Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Vice President Harris Meets with Union Workers at WRTP/ BIG STEP

On January 24, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Milwaukee to talk about the Biden-Harris Administration action plan to replace harmful lead pipes across our country. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action plan, local governments will get the necessary funds needed to remove and replace lead pipes that can carry contaminated water harmful to adults and children.

“We are honored to welcome Vice President Harris to Milwaukee and to the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/ BIG STEP to meet with union workers and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to discuss the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, a historic undertaking to improve water quality and deliver clean, safe drinking water to Wisconsin families," said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. "Nowhere in the United States should drinking from the tap be a health hazard, yet it is estimated that Wisconsin has over 170,000 lead service lines in need of replacing. Lead service lines can carry contaminated water that poisons and harms children and families. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden is tackling the issue of lead laterals head on by deploying the funds necessary to successfully replace lead service lines and to ensure the new service lines are American-made with high labor standards."

Vice President Harris toured WRTP/BIG STEP where she met with local union workers who are trained with the needed skills and knowledge necessary to safety and efficiently replace lead lateral service lines so families can have clean drinking water from the tap in their homes, schools, and businesses. The Vice President spoke with Rashawn Spivey, owner of Hero Plumbing and member of Plumbers Local 75, and Kylen Lenoir, member of Laborers Local 113. The Vice President was joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Gov. Tony Ever and local health and community leaders.

"This is a great workforce development opportunity for Wisconsin where we can train and put people to work in good union jobs that benefit public health in almost every neighborhood across our state," continued WI AFL-CIO President Bloomingdale. "The union men and women of the skilled trades stand ready to get to work to transform our water systems and ensure safe drinking water for all. Clean water is economic justice, racial justice, environmental justice."

The Biden-Harris Administration and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are delivering a win-win for job creation, economic growth, and doing the right thing for the health and safety of Wisconsin families by spearheading the movement to replace lead service lines and improve water quality across Wisconsin and across our country. 

Madison Area Workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software Launch New Union with the Communications Workers of America

Madison Area Workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software Launch New Union with the Communications Workers of America

 

Members of the Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA) call on Raven Software to voluntarily recognize union

 

On January 21, over 30 quality assurance workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software in Madison, Wisconsin announced the launch of the Game Workers Alliance Union with the Communications Workers of America. Workers in Raven’s quality assurance department, who mainly work on the game Call of Duty, are calling for voluntary recognition of their union from Activision Blizzard management. Raven Software is among the Activision Blizzard-owned studios set to be acquired by Microsoft for nearly $69 billion.

 

“We proudly stand in solidarity with the members of the Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA) at Raven Software in Madison as they call for voluntary union recognition,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Today marks a historic step in the movement to create positive change and build a better gaming industry for the workers who make video games. Quality assurance workers at Raven are joining together for a seat at the table. Giving gaming workers a real voice with the power of collective bargaining is the surest way to address workplace needs and advance the industry as a whole for working people.”

Raven Quality Assurance Workers Become First Activision Blizzard Workers to Form a Union with Launch of the Game Workers Alliance with Communications Workers of America

Middleton, Wisconsin — Today workers at Raven Software, a video game studio under Activision Blizzard, announced the launch of their union, Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA), with Communications Workers of America. Workers at Raven’s quality assurance department requested voluntary recognition from Activision Blizzard management in alignment with the desire of a supermajority of their workforce. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) is the first unit within Activision Blizzard to form a union. Microsoft recently announced plans to acquire the company.

“Today, I am proud to join with a supermajority of my fellow workers to build our union, Game Workers Alliance (CWA). In the video game industry, specifically Raven QA, people are passionate about their jobs and the content they are creating. We want to make sure that the passion from these workers is accurately reflected in our workplace and the content we make. Our union is how our collective voices can be heard by leadership,” said Becka Aigner, QA functional tester II at Raven.

Since its founding in 1990, Raven Software has become one of the most exclusive video game companies. The studio, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 1997, is responsible for the Call of Duty series, which the Raven QA team predominantly works on.

“We formed the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) because my colleagues and I want to have our voices heard and we want to see changes that reflect the wants and needs of both the gaming community and the workers who create these incredible products. It’s extremely important that workers have a real seat at the table to positively shape the company going forward,” said Brent Reel, QA Lead at Raven.

