Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Trumka Talks to Wisconsin Union Members One-on-One

National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined members of the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-213  on Tuesday in Green Bay to discuss the importance of the November midterm elections.  USW volunteers handed out fliers and encouraged fellow union members to support Rep. Steve Kagen, Sen. Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett. 

Union workers at the Georgia Pacific Day Street Facility had a chance to talk to President Trumka about politics during an evening shift change. 

"Working families in Wisconsin have a clear choice this November between candidates who want to create jobs in America and their opponents who want to send them overseas," said President Trumka.  "That's why we are out here today to talk to people one-on-one because the grassroots is our foundation and the strength of our program."

This leafleting action was part of the Labor 2010 program which reaches thousands of Wisconsin union households  weekly.  Member-to-member Labor Walks, phone banks, worksite leaflets and local union mail are the means by which union volunteers  are getting the word out about worker friendly candidates this election season. 

If you have yet to volunteer, time is running out!  Please contact your local Service Area Organizer immediately and take part in the massive on-the-ground effort to elect candidates who are committed to creating good Wisconsin jobs and rebuilding the middle-class. 

This action took place as part of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO 26th Annual Biennial Convention.  Please continue to check our Flickr page as more convention pictures are added: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157625061807812/.

(Top Photo: Middle Photo: National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Cindy Kropp of USW Local 2-213. National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Mark Brault of USW Local 2-213. Bottom Photo: Tom Glime of USW Local 2-213 and National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. All photos taken by Denny Delie.) 

See You at the Convention: This Year's Theme is "Good Jobs NOW!"

On Monday morning at the Oneida Casino and Convention Center in Green Bay, we will kick off the 26th Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Biennial Convention with remarks by Sen. Russ Feingold.  Over the course of the three day gathering, delegates will hear from a variety of state and national leaders as they discuss the future of the labor movement and the immediate need for job creation.

On Tuesday, Sept. 28th, convention delegates representing every affiliated union in Wisconsin will elect our executive board and secretary-treasurer, as well as a new president to succeed retiring working family advocate and activist David Newby.  Newby took office in 1994, and his extensive legacy includes vocal opposition to flawed trade policies such as NAFTA and the WTO, improved labor history education in Wisconsin public schools, and significant contributions to the national health care struggle. 

All non-voting guests must stop by the registration table to receive a visitor’s pass.  Some proceedings will be limited to voting delegates only. 

Here are just some of the featured convention speakers:

MONDAY, SEPT. 27th
Sen. Russ Feingold
Rep. Steve Kagen
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby
Andy Gussert, National Director of the Citizens Trade Campaign
Scott Paul, Exec. Director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
University of Illinois Communications Professor Robert McChesney
Fred Myers of the Union Sportsmen Alliance with Al Shea, Dep. Secretary, Department of Natural Resources

TUESDAY, SEPT. 28th
Damon Silvers, Policy Director & Special Counsel for the national AFL-CIO
National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
Milwaukee Mayor and AFL-CIO endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett
National AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman

Where the Rubber Meets the Road for Working Families

The race is on, and the Labor 2010 political program is running like an efficient engine:  member to member walks, phone banking, worksite leafleting and local union mail are the four cylinders that will drive us to victory.  Powered by our member to member program, working family candidates can be victorious in November.

 The stakes are much higher than some silly checkered flag.  If candidates that are committed to building a better future for Wisconsin’s working families fail to finish first on Election Day, we can be sure that their opponents will waste no time in tearing down the public services, pension systems and domestic manufacturing that sustain our middle-class.

So let’s lift the hood, and take a closer look at the statewide volunteer effort designed to keep Wisconsin moving forward:

LABOR WALKS

Member to member walks have been going strong since July and this week was no exception.  Weekend walks took place in Appleton, Evansville, Kenosha, Madison, Marinette, Menomonie, Milwaukee, Oregon, Tomah and Wausau.

“I volunteer because if the elections go the wrong way, working people could lose access to public services and health care,” reports John Coldiron of SEIU Health Care Wisconsin.  Coldiron visited union households in the Madison area on Saturday.  “Talking to fellow union members face to face is the best way to find out what issues matter to them.  I learn something new at every door.”

First time Labor 2010 volunteer Ali Godjali of AFT Local 3220 also saw his Labor Walk as a learning experience.  Godjali participated in the Oregon member to member walk on Saturday, and had this to say afterward, “A lot of the people that I talked to were unresponsive, like they hadn’t given much thought to the elections yet.  These are important decisions and I was happy to draw some attention to the union endorsed candidates.”

