SEATTLE -- The M.L. King County Labor Council will once again host its annual Labor Day Celebration on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lower Woodland Park (Shelters 1, 2 & 3), N. 50th St. & Woodland Park Ave. N., in Seattle. Hot dogs, ice cream, live music, games, clowns, face painting -- and it’s all free! For more information, call 206-441-8510 or email office@mlkclc.org. 

TACOMA -- A short memorial ceremony will be held at the gravesite of longtime labor activist, poet, author and songwriter, Ralph Chaplin, who dedicated his life to the cause of organized labor and is credited with writing the words to "Solidarity Forever." This annual event is hosted by the Pierce County Central Labor Council on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 is at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery (5212 70th Street West, Tacoma. Union Members and their families are also invited to the Labor Day Picnic and Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Wright Park in Tacoma. Free BBQ, live music by David Rovics, Union Tug of War, No Child Left Behind Sack Races, kids games and Bounce House and much more. For more information on either event, call the Pierce County CLC at 253-473-3810.

TUMWATER -- The Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council will host its annual Labor Day Picnic on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tumwater Historic Park, 777 Simmons St. SW (next to Henderson house).  Bring the family for free food, refreshments and children's entertainment. For more information, call 360-520-9575.

By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer

Published: 07/08/10 9:09 am

PASCO -- Washington voters will have the chance in November to weigh in on a ballot measure that would increase the state's bonding capacity to pay for school updates and repairs.

The campaign to pass Referendum 52 kicked off in Eastern Washington on Wednesday with a news conference in front of Pasco High School.

"I think (the measure) is a win-win-win for jobs, the environment, and teachers and schools," said Sheila Stickel, campaign manager.

Proponents say it won't cost taxpayers more money and, in fact, will result in savings over the long run. It would create $505 million in bonding capacity, essentially allowing the state to borrow money it could pay back over time.

The money would be used to repair aging schools, with the fixes improving efficiency and resulting in significant energy, maintenance and operations savings, the campaign said.

The measure wouldn't create a new tax but would extend the existing tax on bottled water beyond 2013 to ensure the bonding capacity, the campaign said.

Schools would apply to receive money for repairs and upgrades. All the school districts in Washington would be eligible, along with universities and community colleges.

Schools would qualify only if the savings from the repairs -- such as to lighting or heating systems -- would equal or exceed construction costs, the campaign said.

Jim Timmons, who teaches economics at Washington State University Tri-Cities, said he has worked in other facilities that weren't in good shape.

"My students do better when they focus. The environment they're sitting in is an important factor," he said.

It distracts from learning if, for example, the temperature is too extreme or the air quality is poor, he said.

Supporters said the referendum would be good for schools, as well as for the economy, because it would create an estimated 30,000 construction jobs.

"It just makes common sense," Timmons said. "We should have been doing this long ago."

For more information, go to healthyschoolsforwa.org

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May 19-20 Apprenticeship Event in Tacoma                                  
Apprenticeship Education Conference aims to expand opportunities for employers and workers

TACOMA — More than 400 employers, educators and policymakers are expected to attend the first Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference May 19 and 20 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

Registered apprenticeship is a way to earn money while learning an occupation through on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Apprenticeships cover a variety of occupations, including manufacturing, building trades, cosmetology, and health care.
Conference attendees will learn how to begin, operate and promote registered apprenticeship programs through a variety of workshops.

“This conference does more than promote the value of registered apprenticeships — it also gives employers the tools they need to successfully operate a registered apprenticeship program,” said Melinda Nichols, apprenticeship program manager at the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), which assists apprenticeship sponsors with local administration of their training programs. “Industries and the trades need to attract and retain qualified candidates so they don’t face a shortage of skilled workers.”

Breakout sessions will include:
·       How to begin a registered apprenticeship program.
·       Workforce development for educators advocating apprenticeship to students.
·       How to keep your apprenticeship program in compliance.

“Apprenticeships are a great option for career development,” Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Karen Lee said. “Employees get the experience they need for stable careers with family wage jobs.”
For a conference agenda, visit apprenticeshipconference.com. Registration for the conference has closed.

The Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Labor, L&I, ESD and the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council. It is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and sponsor donations.