Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

'Do Away with Medicare'?

Did you see it? At a recent Tea Party event, Senate candidate Tommy Thompson said he’d “do away with Medicaid and Medicare.”

Just like Mitt Romney’s 47% comments, Thompson’s remarks reveal what he really thinks: He has no problem ending Medicare while continuing to give special tax breaks to the super rich.

We need to get the message out about Thompson’s ideas to “do away” with Medicare and keep the Bush tax cuts going for the richest 2% to as many people as we can.

Get involved at an event near you this weekend to help us reach as many Wisconsinites as we can.

Our message is resonating with voters. Recent polls show that Tammy Baldwin, who is running against Thompson, is in a dead heat with him even after millions in outside spending from right-wing groups. And today, Baldwin will square off against Thompson in their first debate.

So it’s no surprise Thompson’s supporters are going to do everything they can to change those numbers, downplay his comments about Medicare and mislead voters about this important Senate race.

This week, Karl Rove’s shady SuperPAC announced it was spending $1.2 million on ads to prop up Thompson. Gov. Scott Walker is even getting into the act, raising money for Thompson.

But money only gets you so far. Real conversations at the doors and on the phones are what will make the difference in this election.

Join us this weekend:

http://go.aflcio.org/WIVotes

Labor 2012: Door-to-Door Canvass & Phone Bank Information for September 24-30

Zone 1: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington & Ozaukee County

Office: Milwaukee Area Labor Council: 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214

Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: 6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213

Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org 

Predictive Dialer Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 2: Racine, Kenosha, Walworth & Rock County

Office: Racine Labor Temple: 1840 Sycamore Avenue, Racine, WI 53406

Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Office: UAW Local 72: 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI 53144

Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

Zone 3: Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Columbia, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, & Lafeyette County

Office: Madison Labor Temple: 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715

Contact: Greg Neil - 608-556-9521; gneil@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Predictive Dialer Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: 258 Barstow Street, Horicon, WI 53032

Contact: Melissa Austin - 608-347-5320; melissa@scfl.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 4: Eau Claire, Chippewa, Clark, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempeleau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon & Crawford County

Office: Eau Claire Labor Temple: 2233 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Contact: Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353; athompson@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 5: Marathon, Wood, Portage, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, Taylor, Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida, Forest, Vilas & Florence County

Office: Wausau Labor Temple: 318 S. 3^rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401

Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 6: Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Winnebago, Outagamie, Oconto, Marinette & Calumet County

Office: Green Bay Labor Temple: 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay, WI 54302

Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: USW District 2: 1244A Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952

Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Fond du Lac Labor: 50 E. Bank Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 25: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 26: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 27: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 29: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 30: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Winnebago Labor Temple: 2211 Oregon St. #A3, Oshkosh, WI

Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Get the Facts on the Act 10 Ruling

On Friday September 14, 2012, Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas granted summary judgment in favor of Madison Teachers Inc. and others finding many basic provisions of Act 10 violate the US and Wisconsin Constitutions and are therefore null and void.

Judge Colas found that the restriction limiting the increases on general municipal employees’ base wages only to the CPI if bargained by a union burdened employees’ rights to free speech and freedom of association since the limitation applied only to municipal employees represented by a union.

The Judge held the prohibition against payroll dues deduction and the annual recertification election requirement by 51% of those eligible to vote burdens freedom of speech and association rights of those employees who support unions. The Court also found that the above described provisions violated employees’ equal protection rights when strict scrutiny is applied. Strict scrutiny is applied to provisions which burden fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and association.

Judge Colas referred in a footnote to the decision of US District Court Judge Conley who also invalidated the prohibition of payroll dues deduction and the annual recertification elections as unconstitutional. Judge Colas also found the Act 10 requirement that employees covered by the City of Milwaukee pay 5.5% toward their pension violated the City of Milwaukee’s right to home rule under the Wisconsin Constitution and the City’s contract with its employees since the City Charter provides the City pay the 5.5% and that the terms of the pension were vested.

The analysis of Judge Colas has some parallels to Judge Conley’s decision. Both find violations of free speech and equal protection clauses of the US Constitution and invalid the annual recertification elections and prohibition of payroll dues deduction for unions. Judge Colas’ decision, however, goes farther. It invalidates the all the restrictions on municipal employees right to bargain not just the recertification election and the prohibition on payroll dues deduction.

It finds that more provisions of Act 10 violate fundamental rights and therefore applies strict scrutiny to all those provisions when evaluating equal protection. The equal protection analysis is not based on the distinction between general and public safety employees, but rather the difference between represented and unrepresented employees.

It is likely Governor Walker will appeal the decision, just as he appealed Judge Sumi’s earlier decision enjoining the statute and Judge Conley’s decision. If that occurs there may also be a motion to stay the Court’s decision pending appeal. One concern is whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court will review the decision on the basis of the evidence and legal precedent, or for political reasons will ignore the legal precedent on which Judge Colas relied.

