38th Annual LEAP Conference

2006 Legislative Report

Washington State Delegation,

Bruce Burge -       Local 502 President

John Kosinski -     Local 290 Business Manager / Chief Stewart

Larry Napp -         Local 104 LEAP Chairman

Richard Jones -     Local 502 LEAP Chairman / Trustee

Delegation Report

March 14, 2006

11:30  Congressman Jim McDermott 's Legislative Director Jayme White

The meeting with Jayme White when well as we covered mainly the issue of AFTA the new free trade bill going before the house possibly after the elections in November.  One main concern with this bill as others like it is the similar affects as NAFTA and CAFTA the continued loss of jobs in the United State to countries with substandard labor protections and poor to no environmental controls.  We were not completely assured that this bill would be fought by the Congressman.

2:30    Senator Lisa Murkowski Legislative Assistant Nathan Butzlaff - Alaska

Our meeting with Nathan was direct and to the point.  We covered all the issues and discussed being able to have a cooperative working relationship that will benefit her office and the boilermakers from Alaska.  Her office has been receptive in the past to some boilermaker concerns.

3:30    Congressman Rick Larson's Legislative Director Michael Dabbs

Our meeting with Michel Dabbs was direct and to the point.  We covered all our issues and felt that our concerns were understood about AFTA and clean air and he would pass on our information packet to the Congressman who was unavailable for  a meeting.

4:30    Senator Patty Murray Staff Director William Kamela

Our Meeting with William Kamela was very good.  Patty Murray's office has always been very accommodating to the Boilermakers and the Senator has always made it a point to see us when she can.  There was little need to preach to the quire about Asbestos as the Senator has help lead the fight for victims of asbestos poising for some time now.  The issue on AFTA will be closely scrutinized by the Senators office and we were assured the Senator will continue the fight to help our shipyards and ports from further plundering by the current administrative cuts in defense spending and down sizing of our Navel fleet.

Congressional Reception

Hold on to your seats for the first time I was told in 15 years we had a Senator attend the congressional reception. Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska shocked the delegation by briefly attending the reception.  Taking time for a few words wit Bruce Burge about the Anwar deal and asking the Boilermakers to help him out. He also brought up helping us get jobs and work on the pipe line still in legislation in Alaska. It was something you just had to be heir to appreciate.

March 15, 2006

10:00 Congressman Norm Dicks Legislative Assistant Jami Burgess

Our meeting with Jami went well.  We were able to cover all issues with her and got reassured of the congressman's feeling about each issue.  The congressman will continue to fight for the Boilermakers and labor in the state of Washington.  Good meeting.

11:30 Congressman Brian Baird Legislative Assistant.

We had a last minute scheduling with Congressman Brian Baird thanks to Dave Bunch.  We meet with the legislative assistant because the congressman was out sick.  The meeting went well.  The congressman has been very supportive of labor and continues to be.  We expressed concerns over HR 3644 allowing Canadian Boilermakers exemptions to visa restrictions to come to the US and work if all of US boilermakers are working.  We feel this is a good bill however it does not address a fare trade in services for US Boilermaker to go to Canada and work if US boilermakers are needed.  The congressman is co-sponsor to this legislation and we asked for some type of agreement be made with Canada to level the playing field and make it easier for US boilermakers to obtain work visas.  This Bill is sponsored by the International for east coast locals mainly.

1:00 Congressman Jay Inslee

One of our few meeting with an actual Congressman due to the busy schedule of voting this week on the hill.  we had a 15 minute meeting covered all the issue very quickly.  The congressman was concerned we are still leasing navel ship from foren nations and was going to look a lot more in-depth into that issue.  The Congressman was also concerned as we about HR 3644 not being far for US workers. 

1:30 Congressman Adam Smith

 A short but concessive meeting with the congressman.  Gave him a copy of the issues and as always the congressman is with us and it all.  There was a miscommunication and we did not have an appoint ment but we dropped by the office anyway.

2:00 Congressman Don Young - Alaska

We had a colorful meeting with the congressman  as he in his classic manner went through the issues in rapid fire fashion.  This congressman has a 50% voting record for labor and has been supportive of working class people and we had a worm reception. He is in agreement with us on all issues and sees the danger of unfairness in HR 3466 in all this was a good meeting and as always the Congressman wants us to come by anytime.

3:00 Senator Ted Stevens - Alaska

We had a short meeting with Ted Stevens Legislative Assistant Andrew.  Who heard our issues and will pass them on to the Senator for his review.  Although the Senator will not always help us we have been asked to lend a hand with promoting Anwar with the Washington demarcates.  Knowing this issue is not popular with most if not all of them we have some consideration to do.

4:30 Senator Maria Cantwell and aid Livia Lam

We were invited to the Senate building for a meeting with the Senator.  We had a rather interesting experience and we meet in a bull room of sorts and then meet with the senator.  Bruce covered the issues with her and for the most part she is in agreement with the issues.  She was also concerned about HR 3466 and we find her with some interesting considerations for developing composite research and manufacturing in Washington state. She is not a big supporter of Fossil fuels and has always been for alternative fuel research.  Good meeting but remember she is up for reelection in November.

Summery

Over all this conference went very well we had some great speeches from Senator Hillary Clinton and others a lot was learned from some unexpected placed, like Congressman Don Young giving us tips on how better to present our views on AFTA.  When a person is willing to listen to whom ever the information is coming from and disseminate it in an effective a manner you find you can learn from almost anyone you meet.  It has been said buy members of our local and others that these conferences are just one big vacation or party.  I welcome anyone who thinks they can keep up with the pace with meetings and issues to join me and my committee and see what you think after this election this November because have I got an education for you.  the Washington Delegation was able to meet with 11 out of 14 representatives from Washington and Alaska.