Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Mask Up! Union Mask Brigade Delivers to Miller Brewery, Harley-Davidson

As part of the Workers First Caravan for Racial and Economic Justice, sewers of the WI AFL-CIO Union Mask Brigade made two mask deliveries of homemade masks to essential workers at Molson Coors Brewery in Milwaukee and Harley-Davidson in Menomonee Falls.

Learn more about the Union Mask Brigade and get involved with our worker-powered efforts at:  unionmaskbrigade.org

“This is the essence of solidarity,” said Andrew Stark, President of Brewery Workers UAW Local 9, who was part of a contingent of labor union workers from Miller Brewery. “Union workers helping union workers. The labor movement in a nutshell,” continued Stark. “Thank you to the WI AFL-CIO and all the sewers of the Union Mask Brigade for the donation of masks to Brewery Workers UAW Local 9.”

Members of Machinists Local Lodge 66 (IAMAW) were also on hand to accept mask donations from the Union Mask Brigade. View photos from the drop-offs at Miller and Harley here. 

After, delivering bags of masks to the Brewery, sewers of the Union Mask Brigade went to the Harley-Davidson Pilgrim Road Plant to deliver masks to the workers of the United Steelworkers Local 2-209 and Machinists Union Local Lodge 78.

“A big thank you to the members of the Union Mask Brigade for making and donating masks to USW Local 2-209 members at Harley Davidson,” said Mark Eilers, President of the United Steelworkers Local 2-209 at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Health and safety is a major concern of our union. Any extra help to stay safe at home and at work is very welcome. The Union Mask Brigade is a clear example that you can count on union members to step up, get it done, and use their skills to help people when there is a need.”

“It’s great to see the masks getting out into the world and into the hands of workers,” said Linda Sadowski, a founding member of the Union Mask Brigade and member of OPEIU Local 9. “I’ve enjoyed being able to put my sewing skills to work right when the pandemic hit. It has been rewarding to be part of the “war effort” so to speak. I’ve experimented with lots of different patterns and types of fabric – even had a few broken needles along the way.”

Meet the members of the Union Mask Brigade, download patterns to make masks and face shields at home and more at: UnionMaskBrigade.org

“It was a beautiful day making two Union Mask Brigade deliveries as part of the Workers First Caravan for Racial and Economic Justice,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Union members are stepping up to lend a hand to get masks to fellow workers and slow the spread of COVID-19 which has disproportionately impacted essential workers and people of color. Safety and virus protection on the job is a founding pillar of a workers first recovery with America’s Five Economic Essentials.”

‘Union Mask Brigade’ to Keep Workers Safe with Solidarity and American can-do Tradition

Volunteer sewers can join efforts at UnionMaskBrigade.org

As part of the Workers First Week of Action to adopt America’s Five Economic Essentials, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO is unveiling a new initiative to keep workers safe on the job and in the community. The Union Mask Brigade is an effort that speaks directly to keeping front-line workers safe and secure during the coronavirus pandemic – a core pillar of a workers first recovery with America’s Five Economic Essentials.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed a number of areas in which our nation was simply not prepared. Nowhere is this more true than in the workplace, where far too many men and women have been asked to do their jobs without the personal protective equipment needed to keep themselves and those around them safe.

“The mission of the Union Mask Brigade is simple: mobilizing workers to protect workers,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Wisconsin union member mask sewers are helping to provide virus protection to front line workers who are without. No sewing skills? No problem. You can be part of the Union Mask Brigade effort without knowing a thing about needles and thread. From delivering supplies, to posting our safety decree at your workplace, and more, everyone wanting to help keep workers safe can get involved at unionmaskbrigade.org.” 

At unionmaskbrigade.org, volunteers can download patterns and instructions to make at-home pleated masks and face shields, share their homemade masks, print and display the Wisconsin AFL-CIO safety decree, and more.

Hear testimonies from Union Mask Brigade members at unionmaskbrigade.org:

 

Connie Smith, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT: I am a Surgical Tech and President of the Tech Unit at St. Francis Hospital. It’s great to have a cloth mask to wear in-between our cases. I’ve enjoyed handing out the home-made masks made by fellow union members. This shows the power of solidarity and the strength in standing together.

