Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

REPORT: Losses to Wisconsin's Working Families Under Gov. Walker

Since Gov. Walker and his administration have been in power there has been a substantial decrease in the quality of life for Wisconsin’s working population. 

Economic support systems for middle income and working class families in Wisconsin have decreased or disappeared. 

 

A new detailed research document provides a summary of some of the major losses for working families at this point in the Walker administration.  The document can be viewed here or by visiting www.wisaflcio.org. 

"Losses to Working Families under Gov. Walker" highlights the effect of Gov. Walker’s policies including, but not limited to, the loss of family-sustaining jobs, loss of worker’s fundamental freedoms, loss of employment protections and benefits, the transfer of wealth to the 1%, loss of quality public education, increased taxes on low-income Wisconsinites, loss of health care coverage, loss of citizen access to the courts and the loss of honest, clean and open government. 

 

This research clearly and systematically details how the public policies promoted by the Walker administration represent a radical departure from the Wisconsin values and traditions we know.   We encourage you to share it with your friends, family and co-workers. 

Plain and simple working people have been cast aside since Gov. Walker has taken office.   Gov. Walker cares more about pleasing his out-of-state corporate campaign funders than about doing right by Wisconsin.   We need to change course, turn our state around and start putting the 99% first.

The 99% Encourage Rep. Paul Ryan to Help Wisconsin's Jobless

Unemployment insurance, a vital lifeline for hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Wisconsinites and the communities they live in, will expire on March 6 unless Congress acts.  In Wisconsin, there are currently 215,767 jobless workers.

“Rep. Paul Ryan needs to put politics aside do what is right for hundreds of thousands of jobless Wisconsinites and extend unemployment insurance,” said Maria Morales, a jobless worker from Racine.  “Everyday, I get up and look for work.  While I am job searching unemployment insurance provides a lifeline that helps me feed my family, put a roof over my head and keep the heat on.  These proposals aren’t about saving money, but blaming the 99% for the jobs shipped off by the 1% and CEOs.”   

House Republicans are proposing costly and burdensome barriers, like drug testing, that would make it even harder for jobless Americans to look for work.  States such as Indiana, Florida and Texas have proven that drug testing the unemployed costs the state exponentionally more than it saves.  Unless Congress acts soon to fully renew unemployment insurance for 2012 with no cuts and no barriers – Wisconsin’s jobless families and local economies are at risk.

On Saturday, February 11 working families stood together to “Roll out the Red Carpet” for the 1% at the Eclipse Center in Beloit.  Jobless workers and community members came together to encourage Rep. Paul Ryan, a special guest at the event, to extend unemployment insurance for Wisconsin’s jobless.

“We need to spur the economy and keep it growing. Maintaining the unemployment insurance program does that,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.   “Jobless benefits go straight back into the economy—they support local businesses, help create jobs, reduce the demand for public services and cost taxpayers less in the long run.    Congress has to put politics aside and do what’s right for Americans who’ve lost their jobs and are struggling to survive.  We must protect the communities that depend on the economic boost unemployment insurance provides.” 

Fast Facts about Unemployment Insurance

•    Fourteen million people are unemployed in the United States, many in the job search of their lives.  According to the December 2011 Department of Labor jobs report, there are nearly 5.6 million people in the U.S. who have been jobless for six months or more—that’s more than 40 percent of all jobless Americans.

•    The average duration of joblessness — 41 weeks — is higher than at any time in 60 years.  At the same time, there are at least four jobless workers for job vacancy.

•    2.8 million Americans would lose unemployment insurance benefits under the House Republican proposal currently being considered. 

•    Based on the December 2011 jobs report, the cost of mandated drug tests for the 13.1 million jobless employees would be between $327,500,000 and $982,500,000 -- a cost that cash-strapped states simply can’t afford.

 

Media Coverage, WKOW - Madison: Protesters Gather Outside of GOP Fundraiser

For more photos of the event click here.

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.

December Jobs Report: Wisconsin Lost 3,900 Private Sector Jobs

For the sixth straight month Wisconsin has lost jobs. Since July 1, 2011, when Gov. Walker’s disastrous budget took effect, the state has continuously lost jobs.  While the nation's economy gains hundreds of thousands of jobs overall, Walker's disastrous policies continue to drive Wisconsin's economy further into the ditch.

 

According to data released Thursday by the state Department of Workforce Development, Wisconsin lost an estimated 3,900 jobs in  December.  During the same period, the United States showed a gain of 212,000 jobs.

 

When Gov. Walker ran for office he promised to create 250,000 new jobs for the state. He is not on track to fulfill his promise and the people of Wisconsin deserve better. Last Tuesday, over 1 million signatures to recall Gov. Walker were delivered to the Government Accountability Board as the movement to recall Gov. Walker grows.

Working Families, Community Members Help Those on Strike This Holiday Season

In a show of solidarity and support for the middle class, community members are coming together and donating food and toys to striking families at Manitowoc Cranes.

 

Union and community members from across Wisconsin are showing support for the men and women on strike at Manitowoc Cranes. The company has pushed the workers out at a difficult time of the year for many working families.

Thankfully, in keeping with the Wisconsin holiday spirit, working people across the state have come together to support the workers with donations of food and toys.  Hundreds of toys and 3 truckloads of food were delivered to the Machinists Union Hall. 

 

“The support from the community has been overwhelming and much appreciated,” said Ben Elizondo, of the Machinists Union. “There is never a good time for a strike but during the holidays, when people are suppose to be coming together, it is a shame that Manitowoc Cranes have pushed these workers out. Thankfully, the Manitowoc and Wisconsin community realizes that this is a fight for all working people. This is the fight to be able to put a check on corporate greed, a fight to be able to join together with your co-workers for a better workplace.”