The Game Workers Alliance (CWA) launch came on the heels of Raven QA workers entering week five of their strike. The strike began December 6, when over 60 Raven Software workers walked out in protest after Activision Blizzard laid off 12 of the studio’s quality assurance testers. The Raven QA strike was the third work stoppage since Activision Blizzard was sued in late July over sexual harassment and misconduct claims.

“Raven QA workers are taking an important next step toward improving their working conditions by joining together in a union, and we are excited to be supporting their efforts. We ask that Activision Blizzard management respect Raven QA workers by voluntarily recognizing CWA's representation without hesitation," said Communications Workers of America Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. "A collective bargaining agreement will give Raven QA employees a voice at work, improving the games they produce and making the company stronger. Voluntary recognition is the rational way forward.”

Instead of collaborating with workers organizing to improve workplace conditions, Activision Blizzard has used surveillance and intimidation tactics, including hiring notorious union busters, to silence workers. Still, members of Game Workers Alliance (CWA) are hopeful Activision Blizzard management will come to the table and formally recognize the union.

“Our union will help inform what is best for Activision Blizzard as a company, as a platform for gamers and a workplace where all workers can thrive. The goal of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) is to represent what we as workers in the industry want as well as set a new standard for workers across the industry moving forward,” said Erin Hall, QA functional tester II at Raven.

Game Workers Alliance (CWA) will provide a structure so that workers can actively push for real changes at the company to ensure just working conditions, wages, benefits and transparency on the job without fear of retaliation.

Breaking New Ground: Raven Workers Launch Video Game Union

Workers at Raven Software’s quality assurance (QA) department in Madison, WI today launched their new union, the Game Workers Alliance Union, with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). They are seeking voluntary recognition from their employer as a supermajority of workers express their desire to form a union at the studio owned by video game giant Activision Blizzard. These video game employees mostly work on the popular Call of Duty series.

“Today, I am proud to join with a supermajority of my fellow workers to build our union, Game Workers Alliance (CWA). In the video game industry, specifically Raven QA, people are passionate about their jobs and the content they are creating,” said Becka Aigner, QA functional tester II at Raven. “We want to make sure that the passion from these workers is accurately reflected in our workplace and the content we make. Our union is how our collective voices can be heard by leadership.”

On Dec. 6, more than 60 Raven workers walked out in protest after Activision Blizzard laid off 12 of the studio’s QA testers. The Raven QA strike was the third work stoppage since Activision Blizzard was sued in late July over sexual harassment and misconduct claims. Earlier this week, CWA responded to Microsoft’s plan to acquire Activision Blizzard and called for workers’ voices to be heard in the future direction of the company.

One Year After Biden’s Inauguration, AFL-CIO Celebrates Advances for Working People

Union members across the country went all out during the 2020 campaign to elect a pro-worker president to the White House. And over the past year, the Biden–Harris administration has been delivering for America’s workers. From the passage of the American Rescue Plan to the enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the labor movement has made real progress working in partnership with this administration.

Here are just some of the other advances we’ve achieved in the last year:

• President Biden fired the anti-worker National Labor Relations Board general counsel and installed a pro-worker majority on the board.

• Union member Marty Walsh (LIUNA) was appointed to serve as secretary of labor.

• The Biden–Harris administration created the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.

• President Biden used his bully pulpit to advance the causes of the labor movement, including calling for passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, supporting workers’ right to organize at Amazon and calling out Kellogg’s corporate greed during an active strike.

• More of President Biden’s lower court judicial nominees were confirmed in his first year than any president since John Kennedy.

• President Biden appointed more Black women to the U.S. Court of Appeals than any president in history.

As we look to the future, our sights are set on passing the Build Back Better Act, reforming America’s outdated labor laws, and protecting our basic rights and freedoms. Our job is far from over, and we’re ready to continue making progress for all working people in this country.

Workers Urge Colectivo to Come to the Bargaining Table

After winning union rights with the IBEW Local 494, IBEW 1220, and the Colectivo Collective last August, the unionized workers of Colectivo are calling on Colectivo owners and management to come to the table and negotiate a first union contract in good faith.

 

Kait Dessoffy, who works at the Andersonville location in Chicago, has been organizing with the union for two years and says, “building this union is hard and its exciting and I thank everyone for supporting us. Nationwide, there’s so much momentum for unions. In our stores, there’s so much momentum for unions. Colectivo management, please come to the bargaining table and bargain with your workers. We won our election.”

