Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Introducing What’s Working: Building Good Jobs in Wisconsin

Jobs.

It’s the political buzzword of our time. But anyone who’s been unemployed knows that it is more than a word. So does the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

That's why we are launching a new blog to tell the story of how labor unions and labor-affiliated organizations continue to work hard for the people in our state. “What’s Working” will offer a glimpse into the efforts to get people into family supporting jobs and to help responsible employers thrive.

Click here to visit What's Working. 

The link will also be prominently featured in the right column of this page.  In the coming months you can expect regular updates about the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership(WRTP)/Big Step and other labor-affiliated groups that are improving training opportunities and creating high quality jobs across the state.

Right to Work for Less? Not in OUR state!

Did you hear Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt on the Joy Cardin Show this morning?  The calls and comments from listeners were overwhelmingly in favor of the rights of workers who want to form strong, effect unions.   If you missed your chance to call in, you can still make your voice heard. 

Click here to visit the Joy Cardin Show’s website.  Scroll down the page to vote NO on so-called Right to Work legislation.

Contrary to the name, this legislation won’t give anyone rights or jobs. It just weakens unions by letting free-riders get all the benefits of union protection without paying their fair share. The result? Weakened unions with fewer resources to defend the workers they represent. That’s why workers in states with these misnamed laws make, on average, $5,500 a year less.

Be sure to vote NO before the poll closes.  The online survey is towards the bottom of the page.  Your action now will help discourage legislators from proposing a Right to Work for Less law here in Wisconsin.

Vigil for Jobs and High Speed Rail

On Tuesday evening, about 250 union members and community activists held a vigil in the parking lot of the Talgo train facility in Milwaukee to show their ongoing support for federally funded high speed rail and the family sustaining jobs that come with it.  Participants hope that continued public demonstrations will encourage Governor-elect Scott Walker to reconsider his plan to stop construction.

“Other governors, including fellow Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, are maneuvering to claim Wisconsin’s share of federal high speed rail funding.  That should signal to Scott Walker that this is not a partisan issue,” noted Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt.  “Thousands of family-wage jobs are at stake, and the labor movement will not sit idly by while other states build a prosperous economy at our expense.”

“This rally and others like it should inspire Governor-elect Walker to do some soul searching over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale.  “As labor activists, it is our job to hold Walker to his pledge to create 250,000 jobs.  Thousands of high speed rail jobs are just the beginning.”

The Candlelight Vigil to Save Wisconsin Jobs builds on the success of a rally last Monday afternoon, which drew a crowd of about 350 supporters from a broad coalition of labor, religious and community organizations.  Both events were cosponsored by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition, and Voces de la Frontera. 

Governor-elect Walker continues to defend these cuts on fiscal grounds, but the fact remains that returning the 810 million dollars in federal funding for this project would actually cost Wisconsin about 100 million dollars and as many as 15,000 jobs.

“Job creation and economic development should be the top priority of the new administration.  We hope that our new governor is able to separate good governance from rhetorical politics in time to save the train,” said President Neuenfeldt.

Whether or not you attended the vigil, you can still show your support for high speed rail jobs by signing our online petition.  

Click here to take action.

The vigil drew media attention to the thousands of jobs associated with high speed rail.  This clip is from WISN-ABC television:  http://www.wisn.com/r/25901594/detail.html.

(All photos taken by Karen Hickey at the Candlelight Vigil to Save Jobs and High Speed Rail.  For more pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625331138951/.)

