We are attempting to bring news and information about labor to a wider office.  Discussions have been held in Vancouver, Wa, Spokane,  Everett and Bellingham about providing Labor Neighbor Radio on local stations.  Central Labor Councils are working with us to determine how local unions can equitably share the financial load involved in producing and airing programming.

Is Dori Monson a member of the AFTRA union?  He has been bad mouthing unions on his show again.

A:   Dori Monson's status at AFTRA is "Suspended, payment owing"   This means he had a dues balance at the time he helped decertify the union at KIRO AM radio, which has not been paid.  Monson has a record of statements against his union, and a record of working non-union jobs even while an active member.

Thanks to all the delegates from various local unions for dropping by the Labor Neighbor Radio table at the State Convention.  John Sandifer, Chris Comte and David Natale had a great time talking to many who asked how the project is going and had suggestions for coverage of events, campaigns and issues.

One of the most exciting ideas was radio's involvement in growing apprentice programs by building trades, electricians and others.   There is some super productive activity going on in this sector and you will be hearing more about this soon.

Labor Neighbor continues to deliver labor news to the northwest, thanks to the contributions of Local union members and leadership.    Two of the latest unions to come aboard with this critical financial support are the Sheetmetal Workers from Local #66 in Seattle and IBEW Local 76 in Tacoma.

Labor Neighbor Radio is heard on AM 1090, Seattle,  KLAY am 1180 Tacoma and weekly over KBCS, Bellevue.  In addition programming inquiries have come in from stations in Walla Walla and Spokane, as LNR looks to expand its coverage.  Stay tuned for more successes.

Yes,  in answer to questions whether Mike Webb, the former KIRO Radio talk show host was affiliated with AFTRA.   He was, but barely.   While professing to be a liberal on the radio, he fought the union tooth and nail, using many ploys to avoid paying uniform dues and was twice fired for failure to meet his obligations.  Webb led a successful decertification election among KIRO Radio employees.  Webb's body was discovered in  a crawl space of his rental home during the week of June 25th.   Webb had disappeared in April.   Subsequently, police arrested a man with a record of drug use and homelessness, who reportedly has confessed to killing Webb with an axe and by stabbing.

Hey,  My name is Sean, and I'm a union member out in Gig Harbor.    Your spots on the Thom Hartman show are awesome.   (re: medical leave bill)    We're calling our senators and representatives on this.   Thanks for doing this,  it's great.

A contribution to help keep us going came in yesterday from the Office and Professional Employees Local 8, in Seattle.   I know Marie Cook had something to do with it, because we had run into each other at the Washington State Labor Council's Legislative Day, in Olympia, where I made a pitch to the assembled union representatives.

It's been encouraging to hear from Pipefitters,  Laborers, Longshoremen and others who want to know more about Labor Neighbor Radio, and how they can use it to get their message out to members and the general public.   Hey,  that's what its all about.  Local union announcements, schedules, events and news have a place on Labor Neighbor Radio's website,  and maybe on-the-air as part of our radio reporting.  Let us know what you are doing.

Additionally,  some locals have asked whether the best way to contribute to Labor Neighbor Radio is through a one-time donation, or through monthlies.   It really doesn't matter.  We do need a continuing flow of contributions to meet production and air-time costs and to expand our services and the number of radio stations carrying labor's message.   Anything you can do will help.

We really appreciate the message from Capitol City Lodge 695 that accompanied a nice contribution to Labor Neighbor Radio.  It said,

" This is a service that we wholeheartedly support.  Labor's message is one that needs to get out not only to our labor sisters and brothers, but to the entire country and world.  Thank you for this effort.  In Solidarity,  Bobby Joe Murray, Jr, Recording Secretary."

Dimitri is a long time attorney and a new partner in the Seattle Law Firm: Schwerin, Campbell, Bernard and (now) Iglitzen.   The firm specializes in labor law and serves many local unions at its client base.  It is well known, in Seattle, as one firm which holds monthly luncheon seminars to tell union representatives about new developments in labor law, where it encourages them to save legal costs by doing some greivances and arbitrations on their own.