Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Tea Party: One Lump or Two?

Friday afternoon seems like a good time to share a fun video clip from one of our members.

Zach does have a serious point. The Tea Party is politically active in Wisconsin, twisting populist rhetoric to further a corporate agenda which includes busting unions and lowering the standard of living for working families.

Tea Party style deregulation already brought us one economic crisis.  Working people aren’t going to swallow additional economic lumps brought on by more tax cuts for the wealthy and deep budget cuts at the expense of our communities. 

Union members know that we can’t cut our way towards prosperity, and we aren’t going to let extremists frame the political debate.  Teatime is over.

Click here for the August Labor Walk Schedule, or contact your local Service Area Organizer to find out about other volunteer opportunities with Labor 2010.

And stay tuned to the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog for more viral video from local union members.

What a Day! Volunteers Sound-Off About The Labor Walk Kick-Off.

“Going on a labor walk is one of the best ways to connect with union members on the issues that matter most.  This year, it all comes down to jobs and the economy,” according to Denny Lauer, President of USW Local 2-1279. 

Last week, volunteers in Eau Claire, Kenosha, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Superior, and Wausau went door to door to talk to union members about politics as part of the 2010 Labor Walk Kick-Off. 

Lauer, who participated in the Green Bay Labor Walk Kick-Off, has some strong feelings about the Labor 2010 endorsed candidates.  “Russ Feingold is one of the best senators we have ever had.  He stands up for his beliefs, and Wisconsin working people should be proud that he represents us.  And Tom Barrett is the best candidate for governor, because he will stay focused on the needs of workers.  Both of his opponents would put those needs on the chopping block.”

“Through my job with Dunn County Human Services, I see the consequences of funding cuts in human terms,” commented Christine Kistner of AFSCME Local 1240.  Kistner participated in the Eau Claire Labor Walk Kick-Off and also serves on the AFSCME Council 40 Executive Board.   “In this time of extreme budget crunches, we have to elect worker-friendly candidates who will protect public services.  Downsizing without accountability hurts entire communities and costs more in the long run.”

“This was my first labor walk.  I enjoyed talking to members from other unions and was happy to see that working people are supporting our endorsed candidates,” said Michael Klade of IBEW Local 159.  Klade, who volunteered at the Madison Labor Walk Kick-Off, was one of many first-time participants who said that they intend to stay active through the November elections.

“Even when people disagreed with us, we were able to have a polite conversation.  I plan to participate in future labor walks, and next time I’ll bring my wife,” reported Jeff Weber of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5001.   Weber participated in the Milwaukee Area Kick-Off, and it was the first time he had ever reached out to fellow union members in their homes.   “State Senator Jim Sullivan thanked the volunteers in person before we hit the doors.  This was a fun way to show support for him, as well as for Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett.”

“The political information that people receive from their union is more personal and more trusted,” according to Cynthia Chambliss of CWA Local 4630.  Chambliss has long been active during member-to-member phonebanks and union organizing campaigns, but the Madison Kick-Off was the first time that she went door to door as part of labor’s political program.

“Retirees have a lot at stake in this election.  Barrett is head and shoulders over his opponents on pension issues,” says Curt Wilson of UAW Local 72.  As part of the Kenosha member-to-member walk on Saturday, Wilson was one of dozens of union retirees statewide who took to the streets to make a difference.  “Working people have supported Senator Feingold since day one, and Feingold continues to support working people.”

“In the last couple of years working families have made important gains in state government, and we need to build on that,” according to Judy Hack, an AFT retiree out of Local 202.  “I participated in the Superior labor walk because we can’t afford to drop the ball on federal issues such as the implementation of health care reform, the protection of social security and enhancement of public education.  There is too much at stake for the middle class to sit on the sidelines during this election.” 

“It is extremely important to have a conversation with union members who are undecided voters.  Otherwise, they pick up on anti-worker media messages,” said James Leppi of AFT-Wisconsin Local 4893, which represents physicians and dentists.  As a form local union president and recent retiree, Leppi participated in the Wausau Labor Walk Kick-Off.  “Political action is necessary in order to maintain our standard of living.” 

AFT retiree Bonnie Greasby worked as a release staffer for the Labor 2008 campaign in Kenosha and Racine, and she intends to put just as much effort into Labor 2010.  “This year, there are decisions being made that will directly affect our worksites and our pensions.  It’s July, so people are just starting to pay attention to politics.  We have set labor walk dates from now through November, and it’s critical that union members plan ahead and volunteer.”

VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN BY LOCATION

On Wednesday, July 21, members from AFT and the Ironworkers set a strong example for other areas of the state with a successful Labor Walk Kick-Off in Superior.  In addition to distributing information about Barrett and Feingold, the Superior labor walk also featured a flyer in support of endorsed 7th Congressional District candidate Julie Lassa.

All of the other Labor Walk Kick-Off events took place on Saturday, July 24. 

In Eau Claire, volunteers from AFSCME Local 284, AFSCME Local 1240, AFT Local 2398, AFT Local 3535, AFT Local 4018, ATU Local 1310, CWA Local 4640, DALU Local 24111, IBEW Local 14, LIUNA Local 268, and SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin carried a strong economic message to fellow union members, with a reminder that Rep. Ron Kind is the endorsed candidate for the 3rd Congressional District.

Volunteers at the Green Bay Labor Walk Kick-Off hailed from AFSCME Local 514, the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council, IBEW Local 158, NWA, OPEIU Local 9, USW District 2, USW Local 1096, USW Local 2-1279, and SEIU.  Rep. Steve Kagen is the endorsed Labor 2010 candidate for the 8th Congressional District. 

The Kenosha Labor Walk Kick-Off featured participants from AFSCME Local 67, AFSCME Local 2748, AFT Retirees, ATU Local 998, CWA Local 4611, UAW Local 72, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, UFCW Local 1473, and Working America spread the word about Labor 2010 endorsed candidates.

In Madison, volunteers from AFSCME Retirees Local 52, AFSCME Local 60, AFSCME Local 705, AFSCME Local 720, AFSCME Local 1942, AFT Local 243, AFT Local 3220, AFT Local 3732, CWA Local 4630, DALU Local 24111, IBEW Local 159, SEIU Local 1199, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, SEIU State Council, UA Local 75, UFCW Local 1473, and USW District 2 talked to fellow union members about Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold.

The Milwaukee Labor Walk Kick-Off drew volunteers from AFGE Local 3, AFSCME District Council 48, AFSCME Local 80, AFSCME Local 104, AFSCME Local 882, AFSCME Local 1654, AFSCME Local 1954, AFT Local 212, AFT Local 2169, AFT-WFNHP Local 5001, CWA Local 4603, IAMAW Lodge 66, NALC Local 397, OPEIU Local 9, SEIU Local 1, SEIU Local 150, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, SEIU State Council, UA Local 75, UAW Local 438, UFCW Local 1473, USW Local 2-209, and Workers United Local 122.

And alphabetically last, but certainly not least, Wausau Labor Walk Kick-Off volunteers from AFT Local 4893, DALU Local 24111, IBEW Local 388, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, SEIU State Council, and UA Local 434 distributed information in support of Russ Feingold, Tom Barrett, and Julie Lassa to area union households.

Now that labor walks have begun, working people will continue to make their voices heard with sustained activism through Election Day.  Stay tuned to the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog for frequent reports and information about volunteer opportunities.

(Top Center Photo: Bonnie and Rebecca Greasby of AFT with Ethel Gates of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin at the Kenosha Labor Walk Kick-Off.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Top Left Photo: Pam Campbell of AFT Local 4018 and Matt Staudenmaier of AFSCME Local 284 discuss a walk packet at the Eau Claire Labor Walk Kick-Off.  Photo Credit Andy Thompson.  Top Right Photo: Service Area Organizer Scott Wright goes over a walk packet with SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin volunteers Ana Zacher and Kou Xiong in Wausau.  Photo Credit: Sara Wallenfang.  Second Left Photo:  CWA volunteers Cynthia Chambliss and Mark Frey at the Madison Labor Walk Kick-Off.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  Second Right Photo:  AFT retiree Judy Hack displays a Julie Lassa flier as part of the Superior Labor Walk Kick-Off. Photo Credit: Chad McKenna.  Bottom Center Photo: Crowd of volunteers at the Milwaukee Labor Walk Kick-Off.  Photo Credit: MALC Secretary Treasurer Shelia Cochran.  Third Left Photo: Hazel Feld of USW Local 2-1279 prepares her walk packet in Green Bay.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Third Left Photo: AFT Local 212 volunteers Pyhllis Holder and Melba Redmond in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: MALC Secretary Treasurer Shelia Cochran.  For more pictures of the 2010 Labor Walk Kick-Off, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157624587367810/.)

Defeat Walker with Labor Walks!

Anti-worker gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker announced that his campaign is going to knock on 6,500 doors on tomorrow.  Does that sound familiar?  It should – tomorrow is our Labor 2010 Member-to-Member Kickoff Walk. 

