Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

The "Reclaim Wisconsin Tour" Coming to a Town Near You!

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and community partners are fueling up The Recall Express and hitting the road to talk with Wisconsinites across the state about the local effect of Gov. Walker’s disastrous agenda.

The “Reclaim Wisconsin Tour” will discuss the impact of Gov. Walker’s policies on working people including the loss of family-sustaining jobs, the loss of employment protections and benefits, the continual transfer of wealth to Wisconsin’s 1% and the hammering of quality public services and education.  The Tour will be making stops in Milwaukee, La Crosse, Wausau, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Racine and Madison (see schedule below for dates). 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  The “Reclaim Wisconsin” Tour will culminate with statewide candlelight vigils on March 9 and a “Reclaim Wisconsin March” in Madison on Saturday, March 10.  These events will mark the one year anniversary of when Gov. Walker and Senate Republicans rammed through the collective bargaining bill illegally in the dead of night. 

Reclaim Wisconsin Tour Schedule (Updated)
•    Wednesday, February 15 @ 5:30 p.m.:  La Crosse, Copeland Park, 1130 Copeland Park Drive
•    Wednesday, February 22 @ 5:30 p.m.:  Wausau, Wausau Labor Temple, 318 S. 3rd Street
•    Thursday, February 23 @ 5:30 p.m.:  Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls, Phoenix Park
•    Monday, February 27 @ 5:30 p.m.:  Green Bay, UA Local 400, 2700 Northridge Drive, Kaukauna
•    Monday, March 5 @ 5:30 p.m.:  Racine, Monument Square, Main & 5th
•    Wednesday, March 7 @ 7:00 p.m.:  Milwaukee, Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave
•    Friday, March 9 @ 6:00 p.m.:  Madison, Capitol
•    Saturday, March 10:  Reclaim Wisconsin March at the Capitol

Walker’s State of the State Rings Hollow to Many Wisconsinites

Amid John Doe investigations into current and former staff and a recall election imminent Governor Walker delivered his second State of the State address tonight.  In one year in office Gov. Walker has torn our state apart, attacked worker rights and dismissed our democracy.   As job loss continues to plague Wisconsin, Walker’s actions speak louder than words.

“Governor Walker lied to the electorate last November, concealing his plans to attack Wisconsin workers and slash funding for local schools and communities.  Tonight, his State of the State Speech rings hollow to too many Wisconsinites who are living with the everyday realities of the current Wisconsin economy,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.   “Six months of job loss show that Gov. Walker’s policies are not working.  It is time to change course, stop rewarding special interest allies at the expense of the working people of Wisconsin, and get Wisconsin back on track.” 

“In the last year Gov. Walker has cost Wisconsin job after job.  First, by rejecting high speed rail initiatives than by enacting a job-killing budget and attacking the rights of Wisconsin workers,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “The people of Wisconsin are smart and see through the rhetoric and half-truths.  We look forward to recalling Gov. Walker in the coming months.” 

Earlier in the day Wisconsinites throughout out the state gathered in the Senate Parlor in the Statehouse for the "State of the 99%" to describe what everyday life is really like for ordinary citizens since Gov. Walker took office. 

“I depend on BadgerCare to keep my 12-year-old twins healthy,” said Catherine Capellaro, Madison, who is concerned about the pending cuts leveled at the program.  “I’m dismayed that Gov. Walker rewards those already at the top by taking from those who have so little.”

On January 17 over one million signatures to recall Gov. Walker were delivered to the Government Accountability Board.  Currently the signatures are in the process of being certified.

Report: Walker Costing Wisconsin Over 18,000 Jobs A Year

  A report released by the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future entitled “The Price of Extremism” clearly and systematically outlines that Gov. Walker’s policies are not working.  In fact, the indirect, ripple affects of Gov. Walker’s actions are costing Wisconsin over 18,000 full-time, private-sector jobs during the first year of Gov. Walker’s budget. 

 

The report focuses on four ways that Walker’s policies are hurting Wisconsin and attaches private-sector job loss estimates to each of the policies.  The four areas and estimated job loss include: 

 

1.         Cuts to education and healthcare which will cost Wisconsin 5,400 jobs

2.         Cuts in aid to low-income families which will cost Wisconsin 1,200 jobs

3.         The economic impact of Act 10 which will cost Wisconsin 6,900 jobs

4.         The rejection of federal aid funds which has cost 4,700 jobs

 

The report, which can viewed here, also provides county-by-county estimates of the impact of Act 10 and the impact of education cuts on local economies. 