 

Ezoda Whitlock, National Association of Letter Carriers: I'm a letter carrier at Wauwatosa Station and a member of the WI State Association of Letter Carriers. I'm sending thanks to the Union Mask Brigade for delivering these beautiful masks. It made our day.

 

Linda Sadowski, OPEIU Local 9:  I’m a founding member of the Union Mask Brigade and an Administrative Assistant at the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. I have enjoyed being able to put my skills to work when the pandemic hit. It has been rewarding to be part of the “war effort” so to speak. I’ve experimented with lots of different patterns and types of fabric and had a few broken needles along the way.

 

James Macon, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998: Thank you to the Union Mask Brigade for the donation of masks. Our bus drivers loved the masks, they are made really well and are super comfortable to wear.

 

Carla Miller, OPEIU Local 9:  I’m a founding member of the Union Mask Brigade and an Accountant at the WI AFL-CIO. My mother taught me to sew when I was a child. Sewing was always a part of our home when growing up and I continue to sew on a regular basis. When the pandemic hit and there was word that masks were needed, it was an opportunity to use my sewing skills, but more importantly to help people.

 

Sue Voelker, AFSCME retiree: I’m a retired union member of AFSCME Local 3055. My husband Tim, who just recently retired from NALC, Branch 619 and I are long time union supporters and excited to volunteer our efforts to help make masks for those in need.

 

Scott Van Derven, Wisconsin State Association of Letter Carriers President: I'd like to thank all the volunteers at the Union Mask Brigade for having the backs of Letter Carriers by making these fantastic masks. Our carriers have been on the front lines delivering normalcy to the American public since Day One of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be there to help deliver the recovery of our nation as well.

 

“When it comes to helping keep our fellow workers and those around them safe and healthy, there’s a role for everyone,” said Dennis Delie, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “The Union Mask Brigade welcomes everyone wanting to advance our mission of protecting workers on the job with solidarity and the American can-do tradition.”

Join in Action: Workers First

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Today continues our week of action to adopt America’s Five Economic Essentials – a comprehensive agenda to address working people’s need for safe jobs, economic security, and freedom from systemic racism. The labor movement continues to amplify the calls for justice and the movement for Black Lives. Delivering these economic essentials is an absolute requirement for social, economic, and racial equality.

 

WORKERS FIRST CARAVAN:  ACTION LIST

Send a Letter to Congress: Click here to call on Congress to adopt America’s Five Economic Essentials.

 

Share you story, COVID-19:  We are collecting stories about how COVID-19 has impacted Wisconsin workplaces. Take action, raise your voice, and share your experience of working during a global pandemic.

 

Join the Union Mask Brigade: Volunteer mask sewers and face shield creators are helping provide virus protection to front line workers who are without. We are workers protecting workers. Get involved today at unionmaskbrigade.org​

 

Help Voters Register to Vote and Request Absentee Ballots: Join the WI AFL-CIO virtual phone bank today to help voters register to vote or request absentee ballots for all upcoming elections in 2020 -- August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary and November 3, 2020 Presidential and General Election. Visit wisaflcio.org/mobilize​ to get started. We will provide a script and instructions to help encourage voters to request absentee ballots.

 

'We Thank You Wednesday' Caravan in Milwaukee: Join the Milwaukee Area Labor Council for the We Thank You Wednesday- Standing for Racial and Economic Justice event at 11:30 a.m. today, June 17, at Washington High School, 2525 N Sherman Blvd. Car caravan and salute to workers starts at noon. 

 

Together, we join in action to call for a Workers First economic recovery for all with America’s Five Economic Essentials. Additional caravans from across all 50 states and Puerto Rico will also be participating in solidarity actions for racial and economic justice. In Washington, D.C., a 1,000-car caravan will make its way through the city to make sure Majority Leader Mitch McConnell knows his inaction is unacceptable, and that the labor movement will continue to mobilize to fight for our health, our economy, for Black Lives, and for our country. 

