Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Transportation is an Important Part of Getting the Economy on Track

Governor Jim Doyle and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan recently announced that Wisconsin is receiving $823 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to build high-speed passenger rail service, creating thousands of high-quality jobs.

Wisconsin is receiving $810 million to build high-speed passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison, including construction of track, passenger stations, signaling and other infrastructure improvements. Our state is also receiving $12 million to install crossovers between Chicago and Milwaukee.  In addition to Wisconsin’s funding, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has received $1 million to make final determinations on a route between Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.

"These family-wage construction jobs are going to put a lot of our neighbors back on their feet," said Phil Neuenfeldt, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  "Not only that, but thanks to the Obama and Doyle administrations, Wisconsin is poised to be the nation’s leader in high-speed rail manufacturing."

In July, Governor Doyle signed an agreement with the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo to establish new assembly and maintenance facilities in the state.

High-speed rail is a vital part of reliable transportation options that must be developed, including the need to strengthen bus systems.  Our state must have daily transportation options for those who cannot afford drive or would prefer not to for environmental reasons.

As part of our Good Jobs Agenda, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is supporting Senate Bill 511, the Regional Transit & Jobs Investment Act.  This legislation would allow communities to create Interim Regional Transit Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin to encourage a regional approach to transit planning, investment and funding.    Experience in other states proves that a dynamic transportation network encourages economic development which results in more job creation. 

Employees of any newly-created IRTA would be covered by the Municipal Employment Relations Act, which governs collective bargaining rights for local government employees.  Prevailing wage law would apply to an IRTA as well.  This law protects the interests of both building and construction trades workers and taxpayers on major projects that receive public funds.

New Legislation Needed to Create Green, Family-Wage Jobs

As part of our Good Jobs Agenda, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO strongly supports LRB 2740/2, otherwise known as the Wisconsin Sustainable Jobs Act, recently proposed by State Rep. Cory Mason.  This legislation will help create a demand for skilled workers, and develop career pathways for potentially thousands of Wisconsin residents to move into family-supporting weatherization jobs.

Weatherization is the process of updating existing buildings to make them more energy efficient.  It is estimated that retrofitting the 100 million energy inefficient homes in the U.S. will create thousands of new jobs, reduce household energy costs by $3.5 billion a year (an average of $350 per homeowner) and save the equivalent of 500 million barrels of oil annually.

However, there simply isn’t the infrastructure in place to meet this potential.  That’s why we need the Wisconsin Sustainable Jobs Act. 

The legislation includes prevailing wage requirements; ensures that a percentage of all of the weatherization work is done by local, unemployed or low-income workers; and requires contractors to participate in apprenticeship programs.

“Rep. Mason should be commended for his attention to the needs of unemployed Wisconsin residents,” says Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Phil Neuenfeldt.  “It is critical that we hire within the state, train people properly, and make sure that they can support their families as they work towards a greener future for all of us.”

The Wisconsin Sustainable Jobs Act will:

• Create high-quality jobs throughout the state in the burgeoning weatherization industry;

• Allow Wisconsin to make critically important investments in energy conservation;

• Create career pathways for Wisconsin’s residents to get the training they need to move into these family-supporting jobs;

• Leverage federal stimulus dollars for residential energy efficiency in a revolving loan model;

• Leverage private capital to enable wide-scale retrofit projects at some of Wisconsin’s largest commercial and industrial locations; and

• Reduce Wisconsin’s carbon footprint.

Urge your State Representative to support this legislation!

Secretary-Treasurer Neuenfeldt discussed the Wisconsin Sustainable Jobs Act and other elements of the Good Jobs Agenda on WORT 89.9FM in Madison last week.  Click below to listen to the audio archive from “In Our Backyard.”  (Skip to the middle if you just want to hear Phil.)

http://archive.wort-fm.org/mp3/wort_100201_183001iobymon.mp3

(Photo: Service Area Organizer Andy Thompson gave a presentation on the jobs crisis at the most recent Western Wisconsin Building Trades Council meeting. Photo Credit: Jerry Jackson of UA Local 434. For more pictures from the meeting visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157623233695395/)

Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation Quarterly Meeting

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is reorganizing in order to become a more effective voice for Wisconsin workers.  As part of this “New Alliance” some Labor Councils are coming together to work regionally as Area Labor Federations (ALFs). 

“Having many Central Labor Councils and affiliated unions come together is always a learning process.  A lot of good things can come out of collaboration,” says Dave Page, who serves as President of both USW Local 1327 and the Fond du Lac County Labor Council.  “We are striving to make sure that everyone has a say in the new organization and that we are better able to mobilize around the political concerns of working families.”

The Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation, which held their first meeting back in September, serves affiliated unions throughout Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties. 

“This Area Labor Federation is about laying the building blocks for stronger political action,” according to Shane Griesbach, Business Representative and Executive Board Member of IUOE Local 139.  “We need to be able to back the elected officials who vote with workers, and get rid of the ones who don’t.”