 

“In tough times, the worst thing a Governor can do is further shrink the economy by stifling spending,” explained Jack Norman, Research Director for the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future. “Gov. Walker has taken huge amounts of money out of the economy through budget cuts, attacks on workers and increased taxes on low-income families. This leads businesses to have fewer customers, workers to have fewer jobs and local governments to have less revenue.”

 

“Along with stripping public employees of their basic collective bargaining rights, Act 10  decreased the spending power of public employees by an average of $3,668 a year for the typical public employee making $40,000 a year,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “This has a huge affect on local economies that will result in $700 million leaving Wisconsin’s economy.  This is money that was spent at the local corner store and small businesses in communities across the state.  The end economic result for Wisconsin is the loss of 6,900 full-time private sector jobs.” 

 

“Under Walker, Wisconsin is 33,800 jobs short of matching the national pace of job creation,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Walker’s policies are not working.  Our state needs jobs.  It is crystal clear that we need to change direction so that Wisconsinites who work hard and play by the rules can have access to family-supporting jobs.  This report is another reminder that Gov. Walker must be recalled for the sake of Wisconsin.” 

 

The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF) is a non-profit, non-partisan statewide organization dedicated to tax policy research, community organizing and education policy.  For more details, including copies of the various documents referred to in this press release, see the IWF web site at: www.wisconsinsfuture.org

La Crosse, Oshkosh, Racine Citizens Speak Out at Statewide Jobs Hearings

On Monday, October 24, community members came together in La Crosse, Oshkosh and Racine to speak directly with their lawmakers about the jobs crisis facing many Wisconsin communities. 

Unlike Gov. Walker’s job forums, the jobs hearing are open to the public and allow for people living through these difficult economic times to ask questions about job creation and offer suggestions to their legislators. 

Mike Pawlak, a junior at UW Oshkosh, explained why he attended the jobs hearing:  "We need to make sure that our elected officials know that they need to take a more proactive stance. They need to start passing better policies that will better Wisconsin, and right now our state legislators aren't doing that.”

Also in Oshkosh Tonja Adams explained to the crowd, “I’m just looking for a living wage job, and if I can't get that, I don't know where I’m going to end up.”

Adams has been without full-time work for two years. Her unemployment benefits have expired -- and now a tumor threatens her life.

"I've gone through my savings and I don't know how I can survive after surgery without a job. I'm willing to work. I want to work. Now I can work, but there are no jobs.  All I'm asking from you today is to make some kind of commitment to me that you'll do something to help me in six weeks, not two years from now. I can't wait."

In Racine, Randy Bryce, Ironworkers Local 8, asked area lawmakers, “what are some specific projects in Kenosha and Racine that can put people to work right now? ”

With input from working people around the state the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has developed a ten-point jobs agenda which, if enacted, will put people back to work.

Jobs hearings were held at UW La Crosse, UW Oshkosh and the Roma Lodge in Racine.  

A jobs hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in Wausau at UW Marathon County, Terrace Room, 518 S. 7th St. 

Media Coverage of the Jobs Hearings

• Oshkosh Northwestern, Close to 100 Including Sen. King and Reps. Spanbauer and Hintz, attend jobs hearing

• Racine Journal Times, Job struggle continues, area residents tell legislators

• La Crosse Tribune, Help wanted: Forum seeks answers on jobs, education 

• WBAY, Green Bay:  Lawmakers Get Public Input on Need for Living Wage Jobs

• TMJ4 Milwaukee, Governor Walker's job goal comes under attack at pro-union meeting in Racine

Citizens Pack Milwaukee Area Jobs Hearing

Over 200 concerned constituents packed the Washington Park Senior Center in Milwaukee last night to speak directly with their lawmakers at the first of several statewide Jobs Hearings. 

Topics included employment discrimination, high unemployment rates in the city of Milwaukee, the need for good jobs for Veterans and healthcare caps on families with special needs children. 

