Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Statement on Federal Judge Overturning GOP Anti-Voter Laws

Good news for Wisconsin voters and our democracy arrived on Friday, July 29, when a federal judge struck down parts of Scott Walker's voter ID law and limits to in-person absentee voting.

For more information on the ruling and what it means for Wisconsin voters, check out the CapTimes report: Federal judge overturns restrictions on early, weekend voting in Wisconsin 

The Wisconsin AFL-CIO reacted to the news with the following statement -- 

“Today, a judge reaffirmed what’s been clear from the beginning:  discriminatory voter ID laws and restricted early voting hours are meant to keep working people from voting and rig the electorate to favor Republicans,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO.  “Despite what Scott Walker thinks, our democracy is strongest when people have free and equal access to the polls.”

“The right to vote is a sacred right guaranteed by our constitution,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer.  “Scott Walker and Republicans thought they could trash the constitutional rights of the people of Wisconsin just because they have the majority.  Thankfully, our country was founded on checks and balances and today Scott Walker got checked.” 

Labor 2016 Kicks Off as RNC Concludes

As the Republican National Convention concluded in Cleveland, union members in Wisconsin were knocking on doors and making phone calls to talk with and educate workers to make sure anti-worker candidates like Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson are not elected in November.  Some volunteers wrote postcards to be mailed right before Election Day as a handwritten reminder to get to the polls.  

 

On Thursday, union members talked with neighbors in Eau Claire, Madison, Menasha, Milwaukee and Racine -- speaking with hundreds of voters about the importance of voting for candidates who support the rights of workers like Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold.

 

“I spoke with my neighbors and my co-workers tonight about Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold because they will fight to help workers by creating an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. Donald Trump and Ron Johnson will fight to line the pockets of the super wealthy at the expense of working people like me, so my choice is clear,” said Michael Daily, a volunteer who made phone calls and member of the United Steelworkers union.

 

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt said, “Working men and women will be a powerful force in this election. We’re ready to work hard to elect leaders like Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold who will work to raise wages, support collective bargaining rights and champion working family issues.”

 

“Donald Trump and Ron Johnson are out of touch with working people. Working families will not be fooled by their hateful rhetoric and empty campaign promises,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer.

Support Milwaukee Janitors

Eight janitors who clean 735 N. Water Street lost their jobs last fall. The owner of the building, Compass Properties, hired a non-union cleaning company that pays less and does not offer affordable benefits for workers.

This does not help move Milwaukee forward! Good paying jobs are in short supply for families in Milwaukee, why eliminate them?  

Support Janitors!  JOIN OUR FIGHT!

Wednesday, July 27

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. meet at SEIU Local 1 at 250 E. Wisconsin Ave (in the basement)

12:00 p.m. march to 735 N. Water St.