If inactive union members let Walker win this election, he will pay for $3 billion in tax cuts and shifts by gutting education, health care, police and firefighting services. 

Click here for a list of walk times and locations.

“We can beat Scott Walker on July 24th and we can beat him on November 2nd, but only if we make an all-out commitment to inform and mobilize our members this year,” says Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Political Director and Executive Vice President Sara Rogers.  “Even if you forgot to sign up ahead of time, we need you to show up for Saturday’s statewide labor walk!”

We’ll see you tomorrow, and you can check the blog next week for pictures and detailed regional labor walk reports.

(Photo: Racine AFL-CIO Council Recording Secretary Ron Thomas reminds us that good jobs are at stake in the upcoming elections.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.)

Eau Claire Union Volunteers Worksite Leaflet and Prepare for Labor Walks

“It is important to inform our members so that they can make the best possible decisions at the ballot box,” says Brody Granberg, Business Agent for UA Local 434.  “That is why we are talking to people one on one at the workplace.”

At the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire today, members of UA Local 434 leafleted in support of Senator Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.  UA workers are currently updating the heating system in one of the dorms on campus.

Both Feingold and Barrett have been endorsed by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, because they will fight to create good jobs and put our state back to work.

But what if you are unable to leaflet at your worksite in support of these working-family candidates?  What if you are one of the many, many people who haven’t been able to find a job in this economy?

Well, you can still participate in the Labor 2010 program.  In fact, it is critical that you take action to support the candidates who will fight to maintain and expand our shrinking middle class.

“Both Feingold and Barrett face opponents who will undermine the basic rights of working people who choose to form a union and bargain for a better life,” says Sara Rogers, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Vice President and Political Director.  “We have got to hit the doors hard to make sure that union members know the score.”

Volunteering for this Saturday’s Labor Walk Kick Off is one simple thing that you can do to make sure that strong, worker-friendly majorities return to Washington and Madison after the elections with a clear mandate to create family-sustaining jobs.

On July 24th, volunteers will knock on doors in Eau Claire, as well as in Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau.  Click here to find the walk location nearest you. 

It isn’t too late to sign up, and it’s never too early to have a conversation with your fellow union members about the politics that affect our everyday lives.

(Photo: UA Local 434 Business Agent Brody Granberg handing a flier in support of Senator Feingold to union member Adam Mielke.  Photo Credit: Andy Thompson.  For more pictures from today's worksite leaflet in Eau Claire, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157624559715194/.)

Small Actions Add Up in Racine

“With so many people out of work, it is extremely important that we elect labor friendly candidates this year,” according to Rick Therkelsen, Membership Development Coordinator for IBEW Local 430.

It’s easy to understand why the creation of family-wage jobs is one of the most pressing issues on the minds of Labor 2010 volunteers this election season.  Therkelsen estimates that about 20% of his local is out of work right now.  In other building trades professions the number of unemployed is as high as 30%.

Yesterday members of IBEW Local 430 distributed leaflets in support of gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and the reelection of Senator Russ Feingold at the Buckets Pub construction site in Racine.  Said Therkelson, “Barrett and Feingold have both proven that they will fight for working families.”
 
“Tom Barrett offers the best chance for Wisconsin to grow,” says Joe Briere, President of CWA Local 4611 in Racine.  “Scott Walker would be a terrible governor as far as workers are concerned.  We can’t afford to sit around and let him take control.” 

This morning, volunteers from CWA Local 4611 distributed information about Tom Barrett to about 40 fellow union members, responsible for phone and cable line maintenance at the AT&T Regency Garage.   

The cumulative effect of grassroots actions like these two recent examples in Racine will determine the outcome of elections this November.  Volunteer with Labor 2010 today in order to make sure that working people send the strongest possible advocates to Madison and Washington.

This Saturday, there is a tremendous statewide opportunity to get involved.  Our door-to-door Labor Walk Kick Off is a fun way to meet other union members and make a difference in politics. 

Click here for information about the walk nearest you.

(Top Photo:  Secretary Mike VanBoven and Steward Michael DeGroot of CWA Local 4611 share information about Tom Barrett.  Bottom Photo: Membership Development Coordinator Rick Therkelsen and Jerry Pipol of IBEW Local 430 leaflet in support of Feingold and Barrett.  Credit for Both Photos: Justin Geiger.  For more pictures of worksite leafleting, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624329244553/.)

UI: The Very Least Congress Could Do

At long last, the Senate has overcome the threat of a filibuster in order to extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for people who, through no fault of their own, are still unable to find work in this brutal economy. 