Labor Leads Vigil for Jobs and High Speed Rail

On Tuesday evening, over a hundred union members and community activists held a vigil in the parking lot of the Talgo train facility in Milwaukee to show their ongoing support for federally funded high speed rail and the family sustaining jobs that come with it.  Participants hope that continued public demonstrations will encourage Governor-elect Scott Walker to reconsider his plan to stop construction.
“Other governors, including fellow Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, are maneuvering to claim Wisconsin’s share of federal high speed rail funding.  That should signal to Scott Walker that this is not a partisan issue,” noted AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt.  “Thousands of family-wage jobs are at stake, and the labor movement will not sit idly by while other states build a prosperous economy at our expense.”
“This rally and others like it should inspire Governor-elect Walker to do some soul searching over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale.  “As labor activists, it is our job to hold Walker to his pledge to create 250,000 jobs.  Thousands of high speed rail jobs are just the beginning.”
The Candlelight Vigil to Save Wisconsin Jobs builds on the success of a rally last Monday afternoon, which drew a crowd of about 350 supporters from a broad coalition of labor, religious and community organizations.  Both events were cosponsored by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition, and Voces de la Frontera. 
Governor-elect Walker continues to defend these cuts on fiscal grounds, but the fact remains that returning the 810 million dollars in federal funding for this project would actually cost Wisconsin about 100 million dollars and as many as 15,000 jobs.

“Job creation and economic development should be the top priority of the new administration.  We hope that our new governor is able to separate good governance from rhetorical politics in time to save the train,” said President Neuenfeldt.
Whether or not you attended the vigil, you can still show your support for high speed rail jobs by signing our online petition.   Click here to take action.
The vigil drew additional media attention to the thousands of jobs associated with high speed rail.  This clip is from WISN-ABC television:  http://www.wisn.com/r/25901594/detail.html

Rally for Jobs Makes News Across and Beyond Wisconsin

Earlier this week, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO co-sponsored a rally urging Governor-elect Scott Walker to save and create jobs by reversing his position on the federally funded high speed rail connection between Milwaukee and Madison.

Whether or not you attended the rally, you can show your support for good Wisconsin jobs by signing our online petition:

http://act.aflcio.org/c/270/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=932

Monday’s rally in support of high speed rail construction made headlines statewide and even earned national media attention.  Below are links to some of our favorite online clips.

The Daily Reporter was quick to post this video from the rally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xauZizjgD-8

The rail story received statewide radio coverage.  Follow this link to download the Wisconsin Radio Network’s interview with Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt: 

http://www.wrn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/phil1va111510.mp3

All four Milwaukee television stations (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) covered the rally.  The video clip below is from WISN-ABC:
http://www.wisn.com/money/25794513/detail.html

WTMJ-NBC broadcast the following story, which highlighted the rally and suggested that corporate campaign contributions may have influenced Walker’s decision:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/108120439.html?video=pop&t=a&bctid=CLIP_ID_394336

Newspapers including the Milwaukee Courier, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Milwaukee Labor Press and the Shepherd Express showed up to cover the rally.  

The link below is from the Milwaukee Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2010/11/15/labor-elected-officials-rally-for-rail.html

This link is from the Milwaukee Community Journal:  http://www.communityjournal.net/?p=8612

Associated Press coverage of the rally was shared by national news media and newspapers statewide.  Below are a few examples of outlets which ran the story.

Bloomberg Business Week:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JGVU1G0.htm

The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/16/rally-mocks-new-wisconsin_n_784273.html

The Green Bay Press-Gazette:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201011160421

The Marshfield News Herald:
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20101115/WDH0101/101115026/Updated-Activists-ask-Walker-to-reconsider-high-speed-rail

The La Crosse Tribune:
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/wi/article_f94a8394-f0f9-11df-9ddd-001cc4c002e0.html

To watch video of the entire rally, visit the Wisconsin Eye Television archives:
http://www.wiseye.org/wisEye_programming/ARCHIVES-newsconference.html#4320

(Top Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt at the Rally to Save Wisconsin Jobs and Talgo.  Bottom Photo: Crowd of hundreds at Monday's Rally.  Credit for both photos: Karen Hickey.  More pictures are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625274171025/.)

Enthusiastic Steelworkers Get Out the Vote

 
Well over 100 volunteers from the United Steelworkers (USW) and other labor unions gathered at the Green Bay Labor Temple to participate in member-to-member political outreach yesterday morning.  Rally participants were on a mission to ensure that union members vote for candidates who will serve working families rather than corporate special interests. 

