They fought hard and won big

The horse trailer being towed along I-90 one night in late January contained an unusual load: 500 signs.

Paula Payne, President of Local 433 (front, third from left) with local members who helped ensure a resounding victory in Initiative 1 in Coeur d'Alene.

Earlier that evening they had left Everett and were destined for Coeur d’Alene. There, the signs urging a “yes” vote would be one of the weapons in a determined drive to win an initiative a week later. Victory at the polls would restore collective bargaining rights for Coeur d'Alene City workers.

After an all-night ride, Pat Thompson, Council 2’s Legislation/Political Action Director, parked the trailer and its cargo in front of the union hall. On hand were 30 eager members who were waiting to plant the signs in yards, businesses and other sites around town.

Also on hand was a snow storm.

But, undeterred by the weather, the workers completed their task in three days.

Combined with radio advertisements and direct mailings, the signs were aimed at persuading voters to vote “yes” in Initiative 1 to overturn action by the Coeur d’Alene mayor and city council that had taken away the collective bargaining rights of City employees.

On the morning of the Feb. 2 election, 50 local members were ready for more action. They arrived at the hall to collect signs to wave at strategic points around town.

They would have to face another snow storm. The conditions were about as bad as they could get.

But the storm had its beneficial side. It gave the citizens of Coeur d’Alene a firsthand example of how important the City employees are. They were plowing streets, clearing the roads of fallen trees, and restoring power.

The signs conveyed the message; the workers underlined it with their action.

The dedication and determination — both to the job and to the cause — paid off. A total of 59 percent voted in favor of the initiative. The collective bargaining rights were restored.

Thompson describes it as “a tremendous victory.” “It is very clear to the mayor and council that the citizens of Coeur d’Alene believe in fairness and voted to protect the rights of city employees,” Thompson adds. “It was inspirational seeing the members’ willingness to fight to protect their rights.”

With collective bargaining in place once more, Council 2 will negotiate on behalf of the employees over their wages, hours and working conditions.

“Now this will be possible by the passing of the vote,” says Thompson. “Their contract means something again.”

Results in the City of Spokane proved disappointing. Initiative 98-1 held on the same day as that in Coeur d’Alene aimed at creating a municipal court was beaten at the polls. The city manager and city council helped the judges in confusing the initiative's impact on the voters.

“However,” adds Thompson, “our efforts to create a more efficient workplace are far from over.”