Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Union Made Thanksgiving

As you fill your cart with Thanksgiving Day fixings, double check that you are supporting good jobs and America’s middle class by purchasing union made in America products. We can all do our small part to support our brothers and sisters who make great food items to put on our table next Thursday.

From Ocean Spray products, some of which are made right here in Wisconsin by members of the Machinists Union, to Birdseye Vegetables made in Darien, WI by United Food and Commercial Workers to Pillsbury crescent rolls, made by Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers workers -- there’s a bounty of union made food items to choose from. You can even serve your meal on union made plates with union made cutlery. 

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving from the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for all the positives in our life. We are thankful for a vibrant, diverse and engaged family of union men and women who are willing to join together to advance work place rights and leave the world of work better for the next generation. 

 

Appetizers

Kraft/Nabisco crackers—BCTGM

Nabisco (Mondelez) crackers—BCTGM

Keebler (Kellogg) crackers—BCTGM

 

Turkey

Boar's Head—UFCW

Butterball—UFCW

Foster Farms—UFCW

Thumann's—UFCW

 

Side Dishes

Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce—IAM

Birds Eye vegetables—UFCW

 

Bread

Pillsbury crescent rolls, frozen and ready to bake rolls/breads—BCTGM

Pillsbury pie crusts—BCTGM

Stroehmann bakery products (for stuffing)—BCTGM

 

Dessert

Sara Lee pumpkin, apple pie—BCTGM 

Mother’s Kitchen cheesecakes—BCTGM

Nabisco (Mondelez) cookies—BCTGM

Rich Products pies and cakes—BCTGM

 

Cookware/Cutlery

Cutco knives—USW

All-Clad cookware—USW

Corning—USW

Regal Ware—USW

Fiestaware—GMP

Anchor Hocking—GMP

 

 

Our Ideals Will Not Change

The ideals of the American labor movement – an honest wage for a day’s work, a strong and prosperous middle class, quality jobs for all and leaving behind a better world for the next generation -- stand as strong today as they did yesterday.

Do not let disappointment or despair become silence. As working people and active members of our great democracy, it is up to us to make sure that workers’ ideals and voices are part of each and every conversation.

This election represents a seismic shift in how we think about politics and our economy. Let’s be honest, politicians and CEOs have stacked our economy against working people with policies that hold down wages, increase inequality, diminish opportunity and ship American jobs overseas. Voters in both the primary and general election have delivered a clear message: enough.

The work of the labor movement continues with renewed vigor. The change voters demanded will be found in standing together in unions and upholding strong collective bargaining rights for all workers.

Unfair trade deals and the reality of massive changes in technology left unchecked will continue to hurt working people. Attacking unions and eroding our middle class is no way to move forward if we want an economy that works for all.

President-elect Trump made promises to reject bad trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and bring back jobs. We hope he makes good on those promises and moves beyond soundbites, divisive rhetoric, and generalities. We are willing to work with anybody to rethink the world of work and help working people get ahead in a 21^st century global economy.

Brothers and sisters, when the call goes out, you never fail to demonstrate the kind of solidarity that makes our movement great. In the midst of an incredibly divisive campaign, that at times seemed to threaten the basic principles of our democracy, you stood up as always on behalf of your union brothers and sisters. And for this we thank you.  

We extend deep gratitude and thanks to Secretary Clinton for her decades of leadership and courage. Her work undoubtedly changed our nation for the better. Our candidate may have fallen short in collecting 270 electoral votes, but we cannot relent in our fight to advance workers’ rights, civil rights, and women’s rights as well as investing in our future and achieving an economy that works for all.

Today, we move forward with hope and togetherness, with a sharp focus on creating good American jobs and fixing our broken economy.

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer  

Let's Make History

Polls are now open across Wisconsin until 8:00 p.m. As long as you are in line by 8:00 p.m. you can stay and cast your ballot.

