Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

David Prosser: Flees from his radical record, won’t take responsibility

Scott Walker ally and Wisconsin Supreme Justice David Prosser continues to dodge responsibility for his out of control emotions and past court rulings that harm Wisconsin working families.  Prosser refuses to acknowledge his extreme agenda and blames others for his explosive temper, despite calling a female justice “a total bitch”

Prosser explicitly compares middle class Wisconsinites upset about Walker’s radical agenda to “a drive-by shooting” and that he shouldn’t be held responsible for supporting Walker. It is exactly the same as Prosser not taking responsibility for insulting Chief Justice Shirley Abrahmson as a “total bitch” and vowing to “destroy her”.

Prosser is a longtime supporter of Scott Walker, having his campaign release a statement that Prosser will act as a “complement” to Walker and that he “closely mirrors” Walker’s extreme views. Prosser, a former GOP Speaker of the state Assembly, voted with Walker 95 % of the time when they were in the Legislature.

“Prosser’s rulings as a Justice clearly show his commitment to Scott Walker’s brand of scorched-earth politics against working families,”  said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  

In the Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40 case of 2007 Prosser ruled against a local union in a case over the mandatory right to bargain over contracting out work. In the Harvot v. Solo Cup Co. case of 2009 Prosser wrote the majority opinion saying that employers could freely violate the Wisconsin Family or Medical Leave act even if workers were harmed in the process.

“The voters of Wisconsin don’t want someone with a hair-trigger temper,” continues Bloomingdale. “The voters of Wisconsin don’t want a supporter of Scott Walker’s obsessive quest for more power. On April 5^th the people remind David Prosser that in Wisconsin, the voters still decide who’s in charge.” 

Be sure to vote Kloppenburg on April 5th!

“Union Yes” in River Falls

Despite on-going political attacks from Gov. Walker, University of Wisconsin at River Falls faculty won union rights with AFT-Wisconsin today. 

In an overwhelming majority of votes, 148 to 16, workers said "yes" to union representation.  This makes five UW campuses, three since Gov. Walker’s anti-union legislation was introduce, to recently win collective bargaining rights. 

“What we’ve seen at UW-River Falls today is an extension of what we’ve seen across our state since Walker announced his disastrous bill,” stated Wes Chapin, a professor of political science and chair of his department.

“Our state is at a crossroads. Wisconsin has a long and proud history of fairness, integrity, and progressivism. The labor movement has been, and will continue to be, central to that history. Today, UW-River Falls faculty made a stand in preserving that history, and moving Wisconsin forward.”

According to Prof. Chapin, Gov. Walker’s budget repair bill galvanized the faculty’s resolve to form a union. “When it became clear that the governor’s extremist legislation had nothing to do with balancing the budget and everything to do with denying workers’ rights, UW-River Falls faculty realized the urgency in this vote. Together, we stood up, took notice, and turned out to vote.”

Prof. Chapin indicated that the UW-River Falls faculty union had no intention of backing down in the face of anti-collective bargaining legislation. According to Chapin, “Our strength cannot be legislated away. Our strength is, and always has been, our collective voice – a voice that is stronger than ever.”

UW faculty and academic staff were extended the right to collectively bargain in June of 2009. Since that time, faculty at four campuses – UW-Eau Claire, UW-Superior, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Stout – have voted in favor of collective bargaining representation.

Bank of Montreal President Admits Payouts to M&I Executives are “Large and Unreasonable”

Wisconsinites traveled to Montreal, Canada, yesterday to question the nearly $71 million in pay-outs to M&I executives. The sale of M&I to Bank of Montreal will result in the loss of hundreds of Wisconsin jobs and comes with M&I executives failing to pay back $1.7 billion in taxpayer TARP money.

“There is no question the payments were large,” Downe confessed. “And could we have negotiated something that was more reasonable, we would have tried to do so.”

“That these $71 million in executive bailouts are coming at the expense of Wisconsin jobs and with M&I giving up their responsibility to pay back $1.7 billion in TARP money is outrageous,” Peter Rickman, member of AFT-Wisconsin, Teaching Assistants Association. “As a state and a nation we have got to stop rewarding failure. Regardless of what Governor Walker may believe, paying out $71 million to a bunch of failed bank executives is not how you bring success to our economy.”

