Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Wisconsin Deserves Fair, Safe Licensing Not an Undemocratic Review Council

As the Senate Committee on Public Benefits, Licensing, and State-Federal Relations holds an executive session Thursday to vote on the undemocratic License Review Council Bill, SB 288, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO released the following statement:

“Whether it is electricians, plumbers, health care providers, or welders, Wisconsinites have been able to rest easy for decades knowing that these workers have been adequately trained, tested and licensed by the state in order to ensure high-quality and safe service for consumers as well as a safe, stable workplace for workers,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. “Politicians in Madison want to interfere with our fair and safe system of licensing by calling for the creation of a License Review Council stacked by Walker and GOP-appointees. This move is undemocratic and unnecessary.” 

“Our current system of Fair licensing allows Wisconsinites to have confidence in licensed professionals, and allows professionals to trust the skills and knowledge of their co-workers and colleagues, which in turn creates safe and dependable workplaces and a safe end-product for the public,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Occupational and professional licenses are the key link between reliable, trusted services for the consumers and safe workplaces for workers. This bill could damage the public’s trust in important services Wisconsinites rely upon, weaken worker safety, deteriorate many industries within our state, and ultimately is an affront to our democratic principles.”

 

TAKE ACTION:  Click here to contact your representatives in opposition to SB 288/ AB 369.

 

ABOUT THE BILL: SB 288, and its companion bill AB 369, is a destructive bill that will create an undemocratic Occupational License Review Council and require it to examine each and every occupation and profession currently requiring a state-issued license. Under the bill, the Council will unilaterally decide whether a license could be, in their opinion, eliminated or whether the licensing standards could be weakened. If the bill is passed, the Council will be stacked with 4 members appointed by Governor Walker, 2 members appointed by the Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Fitzgerald), and 2 members appointed by the Assembly Speaker (Rep. Vos), with the Governor’s appointed Secretary of DSPS as Chair. Anything short of an absolute balanced committee will predictably guarantee an ideologically driven outcome at the expense of workers in their profession and also the public. The bill does not call for the Council to hold any public hearings.

Undemocratic Licensing Bill Moving Forward

The Senate Committee on Public Benefits, Licensing, and State-Federal Relations scheduled an executive session this Thursday to vote on the undemocratic License Review Council Bill, SB 288. This bill is a direct attack on our skills and trade, and on the quality that the public has come to expect from qualified and licensed professionals.

Whether it is electricians, plumbers, health care providers, or welders, Wisconsinites can rest easy knowing that these workers have been adequately trained, tested and licensed by the state to ensure high-quality and safe service for all consumers as well as a safe, stable workplace for every worker. Now, politicians want to interfere with our fair licensing system.

As the Senate Committee heads for a vote, raise your voice against the looming harmful changes to Wisconsin’s time-honored and well-trusted system of licensing professionals. Click here to send a message to lawmakers in opposition to SB 288.

Undemocratic License Review Council Bill (SB 288)

Senate Committee Vote

Thursday, September 28

9 a.m.

300 Southeast, State Capitol

ABOUT THE BILL:  SB 288, and its companion bill AB 369, is a destructive bill that will create an undemocratic Occupational License Review Council and require it to examine each and every occupation and profession currently requiring a state-issued license. Under the bill, the Council will unilaterally decide whether a license could be, in their opinion, eliminated or whether the licensing standards could be weakened.

This bill will damage the public’s trust in important services they rely upon, weaken worker safety, deteriorate many industries within our state, and ultimately is an affront to our democratic principles. The bill to create the undemocratic Occupational License Review Council does not tinker around the edges; rather, the bill tasks the Council with examining every license, work permit, registration, or certification that the Department of Safety and Public Services (DSPS) issues.

STACKING THE COUNCIL with Walker and GOP-appointees:  If the bill is passed, the Council will be stacked with 4 members appointed by Governor Walker, 2 members appointed by the Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Fitzgerald), and 2 members appointed by the Assembly Speaker (Rep. Vos), with the Governor’s appointed Secretary of DSPS as Chair. The bill does not call for the Council to hold any public hearings.