The Northeast Wisconsin ALF meeting on Saturday, January 30 continued the strategic planning process.  Participants also heard a presentation on the urgent need to create good, family-wage jobs now. 

“I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far,” says Jeff Selin of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council and IBEW Local 2150.  “There is strength in unity.  We are building a stronger, more unified labor movement.”

(Photo: (from left to right) Mark Buss of UA Local 400, Shane Griesbach of IOUE Local 139, Gary Ruhl of then Northeast Wisconsin Building Trades Council, Larry Lautenschlager of the Winnebago County Labor Council, Robert Lutze of the Lakes Regional Labor Council, Barb Felde of the Sheboygan County Labor Council, Dave Page of the Fond du Lac County Labor Council, Mike Haak of IBEW 2150, Jeff Selin of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO staff Todd Anderson, Tony Vanderbloemen of the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council, and Timm Driscoll of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Visit flickr for more photos from the January 30th meeting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157623206762831/)

Rebuild Wisconsin Part 3: Strengthen the public services that make Wisconsin a great place to live.

“When businesses decide whether or not to open or expand in Wisconsin, they look at schools, roads, public safety, transportation, and other public services as determining factors,” says Phil Neuenfeldt, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer.  “A strong public service sector makes our communities livable and attracts private investment to our state.”

When public sector budgets are slashed it is a double blow.  Not only do we lose family-sustaining jobs, but citizens are at risk of not receiving the quality services that they rely on and deserve.
 
There are currently over 3,000 vacant positions in state government alone, the result of employees who retired without being replaced, due to budget cuts. 

Tight budgets are often used as an excuse to dismantle quality public services through outsourcing or privatizing public sector jobs.  This often results in inferior service at a higher cost to taxpayers.  Accurate cost-benefit analysis and strict accountability are needed any time that privatization is considered to protect the interest of taxpayers.

Therefore, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO supports SB 447 Truth in State Contracting Act, a package of government accountability and contracting reforms that which will: 

• Improve transparency in the process used by the state when an agency proposes to outsource public sector work; 

• Provide for an accurate cost-benefit analysis in each case;

• Ensure accountability to taxpayers in the event that a private sector firm is awarded a state contract.

If you have been reading along with the blog this week, you know that strong public services are one of three priorities that the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is working towards to rebuild Wisconsin with jobs that we can be proud of.  These are the other articles in our Good Jobs Agenda series:

http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/lets-rebuild-wisconsin-with-jobs-we-can-be-proud-of.html

http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/rebuild-wisconsin-part-1-create-a-green-economy-for-working-people.html

http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/rebuild-wisconsin-part-2-support-and-expand-our-manufacturing-sector.html

We have a clear idea of what needs to be done to create and sustain good jobs.  Stay tuned to this blog for progress updates and ways that you can get involved.

Rebuild Wisconsin Part 2: Support and expand our manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing is changing, but with proper support Wisconsin workers and businesses will be able not only to keep up, but to lead,” says Phil Neuenfeldt Secretary Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  Neuenfeldt is at the forefront of the effort to create high quality jobs in the state.

On Monday, this blog featured an overview of the three things we must do in order to put Wisconsin back to work with decent, family-wage jobs.  It can, and it must, be done.

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is calling on our elected officials, employment partners and members to:

1.    Create a Green Economy for working people.
2.    Support and expand our manufacturing sector.
3.    Strengthen the public services that make Wisconsin a great place to live.

Today we are going to talk about what it means to support and expand our manufacturing sector. 

Wisconsin’s workforce is competitive in the global economy.  Productivity, skill and quality set us apart, and will continue to do so as long as we make the investments needed to stay ahead.

Workforce training continues to be a priority, but retraining is pointless unless there are new jobs. 

The manufacturing sector needs support through strategic and responsible public investment to help businesses replace outdated equipment and procedures with the technologies that will make new jobs possible.

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO supports AB 513 Wisconsin Jobs Initiative which will:

• Provide job skills training, education and financial aid to at least 40,000 individuals through the technical college system and position Wisconsin to apply for at least $135 million in federal matching funds from President Obama’s American Graduation Initiative. 

• Direct the Department of Commerce to award competitive grants to businesses to modernize their operations to ensure the retention and creation of 21st Century jobs.  It is funded through a new Millionaire Tax Bracket, adding 1% to the state income tax rates for couples making over $1 million per year.

Another necessary innovation is a “Center Without Walls” to rapidly respond to the needs of industry.  This resource would be staffed by state workers from the Wisconsin Technical College System, Department of Commerce, Department of Workforce Development, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Be sure to come back to the blog tomorrow, when we will discuss how to strengthen the public services that make Wisconsin a great place to live.

Rebuild Wisconsin Part 1: Create a Green Economy for working people.

“We have heard a lot of talk about how a Green Economy will lead us out of recession.  But all Green Jobs are not created equal,” warns Phil Neuenfeldt, Secretary Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “We have to insist on safe, local jobs which do not erode our standard of living.” 

Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force recommendations provide a needed platform from which to discuss the development of new jobs in the green economy.  But we also have a responsibility to make sure that when Wisconsin taxpayers invest in the Green Economy, the jobs stay in Wisconsin. 

It is essential that workers in these newly created green jobs be able to bargain for the wages, benefits and working conditions necessary to stabilize and rebuild our communities.  The American middle class was created through the higher wages and benefits negotiated by millions of workers through their unions.   In other words, green jobs must be union jobs.

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is calling for action on the following green economic goals:

• Develop a retrofit industry in Wisconsin that will achieve energy conservation through the renovation of existing office buildings and industrial plants. Work with employers to conduct an energy audit of manufacturing plants to assess what is needed to retrofit their facilities.

• Make homes and commercial businesses more energy efficient.  This would both reduce energy costs and put people back to work.  The legislation to do so should include job standards that will promote family-sustaining jobs in the skilled trades. 

• Continue to develop training and advancement opportunities for workers in residential weatherization programs.

   

• Conduct research on how Wisconsin can become a leader in the manufacture of green components and technology.   Provide technical assistance to employers to expand in this developing new area of production.

• Create a Regional Transit Authority for southeastern Wisconsin that will meet the criteria for federal funds and will create jobs in its development and maintenance—as well as the economic development that a dynamic transportation network is known to promote based on the experience of other states.

Creating a Green Economy for Working People is one of the three priorities endorsed by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO to help create high quality jobs and rebuild our economy.  Be sure to check out yesterday's posts for an overview:

http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/lets-rebuild-wisconsin-with-jobs-we-can-be-proud-of.html

And join us tomorrow for a blog post on how to support and expand our manufacturing sector.

(Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Service Area Organizer Greg Hinds gave a presentation on creating good jobs at the Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation meeting on Saturday.  Photo Credit: Todd Anderson.)

Let’s rebuild Wisconsin with jobs we can be proud of.

Last week we heard two speeches, the State of the State and the State of the Union, which focused on job creation.  Finally!  Wisconsin’s workers have been suffering for far too long.

The national AFL-CIO came out with a five point jobs plan in November, and is aggressively pursuing a recovery for Main Street.  You may already be familiar with this plan from earlier blog posts:  http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobseconomy/jobs/americaneedsjobsnow.cfm

But action at the federal level is not enough.  We must move swiftly to save and create Wisconsin jobs.  We can do it.  We have a plan.

Many of the jobs that we have lost during the Great Recession are not coming back but they can, and they must, be replaced with jobs that are just as good or better.  Wisconsin doesn’t have to become a second-class state with high unemployment, jobs that can’t support a family and a deteriorating standard of living. 

We can stop this race to the bottom, but it will take a commitment from all of us to:

• Create a Green Economy for working people.

• Support and expand our manufacturing sector.

• Strengthen the public services that make Wisconsin a great place to live.

The Wisconsin AFL-CIO is making that commitment, and we call on everyone to work for a stronger Wisconsin.

1.    Create a Green Economy for working people.

Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force recommendations provide a needed platform from which to discuss the development of new jobs in the green economy.  However, the green economy does not automatically translate into green dollars in the pockets of Wisconsin workers.

When Wisconsin taxpayers invest in the Green Economy, the jobs should stay in Wisconsin. 

It is essential that workers in newly created green jobs be able to bargain for the wages, benefits and working conditions necessary to stabilize and rebuild our communities.  The American middle class was created through the higher wages and benefits negotiated by millions of workers through their unions.    In other words, green jobs should be union jobs.

2.    Support and expand our manufacturing sector.

Wisconsin’s workforce is competitive in the global economy. Productivity, skill and quality set us apart, and will continue to do so as long as we make the investments needed to stay ahead.

Workforce training continues to be a priority, but retraining is pointless unless there are new jobs. 

The manufacturing sector needs support through strategic and responsible public investment to help businesses replace outdated equipment and procedures with the technologies that will make new jobs possible.

3.    Strengthen the public services that make Wisconsin a great place to live.

When public sector budgets are slashed it is a double blow.  Not only do we lose family-sustaining jobs, but citizens who rely on our schools, courts, public safety systems and other institutions are at risk of not receiving the quality services that they deserve.

There are currently over 3,000 vacant positions in state government alone, the result of employees who retired without being replaced, due to budget cuts. 

Tight budgets are often used as an excuse to dismantle quality public services through outsourcing or privatizing public sector jobs.  This often results in inferior service at a higher cost to taxpayers.  Accurate cost-benefit analysis and strict accountability are needed any time that privatization is considered to protect the interest of taxpayers.

Be sure to check back with the blog throughout the week, to read articles explaining each of the three steps outlined above in greater detail.

(Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Phil Neuenfeldt and Executive Vice President Sara Rogers.  Photo Credit: Brenda Moon.)