 

On January 12, 2022, Colectivo workers and the IBEW together with labor leaders, union members, and community supporters, held a solidarity action and petition delivery at Colectivo headquarters in Riverwest urging Colectivo management to stop stalling and negotiate.

 

“Colectivo has used every opportunity to delay the recognition of union,” said Dean Warsh, Business Manager of the IBEW Local 494.  “The irony in all of us is the name Colectivo. As a noun, it means Colectivo or group. As an adjective:  union. We are here today to present the latest petition to the ownership containing nearly 2,200 signatures asking them to sit down at the bargaining table together with their employees.”

 

Milwaukee Area Labor Council Pamela Fendt noted “Colectivo management has been filing appeals to the NLRB that have no merit. It is clear they are only seeking to stall. Their employees have spoken. They want to continue to formally work together to collectively address conditions at work. It’s past time for management to come to the table.”

Hundreds of workers and Colectivo customers came out to stand in solidarity to get Colectivo to the bargaining table. Speakers included acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, IBEW Local 494 Business Manager Dean Warsh, WI AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, Milwaukee Area Labor Council President Pam Fendt, IBEW International Vice President and District 6 Director David Ruhmkorff, and Colectivo workers.

 

Colectivo Collective workers with the IBEW Local 494 and 1220 are fighting for dignity, respect, safe working conditions, and fair wages.

 

Ida Lucchesi a Colectivo worker in the Milwaukee area told the crowd, “I love this company. I love getting to know my co-workers and learning about the coffee industry. I’ve been here a long time and I’ve stayed for a reason. But, there’s always more we can do to be better. Which is why we want to get to negotiation table. I want to be able to feel that all my coworkers’ experiences and opinions can be heard so we can share the knowledge and build up the culture we have created to be a better culture. It’s about accountability for everybody. That’s why we are here. That’s why we need to get to that first contract.”

 

 

Acting Mayor Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson, who noted he orders his hot chocolate “IBEW strong”, said he is proud to stand with IBEW and the workers of Colectivo as they unionize to ensure better accommodations in the workplace. “When people in this city, especially folks in this industry, have better opportunities for wages and benefits, it lifts up the tide for everybody in the community. That’s what we want to see. We want every one thrive in this community.”

 

 

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, riled up the crowd by leading chants of  “what do we want? Contract. When do we want it? Now.”

“Workers of Colectivo have stood up. You stood up to the union-busters. You stood together and you won,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Bloomingdale. “You won this election in Milwaukee, in Chicago and in Madison. It’s time for Lincoln, Paul, and Ward to stop stalling and get to the table.”

 

President Bloomingdale vowed that union brothers and sisters will stand alongside Colectivo workers as long as it takes to get a contract. She called on Colectivo owners to live up to their values.

 

“This coffee shop was more than just coffee it was an idea, with Alterra and now with Colectivo. But right now, Paul, Ward, Lincoln, you are betraying that brand. You are betraying that ideal. We call on you to say enough is enough. Milwaukee is a union town. We are standing together. We want to fairly negotiate a first contract.”

 

Zoe Muellner, a former Colectivo worker echoed the feeling of betrayal from the company. Muellner explained,” “I trusted Colectivo to be the progressive company they claimed to be and they’ve betrayed that trust. I still hold out hope and continue to have high standards and expectations for management. We will get to the bargaining table. Lincoln, Paul, Ward and Dan, I hope you meet us there and bargain in good faith. Your workers deserve it. And if you don’t meet us there, the Kellogg’s workers said it best, we will last one day longer than you.”

 

IBEW International Vice President and District 6 Director David Ruhmkorff said it will take all workers standing together to get Colectivo to come to the able. He urged Colectivo to get the first union contract signed by May 2022 when the IBEW holds its  international convention.

 

“I am committed to buying over 2,500 bags of coffee from Colectivo for our convention if it has the IBEW logo on it. It’s time to come to the table, Colectivo.”

 

Community support has been pouring in for workers. IBEW 494 Business Manager Warsh noted many letters and emails of support have been coming into the union office. Anyone who wants to show their support should head to their nearest Colectivo and buy something “IBEW strong” and tell the workers behind the counter that you support their organizing efforts.

 

You can support Colectivo workers by ordering your coffee "IBEW strong" and signing the petition calling on Colectivo to bargain a first union contract in good faith.