Click here to protect our current safe system of professional licensing in Wisconsin. Tell your lawmakers to vote NO on the creation of the Undemocratic License Review Council Bill.

Fair licensing allows Wisconsinites to have confidence in licensed professionals, and allows professionals to trust the skills and knowledge of their co-workers and colleagues, which in turn creates safe and dependable workplaces.

 

Workers Memorial Gazebo Restored Thanks to Union, Community Partnerships!

With the Workers Memorial Gazebo falling into disrepair at Zeidler Union Square Park in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin labor movement, together with community business partners, took action and spearheaded a Workers Memorial Gazebo Restoration Project. The Gazebo, which opened in 1995, has served as the launching ground for Labor Day marches and Workers Memorial Day commemoration events for decades.

The Milwaukee Area Labor Council and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO have a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding with Milwaukee County to be the stewards and keepers of the Gazebo. Zeidler Union Square came into being in 1995 when the Milwaukee County Board renamed the park to recognize the contributions of the labor movement in Milwaukee County's history. Through the concerted efforts of labor partners who donated time, talent, and funds, a lasting monument to working people was created. In 1995, the Milwaukee County Labor Council and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO constructed a new Gazebo/Bandstand within the park. This facility, which contains features that symbolize the heart of the labor movement, replaced an aging bandstand.

MALC President Pam Fendt spearheaded the effort and brought together different unions and union contractors, together with a generous grant from WE Energies to restore the Gazebo.

“Restoring the Gazebo was a lot of hard work, but we came together to get the job done,” said Pam Fendt, MALC President. “We appreciate the donations that came in and all the volunteers who helped out. We are proud to be the stewards of the Wisconsin Workers Memorial Gazebo, a living monument and memorial that means so much to so many in our community.”  

The Workers Memorial Gazebo and parkwide fence tell the story and the accomplishments of the labor movement. The Gazebo is decorated with salvaged gears and tools of the workplace. A large clock edifice symbolizes the time spent at work as well as the fight for the 8-hour workday. The Gazebo, an informational bus shelter, and an educational display with a powerful chain-link installation declaring “an injury to one is an injury to all,” “equal pay for equal work,” “workers of the world unite,” and other popular labor slogans complete the park. The memorial is designed to pay respect to workers who have faced dangers and hazards on their job, as well as the struggles to overcome these hazards, thus the emphasis on Wisconsin labor history.

Russell Wagner, a member of Painters Local 781 from Menomonee Falls, was putting the finishing touches on the clock face of the Gazebo.

“The restoration was well overdue,” explained Wagner.  “We must recognize the history of what this memorial stands for, what it stands for the trades and for all who labor. We gather here on Labor Day in celebration and we gather here on Workers Memorial Day in commemoration and to pay our respects to our brothers and sisters who never made it home from work. This is a great way to use our skills as painters and give back.”

Together, the labor movement partnered with community business partners to take the Gazebo from rust and shabbiness to a high-quality shine. 

John, who was helping to paint the Gazebo on the final day of restoration repairs explained that, “this is a shrine to all workers, past, present and future. I am happy to be a part of the restoration and honored and proud to do my part to restore the memorial to its true glory.”

The Workers Memorial Gazebo is a central pillar of the labor movement, past and present, in Wisconsin. Each Labor Day, thousands gather to march with friends, family and loved ones in the Labor Day parade which begins at the Workers Memorial Gazebo. Every Workers Memorial Day, we use the Workers Memorial Gazebo to honor fallen workers who have been killed on the job. The Workers Memorial Gazebo continues to educate and introduce future generations to the struggles and the many successes of the labor movement.

Tom Coyne, President of Painters Local 781 and President of the Waukesha Central Labor Council was at Zeidler Square Union Park every day during the Workers Memorial Restoration project.