 

For video of Wisconsin Education Association Council’s Betsy Kippers questioning Downe here.

See Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, CEO sets 'bold objective' for bank, here.

See Milwaukee Business Journal article, Group challenges M&I golden parachutes, here.

See DailyKos, Wisconsin Workers Crash Bank of Montreal Shareholders Meeting Re: M&I, here.

See Dane 101 coverage, M&I fight moves from Wisconsin to Bank of Montreal shareholder meeting, here. 

Yesterday concerned citiznes rallied outside of M&I Bank locations in Milwaukee and Madison to encourage M&I to be a better corporate citizen.  Today, Wisconsinites are rallying outside M&I Banks in La Crosse, Racine, Wisconsin Dells and Whitefish Bay to ask corporations to partake in the same shared sacrifice working families have to fix our economy.

Statewide Events

Below is a list of actions for the week of 3/21/2011

Tuesday, March 22:

Eau Claire, Rally to honor “Fab 14”, 5:14 – 6:00 p.m., corner of Farwell Street and Gray Street

Madison, M&I Bank Protest, 4:00 p.m., 1 W. Main Street

Merrill, Rally for Worker Rights, 4:30 pm at Merrill City Hall, 1004 East First Street

Milwaukee, M&I Bank Protest, 4:30pm, 770 N. Water Street

New Richmond, Budget Town Hall, 6:00-8:00 p.m at the Indian head Tech College, New Richmond Campus

Oshkosh, School Board Meeting to Vote on Teacher’s Contracts, 5:00 p.m., 215 S. Eagle Street

Omro, Rally for Worker’s Rights, 6:00 p.m., Riverside Park (Corner of Main and Adams)

Rhinelander, Rally, 4:00 -5:30 p.m, corners of Courtney & Pelham Streets

Wausau, Rally, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wausau City Hall Rally, 407 Grant St.

Wednesday, March 23rd  
 
Eagle River, Rally, 4:00 – 5:30 pm - Second Set of Stoplights on Hwy. 70E by the Dairy Queen - Parking:  Northeast of Holiday Station & Side Streets

Eau Claire, Rally to honor “Fab 14”, 5:14 – 6:00 p.m., corner of Farwell Street and Gray Street

La Crosse, M&I Bank Protest, 4:00 p.m., 1300 Rose Street

Racine, M&I Bank Protest, 3:30 p.m., 1 Main Street 

Whitefish Bay, M&I Bank Protest, 4:00 -6:00 pm,  117 E. Silver Spring Drive

Wisconsin Dells, M&I Bank Protest, 4:00 p.m,501 Broadway

Thursday, March 24th 

Appleton, Town Hall Meeting, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., Appleton Public Library, 225 N. Oneida Street

La Crosse, Rally, 5:00 p.m. 1223 Caledonia St.,

Milwaukee, Rally, 4:30 p.m. County Executive candidate Jeff Stone event with special guest:  Governor Scott Walker, University Club, 924 E Wells St.

Montello, Rally, 4:30 pm Meet in front of City Hall, 20 Underwood Ave.

Rhinelander, Rally, 4:00- 5:30 pm, corners of Courtney & Pelham Streets

Friday, March 25th  
 
Beloit, Rally, 7:30 AM, Country Club of Beloit, 2327 Riverside Drive

Milwaukee, Rally for Worker Rights, 4:30pm-6:00pm, Superior St and Russell Ave, guest Speaker Rep. Chris Larson

Minocoua, Rally, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. North of the Bridge.

Racine, Rally, 5:00 pm, 7111 Washington Avenue (Hwy 20) Racine,   Lincoln Day Dinner protest, Scott Walker to be present. 

Saturday March 26th

Neenah, Rally 1:00 pm, Fox Valley Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Rd

Milwaukee, 8:00am; Protest of WI GOP 4th District Caucus, Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway - meet at corner of Broadway and Mason

Vets, IAMAW and OPEIU Rally for Wisconsin

 
We are making history in Wisconsin and we aren’t stopping now!  Union workers, non-union workers, students and activists have been joined by mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, war veterans and concerned citizens to raise their voice against Gov. Walker’s extreme plans for our state. 

