Union membership in Washington State increased by 30,000 in 2007 to an estimated 579,000 and the state's union membership jumped to 20.2% from 19.8% in 2006, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. That increase brings Washington State from 5th to 4th highest in terms of the unionization rates. Only,
New York , Alaska and
Hawaii , in that order, have higher rates.

The following anti-war resolution was adopted unanimously at the March 27 delegate assembly of the Professional Staff Congress, AFT Local 2334 at the City University of New York.

Whereas, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union has voted to stop work and shut down all 29 West Coast ports for the full 8-hour day shift on May 1st, in protest against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

Whereas, this historic decision to use the power of their contract to close the ports represents one of the most powerful forms of labor action a union can take to demand an end to the war; and

Join Jobs with Justice and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in "No Peace – No Work" Rally at Noon, May 1st

Jack Perry Memorial Park, 1729 Alaska Way South Seattle Between Pier 30 and Pacific Maritime Institute

At the start of the Iraq War in 2003, many working people were opposed to the invasion. Now the overwhelming majority want to end the war and withdraw the troops.

While millions of people worldwide have marched against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and last week's New York Times/CBS News poll indicated that 81 percent believe the country is headed in the wrong direction - key concerns being the war and the economy - the war machine inexorably grinds on.

Amid this political atmosphere, dockworkers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have decided to stop work for eight hours in all U.S. West Coast ports on May 1, International Workers' Day, to call for an end to the war.

Around contract time, it often gets hot between unions and employers. I've been in the trade union movement 50 years. (I joined the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union when I was 14 years old.) I have never heard an employer use such bogus arguments to deny workers their right to a union meeting particularly at contract time. Longshore workers, by democratic vote, have decided to stop work on May Day to stop the war, a war that most people in this country oppose. It's the war that's illegal, not our decision to stop work.

DETROIT - The chief executive of American Axle said Thursday the company's original U.S. facilities simply aren't viable without a more competitive labor agreement with the United Auto Workers union.

Chairman and CEO Richard Dauch told the company's meeting of shareholders that he remains committed to negotiating a deal amid a strike that is nearing the two-month mark. But he said since the UAW has reached deals with competing suppliers to cut costs for the U.S. market, American Axle needs similar considerations.

"The competitors are going around us and laughing at us," Dauch said.