“This Gazebo is a major part of the heart of the labor movement and serves the entire community too,” said Coyne. “Being a painter, I never like to see anything that’s not painted. Together, with help from Wisconsin union members who volunteered their time, unions who donated funds, community partners who donated funds and supplies, we were able to restore the Gazebo to its true integrity.”

Volunteers emphasized that many community members and area workers would walk by and thank them for restoring the Workers Memorial Gazebo.

The Workers Memorial Gazebo Restoration Project at Zeidler Union Square Park was completed the Wisconsin union way, on time and under budget.

 

Call 1-800-362-9472 for a Better Budget

On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, Gov. Walker’s 2017-2019 Budget will go to the Assembly for a floor vote. Later this week, the Budget will be taken up by the Senate for a floor vote. Once the Governor signs the Budget into law, it will be nearly three months overdue.

The Budget Bill still contains many harmful proposals and provisions for working families.

The State Assembly and Senate now have an opportunity to make changes to the Budget and improve the budget by removing items that hurt working people. It is imperative to make your voice heard in these final days to help create a better Budget for Wisconsin.

Call your legislators at 1-800-362-9472 and tell them to vote NO on Gov. Walker’s Budget.

 

Harmful Items Still in Gov. Walker’s 2017-2019 Budget

Prevailing Wage Repeal

At 10:30 p.m. last Tuesday, less than three hours after the Republicans’ motion was released to the public, the JFC voted 12-4 to repeal Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage statutes in a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting for the motion and all Democrats voting against.

For decades, Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage statutes have ensured that our public construction projects are built by well-trained men and women from our own communities. With a repeal now in the State Budget, our working men and women will likely see their wages cut. It’s important to note the State does not project a savings because Prevailing Wage statutes save taxpayer dollars by making sure the job is done right the first time.

Contact your State Representative and Senator and demand that they vote to remove the elimination of Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage from the Budget.

 

Transportation

The transportation portion of the Budget fails to identify a responsible funding source. Instead, it continues to borrow, this time $402 million, and delay projects, such as the north leg of the Milwaukee Zoo Interchange. It creates a new, special annual fee for owners of hybrid cars ($75) and electric cars ($100) – in addition to the existing annual vehicle registration fees we all pay. It also eliminates 200 jobs at the Department of Transportation.

Hidden Goodies for Campaign Donors and Removing Local Control: The JFC-approved transportation plan includes many special interest giveaways. For example, buried in the plan is a $4 million award for a tiny municipal airport in Wood County. It turns out that the airport is adjacent to a golf course owned by major Republican donor who gave $25,000 to the State Republican party in February 2017. Also, a third of the transportation plan document deals with various prohibitions on local control over decisions related to quarry operations and nonmetallic mining operations.

 

Taxes

The JFC cut taxes for the wealthy and raised taxes on working families. More specifically, the JFC eliminated the state’s “Alternative Minimum Tax,” which is a tax on the wealthy to ensure that they can’t take advantage of other tax loopholes to avoid paying taxes. At the same time, the JFC voted to end the “Working Families Tax Credit,” which - just like its name - is a tax credit for working families. For instance, single-parent families whose income is at or below $9,000 will no longer see a tax credit of $275.

K-12 Education

While this Budget proposes increased funding for education, we must remember that Governor Walker has enacted the biggest cuts to public K-12 education in our State’s history. In all, he has cut more than $782 million from public schools, and this Budget fails to restore this funding loss.

This Budget increases the enrollment for unaccountable voucher schools by increasing the income cap from 125% to 220% of the federal poverty level. This Budget does not alter the income caps for the Milwaukee and Racine voucher schools, set at 300% of the federal poverty level.

The Budget mostly ratifies Gov. Walker’s proposal to establish a permanent, lifetime teaching license, rather than requiring relicensing every five years. The JFC-approved Budget requires new teachers to be given a provisional 3-year license before they can qualify for a lifetime license.

 

Gov. Walker’s Budget, now approved by the Joint Finance Committee, contains many provisions that hurt Wisconsin working families.