AFL-CIO endorsed candidates including gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett, Rep. Steve Kagen, State Senator Dave Hansen, State Senate candidate Monk Elmer, State Rep. Jim Soletski and State Assembly candidate Lou Ann Weix spoke at the USW Rally in Green Bay and thanked union volunteers for their critical GOTV efforts.  Sen. Herb Kohl is not running for reelection this year, but he also showed up to encourage Labor 2010 activists to keep up the good work.  Immediately following the rally, participants hit the doors and the phones to engage union households around the economic concerns at the heart of this election.

“There is no enthusiasm gap here.  Our members realize that our middle-class way of life is on the line on Tuesday,” said to USW District 2 Director Mike Bolton.  “Creating jobs and helping those who have lost their jobs are defining issues for all Wisconsin working families, and we are turning out voters around those issues.”

“Long term, there is no way to restore America’s competitive position in the world unless we put in place trade and tax policies that encourage companies to make things in America again,” Bolton continued.  “That is why working families should stand strongly on the side of advocates like Senator Russ Feingold.  He has fought against bad trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA, and he will continue to press for trade fairness if reelected.”

“Personal contact from a fellow union member ― whether it is at the worksite, at home or over the phone ― is more effective than any political advertisement,” said Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt, who also spoke at this morning’s Green Bay rally.  “Working people trust their unions to make recommendations based on economic criteria.  For example, gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett will protect workers’ rights and stop Wisconsin jobs from being outsourced. He has a plan which will create 180,000 new jobs during his first term and that is why working people should vote for him.”

Time is running out, but you can still make a difference by showing up for Labor 2010 GOTV.  Click here for location information.

Throughout the day, USW hosted additional volunteer rallies in Kaukauna, Wausau, Stevens Point, and Mosinee in order to make sure that union members cast informed votes on November 2nd.  Tom Nelson, the AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for Lieutenant Governor, thanked Labor 2010 activists at the Kaukauna rally.

Local press turned out in force to report on the USW GOTV Rally in Green Bay.  Check out television clips listed below.

WFRV-TV CBS:
http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/Candidates-work-to-gain-voter-support-106390823.html

WBAY-TV ABC:
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=13416490

(Top Photo: AFL-CIO endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett at the USW GOTV Rally in Green Bay.  Photo Credit: Mike Kolaske. Top Right Photo: USW GOTV Rally in Green Bay.  Photo Credit Greg Hinds.  For more pictures from USW in Green Bay, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625152297311/.

Top Left Photo: USW District 2 Director Mike Bolton at the USW GOTV Rally in Wausau.  Bottom Right Photo: AFL-CIO 7th Congressional District candidate Julie Lassa thanks Labor 2010 volunteers at the USW GOTV Rally in Wausau.  Credit for Both Wausau Photos: Scott Wright.  For more pictures from USW in Wausau, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625149816309/.)

Wausau Voters Remind Politicians to “Keep it Made in America”

With the midterm election just days away and all polls showing the economy and jobs topping the list of voter concerns, the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) made its final stop on the 2010 “Keep it Made in America Tour” in the Wausau area yesterday.  Dozens of local manufacturing workers, retirees, corporate representatives, civic leaders, students, and interested citizens participated in a town hall meeting, which took place at Stoney Creek Inn in Rothschild.

“A majority of likely voters say the U.S. no longer has the world’s strongest economy and that Washington isn’t doing enough to rebuild manufacturing,” said AAM Executive Director Scott Paul. “People are greatly concerned about our lost standing. They know China is overtaking us, and they want the United States to be number one again.

“Through town hall meetings, we have provided voters with a chance to ask their candidates directly, ‘What are you going to do about restoring manufacturing and the millions of jobs we’ve lost to China,’” Paul said. 

Over the past few weeks, the non-partisan AAM has held Town Hall meetings in 10 states to help voters directly question their candidates and elected officials on such key issues as unbalanced trade with China and rebuilding U.S. manufacturing for the global economy.   All candidates for federal or statewide office were invited and encouraged to participate.  AAM does not endorse political candidates.