 

Announcing: The Union Mask Brigade!

As part of the Workers First Week of Action, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO is unveiling one of our ongoing initiatives to keep workers safe on the job and in the community…the Union Mask Brigade! Join the effort at unionmaskbrigade.org

The Union Mask Brigade is an effort that speaks directly to a core pillar of America’s Five Economic Essentials: keeping front-line workers safe and secure during the coronavirus pandemic.

We are workers protecting workers. Wisconsin union member volunteer mask sewers are helping to provide virus protection to front line workers who are without. Solidarity is the spirit that drives the Union Mask Brigade. We’re workers who saw a need and are pitching in to help our fellow workers in the best American can-do tradition.

At the Union Mask Brigade website, you can:

• Download Our Decree: View and print our safety decree. Post in your workplace.
• Make Masks: View patterns and instructions for pleated fabric masks and face shields to make at home.
• Show Your Mask: Share your creativity and talent. Prizes and giveaways for posting your mask selfie!
• Meet the Brigade: Hard working men and women are dusting off sewing machines to get workers mask protection. Meet the brigade and join in.

You can be part of the Union Mask Brigade without knowing a thing about needles and thread. The mission of the Union Mask Brigade is simple: mobilizing workers to protect workers. Some sew. Some supply mask-making materials like fabric and elastic. Some are able to contribute plastic film for making face shields. Some are offering to help pick-up or deliver.

Join the Union Mask Brigade at unionmaskbrigade.org

The Workers First Caravan Week of Action for Racial and Economic Justice

This week, working people from Wisconsin will join thousands of our brothers and sisters across the country in a Workers First Caravan for Racial and Economic Justice, an all-out action of national solidarity calling for bold policies to confront the three crises facing America: a public health pandemic, an economic free fall, and long-standing structural racism. As America’s labor movement, we must urgently address all three with precision and purpose. They cannot be fixed separately.

We are calling for America’s Five Economic Essentials. This comprehensive agenda for the three crises addresses working people’s needs for safe jobs, economic security, and freedom from systemic racism.

Wednesday, June 17, will be the anchoring day in a week-long period of action calling for a Workers First recovery. STAY TUNED as the Wisconsin AFL-CIO will be launching a special, new initiative to keep workers safe on the job in tandem with this week of action.

Workers First Caravan Week of Action event map.

Statewide Phone Banks: Join the Wisconsin AFL-CIO virtual phone bank on Wednesday, June 17, to help Wisconsinites register to vote and/or request absentee ballots for the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary and November 3, 2020 Presidential and General Election. Visit wisaflcio.org/mobilize to sign up and get started. Many in-person voter registration drives have been postponed due to COVID-19. We can step up to fill the gap and encourage Wisconsinites to register to vote ahead of November. Voters do not need to wait to request ballots for all remaining 2020 elections. Help voters navigate voter registration and requesting mail-in ballots so we can turn out the union vote in 2020.  

Milwaukee: We Thank You Wednesday- Standing for Racial and Economic Justice hosted by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. 11:30 a.m. June 17 at Washington High School, 2525 N Sherman Blvd. Car caravan and salute to workers starts at noon. On June 17, honor the work being done by the men and women of Milwaukee Public Schools from AFSCME Wisconsin Council 32 Local 1053, IUOE Local 420, and the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association. Teachers, secretaries, support staff, engineers, custodians, and more care for the students of Milwaukee throughout the year. During COVID-19, the heart and soul of our public schools have continued to ensure that students receive virtual lessons, access to meals, and that their voices are lifted up during protests across the City. The memory of Ralph Davis, a paraprofessional and coach at Washington High School who died of COVID-19 earlier this year, will be honored. Health and safety come first. Mask and social distancing is required of all participants.  

Our Workers First Caravan is calling on Congress to adopt America’s Five Economic Essentials as our roadmap to recovery and opportunity for all.

America’s Five Economic Essentials:

• Keep front-line workers safe and secure.
• Keep workers employed and protect earned pension checks.
• Keep state and local governments, our public schools and the U.S. Postal Service solvent and working.
• Keep America healthy—protect and expand health insurance for all workers.
• Keep America competitive—hire people to build infrastructure.