“The governor’s race really frightens me,” admitted AFSCME Local 171 Steward and Trustee Barb Peters when asked what motivates her activism.  Peters is a veteran Labor Walk volunteer, and over the weekend she hit the doors in Evansville.  “We have to elect Tom Barrett.  Scott Walker contracts out everything that he gets his hands on, and he wants to dip into our pensions.”

John Walsh of IBEW Local 14 participated in the Menomonie Labor Walk over the weekend because, “Some of the candidates running for office won’t represent the best interests of working families.  For example, what will happen if we elect multi-millionaire Ron Johnson to the Senate?  He doesn’t like unemployment insurance, but he does support tax breaks for the wealthy.  That would be disastrous for IBEW members and others who are out of work through no fault of their own.”

Walsh continued, “I’m all for reelecting Russ Feingold.  He has fought for unemployment extensions and he’ll continue to work on rebuilding the middle-class.”

   

PHONE BANKING

“Some areas of the state just aren’t practical to walk.  Member to member contact over the phone is just as important to our political program as home and worksite visits are,” according to Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Executive Vice President and Political Director Sara Rogers.   “So however you choose to volunteer, the important thing is that you take action.”

Since our last phone banking update, Madison, Menasha, Milwaukee and Racine area volunteers have continued to call on fellow union member to support AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.

  

WORKSITE LEAFLETING

Yesterday, the Building Trades and Construction Council of South Central Wisconsin provided political information and lunch to union members working to build a new Target store on the west side of Madison. 

Volunteers from BAC Local 13, IBEW Local 159, IUOE Local 139, IUPAT Local 802, IRON 383, OPCMIA Local 599, SMWIA Local 18, UA Local 75 and UA Local 601 distributed fliers in support of Senator Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett to about 100 union workers as they enjoyed their brats.

Smaller worksite leafleting efforts are a regular occurrence across the state, because union members want to make sure that their coworkers cast an informed vote come November.

It bears repeating that USW District 2 is conducting DAILY worksite leafleting at plant gates throughout Wisconsin.  With only 40 days left before the election, that’s what is going to take to reach a critical mass of union voters.

LOCAL UNION MAIL

In the past two weeks, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has sent mail to thousands of union members highlighting the very dangerous anti-worker positions of senate candidate Ron Johnson and gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker. 

Click here to learn how a vote for Ron Johnson threatens Social Security and supports failed trade agreements that send jobs overseas.

Click here to read more about how Scott Walker has sided with Wall Street over Main Street.

START YOUR ENGINES!

Now that we are firing on all four cylinders, let’s kick it into high gear!  Contact your local Service Area Organizer to find out how your volunteer efforts can help bring about better future for working families.

 

 

WEEKEND LABOR WALK VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN BY LOCATION

Unless otherwise noted, all of the member to member walks listed below took place on Saturday, September 18^th.

In Appleton members of AFSCME and USW District 2 talked to union households about endorsed candidates including Rep. Steve Kagen, Sen. Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.

 Kenosha Labor Walk volunteers from AFSCME Local 67, CWA Local 4611, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, UAW Local 72 and UFCW Local 1473 encouraged fellow union members to get out and vote for Feingold and Barrett.

In Madison, Oregon and Evansville on Saturday activists from AFSCME Local 52, AFSCME Local 171, AFT Local 3220 and SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin shared information about AFL-CIO endorsed candidates with union voters.  In addition to U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett, this Labor Walk effort supported endorsed State Assembly candidates Fred Clark in the 42^nd District, Trish O'Neil in the 47^th District, Sondy Pope-Roberts in the 79^th District, and Janis Ringhand in the 80^th District.

Volunteers from AFSCME Local 720 and AFT Local 3220 returned to Evansville on Sunday to deliver the Labor 2010 message to even more union homes.

In Marinette members of AFSCME, IBB Local 696, LIUNA Local 330 and OPEIU Local 9 talked to union families about AFL-CIO endorsed candidates including Rep. Kagen, Sen. Feingold and Tom Barrett for Governor.

Menomonie Labor Walk participants from AFSCME Local 72, AFT-Wisconsin, AFT Local 3535, IBEW Local 14 and LIUNA Local 268 distributed literature in support of Sen. Feingold and Barrett for Governor to fellow union members.

