Correct Zip Code for Vietnam Monument
In our last edition, we published an article regarding fundraising for the Michigan Vietnam Monument Commission. The Zip Code we printed was wrong. Here's the correct address:

To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check payable to the Michigan Vietnam Monument Commission, 611 West Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48913. For more information, call (800) 492-2649.

China trade vote presents dilemma
Withhold political money? Accept the vote and get on with life? Support Ralph Nader for U.S. president?

The nation's union leaders who have strongly protested normalizing trade relations with China are struggling with a strategy for what to do next after the House last month voted 237-197 to grant permanent normal trade relations with Beijing and end 20 years of turbulent annual reviews. The U.S. Senate and President Clinton are expected to approve the bill.

"We stood for what's right, but big money won," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "It's going to be hard for working men and women not to look at this vote and become more cynical about whether people and principles can pay off in politics, or whether big money is all-powerful."

Few would argue that China has a lousy record on human rights, with rampant child labor, few safety provisions for workers and ultra-low pay scales. Detractors of the trade policy argued that the U.S. would send the wrong message in normalizing trade relations and would lose its only trump card with China.

Proponents of the bill, including most Republicans, President Clinton and presidential candidate Al Gore, argued that the U.S. is shooting itself in the foot by refusing to open up trading with one of the most populous nations on earth.

Both labor and the GOP said language inserted by U.S. Rep. Sander Levin was key to bringing enough Democrats over to push the China bill through. The language inserted, described by Sweeney as "toothless," has provisions for monitoring human rights and anti-dumping matters.

UAW President Stephen Yokich raised a few eyebrows last week by hinting that the Green Party's Ralph Nader should get their union's endorsement for U.S. president - but despite his vote on China, few other labor leaders are straying from endorsing Gore.

Trades gear up for DAD's Day collections
Michigan did its share in 1999 to support the building trades' favorite charity, Dollars Against Diabetes, as $79,148 was raised in Detroit and another $38,583 was raised in Lansing.

Softball tournaments and golf outings raised much of the money, but a lot of it comes in through annual collection efforts on the days leading up to Father's Day.

Volunteer collectors are needed on the streets of numerous Detroit suburbs. If you can help, please contact Jerry Pauzus at (313) 215-4693. Volunteers who put in four or more hours are eligible for a trip for two to Florida.

In Lansing, DAD's Day collection efforts will be focused on job sites, said Laborers Local 665 Secretary-Treas. Joe Guenther. He said if you would like to contribute, contact your steward.