Lawmakers on the panel who listened and responded to constituents included Sen. Chris Larson, Sen. Spencer Coggs, Rep. Sandy Pasch, Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa and Rep. Fred Kessler.  Nik Kovac and Ashanti Hamilton of the Common Council and Nikiya Harris and Eyon Biddle of the County Board were also in attendance at the Jobs Hearings.

Moderating the forum was LaShell Drake of the Milwaukee Inter City Congregations Allied for Hope,  M.I.C.A.H.   Rev. Willie Brisco, President of M.I.C.A.H opened the jobs hearings with a prayer. 

“We’re here for jobs, we’re here to hear from you, so don’t be shy,” explained Sen. Spencer Coggs.

“We’re here because we care desperately about what’s happening to Milwaukee and Wisconsin and we want to save our state.  Let’s put our heads together as a community of concerned citizens and come up with solutions,” stated Rep. Sandy Pasch. 

Gerry Miller, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1343, kicked the hearing off by asking what lawmakers are doing to create good jobs at home in Wisconsin.

“I am one of the lucky ones who is very thankful to have a good job,” stated Miller.  “What I see in my community is that the next generation is struggling to find good-paying, American jobs.  What are we doing to bring jobs to Wisconsin?  What are we doing to combat the off shoring of our jobs to China?” 

Edward Jude of Milwaukee raised another concern of the community.  “On my way here I passed boarded up homes because my community has no jobs.  A community with no jobs is a community in crisis.  Veterans coming home from serving our country are struggling to find work.  We don’t need to be sending jobs out of our state, we need jobs right here at home.” 

“I assume we are all part of the 99%,” said Sen. Chris Larson.  “Let’s move forward with shared prosperity and tax fairness.  When they stop creating jobs, they lose the right to be called job creators.” 

Jobs Hearings are also planned for Racine, Oshkosh and La Crosse on Monday, October 24. 

• Racine: Oct. 24, 7:00 pm, Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring Street. 

• Oshkosh: Oct. 24, 7:00 pm, UW Oshkosh Reeve Memorial Union, 748 Algoma Blvd

• La Crosse:  Oct. 24, 7:30 pm, UW La Crosse Cartwright Center, WARD Room, 1741 State Street. 

Jobs Hearings to Begin in Milwaukee

The first of several jobs hearings will take place at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet Street,  in Milwaukee on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 pm.  The jobs hearing will give citizens a chance to speak directly with their legislators about the need for quality, family-sustaining jobs in the area.  

The jobs crisis is the number one threat to our economy and a concern of many Wisconsinites.  Although Gov. Walker promised to create 250,000 new jobs for Wisconsin, it is clear that continuous tax breaks for the super rich have not helped the people of Wisconsin.  The lack of family-supporting jobs is the priority issue that must be addressed immediately by policymakers.   

Additional Jobs Hearing will be held in La Crosse, Oshkosh and Racine on October 24.  

As of Oct. 16, lawmakers confirmed to attend  include Sen. Tim Carpenter, Sen. Spencer Coggs, Sen. Chris Larson,  Rep. Sandy Pasch, Rep. Christine Sinicki, Rep. Barbara Toles and Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa.

#OccupyWisconsin

Across the country, the 99 percent are standing up and speaking out against corporate greed, the corporate takeover of politics, joblessness and the financial meltdown which tailspinned our economy.  

This weekend marks a global day of solidarity with the Occupy Movement.  The 99 percent will not be silenced as the 1% consolidates our country’s wealth.

Occupy events are taking place at various locations across Wisconsin beginning Friday, October 14.

• Appleton, Saturday, Oct. 15:   Gather at Jones Park at 9:00 am, bring your own lunch for noon.  March to Chase Bank at 1:00 pm.  3:00 pm march to Houdini Plaza. 5:00 pm march back to Jones Park.

• Eau Claire, Saturday, Oct 15:  10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Owen Park.
  

• Green Bay, Friday Oct. 14:  Rally at Green Bay City Hall, 3:00 pm.
  

• La Crosse:  Visit the Occupy La Crosse Face Book page for up to date information.

• Madison, Saturday Oct. 15:   March with Occupy Madison in the March to End the Wars, sponsored by the Madison Area Peace Coalition. 11:30 am, Library Mall.

• Milwaukee, Saturday Oct. 15:  11:00 am rally at Zeidler Park followed by a march to Chase Bank.