The following statement is from national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

Finally, the Senate has overcome the final hurdle to provide relief for more than 2 million people who have lost their benefits since Republicans in Congress launched their latest political stall tactics against the jobless. Millions of Americans will have the means to feed their families and pay some bills while they seek work.

We still need our leaders to do more, not less, to create jobs and sustain the economic recovery. Our nation must invest in jobs now -- so we can lay a foundation for long-term growth and shared prosperity.

Creating jobs and helping those who have lost their jobs are defining issues for all Americans. Leaders in Washington must rebuild an economy that works for everyone, or they will take us back to one that works only for Wall Street.

AFSCME, CWA and UAW Volunteers Leaflet Worksites in Southeast Wisconsin

"My father taught me that if you are going to complain about something, you’ve also got to work towards change,” says Keisha Hollis-Wilson, a CWA Local 4603 member who helped distribute leaflets at the AT&T offices in Waukesha last week.  “I will to continue to talk about politics at worksites and through door to door labor walks, because union members really respond to that personal contact.”

Hollis-Wilson isn’t alone.  Wisconsin workers are out in force, volunteering through the Labor 2010 program in support of candidates who will create good jobs and fight for working families.

On Tuesday, July 13th, volunteers from AFSCME Council 48 distributed fliers to fellow union member outside of the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Milwaukee in support of Senator Russ Feingold, who has long been a staunch advocate for working people.

“As a Milwaukee case worker, I saw firsthand how politics affects people,” says Joan M. Zeiger, a retiree from AFSCME Sub-chapter 36 who participated in the recent leafleting.  “It is especially important to fight for humane government during these tough economic times.”

On Thursday, July 15th, members of AFSCME Council 24 reached out to their coworkers at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility in support of gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett, who has a record of creating family-wage jobs as Mayor of Milwaukee.

While some worksite leafleting efforts focus on a single working family candidate, many unions are spreading information about Barrett and Feingold at the same time. 

On July 13th, UAW Local 180 distributed flyers to about 250 union members at the Case New Holland Tractor Plant in Mount Pleasant.   CWA Local 4603 volunteers reached out to their coworkers at the AT&T offices on Waukesha on Friday.

Labor 2010 is off to a great start, and we must continue to encourage fellow union members to send stronger working-family majorities back to Madison and Washington in November. 

Contact your local Service Area Organizer to find out how you can take action.  Click here for contact information.

(All photos taken at Labor 2010 worksite leafleting events. 

Top Photo: AFSCME Local 104 members Rick Gondert, James Purtue, Jeff Leanna and President Ron Keenan.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Top Right Photo: 1st Vice President Clinton Rodgers and Keisha Hollis-Wilson of CWA Local 4603.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Left Photo: Bruce Ware of AFSCME DC 48 and Joan Zeiger of AFSCME Sub-Chapter 36 Retirees.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Bottom Right Photo: UAW Local 180 member Dan Calvino and President John Valko.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger. 

For more pictures from Labor 2010 worksite leafleting, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624329244553/.)

Finally, Financial Reform!

The following is a statement by national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

Today’s vote represents a historic shift of power—away from big bankers and CEOs to working families and Main Street.  For years, big banks have profited on the backs of working families. Millions of working families lost their jobs and still can’t find work because of the reckless and selfish actions of Wall Street and the big banks.

After the financial meltdown brought on by Wall Street’s greed and irresponsibility, it would have been an outrage for the status quo to stand.  Yet all but three Republicans in the U.S. Senate voted against reforming our bloated and unaccountable financial sector.

Fortunately, President Obama and working family leaders in Congress stood firm to put our country back on track toward an economy that works for everyone. In the end, fifty-seven Democrats and three Republicans voted for this landmark legislation. This vote will make it a lot harder for big bankers to indulge their greed at the expense of working people.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will:

• Create a strong consumer protection agency to protect working people from predatory lenders;

• Shed light on the shadow markets by requiring most derivatives to clear and trade on open, transparent exchanges and mandating that large managers of hedge funds and private equity funds register with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

• Give long term investors new tools to hold corporate boards and senior management accountable; and

• Help prevent future bank bailouts by creating a council of regulators to oversee systemic risk, giving regulators authority to dissolve failing financial institutions while prohibiting bailouts for bank shareholders and executives

• Move toward restoring of Glass Steagall by limiting banks ability to make risky bets backed by taxpayer funds.

We will continue to fight for reforms that will further address too big to fail financial institutions and make Wall Street pay its fair share to create the 8 million jobs it helped destroy.