The Rothschild Town Hall featured a special report on the recent U.S. International Trade Commission ruling ordering duties on coated paper imports.  Petitions filed by the United Steelworkers, Appleton Coated LLC, New Page Corporation, and Sappi Fine Paper North America led the commission to conclude that unfairly traded imports from China and Indonesia are a significant contributor to mill closures and job losses in the United States.

The Rothschild event also boasted the first screening of “Papertown,” a music video documenting the struggle and survival of paper mill communities nationwide. 

A wide range of Wisconsin candidates attended in the Wausau town hall, including Rob Taylor, Constitution Party candidate for Senate; Julie Lassa, Democratic Party candidate for the 7th Congressional District; State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker; Rep. Donna Seidel, Democrat from the 85th State Assembly District; and Chuck Eno, Republican candidate for the  85th Assembly District.

“This was a rare opportunity for business, labor and community leaders to come together and express a shared desire for sensible trade policy.  Manufacturing has to be at the heart of any long-term economic recovery,” said Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt.  “Wisconsin workers can compete and thrive in a global economy, but in order to do so our elected leaders must make a commitment to buy and build American.”

After the political candidates made their remarks, Neuenfeldt participated in an expert panel which included Andy Gussert, National Director of the Citizens Trade Campaign; Mike Roemerman, Human Resources Director for NewPage Corporation; and Dr. Gerry Ring, Professor and Chair of the Paper Science and Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

The town hall meeting and the civic panel focused on the need to create good jobs for the 21st Century; the importance of fighting for manufacturing as the key to any economic recovery; and leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses in the global marketplace.

More information about the Fall 2010 town hall tour can be found at: www.americanmanufacturing.org.
 
The Alliance for American Manufacturing is a nonpartisan, nonprofit partnership of several leading U.S. manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.

Local media turned out to cover the Town Hall.  Below are links to two of the press clips.

WOAW-TV Channel 9: http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13414507

Wausau Daily Herald:  http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20101030/WDH0101/10300499/Manufacturing-jobs-focus-of-Alliance-for-American-Manufacturing-meeting

(Top Photo: Expert panel at the "Keep it Made in America" Town Hall Meeting in Wausau.  Bottom Photo: 7th Congressional District Candidate Julie Lassa.  All photos courtesy of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.  For additional images, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38128181@N06/sets/72157625270600762/with/5127302933/.) 

AFSCME Rally in Union Grove Earns Attention from Candidates and the Press

“When you go out to vote take someone with you.”  That is the common sense advice offered by AFSCME Local 892 member Kory Small in the final days before midterm elections.  “Even an hour of your time spent volunteering to get out the vote can make a huge difference.”

With time running out, Small felt like more needed to be done to reach out to union voters.  She began calling other AFSCME Locals to see if she could coordinate a volunteer action.  Her hard work led to a rally and phone bank in Union Grove on Monday which drew over fifty participants.

“The fact that so many people are still undecided so close to Election Day is hard to believe, given how much is at stake,” laments Small.  “Working families are sick of political advertisements, but we can’t afford to let them tune out.  We can win this election, but we are going to have to reach out to union households personally in order to do it.”

Kris Barrett, wife of gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett, and endorsed State Senator John Lehman attended the Union Grove Rally to thank activists for their support and continued GOTV efforts.

The Racine Journal Times reported on Monday’s rally:
http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_c6be9c94-e0ff-11df-bf79-001cc4c03286.html

There isn’t a moment to lose, but you and your friends can still make a difference through Labor 2010 GOTV activities.  Click here to check the schedule or contact your local Service Area Organizer for details.

(Top Photo: Phone bank volunteers at the Union Grove rally on Monday.  Bottom Photo: State Senator John Lehman, Kris Barrett and Kory Small of AFSCME Local 892.  Credit for Both Photos: Justin Geiger.  For more pictures from Union Grove, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625253596748/.)