Milwaukee volunteers hit the doors and manned the phones this weekend.  Members of AFSCME District Council 48, AFSCME Local 82, AFSCME Local 1091, AFSCME Local 1654, AFSCME Subchapter 36, AFT Local 2169, AFT Local 4822, AFT-WFNHP Local 5001, ATU Local 998, Carpenters Local 1053, CWA Local 4603, IUPAT DC 7 Local 1204, NALC Branch 397, OPEIU Local 9, SEIU Health Care Wisconsin, UA Local 75, UAW Local 438, UAW Local 1866, UFCW Local 1473 and USW 2-209 made sure that working families are aware of AFL-CIO endorsements.

In Tomah members of AFGE Local 1882, AFSCME Local 194-7, AFSCME Local 2484, ATU Local 519, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, USW Local 1050 and USW Local 2-150 visited union households in support of Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold.

In Wausau, Labor 2010 members received special thanks from endorsed 7^th Congressional District Julie Lassa and retiring Congressman Dave Obey.  Click here to read more about the rally.   Volunteers  from AFSCME Local 284, AFSCME Local 584, LIUNA Local 268, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, UA Local 434, USW District 2, USW Local 3657, USW Local 2-0059, USW Local 2-0094, USW Local 2-131, USW Local 2-213 USW Local 2-0224, USW Local 2-248, USW Local 2-469, USW Local 2-631, USW Local 2-1096, USW Local 2-1279 and WEAC-CWUC hit the doors in support of Lassa, Feingold and Barrett.

 (Top Photo: Louie Pody of UA Local 75 hands out fliers at the Target construction site in Madison.  Photo Credit: Steve Breitlow. Top Right Photo: Mary Jane Holland of USW Local 9184 and Rick Bucher of USW District 2 leaflet at Rock Tenn Company in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Top Left Photo: AFSCME Take Back Staffer Tracy Miller on a Labor Walk in Appleton.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Second Right Photo: Andy Voelzke of USW Local 2-209 and Zoran Markovich of Carpenters Local 1053 out talking to fellow union members in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. Second Left Photo: Barbara Avery of  AFSCME District Council 48 phone banking in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit Jenissee Volpintesta.  Third Right Photo:  Fernando Gonzalez of USW District 2 leaflets outside of Milwaukee Forge.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Fourth Right Photo:  Jeff Gurske, member and organizer from UA Local 11, leaflets outside of the Enbridge pipeline project in Superior.  Photo Credit: Chad McKenna.  Third Left Photo: Norb Gossens of USW Local 2-469 talks to a fellow union member during the Wausau Labor Walk.  Photo Credit: Linda Gossens.  Fifth Right Photo: Endorsed 7th Congressional District candidate Julie Lassa thanks a Labor 2010 volunteer in Wausau.  Photo Credit: Elizabeth Laux.  Looking for more pictures?  Our Flickr page contains hundreds of Labor 2010 photos: http://flickr.com/wisaflcio.) 

Julie Lassa and Rep. Dave Obey Thank Wausau Labor Walkers

Member to member walk participants in Wausau on Saturday were joined by some very special guests.  Retiring Congressman Dave Obey and AFL-CIO endorsed 7^th Congressional District candidate Julie Lassa thanked volunteers at a special rally as dozens of walkers returned from the doors.

According to Obey and Lassa, the Labor 2010 political program will be a deciding factor in electing Lassa and other working family candidates. 

“I have known Julie for many years and she has been an outstanding representative for the working people of Stevens Point.  She’s really on our side,” says Gerry Zastrow, President of AFSCME Local 584, which is part of the Wisconsin State Employees Union Council 24.  “As a State Senator, she authored and championed legislation to stop Wisconsin from outsourcing public service jobs.  That is the kind of leadership that we need in Washington.”

Zastrow has supported Lassa as a Labor Walk volunteer before.  He was active in the member to member political program when she first ran for State Assembly and then later for State Senate.  He plans to keep reaching out to union households in order to get Lassa elected to Congress.

With only 41 days left until Election Day, Zastrow hopes that more members will get involved.  “It’s pretty simple.  When you go on a Labor Walk, you'll have a script to work from, but it’s not about following that word for word.  It’s the personal appeal from a fellow union member that makes the difference.”  

We need YOUR help to elect Julie Lassa and other candidates who will build a better future for working families.  Contact your local Sevice Area Organizer to volunteer with Labor 2010 today!