Plans that would limit the rights of workers, deprive our communities of needed services, harm our children’s education and hurt our state’s most vulnerable citizens.

Around the state there was been an incredible about of energy and activity as community members come together to take their government back.

Last Saturday in Madison thousands gathered at the Capitol to rally for worker rights and a just economy that works for all.  The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) and Iraq War Veterans sponsored a rally that brought all walks of life together. 

"I came here to march with my Machinist Brothers and Sisters to let the Governor know that he cannot continue his attacks on working families. We stand in solidarity with our public sector union Brothers and Sisters,” said Joe Nicosia, IAMAW Local Lodge 2110. 

Around the state local events had tremendous turn out.  We are not letting up!

Over the weekend there were rallies in Eau Claire, Evansville, Hayward, Horicon, Janesville, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland Center, Steven’s Point, Wauwatosa, Whitewater and Winneconne. 

On Monday, informational Budget Town Halls were held in Green Bay, Milwaukee and Oregon. 

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore sponsored a town hall on the Federal budget with over 100 attendees.  A town hall with Rep. John Richards had more than 400 concerned community members in attendance and a Milwaukee Public School Board Candidate Forum had around 200 participants.

There is no stopping this energy!  Wisconsin is united to protect our democracy, our middle class and the rights of working people.

(Top Photo:  MEChA, a Latino student group, rallies Saturday along with IAMAW, OPEIU and Veterans.  Photo Credit: Sue Vilbrandt.  MIddle Left Photo:  IAMAW Stands with Wisconsin.  Photo Credit:  Leah Ganj-Bakhsh.  Bottom Right Photo:  Working families rally in Evansville.  Photo Credit:  Dan Kortte)

M&I Actions Pick up Steam Across Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s families work hard and play by the rules.  So far in this recession, they bailed out big corporations, suffered rounds and rounds of layoffs, lost benefits and tightened their belts all around. 

Taxpayers bailed out M&I Bank with $1.7 billion dollars of their hard-earned money. Instead of repaying that debt to taxpayers M&I executives spent nearly $200,000 on political contributions to Governor Scott Walker and politicians who support Walker’s agenda. 

Now Wisconsinites are standing up across the state, from Racine to Superior, to ask M&I Bank for shared sacrifice. 

Below is a sampling of some of their actions making headlines through out Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Miracle on the Hudson co-pilot withdraws money from M&I.

Superior Telegram, Protests target M & I.

Racine Journal Times, People protest outside M&I.

Wisconsin State Journal, M&I Bank branch on Capitol Square closes after protests.

WBAY Green Bay, M&I Bank's Support for Governor Walker Met with Protest.

Chanel 3000, Protests Continue Against M&I Bank Over Walker Contributions.
 
TMJ4, "Miracle On The Hudson" Pilot Pulls Cash From Bank Led By Walker Supporters.

 
Huffington Post, Wisconsin Governor's Allies Ran a Toxic Bailout Bank... and Got Rich.

Daily Kos, Wisconsin: Hurting Walker by Boycotting One of His Biggest Donors, M&I Bank.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Teachers, firefighters, cops target M&I with boycott.

Local AFSCME Members Help Japanese Earthquake Victims

Wisconsin workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are donating to the earthquake relief fund established by the Japanese trade federation RENGO.
 
While Wisconsin's AFSCME families are fighting to maintain their long-held collective bargaining rights from a government that wants to strip them away, they stand in solidarity with the millions affected by the tragic events in Japan.

"Even as our members are facing great stress from being singled out as scapegoats for our state's budgetary problems, their true nature shows though.  Our members have big hearts.  They are committed to serving others, so it is only natural that even now their thoughts and compassion are flowing to the people of Japan," said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24.

"Because so many of our members serve on the front lines during disasters and emergencies, seeing the plight of our Japanese sisters and brothers has touched us all deeply," said Rick Badger, executive director of AFSCME Council 40.
 
"Emergency workers in Japan are bravely and tirelessly putting their own lives on the line to protect and  serve others as this catastrophe continues. We understand the vital role these workers play and we want to do whatever we can to show our support in this desperate time," Council 48 Executive Director Rich Abelson said.
 
