Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

WI AFL-CIO Statement on Final Senate Debate

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement on tonight’s U.S. Senate debate:

“Tonight’s debate proved once again that Mandela Barnes is the best choice for working families in the U.S. Senate race. Lieutenant Governor Barnes has a clear plan to raise wages for workers, boost Wisconsin manufacturing, create jobs, and protect the freedom to organize and join a union. Ron Johnson wants to erode retirement security, block needed investment in our infrastructure, and pass tax breaks that help himself and his millionaire friends. Mandela Barnes will work to create a Wisconsin where everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream. Ron Johnson will continue to advance the narrow interests of himself and his ultra-wealthy campaign donors.

This fall, Wisconsin working people are participating in the largest organizing drive in history to defend the fundamental freedoms that all Americans cherish. Between now and Election Day, we’ll talk with thousands of voters about restoring our democracy and protecting the freedoms we value. We are mobilizing for a Wisconsin economy that works for working people and that means supporting pro-worker candidates like Mandela Barnes.”

Help Defend Democracy: Join A Labor 2022 Labor Walk or Phone Bank!

Union members are rocking the phone banks and going door-to-door to talk with fellow union members about the issues working families care about and the importance of voting in the November 8 elections.

Working people are participating in the largest organizing drive in history to defend the fundamental freedoms that all Americans cherish. Between now and Election Day, we’ll talk with thousands of voters about restoring our democracy and protecting the freedoms we value.

Join us at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

 

Click here for a schedule of Labor 2022 phone banks and canvasses. Additional times, locations, and volunteer opportunities are available. Let us know what works for you at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.  

Races in Wisconsin are neck-and-neck and some will be decided by just a few votes. Don’t wait. Get involved and help us turn out the union vote for working families. We’re supporting candidates who believe in a worker’s freedom to organize a union, earn a living wage, and retire with dignity after a lifetime of work.

Click here for a list of endorsed, union-approved candidates who have pledged to protect worker rights, advance safety on the job, and ensure our wages, our communities, and our middle class are strong with strong unions.  

Join our Labor 2022 program today! Visit wisaflcio.org/mobilize for more info.

 

Tonight’s Debate

Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for US Senate Mandela Barnes will debate Ron Johnson tonight, Thursday, October 13, at 6:00 pm. You can watch the debate live online at  TMJ4.com, C-SPAN, or on the following broadcast channels:

• WTMJ: debate broadcast on 4, NBC affiliate
• WEAU: debate broadcast on 13.2, CW affiliate
• WGBA: debate broadcast on 26.1, NBC affiliate
• WMTV: debate broadcast on 15.2, CW affiliate
• WSAW: debate broadcast on 33.1, Fox affiliate
• KBJR: debate broadcast on 6.3, MyNetworkTV affiliate

The Wisconsin Senate race is one of the most important and closest races in the country. Tune in to the debate tonight, then help us get out the vote for Mandela Barnes by talking with fellow union members about how Barnes will support working families while in office. Sign up to make phone calls, go door-to-door and other volunteer opportunities with our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program at wisaflcio.org/mobilize today.

About the candidates:

Mandela Barnes grew up in a proud union household and will advance union family values. He understands the role unions play in building strong communities and providing families with real opportunities to get ahead. As Wisconsin’s next Senator, Mandela will fight for policies that create good jobs, boost American manufacturing and supply chains, and invest in Wisconsin’s working people. Mandela Barnes will support new union organizing by working to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. He believes in raising wages, creating safe workplaces, protecting retirement security, and advancing economic opportunity through strong union rights. Vote Mandela Barnes for U.S. Senate on November 8.