Together, we will raise our voices with a nationwide week of events to let our elected officials know inaction is unacceptable! Our labor movement will continue to mobilize to fight for our health, for our economy, for Black Lives, and for our country.

Join us on June 17 and all week long for the Workers First Caravan in Wisconsin as we tell our elected representatives: Workers First!

And remember, watch this space for a special announcement on how you can join in our efforts to keep workers safe at work and in the community.

Milwaukee Actions For Justice and Equality June 5-7

A list of #BlackLivesMatter actions for justice and equality happening around Milwaukee this weekend. We have linked to Facebook event information. We are also updating a Twitter thread @wisaflcio. 

 

Friday, June 5, at 2:00pm, 6801 Southway, Greendale: March For George Floyd

Friday, June 5, Caravan for Justice, Racine

Friday, June 5, at 2:00pm, Humboldt Park, Bay View, With No Justice, We Walk In Peace Protest

Friday, June 5, at 5:00pm, Bluemound & Moorland, Brookfield: Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest

Friday, June 5, at 6:00pm, Port Washington Road and Washington Avenue, Grafton: Break the Silence in the Burbs

 

Saturday, June 6,  at 10:00am, 438 N Oakwood Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI – Fowler Lake Park: Unite for Racial Justice

Saturday, June 6, at 1:00pm, Big Bay Park / Buckley Park, Whitefish Bay: Whitefish Bay March For Justice

Saturday, June 6,  at 1:00pm (Atwater Park - 4000 N Lake Dr, Shorewood): North Shore Justice for George Floyd Peaceful Protest

Saturday, June 6, at 1:00pm, Water Tower, 2472 E North Ave, MKE: Come together, Stand Together

Saturday, June 6, at 3:00pm, 99th St and Good Hope Road: Wee Chalk the Granville Station Neighborhood

Saturday, June 6, at 3:00pm, Cedarburg, WI: Peace in the Park (In Person Gathering)

Saturday, June 6, at 4:00pm, 76th and Burleigh: March for Thee Three

Saturday, June 6, at 6:00pm, Brown Deer High School, Brown Deer: Walk with Us

 

Sunday, June 7, at 9:00am, Milwaukee Art Museum: MKE Unite Chalk the Sidewalk

Sunday, June 7, at 11:30am, Zao MKE Church: Protest First Aid 101(Learn the basics of protest first aid from members Milwaukee's own street medic collective.)

Sunday, June 7, at 1:00pm, Henry W. Maier Festival Park, MKE: March with PRIDE for #BLACKLIVESMATTER

Sunday, June 7, at 2:00pm, King Park, 1531 W Vliet St, Milwaukee: Justice for George Floyd & Justice For All

 

Milwaukee Actions For Justice and Equality June 5-7

A list of #BlackLivesMatter actions for justice and equality happening around Milwaukee this weekend. We have linked to Facebook event information. We are also updating a Twitter thread @wisaflcio. 

 

Friday, June 5, at 2:00pm, 6801 Southway, Greendale: March For George Floyd

Friday, June 5, Caravan for Justice, Racine

Friday, June 5, at 2:00pm, Humboldt Park, Bay View, With No Justice, We Walk In Peace Protest

Friday, June 5, at 5:00pm, Bluemound & Moorland, Brookfield: Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest

Friday, June 5, at 6:00pm, Port Washington Road and Washington Avenue, Grafton: Break the Silence in the Burbs

 

Saturday, June 6,  at 10:00am, 438 N Oakwood Avenue, Oconomowoc, Fowler Lake Park: Unite for Racial Justice

Saturday, June 6, at 1:00pm, Big Bay Park / Buckley Park, Whitefish Bay: Whitefish Bay March For Justice

Saturday, June 6,  at 1:00pm, Atwater Park - 4000 N Lake Dr, Shorewood: North Shore Justice for George Floyd Peaceful Protest

Saturday, June 6, at 1:00pm, Water Tower, 2472 E North Ave, MKE: Come together, Stand Together