Wisconsin's AFSCME members are sending a check for $50,000 to the earthquake relief fund established by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation RENGO on behalf of all 1.6 million AFSCME sisters and brothers nationwide.
 
AFSCME Council 40 represents more than 33,000 public service and health care workers in 71 Wisconsin Counties.  Council 24 represents more than 22,000 state employees.  Council 48 represents nearly 10,000 public service employees in Milwaukee County.

Scott Walker’s Union Busting Bill passed Illegally in the Dead of Night

Today, Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of the bill that strips hundreds of thousands of hard working Wisconsinites of their voice on the job. 

“Judge Sumi confirmed today what we knew all along – that the bill stripping hundreds of thousands of hard working Wisconsinites of their voice on the job was rammed through illegally in the dark of the night,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

“Today justice prevailed,” explained Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “In Wisconsin and in America, we have a democratic process for passing legislation.  Judge Sumi has ruled that Scott Walker’s under-handed attempts to harm Wisconsin’s middle class will not stand.” 

Judge Sumi ruled that the bill was pushed through in an illegal manner.  Conference Committee meetings must be called with an advanced notice of 24 hours unless there is an emergency.  The Conference Committee in which the bill was passed was called with less than two hours notice.  No emergency could be proven.

"State employees believe that nobody is above the law.  We are gratified to see some of our so-called 'leaders' finally held accountable for their illegal actions.  They may think they can get away with ignoring the vast majority of Wisconsin citizens by attacking worker freedoms, but they simply cannot continue ignoring the law if we want to continue calling our state a democracy," said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24.

Judge Sumi was appointed by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson.

Where is the outrage?

For the second consecutive year Brunswick Corporation, the parent company of Mercury Marine, has provided a bonus to their salaried employees.

Giving targeted bonus payments to salaried employees is a kick in the teeth for any blue collar worker at Mercury.

“It’s clear to the Machinists Union that a poorly managed company handing out bonus money is much like Wall Street CEO’s taking TARP money and then giving themselves bonuses,” said Russ Krings, Directing Business Representative for IAM District 10 in Milwaukee.  “Only in the case of Mercury Marine, the bailout money came right from the hourly employees who sacrificed wages and retirement benefits to keep the company afloat.”

In passing out the cash to company employees, Brunswick Chairman and CEO Dusty McCoy said, “I’m happy to announce that your division has been awarded a 6% annual Variable Retirement Contribution for your hard work in 2010.” 

The letter says “You give us your best, and in return, Brunswick supports your work professionally, as well as your health and finances. That’s why Brunswick wants to partner with you to assist in your retirement planning and help improve the quality of your retirement years.”

Mercury Marine hourly employees made the sacrifices necessary to keep Mercury in Fond du Lac and in Wisconsin. The partnership all enjoyed at one time, if not gone, is fading quickly. The giving of selective bonuses is shameful and done with malice.

Wisconsin Republicans Get Special Welcome in Washington

This is a crosspost from the National AFL-CIO Blog.  Mike Hall sends us this report.

 

Fresh from stealing workers’ rights to bargain for good, middle-class jobs, Wisconsin’s Republican state legislators were met by hundreds of protesters yesterday in Washington, D.C.

Wisconsin Republican Senators were in town for a big corporate $1,000 a head fundraiser to help fill their recall election campaign coffers now that they have done the bidding of the CEOs who backed the assault.

Most face recall elections organized by angry Wisconsin voters after the senators voted to strip collective bargaining rights from teachers, nurses, snowplow drivers and others.

They expected to quietly schmooze with their corporate friends at the lobbying firm the BGR Group, the  lobbying firm founded by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R).

But hundreds of members of the Metropolitan Washington (D.C.) Council AFL-CIO and progressive allies overflowed the sidewalks to the point where police were forced to shut down the block.  Demonstrators also took over the atrium of the building where BGR is housed.

Jonathan Backer, who traveled from Kenosha for the protest told ABC News.

It’s such a good representation of what’s wrong with our democracy right now. There’s so much corporate power in our democracy where literally seconds after one of the worst anti-labor decisions that’s ever happened in the Midwest, you’ve got a big fundraiser going on here, right here in D.C. 

Click here, here and here for photos and here and here for videos.