 

Ron Johnson is unfit to represent the people of Wisconsin. This November, it’s time to send Ron Johnson into retirement. Ron Johnson wants to erode retirement security and supports deciding on a year-to-year basis whether or not hard-working Wisconsin families will receive the same hard-earned Social Security benefits they’re entitled to. He refuses to help create good jobs in his hometown of Oshkosh, saying “it’s not like we don’t have enough jobs here,” when asked if he would call on Oshkosh Corp. to produce the new energy-efficient postal trucks for the U.S. Postal Service in Wisconsin. Time and time again, Ron Johnson has voted against needed investment in our infrastructure needs, our VA, healthcare systems, and local communities.

Tune into Wisconsin’s US Senate debate on Thursday, October 13 at 6:00 pm. Then, sign up to talk with union members about the issues working families care about most. Get involved with our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program at wisaflcio.org/mobilize. There are many ways and opportunities to do your part this Election Season.

With only 25 days left until Election Day there is no time to waste.

 

Gov. Evers Reaches Milestone 15,000 Participants for Registered Apprentices

Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), recently announced that Wisconsin has surpassed 15,000 participants in the Registered Apprenticeship program—the highest participation rate in the program in two decades. This is great news for our state and for Wisconsin workers, our skills, good jobs, and wages. 

“We’re working to build a Wisconsin that works for everyone and with more than 200 registered apprenticeship pathways, including opportunities in everything from healthcare to IT and finance to construction, apprenticeship is connecting more Wisconsinites with more opportunities in industries across the state,” said Governor Tony Evers. “Our Registered Apprenticeship program is a model for the nation, providing a flexible pipeline of workers to respond to employers’ needs and ensuring Wisconsin’s workforce can grow for years to come.” 

The Registered Apprenticeship program combines structured, on-the-job training with classroom instruction and allows apprentices to earn money while they learn, rewarding employers with a skilled workforce and providing participants with family-supporting careers. To mark the 15,000-apprentice milestone—a level of participation not seen since 2001—Gov. Evers and DWD celebrated with events hosted by the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council in DeForest and Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. The events featured employer and labor partners, as well as apprentices and tours of training facilities. 

"Apprenticeship saved my life,” said Wisconsin Laborers Local 113 apprentice Amber Riskey who works for Payne and Dolan, a Walbec Group company, and spoke at last week’s event with Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development celebrating 15,000 participants in Wisconsin's registered apprenticeship programs. “My apprenticeship training has given me lifelong skills that cannot be taken away from me. I will soon be a journey worker with only three more apprenticeship classes and just shy of 300 hours more to work. The path hasn’t been easy, but I keep pushing through and appreciate the beauty in the little things. Construction is challenging, and laborious work, but I work hard, and I’m better every day. “

“I’m paving the way for females, helping to break down barriers, and sharing my story to help others,” continued Riskey. “Now I have stability in my life. I am safe, my son is secure, and I am more confident than ever. Apprenticeship provided me a way out."

Apprenticeships create jobs and provide needed pathways into the middle class for workers. 

“Today’s announcement of historic apprenticeship participation levels reached under Governor Tony Evers is outstanding news for Wisconsin workers," said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. "Over 15,000 Wisconsinites are learning new skills in over 200 apprenticeship career paths. These participants are heading towards sustainable life-long careers. This is the highest participation rate Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship program has seen in over two decades and a true reason to celebrate."

"Completing an apprenticeship program is a ladder into the middle class," continued Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Bloomingdale. "The state of Wisconsin and Wisconsin workers will reap the benefits of unprecedented apprenticeship levels achieved under Governor Tony Evers for decades to come. This is what we mean when we say we are fighting for an economy that works for everyone:  good union jobs, lifelong career opportunities, and skills training for all.”

"Apprenticeships should not be an afterthought to college, and instead are a parallel pathway to a good-paying and family-supporting career,” said Kent Miller, President/Business Representation of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council. “Recruitment into our respective industries must be a multifaceted approach where employers, policymakers, and community-based organizations are working in concert for the common goal to meet the workforce needs not only of today but for the future as well.”

Under Governor Evers’ leadership Wisconsin is growing good jobs and lifelong careers with apprenticeship.