We urge you to support working family champions UP AND DOWN the ballot. Click here for a list of statewide WI AFL-CIO endorsed candidates. Check to make sure your ballot is completely filled.

Don’t let this historic Election pass you by. Take the time to cast your ballot for Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold and be a part of our great democratic process. Check on friends, family and neighbors. Make sure they have a plan and a way to get to the polls.

**Don’t forget your photo ID. You must have a valid photo ID to vote. You can double check if you have the right ID at: http://www.bringitwisconsin.com/ **

Lookup your polling location and view a sample ballot at: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

Having problems at the polls? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) with questions and concerns.

As the labor movement, we support candidates who will work to create jobs, raise wages for hardworking families and rebuild our middle class through strong union rights. After your vote, volunteer to remind voters to get to the polls at one of our Labor 2016 volunteer locations. Every conversation makes a difference for the future of our country.

 

Getting Out the Vote Across Wisconsin

All across Wisconsin, Labor 2016 volunteers are getting out to elect Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold. From Racine to Superior, Madison to Green Bay, working families are talking the talk and walking the walk to motivate voters and ensure everyone knows where and when to cast their ballot in our great democracy on Tuesday, November 8. 

On Saturday morning, IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson joined labor volunteers in Milwaukee to kick off a door-to-door canvass.

“We have to get out friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to the polls and get them to vote for people who care about workers. We know Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold care about working people and the issues that are important to us. We need to do all we can to contact voters in these last few days so that in January on Inauguration Day we can witness history,” said President Stephenson.

Dan Bukiewicz, President of the Milwaukee Building Trades Council, threw out a challenge to each and every volunteer to get 5 fellow union members to go out and vote on Election Day.

By knocking on doors, or making a reminder phone call, Labor 2016 volunteers are turning out the vote and making the difference on Election Day. We know the one-on-one conversations that we have been having for months cut through the political noise and spin. For Wisconsin workers, this Election is about jobs, raising wages and protecting worker rights.

In Madison, at the South Central Federation of Labor, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin rallied with volunteers from Labor 2016 and Planned Parenthood. Over a lunch of brat and homemade veggie pizzas, volunteers took a quick break from the phones and the doors to hear from Senator Baldwin about how Russ Feingold is needed in the Senate to move our country forward and pass progressive laws for our country.  

“We have some epic battle ahead,” explained Senator Baldwin. “We need Russ in the Senate so we can raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage. We need Russ so we can reign in Wall Street’s power on and influence on our elections. We need Russ for a full and functioning Supreme Court.”

Kevin Gundlach, President of the South Central Federation of Labor, spoke to the strength in solidarity of working together with community partners and allied groups like Planned Parenthood. “We’re here because women’s’ rights, workers’ rights are all human rights. We’re going to do it together; we’re going to win this together. We’re going to get out there and get everyone we know to the polls this Tuesday.”

Polls are open in Wisconsin from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8. Be sure to cast your ballot. To volunteer to contact voters, stop into one of our Labor 2016 volunteer locations across the state.  

Check out the volunteer schedule and location info here.

Get Ready…

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8.  Are you ready to cast your ballot for union-approved candidates UP AND DOWN the ballot? REMEMBER TO VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN YOUR BALLOT.

Working families are ready to election leaders like Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, Tom Nelson and state assembly and senate candidates who will raise wages, protect union rights and create jobs for hardworking Wisconsinites.

Polls are showing tightening races up and down the ballot. Voter turnout will be crucial in moving our country forward for working families. Every vote counts. Make a plan to vote and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to have their say and participate in our great democracy by casting their vote on Election Day.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE:
WHEN? Polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
WHERE? Visit www.myvote.wi.gov to find your polling location. 
HOW?  Are you walking, driving, biking, taking the bus to the polls?                                                 DON’T FORGET:  Your I.D! Bring a valid photo ID. You will need it to cast your ballot. 
QUESTIONS?  Call 1-866-VOTE-WIS
PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS? Call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

VIEW:  What’s on your ballot here.