Volunteer Opportunities for September 17-23

JOIN IN!  Help us educate voters and get out the vote for President Obama, Tammy Baldwin and a host of state and local candidates who will fight for Wisconsin's middle class.  We are phone banking as well as going door-to-door everyday at the following times and locations across Wisconsin. 

 

Zone 1: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington & Ozaukee County

Office: Milwaukee Area Labor Council: 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214

Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: 6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213

Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org 

Predictive Dialer Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Zone 2: Racine, Kenosha, Walworth & Rock County

Office: Racine Labor Temple: 1840 Sycamore Avenue, Racine, WI 53406

Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Office: UAW Local 72: 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI 53144 

Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

Zone 3: Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Columbia, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, & Lafeyette County

Office: Madison Labor Temple: 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715

Contact: Greg Neil - 608-556-9521; gneil@wisaflcio.org 

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Phone Bank Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Office: 258 Barstow Street, Horicon, WI 53032

Contact: Melissa Austin - 608-347-5320; melissa@scfl.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 4: Eau Claire, Chippewa, Clark, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempeleau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon & Crawford County

Office: Eau Claire Labor Temple: 2233 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Contact: Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353; athompson@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 
  

Office: IAMAW District 66 Office: 1307 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

Contact: Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353; athompson@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Zone 5: Marathon, Wood, Portage, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, Taylor, Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida, Forest, Vilas & Florence County

Office: Wausau Labor Temple: 318 S. 3^rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401

Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Zone 6: Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Winnebago, Outagamie, Oconto, Marinette & Calumet County

Office: Green Bay Labor Temple: 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay, WI 54302

Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: USW District 2: 1244A Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952

Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Fond du Lac Labor: 50 E. Bank Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 19: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 20: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Office: Winnebago Labor Temple: 2211 Oregon St. #A3, Oshkosh, WI

Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:

• Saturday, September 22: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 23: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

JOIN US: Solidarity Action with Metcalfe Market Workers Friday

Where:   Metcalfe Sentry stores in Madison and Milwaukee

• 6700 W. State Street, Wauwatosa, WI  53213
• Hildale, 726 N Midvale Blvd., Madison, WI
  
• West, 7455 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 

Time:     4:30 pm assemble, 5:00 pm Store Walk Through

Date:      Friday, September 21

UFCW Local 1473 has been bargaining with Metcalfe Markets since March 2012.  Despite many open economic and non-economic issues, Metcalfe illegally implemented what they called their final offer, which included a $.04 cent increase, and more than a 500% increase in the employees’ healthcare premiums.

Additionally, employees voted overwhelmingly in an NLRB election for UFCW representation.  Despite the lopsided result, Tim Metcalfe challenged the election outcome, which the NLRB quickly dismissed.  Metcalfe then appealed this decision to Washington DC, where certification of the election results was confirmed again today.

UFCW is organizing this action, asking Union members to attend wearing their Union shirts as a show of support to our Union brothers and sisters.  At 5:00 pm, we will walk to the Service Meat area, tour the store and upon exit notify managers that we support the Meat employee’s efforts to gain a fair and equitable contract.

A UFCW Representative will be there to coordinate the Solidarity Walk Through.  Please drop us a note to indicate you will attend to sspearo@ufcw1473.org or by phone (414) 315-0986.

Mitt Romney Uninterested in Half of America

 

WATCH and listen as Mitt Romney tells a small group of wealthy contributors what he really thinks of Obama supporters calling 47% of Americans freeloaders who pay no taxes, who don't assume responsibility for their lives, and who think government should take care of them.

Mitt Romney’s comments that 47% of Americans “believe they are victims” and that “the government has a responsibility to care for them” shows how out of touch he is with the lives of average Americans. The Americans he is referring to include millions of seniors living on fixed incomes, veterans who have proudly, responsibly served our country, parents working two or more jobs to feed their families and put a roof over their head, and college students working their way through college.

These comments are also infuriating because most working Americans pay a higher percentage of their income in payroll taxes (15.3%) than Romney paid himself in income taxes (13.9%) on his earnings in 2010. He needs to focus less on what people living on the edge of making ends meet are not paying in taxes and more on what people living large should be paying in taxes.

If these comments get you fired up, come join our volunteer efforts to educate and get out the vote for President Obama, Tammy Baldwin and other working family candidates who will fight for the betterment of 100% of America.

President Obama in Milwaukee this Saturday

President Obama will rally at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee this Saturday, September 22, 2012.  Doors open at 2:30 pm.  The event is free and open to public but you MUST obtain a ticket in advance to attend the event. 

Tickets are available at Obama campaign offices in Milwaukee.  Tickets will be available starting Wednesday Sept. 19, after 5:00 pm. 

Injured Workers Gain New Benefits

In the month of April, 2012, the Wisconsin Worker Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) successfully amended the Worker Compensation law of Wisconsin. The WCAC is made up of five Labor and five Management representatives who study and advance worker compensation law reforms by recommending positive changes to the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor.

