Labor Notes compiled by Jeff Burman The Saga Of Proposition 226 In a race that went right down to the wire, foes of the "paycheck deception" initiative amazed everyone and came out on top. When the fur stopped flying the "nays" carried, by a margin of 54% to 46%. Field Poll results were dramatically different last February. Then, 71% were for, 22% against. It was only as late as May 29th that the tide turned; suddenly the polling numbers reversed: 45% for, 47% against. How did the California Federation of Labor defeat a proposition touted as a national show-piece, one that would effectively hobble the legislative voice of labor and put the squeeze on a major supporter of the Democratic Party? Labor strategists scored four solid tactical coups. First, organized labor shifted focus away from the catchy notion of "paycheck protection," to pointing to the conservative political agenda of the proposition's backers and their ties to House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other Washington insiders. Then, labor kept commercial and manufacturing interests out of the race. In November, union officials conferred with the California Chamber of Commerce and revealed plans to launch three counter-initiatives to take away as much as $10 billion of their own tax credits and campaign contributions. Many business interests, despite pleas from Governor Wilson, stayed out. This allowed organized labor to out-spend Prop. 226 supporters by a five to one margin. Third, labor found some surprising allies: police, sheriff and firefighters' unions, the American Cancer Society, the United Way, and the Sierra Club. The police, who ought to be natural allies of the Governor, opposed a provision in Prop. 226 requiring that authorization forms be treated as "a public record, open for public inspection and reproduction." The police felt that public posting of their home addresses could jeopardize their safety. Charitable organizations publicly voiced more modest fears of donator exposure, citing First Amendment violations. And finally, labor got out the troops. Volunteers were so plentiful that they were actually turned away. Union volunteers walked more than 5,000 precincts, visited 18,000 worksites and made 650,000 calls to union homes. Union turn-out at the polls made all the difference. Fortunately, this national slap at organized labor has been stymied. Unfortunately some $22 million had to be spent to do it. This is no small consolation for Prop. 226's backers. Similar measures seeded in 19 other states may or may not wither on the vine. And a national version of Prop. 226 may or may not be grafted onto a campaign finance reform bill in Washington. Write your congressional represent-ative. The battle isn't really over, it's just moved to a different venue. New Opponent For Hoffa Ken Hall, Ron Carey's choice to succeed him as Teamster president, withdrew from the race, citing medical difficulties with his eyes. On June 11th, Tom Leedham, 47, of Portland, Oregon, announced that he was entering the race. Leedham is considered a "darling of the Teamsters reform movement," according to New York Newsday. Ballots go out September 14. Daily Overtime Repeal Upheld Governor Pete Wilson's repeal of mandatory overtime for those who work more than eight hours a day, was upheld by the 1st District Court of Appeal. Presiding Justice J. Clinton Peterson called the daily overtime rule "out of step" with the rest of the country, in a 3-0 ruling. Minimum Wage Hike Urged Do increases in the federal minimum wage do more harm than good? Do they lead to lay-offs that hurt the most vulnerable? A recent study by the progressive Economic Policy Institute showed that no discernible job losses resulted from the most recent wage hike of September 1997, which lifted the minimum wage from $4.25 an hour to $5.15. The study found that the wage increase affected 10 million workers, of whom 58% were women and 71% were adults. The study also found that average minimum wage earners bring home $10,700 a year - $2,900 below the federal poverty level for a family of three.. U.S. Senators Paul Wellstone (D-MN), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative David Bonior (D-MI) lead the campaign to raise the minimum wage to $6.15 in 2000. Labor secretary Alexis Herman said it was a question of values. "If you work full time, you should not have to live in poverty." House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) said the proposal would lead to more layoffs. Legislative Alert Here are a few bills moving through Sacramento that you should watch. Unemployment Insurance Benefit Increases; SB1090. SB233, SB495 and SB570 At least 39 states provide higher weekly unemployment insurance than does California. SB1090 (Rosenthal D-North Hollywood) would increase the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit from $230 to $300. SB233 (Solis D-El Monte) would guarantee that you could receive unemployment benefits if you left a job because of too much forced overtime, or because you couldn't find child care. SB495 (Rosenthal) would increase the maximum weekly benefit for State Disability Insurance benefits, and SB570 (Solis) would increase workers' compensation benefits. Dailv Overtime; ABl5 For over 80 years, daily overtime regulations protected California non-union workers from the stresses and strains of long work days. As you may know, this provision was rescinded in 1996 by Governor Wilson and his hand-picked Industrial Welfare Commission. ABl5 (Knox D-Los Angeles) would revive daily overtime pay. Please remember that even though union contracts are still allowed to grant daily overtime, unless everyone gets it, we'll have to fight to just stay even. Age Discrimination: AB1643 AB1643 (Escuita D-Bell) would strengthen protections against age discrimination. Want to get involved? Call the California Federation of Labor at (916) 444-3676, and they'll help you get in touch with your state legislator.   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 4 - July/August 1998   Guild Home | Newsletter Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 776