The Legislature this week will be debating the budget and has the opportunity to make changes. Call 1-800-362-9472 and tell your legislators you want a better budget for Wisconsin’s future.

JFC proposes full prevailing wage repeal, 200 job cuts at DOT

Late last night, after months of waiting and delays, not to mention the day after a long Labor Day weekend when many families were discussing what happened on the first day of school, JFC Co-Chairs Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) released their 20-page Transportation Budget Motion. Their motion, passed along party lines, calls for a complete repeal of Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage statutes: continuing the repeal of the local prevailing wage statute and repealing prevailing wage statutes for both state building projects and state highway projects. It also called for 200 jobs to be cut from the Department of Transportation.

Prevailing Wage sets the standard for fair wages in construction projects, ensuring that projects are completed on-time, on-budget, with wages that support local communities and support local working families. Proud, skilled labor equals strong investment in our communities, in our families and in our future.

Don’t let out of state workers take our jobs. Email your legislators and tell them to protect Wisconsin jobs, protect Prevailing Wage.

The dead of the night vote is reminiscent of the vote to repeal the local prevailing wage in July 2015. Over two years ago, in the dark of night, our State’s local Prevailing Wage statute was introduced and quickly repealed in the budget debate on the Senate floor. Now, once again in the dark of night, Republicans have at the last minute introduced and voted on a measure to repeal Prevailing Wage in the JFC.

WATCH: Hear from proud Wisconsin Laborer and veteran Daren as he explains the importance of prevailing wage.

It bears repeating that Gov. Walker’s original budget released on February 8, 2017 included the full repeal of our State’s Prevailing Wage statutes. Two months later, as the JFC was in the middle of taking public testimony from Wisconsinites on the Governor’s proposed budget, the JFC pulled the repeal of prevailing wage from the budget. Legislators then introduced bills to repeal the State’s prevailing wage laws. Now, the JFC has snuck at the last minute the full repeal of prevailing wage back into the budget. Wisconsinites are getting the run around.

Don’t let politicians make it easier for out-of-state firms to take away good Wisconsin jobs. Protect Wisconsin jobs. Email your legislators and voice your support for Prevailing Wage in Wisconsin.

Prevailing Wages save taxpayers money because highly skilled and highly trained Wisconsin workers get the job done right the first time. Fair Prevailing Wage standards are a key link between safe infrastructure and strong communities, helping to ensure skilled, talented workers build high-quality infrastructure safely and on time. Take action to protect prevailing wage today.

FOXCONN UPDATE:  The JFC also took up the Foxconn bill yesterday. The JFC voted party-line on an amendment that fails to prioritize Wisconsin workers, assure good family-supporting jobs, guarantee the full American right to organize a union free of retaliation, and secure full safety protections. Instead, the amendment offers Foxconn Corporation added benefits by detouring any lawsuit related to the Foxconn Special Session bill to be directly appealed to Wisconsin Supreme Court, skipping the normal process of Court of Appeals altogether. The Foxconn bill will now go to the Senate floor on September 12.

Your Wisconsin AFL-CIO will keep you up-to-date on any and all legislation that impacts working families as we strive to create an economy that fosters social and economic justice for all workers.

Milwaukee Building Trades Third Annual Poker Run & Car Show

The Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades invites all area Bikers to join them in  the Third Annual Milwaukee Building Trades Annual Poker Run & Car Show on Saturday, September 9th. All proceeds will benefit Veteran’s organizations, Dryhootch and Veterans Outreach Wisconsin. Donations or contributions are accepted at the Building Trades office 5941 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee.

The run will start at Sheehan’s Pub, 8741 N Granville Rd, Milwaukee. The first bike out will be at 11:00 am.

Registration will be opened from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the start point. Entry fees are: Rider $25.00 / Rider & Passenger $35.00. Car show $10 per car. Pre-registration is highly recommended.

The run will end at Papa Stache Pub & Eatery, W228S9300, Big Bend Drive, Big Bend, with the last bike in at 4:00 pm. Car show will be 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm. There will be live music starting at 5:00 pm.