Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Stand with WFNHP Nurses and Health Care Workers at Aspirus Langlade Hospital

Our brothers and sisters of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP), AFT union have been on the front lines caring for our loved ones throughout the increased risks and pressures of the pandemic. WFNHP union members at Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo have been in contract negotiations for over half a year and have been working without a contract for the last several months.

Nurses need your support as they ramp up the fight for a fair contract.

Support WFNHP Members at Aspirus Langlade Hospital in their fight for a fair contract:

• Join nurses, health professionals, and community members for a rally and informational picket in Antigo on Monday, June 27. Gather at 3:00 p.m. Picket begins at 3:30 p.m. Rally will start at 4:00 p.m. RSVP here.

• SEND AND SHARE this email to Aspirus CEO Matt Heywood urging him to give WFNHP members at Aspirus Langlade Hospital a fair wage increase and improve staffing. This is the best way health care professionals can continue to provide top-notch, quality care.

Aspirus has received over $150 million dollars in federal relief money while frontline nurses and health care workers remain in a staffing crisis. In 2020, the CEO of Aspirus, Matt Heywood, received a 16.9% wage increase or almost $200,000 added to his multi-million dollar yearly pay. Meanwhile, Aspirus is offering frontline nurses and health care workers a meager 2% raise for this year and next year.

We believe workers deserve more. We join together as one labor movement to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and to create a better environment for workers and patients alike at Aspirus Langlade Hospital.

A fair contract keeps nurses at the bedside where patients need them. Join the rally and picket in Antigo on Monday, June 27 to stand with WFNHP nurses and health care professions. Send a letter to Aspirus CEO Heywood today.

Together, we are fighting to improve workplaces and communities across Wisconsin by ensuring workers have a fair say in their workplace. That’s the power of a union.

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Congratulates AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond on Election Win

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement of congratulations to Elizabeth H. Shuler on her election as President of the AFL-CIO and to Fred Redmond on his election as AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. AFL-CIO Officers were elected at the AFL-CIO’s 29th Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

“Congratulations to AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler who is steering our fierce labor movement towards a bold, bright and cutting-edge future. As a long-time IBEW member, President Shuler has marched alongside Wisconsin workers and has repeatedly been on the ground over the years to listen with and engage workers from all backgrounds. Her steadfast passion for advancing the rights of all working people is unmatched. She brings a breadth of experience in organizing, mobilizing, and bringing workers together to fight for and ensure safe, good union jobs for this generation and the next. There is no one better to build the movement to meet the moment. 

I also congratulate Fred Redmond of the United Steelworkers union on his election as AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. Redmond has been a United Steelworkers (USW) member since 1973, when he went to work at Reynolds Metals Co. in Chicago. Brother Redmond is a long-time champion of workers’ rights, civil rights, and voting rights. This AFL-CIO leadership team is ready to unleash the power of collective bargaining to combat income inequality and build our middle class.”  

Take Kids Fishing Day 2022

Dust off those fishing poles, the union-sponsored Take Kids Fishing Day is just around the corner on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5.

This great community event aims to introduce young people to the benefits and joys of fishing while showing the next generation how to safely enjoy Wisconsin’s outdoors.

This event is free and open to the public but limited to the first 100-150 kids who register. All participants must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperon. After the fishing, be sure to stick around for a union-sponsored picnic-style lunch.

• Eau Claire: Braun’s Bay, 520 Carson Park Drive, Eau Claire. Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Pre-register here.

 

• Janesville: 1254 S Riverside Dr, 1254 South Riverside Drive, Beloit. Sunday June 5, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Pre-register here.

 

• La Crosse: Chad Erickson Veterans Memorial Park, 3601 Park Lane Drive, La Crosse. Saturday, June 4 from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm. Pre-register here.

 

• Madison: Vilas Park, 1400 Vilas Park Drive, Madison. Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Pre-register here.

 

Take Kids Fishing Day is sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Councils of South Central Wisconsin, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Western Wisconsin, the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, the Greater West Central Labor Council the Union Sportsmen Alliance and local labor councils in Eau Claire, Janesville, La Crosse, and Madison. It is the hard work and volunteer hours of union members that make this annual family-friendly community event possible.

Video Game Workers in Madison Win Union Rights!

Video game workers who work at Activision Blizzard-owned Raven Software in Madison have won their NLRB union election in a landslide! Quality assurance testers have come together as the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) to become the first union at a major video game maker and just the second video game union in the United States.

"Five months ago, we formed the Game Workers Alliance-CWA on the principles of solidarity, sustainability, transparency, equity, and diversity,” said members of the Game Workers Alliance. “Management at Activision Blizzard worked tirelessly to undermine our efforts to establish our union, but we persevered. Our biggest hope is that our union serves as inspiration for the growing movement of workers organizing at video game studios to create better games and build workplaces that reflect our values and empower all of us. We look forward to working with management to positively shape our working conditions and the future of Activision Blizzard through a strong union contract.”

Wisconsin workers are leading the charge for worker rights and strong union contracts in the video game industry and beyond.

“Congratulations to the members of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union who have stood strong against fierce union-busting to organize their workplace and make history by becoming the first union in the video game industry in Wisconsin and just the second union in the video game industry in the United States,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. “Wisconsin workers continue to say ‘union yes’ as a historic wave of union organizing sweeps our nation. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members are determined and united in their demand for sustainability, transparency, diversity and equity in the video gaming industry. The multibillion-dollar video gaming industry is built on workers putting in long, grueling hours for little pay. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union members at Raven Software have come together to demand a seat at the table to secure improvements that will help all workers in this industry. We call on Activision Blizzard and Raven Software to come to the table in good faith and negotiate a first union contract with Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members.”

Congratulations to Game Workers Alliance members. Onwards to a strong first contract!