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Seattle Community Network |
Tuesday
July 4, 2000 |
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July 4
After an unsuccessful three-month strike in 1998, Steelworkers decided to return to work at Kaiser. Instead, Kaiser locked out over 2,100 of its employees in Spokane in January, 1999. The lockout still continues today. With a recent federal ruling that the lockout is illegal, it might be nearing a conclusion. "It's no secret that Henry J. Kaiser is dead. Because if he were still alive, we would not be on strike at Kaiser Aluminum. That's because labor relations at our company used to be governed by Mr. Kaiser's philosophy. ... "In contrast to many of today's corporate executives, Mr. Kaiser insisted on treating us like 'human beings,' not as disposable tools in the production process. The company's strategy for improving productivity was based on recognizing our 'ability, skill and good will.' ... "We would all be better off if Kaiser returned to the policies of its founder - to a strategy of creating stable well paid long-term jobs for our communities. That has been our number one concern in these negotiations." Kaiser employees are also worried about their health and safety, inside and outside the Kaiser plants. "Time after time [162 times in 18 months], Kaiser's Mead Plant has bypassed pollution controls... These lapses have repeatedly caused toxic chemicals and particulate matter to spew into the atmosphere..." "These tiny particles are too minute to be filtered naturally through the nasal passages and the upper respiratory system... these particles can carry carcinogenic compounds and other health-damaging chemicals into the body..." "According to documents filed with the Department of Ecology, in 1998 Kaiser released an average of 6,342 pounds per day of particulate. The company was fined in October of 1998, and again in January of 1999, for exceeding its permitted levels for particulate." "(Since this document was published the number of releases have risen and another fine was given to Mead.)" ... "... Kaiser has been chronically out of compliance with its improperly treated wastewater effluents dumped into Deadman Creek..." "In order for Kaiser to operate responsibly in our community, it is clear that we as a community must hold it accountable. Government agencies cannot do it alone. We need to be assured that Kaiser will provide safe jobs and protect our... environment."
The JWJ Seattle Organizing Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM at the Labor Temple at 2800 First Avenue. The next meetings are on July 5 and August 2. Call (206) 441-4969 for more information.
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July 2 - 8
Seattle Site of the Week:  
Sustainable Seattle
Here's some of what you'll find on Sustainable Seattle's Summer 2000 Web pages: "Sustainable Seattle is a citizen group working to improve our region's long-term health and vitality - cultural, economic, environmental and social." One goal is "to influence local actions, both individual and collective, that move us in the direction of sustaining a healthy, balanced relationship between people and the earth, leaving a worthy legacy of prosperity for future generations." ... "Sustainability... The term is now being used worldwide, in every language, to express this critical concept for the future of human societies on earth: that to survive, we need to better understand the consequences of current growth and development patterns on future generations and to pay attention, now, to the linkages that make the environment, economy and society interdependent." ... "The Indicators of Sustainable Community are the product of a community dialogue about our common future. Hundreds of Seattle-area volunteers have invested thousands of hours to design and research this integrated 'report card' on long-term trends in our region." ... "Indicators are selected quantitative measures that allow us to gain better insight into our region's health and vitality. Sustainability indicators cover not just environmental issues, but extend into a broad range of topics from economics to culture." ... "Is Seattle on the road to a healthier community? Yes and no... The report, Indicators of Sustainable Community, 1998, uses a list of 40 indicators to chart Seattle's progress toward or away from sustainability. ... the report presents a mixed bag of improving, declining, and neutral trends..." The 1998 report "is the third indicators report since 1993. ... The next Indicators report is scheduled for publication in the year 2000." "Sustainable Seattle is an open forum of civic-minded individuals. Your participation is welcome! You may participate in a variety of ways and at whatever level you wish. Sustainable Seattle has an open door policy for new participants. People can join a Task Team or just attend events." Volunteers "represent a wide spectrum of community life: civic and social activists, students, business people, local officials, workers and professionals, religious leaders, educators, scientists, and artists." "... the next step for Sustainable Seattle...: to become a center for applied sustainability." |
