2009 LEAP conference report

March 16^th

Meeting with Congressman Don Young, Alaska.  As always our meeting with Congressman Young was very good. The congressman was very much on the side of labor with most issues. The congressman also has a very interesting view point on the environment, one of which not many feel the same way.  Bruce Jaffa and His wife did a great job in addressing the issues with congressman young. Over all the meeting was productive and we feel that the congressman will continue to support our agenda as long as he sits in the big chair.

March 17^th

Meeting with Congressman Norm Dicks.  We had a wonderful meeting with the congressman this trip.  He was very supportive of our issues and as we spoke to him regarding the environment he expressed the opposite view point of Congressman Young.  He feels the issue to global worming is real and we have a lot of work to do to stop the catastrophic destruction of the oceans.  He will continue to fight for the free choice act and improvements to our ship building.  Over all it was a good productive meeting.

Meeting with Senator Cantwell.  We had a short but informative meeting with the senator.  As most know she can on board with us on most issues but the environment.  This was no exception. She is very much a supporter for renewable energy. But does not feel the coal or nuclear powers are resources we should be using in the years to come.  Clean coal is not possible to her as it will always be dirty in one form or another.  The Senator will continue to support wind and hydro power and new renewable resources as they prove to be safe and productive. This was a good meeting.

March 18^th

Coffee with Senator Patty Murray.  We as a group went to coffee along with many other persons from Washington State.  The room was very full. We had photos and spoke to legislative aides as the Senator had to go to the floor for meeting.

Meeting with Jessica Leman. Labor LA for Con. Brian Baird.  We had the entire group attending this meeting as we went over our concerns regarding environment and R&D funding for clean coal technologies.  The Congressman is a big support of all our issues and with everything going on it is a very busy time on the hill. We have been assured the Congressman has labors best interests in mind. Health care is also another issue the congressman will be addressing in this session.

Meeting with Congressman Adam Smith.  Over all this was a good meeting with the congressman.  However we were concerned how quickly he defended insurance companies for over pricing health care.  On all other issues he appears to be on board.

Meeting with David Barber Labor LA for Con. Jay Inslee.  A rather long conversation took place on the energy issues.  And David also brought up the issue of (SSPO) social security pension offset.  This affects our brothers in the federal shipyards due to them being federal workers.  David said issues regarding the (SSPO) will be on the agenda before congress.

Meeting with Meagen Foster Senators Begich Labor LA for Alaska.  Very positive meeting.  Bruce Jaffa has done an awesome job representing Alaska at this conference.  He was able to effectively communicate the facts we have been presenting to the aids and representatives. It would be well to say that the new Alaskan Senator is going to be a strong supporter of labor in the senate.

March 19^th

Coffee with Senator Begich, Alaska.  Bruce and his wife spent a good amount of time visiting with the senator and feels he will be very supportive. Others in the group met with staff and revisited issues addressed the previous day.

Meeting with Jayme White, Legislative Director for Congressman Jim McDermott.  This was a short but to the point meeting.  The congressman has been a good supporter over the years for labor.  Jayme reassured us of the continued support the congressman will be giving in the house as he fights for labor.

Meeting with Gerard Fiala, Staff Director for Senator Patty Murray.  This was a very good meeting.  Senator Murray has been a good supporter for labor over the three terms she has been in.  The biggest challenge we have in the senate is the passing of the Employee free choice act.  Since the house will visit the bill first we wanted to make sure all our senators understand just how vital we feel this legislation is.  The Senator is a co-sponsor of the bill and will do all she can to see the bill passed.  However it’s going to be a close vote and everyone needs to get involved and help others understand the truth of the bill and not believe all the negative aids that will be coming out about it.

Meeting with Karen McCarthy Labor LA for Senator Murkowski, Alaska.  We had a spirited meeting with Karen as started right off on the Employee Free Choice Act.  We can say we agree to disagree on some points just not all of them.  We all agree the bill may need some extra work on the wording but there is no reason it cans be worked out.  On almost all the other issues.  Once again Bruce Jaffa and his wife did an awesome job putting the Alaska needs on the table and getting their points across. I think we can see some good things come out of her office.

Meeting with Congressman Rick Larson.  This was a short meeting but good. The congressman was concerned about work conituing in the refineries and Everett.  I told him of some of the work we were doing at Shell and the worked finished at Everett.  We gave the Congressman a contribution and thanked him for his support.

Over all the meetings were positive and worthwhile.  We had a large group of delegates this year that made it easier to get to overlapping meetings. The issues are very important to all of us and though we may not see changes right away it is the general consciences of the group we will see them in time.  Everyone on the hill is very busy trying to get things done and taking on the roll up your sleeves altitude of the president and get things done. We as citizens must continue to support our leaders and be involved and keep hope alive in these difficult times.

            “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.”

“Americans... still believe in an America where anything's possible”

President Obama

Special thanks to the Washington and Alaska delegation!

Bruce Jaffa and His wonderful Wife Carole.               502 Contractors - Alaska

Blain Roulst              502 President

Dave Bunch              IBB International Rep,

John Kosinski           290 Business manager

Dean Calhoun          104 Business Rep,

Tim Kessler               104 Business Rep,

Mark Keffler             242 Business manager.

Richard Jones          502 LEAP Chairman and delegation organizer