Barrett Stands With Working Families Statewide

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is the only candidate in the Governor’s race who supports the rights of working people to collectively bargain for a better future.  He is also the only candidate who has demonstrated his ability to create family-wage jobs and is running for office with a specific plan to rebuild Wisconsin’s middle-class. 

At Labor 2010 events in Eau Claire and Milwaukee last week, Barrett thanked union volunteers for their continued member-to-member political action and encouraged members to cast an informed vote on November 2nd. 

“Our goal is simple.  We are fighting to elect candidates who will support working families,” explained Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  Neuenfeldt was on hand in Eau Claire on Tuesday.    “Tom Barrett will protect workers’ rights and stop Wisconsin jobs from being outsourced. He has a plan which will create 180,000 new jobs during his first term by investing in job training and green technologies, as well as cutting through red tape on new construction.  That is the kind of leadership that we need to jumpstart our economy.”

“The fact that Barrett came to talk to us in the Eau Claire Labor Temple shows that he is serious about representing working people throughout the entire state,” says Katie Korbel, Chief Steward for AFSCME Local 2721.  Korbel works at the St. Croix County Nursing Home.  “Mayor Barrett is a wonderful speaker, and I think he has the passion and ideas necessary to be a great Governor.” 

About 120 union activists heard Barrett speak in Eau Claire on Tuesday afternoon and then followed up with member-to-member outreach to help get him elected.  Korbel visited fellow union members at home to talk about AFL-CIO endorse candidates, while other volunteers made phone calls to union households.

“We had very friendly reactions on the doors,” reports Korbel.  “People are worried about jobs, and many union families are looking forward to Tom Barrett’s administration because of that issue.”

Korbel knows that it will take a lot of hard work over the next two weeks to ensure victory for Barrett and other pro-worker candidates.  She is personally working to turnout volunteers for Labor Walks in St. Croix County to be held on October 27th and October 30th.  Contact your local Service Area Organizer to volunteer for this or other Labor 2010 GOTV efforts.

After visiting Eau Claire, Mayor Barrett received a warm welcome at a GOTV Rally at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council on Saturday.  Labor 2010 activists in Milwaukee County are familiar with both gubernatorial candidates and say that the choice between the two could not be clearer.

Jeff Arnold, Field Representative for IUPAT District Council 7, claims that it all comes down to the economy.  “As Mayor, Tom Barrett created nearly 4,000 family-sustaining jobs through the Menomonee Valley redevelopment project.  As Milwaukee County Executive, Scott Walker made promises to develop the Park East and that land still sits vacant.  You can guess who I am backing in November, and we need every union voter to mobilize and spread the word.”

Arnold helped provide lunch for the army of volunteers who showed up at the Milwaukee Rally on Saturday.  As was the case earlier in Eau Claire, Milwaukee area activists who came to hear Tom Barrett speak stayed to help turnout the labor vote.

Time is running out, but you can still make a difference this election season.  Contact your Local Service Area Organizer immediately to leaflet at a worksite, visit union households, participate in a member-to-member phone bank, or send out local union mail. 

  PRESS COVERAGE OF LABOR 2010 EVENTS WITH TOM BARRETT

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram ran a fantastic article about Tom Barrett’s visit:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/article_ab2fb3e2-d983-11df-8158-001cc4c002e0.html

All four Milwaukee television stations covered Saturday’s Labor 2010 Rally with Mayor Barrett.  The following clip is from CBS Channel 58:
http://www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=14480&

VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN FOR BARRETT RALLIES 

In Eau Claire, union members from AFSCME Local 7, AFSCME Local 63, AFSCME Local 116, AFSCME Local 122, AFSME Local 254, AFSCME Local 278, AFSCME Local 284, AFSCME Local 560, AFSCME Local 727, AFSME Local 1151, AFSCME Local 1742, AFSCME Local 1751, AFSCME Local 1914, AFSCME Local 1946, AFSCME Local 2223, AFSCME Local 2721, AFSCME Local 2742, AFSCME Local 2748, AFT-Wisconsin, AFT Local 2398, AFT Local 4018, AFT Local 4848, CWA Local 4390, CWA Local 4640, DALU Local 24111, IAFF Local 487, IBEW Local 14, OPEIU Local 277, UA Local 434, USW Local 19, USW Local 19L and USW Local 42 heard Tom Barrett speak and then participated in Labor 2010 actions on his behalf.