• New Berlin, Friday, Oct 14:  Meet at Malone Park at 3:30pm and march to Chase Bank on 155th & National Avenue

We are protesting the misplaced priorities that have rewarded corporate CEOs and Wall Street bankers and left millions of Americans to suffer.  Wall Street and corporate America wrecked our economy, it is time that banks and big corporations step up to fix it. It is time they invest in America and start creating the kind of good jobs that support a family by rebuilding our infrastructure and improving our schools.

Support a local Occupy action this weekend. Stand up and speak out for good jobs in our communities and a better direction for our state.

Wireless Wednesdays: Adopt a Verizon Store!

For several weeks Wisconsin workers have been standing in solidarity with the Communications Workers of America (C.W.A) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W) of Verizon Wireless who have been working without a contract.

Even though the strike has ended, Verizon Wireless refuses to bargain in good faith with its workers.  45,000 Verizon workers are fighting for a fair contract and to preserve the middle class and the American Dream in the Northeast.

If wealthy corporations like Verizon continue to outsource jobs and hold down worker wages, there is no hope for an economic recovery.

To date, Wisconsin workers have leafleted Verizon Wireless Stores in Appleton, Eau Claire, Grand Chute, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Wauwatosa. 

You can adopt a store in your area or join an already planned leaflet by visiting: http://local.we-r-1.org/adopt

 

  “Last Wednesday we went out in front of Verizon stores in the area to pass out fliers letting people know about the clash between Verizon and their workers. Even in the more conservative town of Brookfield we found a lot of people expressing concern for the workers.  A number of folks who were shocked because they thought the issue was already settled. It just goes to show how important it is to educate people,” explained Emily Ruf of Milwaukee.

 

To view more photos of Verizon actions visit the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO photo page by clicking here.   

Tort Bills are Clear Corporate Giveaway

It’s being billed as a special session on job creation, but so far the people of Wisconsin can’t find proposals that actually create jobs.  Gov. Walker is once again trying to slip through several tort bills which let companies off the hook when they produce a defective or dangerous product.  A “tort” is a wrongful or negligent act for which victims deserve just legal compensation.

Instead of creating jobs, Gov. Walker wants to grant legal immunity to drug companies, making it impossible for anyone who has been harmed by FDA-approved drugs to hold drug producers accountable.  Only one state, Michigan, has similar legislation.  Wisconsin’s law would be even more extreme, extending legal immunity to makers of medical devices like automatic external defibrillators, heart valves and artificial hips.

“How does this create jobs?” asked Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Liability laws are put in place to protect the consumer and ensure that the manufacturer makes a safe product.  This is a clear giveaway to Gov. Walker’s corporate backers.  This proposal does nothing to help employ the people of Wisconsin and everything to help big-time, special interest drug company CEOs.  The CEO of the drug company Pfizer made $13.7 million in 2009, which is $52,692 per workday – more than the annual median household income for a Wisconsin family in 2010.”

“Drug companies have a responsibility to the public to make a safe product,” explained Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “If Gov. Walker takes that responsibility away, we set a dangerous precedent and put every Wisconsinite who has ever taken prescription medicine or relied on a medical device at risk.”

October 22: All About ALEC Panel

ALEC has an agenda that has been largely hidden from the American people.  An agenda that could fundamentally change our system of government from a democracy of, by and for the people, to one that is controlled by corporations and the rich and powerful.

On October 22, at 5445 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wisconsin there will be a series of panels to examine ALEC’s impact on legislation in a number of critical areas including:

• Education                         
• Tax policy
• Healthcare
• Voter ID
• Jobs

To Register go to: allaboutalec.org.  For an event flyer click here. 

Moderator John Nichols

Panelists & Presenters include (partial listing):
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D) Illinois - 9th Congressional District
Dan Holub - Wisconsin Education Assn. Council
Jack Norman - Institute for Wisconsin’s Future
Jill Underwood - UW Madison School of Education
Jay Heck - Common Cause
Jim Cavanaugh - South Central Federation of Labor
Lisa Graves - Center for Media & Democracy
Mike McCabe - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Rep. Mark Pocan - Wisconsin’s 78th Assembly District
Robert Kraig - Wisconsin Citizen Action
Sondy-Pope Roberts - Wisconsin’s 79th Assembly District