Click here to read more about Julie Lassa's plan to create and retain Wisconsin jobs.

 

(Top Photo: Volunteers from USW District 2 with Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Phil Neuenfeldt, Congressman Dave Obey and endorsed 7th District US House candidate Julie Lassa.  Photo Credit Scott Wright.  Top Left Photo: Julie Lassa speaking to Labor 2010 volunteers.  USW District 2 Director Michael Bolton is also pictured.  Photo Credit: Linda Gossens.  Bottom Left Photo:  Rep. Dave Obey talking with Tom Hill of LIUNA Local 268 in Wausau on Saturday.  Photo Credit: Scott Wright.  Bottom Right Photo:  Frank Helebrant of USW Local 2-213 and Steve Doherty of USW Local 2-1096 visit union household member Tammy Ballard (SMWIA Local 565) during the Wausau Labor Walk.  Photo Credit: Steve Kwaterski.  For more pictures of Saturday’s Labor Walk and Rally in Wausau, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157624993522542.) 

The Primary is Over but Phone Banks are Still Going Strong

“We are only heard when we speak up.  That’s why I volunteered to help with the GOTV phone bank,” says Griselda Villegas of UFCW Local 1473.

Villegas was one of dozens of volunteers in Milwaukee who made phone calls to fellow union members to remind them to vote for working family candidates in last Tuesday’s primary election. 

Member to member phone banking is also going strong in other parts of Wisconsin.

After meeting State Rep. Bob Turner in person at the Racine Labor Walk on September 11th, Ironworkers Local 8 Political Coordinator Randy Bryce wondered if there was something more he could do to help with voter turnout heading into the September 14^th primary.

“Before meeting him, I knew that Bob Turner had a 100% voting record on the working family concerns that the AFL-CIO keeps track of,” explains Bryce.  “But after talking to him over the weekend, I realized that he is also passionate about veterans’ issues.  That is something of great personal importance to me.  I wanted to do everything that I could to help Bob get reelected.”

Bryce contacted his local Service Area Organizer to find out what needed to be done.  Although he was unable to attend the regularly scheduled phone banks at the Racine Labor Hall, he worked out an arrangement so that he could make member to member phone calls from home on his own schedule.

“I feel like a bit of a nerd admitting this, but when the primary returns came back and Turner had won, it was like the Packers scoring a touchdown.   I was very pleased with the results,” confesses Bryce.

Now that the primary is over, Bryce shows no signs of letting up.  He plans to keep phone banking  and walking on behalf of candidates that will support working families. 

“People are relieved when they pick up the phone and you aren’t a telemarketer,” Bryce jokes.  “Once they realize that they are talking to a fellow union member, folks really appreciate our GOTV effort.”

Across the state, Labor 2010 volunteers are going to keep making phone calls to ensure that we elect leaders who will create jobs and rebuild the middle-class. 

“I am phone banking this year because I am afraid of what will happen if Tom Barrett isn’t elected governor.  Scott Walker would jeopardize our retirement security by moving our annuity funds towards more risky investments.  He doesn’t respect public employees or our pensions,” says Ralph Hoessel, former President of AFSCME Local 68 in Madison. 

Hoessel, who is now the President of the DOT Retirees Association, says that phone banking is a fun and easy way to make a difference. “I enjoy talking to my union brothers and sisters about politics.  There is no better audience.”

There is a lot at stake for working families this election season.  Will we build towards a better future, or will we allow candidates who will undermine jobs, pensions and public services to take control?  You can help determine the outcome of these critical elections by volunteering with Labor 2010.

There is no time to lose.  Contact your local Service Area Organizer for more information about phone banking and other volunteer opportunities in your area.

(Top Photo: Jackie McElroy and other members of SEIU Health Care Wisconsin phone bank in Milwaukee on Primary Day.  Photo Credit: Jennissee Volpintesta.  Top Right Photo: Griselda Villegas of UFCW Local 1473 participates in the GOTV phone bank.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. Second Right Photo:  AFL-CIO endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner and Randy Bryce of Ironworkers Local 8.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Left Photo:  IBEW Local 159 member Dimitris Tourtouropoulos phones fellow union members in Madison.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  Third Right Photo: AFSCME Local 892 retiree Laura Reed phone banks in Racine.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Bottom Right Photo: AFSCME Local 1925B members Joel Sampson and Cheyne Count phone banking in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit:  Jenissee Volpintesta.  For additional Labor 2010 phone bank photos, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624811983221/.)

