The local labor unions have created a resolution reviewing lack of fairness by the local newspaper, The Columbian. Here is the complete text of that resolution:
RESOLUTION – DO NOT PATRONIZE THE COLUMBIAN
Whereas, The Columbian is the local community paper for the greater Vancouver/Southwest Washington area; and,
Whereas, working class people, union members, and public servants are members of this community, deserving respect from our local newspaper; and,
Whereas, The Columbian continues to publish articles that are biased against and inflammatory toward working class people, union members and public employees in this community; and,
Whereas, The Columbian prints opinion pieces by writers such as Ron Brunnell (AWB) as news articles, not opinion pieces; and,
Whereas, The Columbian is unabashedly anti-labor, especially toward public servants, unreasonably calling for more cuts from their wages and benefits without reporting on the losses they have already suffered and the sacrifices they have made.
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council and any other affected union members, public employees or working class people will not use their dwindling resources to support The Columbian from February 2011 to August 2011 - to include subscriptions and advertisements of The Columbian; and
Be it further resolved that members who already have cancelled their subscriptions due to The Columbian’s anti-working class, anti-union, anti-public employee bias, write letters to the Editor, Publisher and circulation departments explaining why; and
Be it further resolved that AFSCME/WFSE Local 313 respectfully recommends to the SW Washington Labor Council that The Columbian be placed on the Do Not Patronize list; and
Be it finally resolved that in August 2011the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council will determine if the local paper represents all of the community and should be supported at that time.