 

The following are the major changes to the worker compensation system:

1)    A modest increase in the permanent partial disability rate (PPD) for new injuries, increasing from current rates of $302.00 to $312.00/week, for injuries occurring before 1/01/2013, and to $322.00/week for injuries in 2013 (cash benefits are free of all taxes)

2)    An agreement to modestly limit the range of situations in which an injured worker suffering permanent disfigurement may receive compensation for the effect of the disfigurement on their future earning potential. Workers will need to show an actual wage loss due to disfigurement in the work setting.

3)    An agreement to allow an injured worker engaged in a program of vocational retraining following a work injury to work on a limited part-time basis(up to 24 hours) while also in school, without reduction of WC retraining benefits (meaning workers can work limited part-time while retraining and not suffer benefit reductions).

4)    A significant, major, positive change to allow injured workers, who are certified by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), to have the employer and their insurance carrier pay the reasonable costs of tuition, books, and fees required during a program of approved vocational training. This provision also speeds the return to work and reduces significantly the financial burden for workers. Tuition costs can be substantial, since training can last up to 80 weeks. Workers can attend public or private colleges or programs.

5)    An agreement to reign in some medical costs by narrowing the range of what constitutes reasonable medical providers fees for certain medical services to injured workers, while still continuing to allow injured workers their choice of medical provider who may treat them for their work injury.

6)    An agreement to provide an audit of the medical expense databases used in determining what are the correct rates for medical providers, by Labor, management, and health care providers in a special committee.

7)    Finally, WCAC created a special committee to study ways to permanently fund the cost of providing regular and periodic increases in the weekly indemnity (money) benefits paid to those who are the most seriously injured -- those injured workers found to be permanently and totally disabled by their work injury (PTD benefits). This reform is a high priority item for Labor.

In sum, the changes represent an advancement of worker compensation rights without undermining the rights of injured workers. More work needs to be done and is proceeding in the meetings of the Council and the study committees recently created. Workers who have ideas for positive change can contact Council members at the DWD website under Worker Compensation Division.

Judge Strikes Down Gov. Walker's Union-Busting Law

On Friday, a Dane County judge struck down main portions of Act 10, Gov. Walker’s union-busting law, which stripped Wisconsin public employees of their right to collectively bargain. 

Judge Juan Colas ruled that Scott Walker’s law violated both the State and U.S. Constitution by violated employees’ rights to free speech, association and equal protection.

“As we have said from day one, Scott Walker’s attempts to silence the union men and women of Wisconsin’s public sector was an immoral, unjust and illegal power grab,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Now, a court has ruled that the essential provisions of Act 10, Scott Walker’s draconian attack on public worker’s right to collectively bargain, is unconstitutional.” 

“This is a good day for Wisconsin’s working people and the union movement,”   said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “When workers choose to join together for mutual aid and protection, their employer should honor their choice, come to the table and discuss wages and working conditions.”

TAKE ACTION: Trade Petition

Below is a message from the Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition:

Details are leaking of a top-secret, global corporate power grab of breathtaking scope -- attacking everything from a free Internet to health and environmental regulations, and we have just 2 days to stop it. 

Big business has a new plan to fatten their pockets: a giant global pact, with an international tribunal to enforce it, that is kept top secret for years (even from our lawmakers!) and then brought down like a Death Star on our democracies. Big Tobacco, Big Oil, Big Pharma, Walmart and almost 600 other corporate lobbyists are all in on the draft -- including limits on smoking laws, affordable medicines and free speech on the Net.

The latest round of negotiations ends in just 4 days -- but outcries in each of our countries could shake the confidence of negotiators and scuttle the talks forever. Let's get to a million against the global corporate takeover. Sign below and forward widely. Avaaz will project our petition counter on the walls of the conference so negotiators can see the opposition to their plan exploding in real time:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_corporate_death_star/?bLOzmdb&v=17850 

The deal, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is written to protect investors from government regulation, even if that regulation is passed in the public interest. Leaked versions suggest the TPP would undermine protections for air and water safety and reintroduce measures from the US Internet freedom attack as well as steamrolling efforts to produce generic affordable medicines. Worse still, lawmakers who fail to conform to the TPP’s rules face sanctions in an international tribunal -- a place where corporations can sue us for deals previous governments signed in secret! 

Negotiators say this is just a trade agreement, written to facilitate investment and profit for all. But the leaked draft imposes so many limits on citizen protections, it's clear this "trade" agreement is skewed to put corporate profit above people's needs -- that's not surprising since it's been drafted in secret with almost 600 corporate lobbyists.

But there is hope: Australia is bucking against the international tribunal system, and New Zealand is objecting to the takeover of its medicine-pricing protections that keep drugs affordable. Massive public opposition, casting doubt over each country's ability to sell TPP at home, could derail the talks for good. Sign the petition now, and forward widely -- the delegates and lobbyists are watching the wave of opposition grow in real time:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_corporate_death_star/?bLOzmdb&v=17850 

Candidate for the US Senate Elizabeth Warren in a recent speech said: “Corporations are not people. People have hearts, they have kids, they get jobs, they get sick, they cry, they dance. They live, they love, and they die. And that matters, because we don't run this country for corporations, we run it for people." Let’s reach one million to stop the corporate takeover of our governments.