Lassa Unveils Her Jobs Plan to Reporters and Union Members

Yesterday, AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for the 7th Congressional District Julie Lassa visited the Wausau Labor Temple to outline her plan to build Wisconsin’s future with family wage jobs. 

Union members from AFSCME, Ironworkers, and USW were among the workers gathered to hear what she had to say.

Lassa said:

Washington is supposed to work for us, but hard-earned tax dollars are fueling a broken-down system. Washington is shipping jobs overseas that belong right here in Wisconsin and using our taxpayer dollars to do it. Washington’s failures have held back Wisconsin workers and businesses. That’s wrong.

I raise this call to action to create jobs because the time is now. I will fight to create jobs for Wisconsin workers and businesses, and I believe our Wisconsin values can change Washington. Here in Northern and Central Wisconsin, we can show Washington a thing or two about building a road not just to recovery, but to success.

In her speech, Lassa called for a three-part approach to creating jobs: Ending failed Washington policies that ship our jobs overseas; Growing entrepreneurship on Main Street; and Cultivating a pro-business, pro-worker environment.  Her proposals will be available on her website.

This call to action to help create Wisconsin jobs draws a sharp contrast between Lassa and her opponent. Sean Duffy has been in the race for more than a year without any plan to rebuild our middle class.   

The choice is clear.  Julie Lassa will work to build a better future for working families in Wisconsin, and she needs Wisconsin union members to turnout and make sure that she is elected. 

Contact your local Service Area Organizer to find out how you can take action with the Labor 2010 program.

 

(Top Photo: AFL-CIO endorsed U.S. House candidate Julie Lassa outlines her job creation plan.  Bottom Photo: USW members Dave Jirgl, Randy Radtke, Ken Pittsley, Steve Meyer, and Kevin Koth showed up yesterday to support Lassa.  Credit for both pictures: Scott Wright.)

Special Delivery

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO local union mail program kicks off today, with an important message about anti-worker Senate candidate Ron Johnson.

Johnson is a multi-millionaire who is dangerously out of touch with the needs of working people in this state. 

RON JOHNSON:

• Refuses to let his own workers unionize.

• Wants to gut pension benefits.

• Wants to cut unemployment benefits.

Click here to view the full message, and watch your mailbox for additional election updates from your union. 

Rain or Shine Elections are on the Line

Labor Walk volunteers faced a wet weekend across many parts of the state, but that did not dampen enthusiasm for the candidates who will stand up for working families. 

“I voted for change in 2008, and we need more support to see those changes through,” says Andy Voelzke of USW Local 2-209.  In spite of a steady drizzle, Voelzke participated in the Milwaukee area member to member walk on Saturday. “When people see other union members taking action, it makes a difference.”

IAMAW Local 1904 retiree Glendon Ward was happy to receive a visit from a Labor 2010 volunteer at his Green Bay home. 

“I have phonebanked for working family candidates in the past.  So I understand that member to member outreach is less about changing minds, and more about making sure that the workers who already agree with us actually get out and vote,” says Ward.  “There is so much at stake in the midterm elections, and yet, historically people just skip them.  We can’t let that happen this year.  If informed working people show up to vote, our candidates will win and our state will be better off.” 

“I was surprised by how friendly people were,” reports AFT Local 2398 retiree and Eau Claire Labor Walk participant Jane Voll.  “I had volunteered directly with candidate campaigns before, but this was my first time working with the labor political program.  It seemed like making a connection as union members was easier than trying to approach a total stranger.”

Voll’s feelings are backed up by research.  Our member to member political program has a much higher success rate than the outreach programs run by candidates or political parties. 

So volunteer a little time with Labor 2010, and make a big difference for working families come Election Day.  Contact your local Service Area Organizer to join a Labor Walk or phonebank in your area.

VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN BY LOCATION

All Labor Walks listed below took place on Saturday, September 11th, except for in Superior, where volunteers walked on Wednesday, September 8th.

In Eau Claire members of AFSCME Local 1914, AFT Local 2398, CWA Local 4390, DALU Local 24111, IBEW Local 14, and LIUNA Local 268 visited union households with information in support of Sen. Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.

Green Bay activists from OPEIU Local 9, USW District 2, USW Local 815, USW Local 1096, and USW Local 2-469 talked to fellow union members about Rep. Steve Kagen and other AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.    

