With the addition of the Cirque, there are now 19 businesses the council wants consumers to reject thanks to apparent lousy labor policies. Steve Williamson, secretary-treasurer of the labor council (an umbrella group for local unions), says, "Sometimes we strike, sometimes we rally. This is our other weapon."
The list has a wide range of establishments on it. Here are some of the most notable:
· Regence Blue Shield: The labor council declared that this insurance company would stay on the list "forever" after its strong-arm union-busting tactics of the early 1990s. Regence had no comment.
· Whole Foods: Ninety-five percent of the grocery stores in the Puget Sound area are healthily union, but this organic-food store chain is not one of them. Whole Foods declined to comment.
· Civic Light Opera: This nonprofit community theater opera has been listed two years running for not unionizing its musicians in the pit. The Opera claims that most of its musicians don't want anything to do with organized labor.
· El Centro de la Raza: Two years ago, the National Labor Relations Board criticized this Hispanic advocacy group for harassing and firing workers who wanted to unionize. El Centro didn't return phone calls.
· W. G. Clark Contractors: This company specializes in construction for non-profits such as Planned Parenthood and Seattle Pacific University. The contractors were put on the list for allegedly discriminating against its workers based on race, a charge the company vehemently denies. When Clark chairman Chris Clark was told about his company's presence on the list, he laughed, primarily because the average consumer won't ever have the opportunity to boycott his firm.
Amy Jenniges contributed to this report.