32 Days

32 days. That’s all that stands between now and electing pro-worker candidates like Tony Evers, Mandela Barnes, Josh Kaul, Brad Pfaff, Ann Roe and others who will fight to advance union rights and working family issues on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

There’s no time to waste. Click here to get involved with our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program.

Union members are talking to union members about the issues that matter to working families. We are fighting for safe jobs with good wages, the right to a strong union voice at work, retirement security for all, and an economy that works for working people.

Our Labor 2022 endorsed candidates have pledged to support Wisconsin working people while in office. Click here for our list of union-approved candidates on the ballot November 8.

We are hosting door-to-door canvasses, workplace flyering, phone banks (in-person and virtual), postcard writing parties and more great events to get involved with the November 2022 elections.

Sign up to join our union-powered election efforts at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

View a list of October Labor 2022 activities here. Additional times and locations are available upon request. Don’t hesitate to reach out at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

Races in Wisconsin are neck-and-neck and some will be decided by just a few votes. Don’t wait. Get involved and help us turn out the union vote for working families.

 

Canvass and Cookout in Madison this Saturday

Wisconsin union members are working to elect pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot who have a plan to prioritize working families while in office:  from protecting retirement security, to advancing safety at work, raising wages, combating inflation, advocating our freedom to collectively bargain, and more.

Get involved with our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program today. 

This Saturday, join union members for a canvass and cookout with Attorney General Josh Kaul at the South Central Federation of Labor in Madison. Click here for a list of volunteer events around the state.

Join us on the doors and phones this October

Union members are talking to fellow union members on the doorstep, over the phone, and at the workplace about the issues that matter most to working families this November. From protecting retirement security, to advancing safety at work, raising wages, combating inflation, protecting our freedom to collectively bargain and more. Wisconsin union members are working to elect pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot who have a plan to prioritize working families while in office.

Get involved with our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program today. Sign up at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

Click here for a schedule of October door-to-door canvasses and phone bank sessions.

Additional times and volunteer opportunities are available. Sign up at wisaflcio.org/mobilize and an organizer will be in touch.

View our list of union-approved candidates on the ballot November 8 here.

Election Day is fast approaching on November 8 and races couldn’t be tighter in Wisconsin. Join our Labor 2022 program today to learn about the issues important to working families as we get out the vote for working people this November.

 

41st Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Labor History Society

Labor’s continual challenges against union-busting will be discussed at the 41^st Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Labor History Society to be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison.

Entitled, “Fighting the Union-Busters: A historical look at anti-unionism and labor’s response for the future,” the conference will open with a speech from Lane Windham, Associate Director, Kalmanovitz Institute for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University.  She is the author of “Knocking on Labor’s Door: Union Organizing in the 1970s and the Roots of a New Economic Divide” (UNC Press, 2017), and has 20 years of experience as a union organizer.

A late morning discussion, “The Rise of Anti-unionism and Labor’s Response,” will include a presentation on the historical roots of anti-unionism by Joanne Ricca, Legislative Representative, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO (Retired), and a discussion of the Wisconsin Uprising of 2011 with Kevin Gundlach, president of the South Central Federation of Labor, and Adrienne Pagac, Managing Director, Havens Wright Center for Social Justice - University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Co-president, UW-Madison TAA (2011-12).

After awards presentations and lunch, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) will discuss “The PRO Act and Other Strategies.”  An afternoon panel discussion on “Winning the Fight Against Union-Busters,” will include the stories of recent organizing efforts, their successes and challenges by nurses, coffee shop workers and others.

The conference program will begin at 9 a.m. and close by 3 p.m.  Conference fees are $40.00 person with a special rate of $10 for unemployed persons and students.  Lunch, refreshments and materials are included. 

Online registration is available at https://wlhs2022.eventbrite.com/.  To register by mail, click here.  For further information, contact WLHS Conference Committee Chair Jaclyn J. Kelly at jaclynjkelly@gmail.com.