 

On Wednesday, December 21 striking workers and community members gathered at the Machinists Local Lodge 516 Union Hall on Conroe Street to distribute the donated toys and food to the striking families of Machinists Local Lodge 516.

 

“While the CEO of Manitowoc Cranes rakes in a paycheck of $5 million a year, these workers simply want a fair contract, void of all union-busting language,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. “Our holiday hope is that we can get back to the table, negotiate and get the Machinists back on the job.”

 

Since Nov. 15 nearly 200 workers at Manitowoc Cranes have been on strike. At issue is not wages or benefits but the basic right to have a union. At the last minute, the Company slipped union-destroying language, similar to Gov. Walker’s union-busting bill, into a contract proposal.

The workers at Manitowoc Cranes have made their choice with an overwhelming vote of (180-2) to reject the language. The community has stepped up and supported the workers who are standing up for the middle class by donating food and toys so that the children of the striker’s can have a Christmas.

 

On Dec. 10 thousands of working families came together in Manitowoc to support the workers by walking the picket line and rallying in solidarity.  The labor movement stands firmly behind these brave workers as they fight for their union rights.

For more information visit the IAM Local 516 website.

 

Media Clips

•    Manitowoc Herald Times, Children of Striking Workers Receive Toys

•    NBC 26:  Striking Workers Get Holiday Help

•    WBAY:  Union: Manitowoc Crane Strike Could Last Months

•    Manitowoc Herald Photo Collection

Half a Million Wisconsinites Sign to Recall Gov. Walker

WOW!  Union members and recall activists have gathered over 507,533 signatures to reclaim Wisconsin and recall Gov. Walker in just 30 days! 

This is a huge accomplishment, but we aren’t stopping now!  Our new goal is to collect 720,277 signatures before the January deadline. 

With your help we can surpass our goal and ensure that Gov. Walker’s on attacks Wisconsin workers and families are stopped. 

• Click here to download a petition to circulate in your neighborhood.  There are still 30 days left to collect signatures.

• Click here to donate to the recall effort before the end of the year deadline. 

 

If everyone pitches in we will have the grassroots, people power to combat Gov. Walker’s big moneyed, corporate backers like the Koch Brothers.  Volunteer your time, download a petition or donate today. 

A new report released by the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future shows that the ripple affects of Gov. Walker’s policies will cost Wisconsin over 18,000 full-time, private sector jobs a year.  This report is a stark reminder of why we must recall Gov. Walker.

Over half a million people have signed to recall Gov. Walker.  Half a million people is the equivalent of filling Lambeau Field 7 times, Miller Park 11 times and is 10,000 more people than the average  gate attendance at Noah’s Ark in the Wisconsin Dells!  

Together, we will recall Gov. Walker.  In Wisconsin, we need jobs, not a Governor who puts corporate special interests above the 99%. 

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

Jobless Workers, Faith Leaders Hold Flower Prayer Vigil at Rep. Paul Ryan's Office

Unless Congress acts, 31,500 Wisconsinites will lose unemployment aid.  If Congress fails to act, the impact on families, communities and our economy will be devastating. 

In Wisconsin, the average weekly benefit is $275.21.  This money is immediately pumped back into the economy as families use it for food at local groceries, gas at the corner station and rent to the neighborhood landlord.  Nationwide, the economy grows by $2 for every $1 spent in unemployment aid.

Today, jobless Wisconsinites, clergy members and community members visited Rep. Paul Ryan’s Kenosha office to hold a flower prayer vigil for jobs and the jobless. 

“As a jobless American, I pray every night for a job and then hit the pavement every morning looking for one. If Congress doesn’t extend unemployment insurance, I’ll lose the last lifeline I have for myself and my family as we struggle to get through the biggest challenge of our lifetime,” said Mary Houf of Racine. 

Reverend Georgette Wonders of the Unitarian Universalist Church lead the group in a prayer as white carnations, each representing a testimony from a jobless worker, were hand-delivered to Rep. Paul Ryan’s office. 

Unfortunately, Rep. Ryan was not in his office and was unable to meet with constituents. To the side is a photo, taken December 8, of the door to Rep. Ryan’s Washington D.C. office.  A number of jobless Wisconsinites traveled to D.C. to talk to their Congressman about jobs and the economy.  Unfortunately, Rep. Ryan was available by appointment only today. 

In Milwaukee, jobless workers and community members met with Rep. Gwen Moore’s office to discuss issues facing the joblessness and community solutions. 

Buy Union This Holiday Season

"Black Friday" marks the start of the holiday season.  As you head to the stores in order to take advantage of the great deals, we encourage you to continue to shop union.

 

November 25 – December 2 is also “Buy Union” week.  Given the volatile state of the economy—marked by huge job losses, declines in take-home pay and increased costs—it makes more sense than ever to focus the purchasing power of union families on the goods and services that those families create. Supporting union made products helps keep good jobs in the community.

Look for the union label as you shop this holiday season.  Stand with Wisconsin gear is 100% union-made in the U.S.A. You can purchase T-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, and more at http://www.standwisconsin.org/.

 

 

 

Simply click on the “Shop Our Store” button on the bottom left-hand area of the http://www.standwisconsin.org/  page for a list of great union-made holiday gifts and apparel. 

Brand new items include posters and greeting cards by local artist Susan Simensky Bietila.  Simensky Bietila is a Milwaukee Public School Nurse and MTEA union member.   With scratchboard and watercolor she captures the Rotunda at the height of the protests.