As we look ahead to November, when voters will once again have the ability to stay on the path to change or look back to the failed policies of the past, this vote is a defining line in the sand. Working families will be dedicated to supporting leaders who vote to create jobs and hold Wall Street and big business accountable.

Voters now have a clear picture of those who stand on the side of Main Street and those who choose instead to stand on the side of Wall Street.
 
We will not forget.

Congress Must Help the Unemployed or Join Them

In recent weeks some Republicans in Washington have remarked that unemployed Americans should just go “get a job.” 

The problem isn’t that workers are too lazy to look for a job — just ask any of the 15 million unemployed workers out there. Nearly half of the jobless have been unemployed for more than six months. If there were jobs out there waiting for them, they would have found them already.

It’s no time for politics as usual, but Republicans have voted as a virtually solid block against extending unemployment benefits and COBRA health care subsidies to the long term unemployed. 

Many conservative Democrats have not been willing to act either — voicing concerns about more emergency spending with a rising deficit.  But we don’t have a short-term deficit crisis—we have a jobs crisis. 

Congress left for the Fourth of July holiday recess without taking action to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits, leaving millions of families on the brink of disaster.  This inaction is unprecedented and indefensible.

Construction workers — up to 30 percent — are on the bench.  Small businesses are folding.  Plants are closing.  Foreclosures are on the rise.  Up to 300,000 teachers across the country may be getting pink slips — and even more state and local employees.  Our economy is at risk of a double dip recession unless we take steps now to stimulate it.

When Congress returns from vacation, it must act swiftly and decisively in order to alleviate the immediate suffering of the unemployed and create family-wage jobs.  If it fails to do so, union members will hold obstructionist senators and representatives accountable at the ballot box in November.

(Over the congressional recess labor leaders and unemployed workers met with elected officials in Wisconsin to share their stories of economic distress.  Top Photo: Rep. Steve Kagen meeting with an unemployed worker, as well as members of AFSCME, the NorthEast Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council and USW.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Bottom Photo: Rep. Ron Kind met with an unemployed worker as well as leaders from ATU Local 519 and UA Local 434.  Photo Credit: Andy Thompson.)

Working People One Step Ahead of Walker

When workers at Green Bay Packaging learned that gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker planned to campaign at their plant, they sprang into action. 

“We wanted to educate our members about the positions that Scott Walker has taken, and make sure that they know that he is NOT endorsed by their union,” says Steven Childers, President of USW Local 1319.  “We learned about his visit late yesterday morning, which gave us about a day to set the record straight.  We didn’t invite him to speak; management did.”

Members of USW Local 1319 took it upon themselves to leaflet their worksite at 5 o’clock this morning, in advance of Walker’s lunchtime visit. 

“We encouraged union members to come hear what Walker had to say so that they could make up their own minds, and it was pretty clear that he didn’t connect,” says Childers.  “After listening to him talk, I am even more certain that Walker’s plan to cut jobs during tough times is out of touch with working families.”

Childers is referring to Walker’s ill conceived idea to eliminate 4,000 vacant state jobs, further jeopardizing already strained public services.  Click here to read AFSCME Council 24 Executive Director Marty Beil's response to this proposal.

In addition to Childers, USW Local 1319 members Randy Lemke and Mike Waldvogel played a key role in mobilizing the leaflet effort and distributing fliers to the 232 union workers at Green Bay Packaging.

Elsewhere in the state, the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin conducted worksite leafleting in support of gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and the reelection of Senator Russ Feingold. 

Members of BAC Local 13, IBEW Local 159, and UA Local 75 handed out fliers at construction sites on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus, including the Union South building, the bio/chem building, and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.

“I participated in the leaflet effort because Tom Barrett will defend the pensions that Scott Walker intends to gut,” says Dave Boetcher, Government Affairs Representative and Business Agent for IBEW Local 159.  “And with so many of our members out of work through no fault of their own, we can’t afford the ‘tough love’ approach that Ron Johnson would bring to the Senate.  Russ Feingold has stood with working people and we will stand behind him.”

Worksite leafleting is off to a strong start, but Wisconsin union members must continue to stay one step ahead of the candidates that would do further damage to fragile working families. 

Contact your local Service Area Organizer to learn about upcoming opportunities to get involved.  Click here for contact information.

(Top Photo: Steven Childers and Randy Lemke of USW Local 1319 leaflet their worksite in advance of Scott Walker’s campaign stop.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Bottom Photo: Dave Boetcher of IBEW Local 159 leaflets to fellow building trades members at the UW-Madison Union South construction site.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  For more pictures from today's worksite leafleting, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624329244553/.)