Saturday, June 6, at 3:00pm, 99th St and Good Hope Road: Wee Chalk the Granville Station Neighborhood

Saturday, June 6, at 3:00pm, Cedarburg, WI: Peace in the Park (In Person Gathering)

Saturday, June 6, at 3:00 p.m., Rufus King High School, Rufus King Neighborhood March

Saturday, June 6, at 4:00pm, 76th and Burleigh: March for Thee Three

Saturday, June 6, at 6:00pm, Brown Deer High School, Brown Deer: Walk with Us

 

 

Sunday, June 7, at 9:00am, Milwaukee Art Museum: MKE Unite Chalk the Sidewalk

Sunday, June 7, at 1:00pm, Henry W. Maier Festival Park, MKE: March with PRIDE for #BLACKLIVESMATTER

Sunday, June 7, at 2:00pm, King Park, 1531 W Vliet St, Milwaukee: Justice for George Floyd & Justice For All

Sunday, June 7, at 2:00pm, Parklawn Assembly of God; 3725 N Sherman Blvd, MKE: Young. Gifted. & Black Youth Rally

 

Tuesday, June 9 at 3:30pm (Franklin Public Library, Franklin): Franklin - Justice for George Floyd

Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30pm (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin): BLM- Wauwatosa Peaceful Protest

 

 

A More Just America

June 1, 2020, Statement by Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale on the events of the weekend:

The heart-wrenching video of George Floyd’s last moments as Minneapolis police officers ignored his dying pleas throws into stark relief the gap between the noble principles enshrined in our constitution and the reality Americans of color face every day. 

We in the labor movement are particularly outraged by this unconscionable abuse of power. As union workers, we fight each day to make the proposition that all men and women are created equal into an American reality. In addition to the responsible police officers’ appalling criminal inhumanity, their contempt for the life of a fellow citizen is profoundly un-American.

This weekend we saw thousands of our neighbors take to the streets to voice righteous outrage over not only the killing of George Floyd, but of the entrenched racism that infects our society. While felt most directly and painfully by people of color, this and other forms of injustice must be the concern of every American. Racial inequality and economic inequality are inextricably welded together and must be addressed in tandem. None of us can be fully free until each of us enjoys an equal opportunity to prosper through our labor. This is the very soul of our union movement.

Sadly, a small few have dishonored our efforts to fight for justice by resorting to violence. As Martin Luther King observed, “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.” Violence and vandalism do nothing to further the pursuit of justice. Instead, they delegitimize our cause and empower those who seek to preserve an unjust status quo. 

The struggle to make our nation live up to the values set out by our founders is a never-ending process. In these trying times as always, our union movement proudly stands with every working man and woman as together we build a more just America.

 

Updated! WI AFL-CIO Voter Guide

View and download the Updated Wisconsin AFL-CIO Voter Guide at wisaflio.org/voter-guide 

 

Wisconsin is a vital battleground state for our democracy both this summer and fall. Workers’ rights and safety protections will be on the ballot as we vote in the August 11 partisan primary and on November 3 in the general fall and presidential election.

During the COVID-19 health pandemic, we must be prepared to vote absentee or early in-person.

Get the updated Wisconsin AFL-CIO Absentee and Early In-Person Voter Guide at wisaflcio.org/voter-guide for detailed directions on registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, or early in-person voting. Important dates and deadlines for the August 11, 2020 partisan primary are included.    

Did you know? Wisconsin voters do not have to wait to request an absentee ballot. If you are registered to vote, you can do it TODAY at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/VoteAbsentee. Follow the instructions online and in our guide. Simply check the box “all elections in the calendar year 2020” to request absentee ballots for every remaining election this year.

If you are not registered to vote you will have to register before you can request your ballot. We outline everything you need to know about registering to vote in our WI AFL-CIO Voter Guide.

Get the answers to any questions you have on registering to vote, voting absentee, or voting early in-person with the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Absentee and Early In-Person Voter Guide updated for the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary election! Download at wisaflcio.org/voter-guide.

Remember, there’s no need to wait. Request your absentee ballot for the remaining 2020 elections today.