January 7, 2011 Volume 112 Number 1

Machinists and Woodworkers consolidate Effective Jan. 1, Machinists District Lodge 24 and Woodworkers District Lodge W1 merged, creating a new organizatin, 6,000-member International Association of Machinists District W24. New health care law starts to affect union health trusts The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, signed into law March 23, 2010, is starting to affect union members' health insurance plans. Children will be able to stay on their parents’ health plans until they turn 26; and plans won’t be allowed to impose lifetime dollar limits on claims for essential services. Labor applauds Clackamas County for funding Sellwood Bridge project The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, defying recall threats from anti-tax residents, voted Dec. 9 to increase vehicle registration fees by $5 to pay for its share of the cost of replacing the crumbling Sellwood Bridge. Construction is set to begin in July 2012, with a new bridge opening in 2016. Washington State Labor Council leaders pass the baton Rick Bender and Al Link have fought for Washington workers for 16 years — at the head of the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC). On Jan. 5, they passed the mantle to Jeff Johnson and Lynne Dodson. YEAR IN REVIEW: A look back at some top local labor stories of 2010 At the Northwest Labor Press, the beginning of a new year is a chance to look back on the old one: to summarize the year’s most important labor news and tie up loose ends on stories we reported in 2010.