Union Members Working at USPS Ready to Deliver Millions of COVID-19 Test Kits

The Biden administration has announced a program to mail up to 500 million at-home COVID-19 test kits to every household that requests them. These kits could be mailed to as many as 160 million addresses. Union members who work for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be critical to the success of the program. You can order free COVID-19 test kits through COVIDTests.gov.

“The APWU is excited and fully supports this plan,” said American Postal Workers Union (APWU) President Mark Dimondstein. “It is in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the general population as this dangerous pandemic continues. It underscores the invaluable role of the public Postal Service in the lives of the people. It shines a light on the importance of maintaining universal service to every address and person.”

“The ongoing pandemic has proven beyond a shadow of doubt the critical importance of the services we provide six and seven days a week to keep people connected and essentials moving,” National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Fredric Rolando said. “This partnership is the perfect example in action. Letter carriers are proud to be the face of this important initiative as we continue serving all communities equitably.”

The National Postal Mail Handlers Union-LIUNA (NPMHU-LIUNA) stated: “This pilot provides Mail Handlers with the opportunity to perform an essential Public Health Service to the American Public in our battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Mail Handlers are proud to be a part of these critical efforts.”

Take action to stop the roll back of child labor standards

A bill to expand the hours 14- and 15-year-old kids can work in Wisconsin is up for a vote in the Assembly on Thursday, January 20.

Contact your Assembly Representative today in opposition of expanding child labor work hours.

About the bill: Senate Bill 332 / Assembly Bill 324 expands the permissible hours a 14- and 15-year-old can work, allowing kids to work earlier in the day and later at night. Specifically, the bill would allow Wisconsin children whose employers are not covered by the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to work 6:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on a school night and from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on a non-school night. Senate Bill 332 passed the Senate and is now scheduled for an Assembly floor vote as Assembly Bill 324.

Take Action: Click here to urge your Representative to vote NO on the roll back of child labor standards.

We can’t solve the worker shortage on the backs of 14- and 15-year-olds. All of Wisconsin’s children are owed the same level of protection that our state has provided to teenage workers over the past 100+ years. The solution to filling open positions in Wisconsin and beyond is simple. It needn’t involve prematurely pulling our kids further into the workforce, as Senate Bill 332 would allow. Instead, employers need to pay living wages worth working for and address the imbalance between worker productivity and compensation that for decades has kept too many families from earning a living wage.

For more information, please see Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale’s opinion piece “Wisconsin's labor shortage cannot be solved on the backs of our kids” which was published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on December 23, 2021.

A part-time job can be an important part of a young person’s development. Young workers learn job skills and a work ethic that serves them well in later years. But the priority for young teens must remain their education. They should have adequate time to study, to sleep and to imagine the road ahead of them. Using them to irresponsibly fill gaps in the workforce is in neither their nor society’s interest.

Contact your Representative in opposition of Assembly Bill 324 today.

Call-In Action to Strengthen Democracy

Our democracy is under attack. To protect it, we must sideline the filibuster and protect our right to vote. Call your senators.

Sideline the Filibuster

An outdated procedure in the Senate is stopping us from passing laws. We want to help people, but the filibuster makes that nearly impossible. And we need to make sure the lawmakers we elect can pass the laws people want. That starts with sidelining the filibuster and passing voting rights legislation. The Senate already has two voting rights bills: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. They haven’t passed yet because of the filibuster. Embarrassing. So call your senators and tell them to sideline the filibuster and protect our right to vote.

PETITION: Sideline the filibuster and protect voting rights

Our democracy is under attack. The Senate must sideline the filibuster and make sure everyone can vote. Sign the petition: Sideline the filibuster and protect our right to vote.

Sign the Petition

It shouldn’t be hard to make laws to help people—especially now, when so many Americans are struggling. It should be a simple 50-vote majority, but that’s not possible with a filibuster on the table. So laws aren’t getting passed and people don’t get help. Is this democracy? Nineteen state legislatures have passed laws that make it harder to vote. Laws that make voting by mail more difficult, shorten early voting and reduce the number of polling places. Laws targeting voters of color and voters with disabilities. Is this democracy? Our democracy is under threat, and the U.S. Senate must take action to protect it. There are two bills in the Senate that expand voting rights: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. They haven’t passed yet because of the filibuster. So tell your senators: Sideline the filibuster. Pass voting rights legislation. Our democracy depends on it.