In La Crosse participants from AFGE Local 1346, ATU Local 519, and SEIU Health Care Wisconsin encouraged working families to support Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold.

Some Milwaukee volunteers participated in a member to member phonebank instead of or in addition to the Labor Walk.  In either case, members of AFSCME Local 33, AFSCME Local 576, AFSCME Local 882, AFSCME Local 1654, AFT Local 212, AFT Local 4822, AFT-WFNHP Local 5001, CWA Local 4603, OPEIU Local 9, OPEIU Local 35/2009, SEIU Health Care Wisconsin, UAW Local 407, UAW Local 469, UFCW Local 1473, USW District 2, USW Local 2-209, and USW Local 2-232 encouraged union households to turnout and vote for endorsed candidates in today’s primary.

Neehah Labor Walk volunteers hailing from AFT-Wisconsin, IBEW Local 2150, USW District 2, USW Local 2-144, USW Local 2-148, and USW Local 2-1279 visited union households in support of Rep. Kagen, Sen. Feingold, and Tom Barrett for Governor.

Racine member to member walkers from AFSCME Local 67, AFT Retirees, CWA Local 4611, IRON Local 8, SEIU Health Care, and UFCW Local 1473 were personally thanked by AFL-CIO endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner before heading to the doors.

In Sheboygan, AFSCME Local 1750 walked in support of AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.

AFT Local 202 volunteers in Superior delivered information about Congressional candidate Julie Lassa and other endorsed candidates to fellow union members.

Wisconsin Rapids activists from USW Local 2-224 and USW Local 2-248 also encouraged fellow union members to support Julie Lassa, Russ Feingold, and Tom Barrett.

(Top Photo: Racine AFL-CIO Council President Scott Sharp and endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner with members of AFSCME, AFT, and CWA before Saturday’s Labor Walk.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Top Right Photo:  Dan Vandenbush of USW District 2 visits the Green Bay home of IAMAW Local 1904 retiree Glendon Ward to discuss working family candidates. Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Top Left Photo: Mike Bink of UAW Local 469 on the member to member walk in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. Bottom Left Photo:  Karen Black of SEIU Health Care Wisconsin participating in the La Crosse Labor Walk.  Photo Credit: Andy Thompson. Bottom Right Photo: Kathy Antoniewicz of CWA Local 4603 calling union members in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  For more pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624464005331/.)

AFSCME’s Next Wave takes Action

  
 

Last Friday, AFSCME kicked off their statewide Next Wave conference by knocking on thousands of doors in Milwaukee.  After a morning of community service, an estimated 150 AFSCME members from around the state took to the streets to talk to union members about the importance of the fall elections.  Volunteers also manned phones and placed calls to union households in support of Sen. Russ Feingold and State Sen. Jim Sullivan.
 
"Our members understand that a strong economy is based on quality public services.  Recovery doesn't happen without safe streets, a healthy environment and good schools.  So we are going to be out supporting candidates who are willing to invest in quality services," said Rick Badger, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 40. 

Jim Sullivan was at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council to kick-off the event.  He thanked members for taking the time to volunteer with the Labor 2010 campaign and highlighted that it is the most effective way for members to get involved in politics. 

Kesha Cole and Andrea Cunningham, employees of the Milwaukee County
 Department of Health and Human Services and members of AFSCME Council 48, both went on their first Labor Walk on Friday. 

“I can tell that Labor Walks are effective way to reach voters.  A few people were undecided at the beginning of our conversation but when I explained how jobs and public services are at stake this November, they understood why we need Russ Feingold and Jim Sullivan in office,” said Cole.

“We spoke with a lot of welcoming union members on the doors who listened to what we had to say,” reiterated Cunningham. 

"Talking with people is more fun than I expected. I would definitely do this again!” exclaimed Cole.

The day's events ended with a rally of over 300 workers at Clas Park outside of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  In a show of solidarity members from SEIU, UA  and other unions  stood with AFSCME to highlight Scott Walker’s record of depleting the county of essential services.  Walker’s deferred maintenance program lead many rally attendees to don hard hats for protection outside the Courthouse

“What services do you want to give up?”  asked Annie Wacker, AFSCME  Local I954 and Vice-President of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council.  “Do you want to give up snow plowing, street maintenance and health inspectors?  Do you want to give up librarians, the people who make our water safe, the support staff that lets our schools run effectively, or the prison guards who keep our streets safe?”