After you’ve voted. Help us contact voters with reminders and facts about candidates and their voting rights. It’s easy! Stop into one of our Labor 2016/ Working America volunteer locations. 

When working families are united, we make a difference in the lives of our fellow workers.

 

Russ Stands with Workers

 

We have the great opportunity on November 8 to send one of the most extreme politicians in D.C, Senator Ron Johnson, back to Oshkosh and elect a truly independent and progressive champion for working families by voting for Russ Feingold.

After six long years of doing the bidding of special interests, Ron Johnson needs to go.

Ron Johnson has an AFL-CIO Working Families Voting Record of just 6%.  He voted in favor of fast tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a job-killing trade deal which would hurt Wisconsin families. Ron Johnson supports Right to Work which lowers wages for all workers in a community and even sponsored a bill to repeal prevailing wage standards in the construction industry. Ron Johnson even wants to roll back overtime protections for hardworking Wisconsinites putting in extra hours to make ends meet.

We know where Ron Johnson stands and it’s not with working class families in Wisconsin.

The choice could not be more clear.

Russ Feingold proudly stands with workers and supports strong collective bargaining rights to rebuild our middle class. Russ voted against NAFTA and is a strong opponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  Russ has a plan to help Wisconsin workers get back on track. He is ready to raise wages, create jobs and make college affordable for students. Russ Feingold is pro-union, pro-worker and pro-family. We can count on Russ to stand up to big corporations and fight the “free trade” agenda.

We can’t sit these one out. Make sure to cast your ballot for Russ on Tuesday.

P.S. This race is close. Help us get out the vote by volunteering to make phone calls or go door-to-door to talk with voters about the importance of voting.

Turn Up the Vote!

There is ONE weekend left before Election Day. With polls tightening, we have to do everything we can to stop Donald Trump and Ron Johnson from getting into office.

The time is now to stop in and volunteer with our Labor 2016/ Working America voter education and mobilization campaign. We’ve spent months getting voters the facts about candidates up and down the ballot. Now, it’s time to make sure everyone gets to the polls to cast their ballot for working family candidates like Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, Tom Nelson and more.

 

Here’s a statewide list of Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidates up and down the ballot.

 

**Remember to bring a valid photo ID to the polls **

 

It’s fun and easy to volunteer. Stop into one of our volunteer locations listed below to talk with friends, family and neighbors about their voting plan for Election Day. Our volunteer locations will be open Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday right up until polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8.

For shift times and contact information, click here.

MILWAUKEE

Wisconsin AFL-CIO

6333 W Bluemound Rd

Milwaukee, WI, 53213

 

Milwaukee Area Labor Council

633 S. Hawley Rd

Milwaukee, WI, 53214

 

MADISON

Madison Labor Temple

1602 S. Park Street #212

Madison, WI, 53715

 

KENOSHA, UAW 72

3615 Washington Road

Kenosha, WI 53144

 

RACINE Labor Temple

1840 Sycamore Avenue

Racine, WI 53406

 

EAU CLAIRE Labor Temple

2233 Birch Street

Eau Claire, WI 54703

 

LA CROSSE

IAMAW District 66

1307 Market Street

La Crosse, WI

 

WAUSAU Labor Temple

318 S. 3rd Avenue

Wausau, WI 54401

 

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, IBEW Hall

220 Johnson St

Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54495

 

STEVENS POINT Office

1052 Main St #205

Stevens Pt

 

FOND DU LAC Labor Temple

50 E. Bank Street

Fond du Lac

 

MENASHA, USW District 2

1244A Midway Road

Menasha, WI 54952

 

GREEN BAY, WEAC Region 3

1136 N. Military Avenue

Green Bay, WI 54303

 

OSHKOSH, UAW Local 291

1118 High Avenue

Oshkosh, WI 54901

 

SUPERIOR, ILA Hall

424 Tower Avenue

Superior WI 54880