

Sea-Tac fuelers and faith leaders deliver strike notice to airport contractor

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***Contact: Working Washington: Thea Levkovitz, thea@workingwa.org or Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org

Workers begin reaching out to passengers over safety & fairness issues

Sea-Tac fueler Alex Popescu saw something, he said something, and he was suspended for it. That's what prompted fuelers to announce today that they have voted to authorize a strike over workplace safety and rights at ASIG, a low-wage airport contractor responsible for safely fueling 75% of flights at Sea-Tac.

In August, Alex testified before the Port of Seattle and showed photos of faulty equipment that affect the safety of ASIG workers. On September 12, he reported broken equipment on a truck he was supposed to drive. He was then suspended indefinitely, and has not been allowed back to work since.

Today, Alex’s co-workers were joined by faith and community leaders to demand that safety issues like soft brakes on fuel trucks, faulty fuel nozzles, and broken ladders be addressed, and that Alex be reinstated to his job. Workers should have the right to speak out on workplace safety and rights without being penalized for it.

After holding a press conference to explain the issues, fuelers and community leaders then marched together to ASIG's offices where they delivered an official notification of the strike authorization vote to ASIG's corporate offices. Fueler and supporters then returned to the airport to begin leafletting passengers about their safety & fairness concerns. (Click here to see copies of the strike authorization notice to management and the passenger alert.)

Fuelers made clear today that they are standing together for safety and fairness at Sea-Tac, and community leaders made clear that they stand with them. Fuelers are unwilling to continue to accept unsafe conditions at the airport, and they will not accept retaliation against a co-worker who spoke up for his rights at work. Now that official notification of the strike authorization vote has been delivered, what happens next is up to ASIG and Alaska and the other airlines who hire them.

For the latest information as events develop, visit itsOURairport.org

Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers good wages & benefits, a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future.

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