The rally countered attacks on public employees that have become a staple of conservative campaigns.  Workers let Scott Walker know that they will not stand for his continued slashing of public services to advance his political career. 

"Our members have had enough of being scapegoats for economic troubles they did not create.  On Friday we pointed out that the wizards of Wall Street crashed the economy, not front-line workers.  We will stand together and say enough is enough," said Rich Abelson, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 48.

  

Union members must mobilize to ensure candidates like Scott Walker who are  willing to cut jobs and services to advance their political agenda do not take office in November.  We must preserve our community by fighting for public services.   Take it from Andrea and Kesha; Labor Walks are a fun and effective way to get involved this election season. Contact your local service area organizer to get involved with a walk or phone bank today! 

 (Top Photo:  AFSCME 'Set the Record Straight Rally' Outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  Photo Credit:  Karen Hickey. Right Photo:  Andrea Cunningham and Kesha Cola, AFSCME Council 48, on a Labor Walk in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit:  Karen Hickey.  Left Photo:  Andrea Cunningham, AFSCME Council 48, knocks on a union door in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit:  Karen Hickey.  Bottom Left Photo:  Peter,  Milwaukee County Retirees Subchapter 36 AFSCME Council 48 holds a caution sign outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  Photo Credit:  Karen Hickey.  Bottom Right Photo:  Bobbie Jones AFSCME Local 587 lets Wisconsin know that "we won't turn back."  Photo Credit:  Karen Hickey)

Strike Update: Show Your Solidarity

Merrill Manufacturing continues to stonewall negotiations and prolong the strike that began at their central Wisconsin facility on March 24, 2010.

After almost six months without a paycheck, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 2362 need your support now more than ever.   Even if you aren’t in a position to make a financial donation, sending a letter will show the company that the entire labor movement stands behind these men and women.

Please take action at the IAMAW website:
http://www.goiam.org/merrill.php#form

"Merrill Manufacturing has refused to bargain fairly and insists on demands that go well beyond what the company needs to get through the recession," said lAMAW District W3 Business Rep. Brian Jarvensivu. "Pat Taylor, Merrill's president, has said publicly that he wants to negotiate a settlement. We've invited him repeatedly to attend negotiating sessions, but he has never bothered to come to the table to talk to us.  It's part of what we believe is a pattern of bad faith bargaining by Merrill."

During negotiations leading up to the strike, Merrill's owners demanded drastic pay cuts, changes to medical insurance and other concessions to get them through the economic downturn. Union members agreed to reductions in pay and other changes to help the company, but asked for the right to reopen negotiations after one year if the company recovered sooner than expected. Merrill refused.

lAMAW has filed unfair labor practice charges, claiming that while the lAMAW and Merrill were in the final stages of negotiations in March 2010, Merrill demanded additional changes, didn't respond to a subsequent proposal, and then imposed the company's final offer on employees, which precipitated the strike.

On July 28th, lAMAW indicated through a federal mediator that it was willing to modify some of its positions to reach a settlement.  But as it has throughout the strike, Merrill refused to modify any of its outrageous proposals.

After that meeting between the lAMAW and Merrill, members of Local 2362 voted overwhelmingly on July 30 to continue the strike and their fight for a fair settlement.

"Our members have shown great courage and determination against an employer who is determined to break their spirit," said Jarvensivu. "At every turn, the company has refused to consider reasonable alternatives to their unfair demands. We are ready to negotiate a fair settlement, but is Merrill Manufacturing?"

The single, most important thing that you can do to stand with the Merrill Manufacturing strikers is to send a letter on their behalf.  Again, that can be done simply through the IAMAW website: http://www.goiam.org/merrill.php#form

Donations to support the strikers and their families are also greatly appreciated, and can be sent to:

IAMAW District W3
718 Grand Ave.
Schofield, WI 54478

“This small group of workers isn’t just fighting for their own survival.  The way that the company is leveraging the general economic downturn to force huge, permanent concessions has implications for every working person,” said Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby.  “These workers weren’t making a living wage to begin with, and they have already accepted huge pay cuts and increases in health care costs.  I urge every union member in the state to write a letter and send the message that this injustice stops here.”

Click here to read a previous Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog story about this struggle.

(All pictures taken at the Merrill Labor Day Parade.  Photo Credit: Brian Jarvensivu.)