In Milwaukee, volunteers from AFSCME DC 48, AFSCME Local 80, AFSCME Local 82, AFSCME Local 91, AFSCME Local 104, AFSCME Local 423, AFSCME Local 645, AFSCME Local 758, AFSCME Local 882, AFSCME Local 883, AFSCME Local 1654, AFSCME Local 2748, AFSCME Subchapter 36, IAFF Local 215, IAMAW Local 2110, IAMAW Local 2560, IBEW Local 494, IBEW Local 715, AFT Local 212, AFT Local 2169, AFT Local 4822, AFT-WFNHP Local 5001, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, CWA Local 4603, IRON Local 8, IUPAT DC 7, IUPAT Local 770, IUPAT Local 781, IUPAT Local 802, IUPAT Local 941, IUPAT Local 1204, LIUNA Local 113, NALC Branch 397, UA Local 75, UAW Local 9, UAW Local 407, UAW Local 438, UAW Local 469, UBJCA Local 2283, UFCW International, UFCW Local 1473, SEIU Local 1, SEIU Local 150, SEIU Health Care Wisconsin, SEIU Statewide Council, OPEIU Local 9, USW District 2, USW Local 114 and USW Local 2-209 heard from Mayor Barrett before visiting or calling union households for GOTV.

Our full weekly breakdown of all affiliated unions participating Labor 2010 statewide is still being compiled and will be posted on the blog within the next few days.  When so many volunteers are active, it takes a lot of time to pull that information together and give everybody proper credit.  Keep up the good work!

(Top Photo: AFL-CIO endorsed gubernatorial candiate Tom Barrett speaking to union members in Eau Claire.  Top Right Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt introduces Tom Barrett in Eau Claire.  Top Left Photo: Eau Claire Labor 2010 volunteers listen to Tom Barrett.  Second Right Photo: Jeff Arnold of IUPAT DC 7 mans the grill in Milwaukee on Saturday.  Second Left Photo: Greg Korn of IBEW Local 14 phone banks in Eau Claire.  Third Right Photo: USW members listen to Tom Barrett in Milwaukee.  Fourth Right Photo: Scott Kmetz of AFT phone banks in Eau Claire.  Third Left Photo: John Roberts and Adam Holmes of IUPAT DC 7 visit a fellow union member to discuss the midterm elections.

All Eau Claire photos taken by Andy Thompson.  The picture of Jeff Arnold was taken by Leah Ganj-Bakhsh.  All other Milwaukee photos provided by Karen Hickey.  For more pictures from the Labor 2010 GOTV effort, visit: http://flickr.com/wisaflcio.)

Standing in Solidarity with Kohler Workers

Enough is enough.  Kohler Company is taking advantage of the poor overall economy to demand extreme and unnecessary concessions from their workforce, including a wage freeze, a two tier wage system and the use of more temporary employees. 

Nearly 2,000 people turned out yesterday to stand in solidarity with workers from UAW Local 833, as they fight to put the needs of working families ahead of corporate greed.  Workers and community members picketed side by side in order to send a united message to Kohler management.

“During times of economic prosperity, the leadership of UAW Local 833 has always taken a reasonable and responsible approach to negotiations. Unfortunately, Kohler Company chose to exploit the current recession as evidenced by its present proposals,” says UAW Local 833 President Dave Bergene. 

“Kohler harps about high labor costs. They conveniently forget to mention that the quality and productivity of Kohler workers is second to none in their global empire. Build it elsewhere, rework it here,” adds Dave Boucher, a full-time Kohler Foundry worker and an Executive Board member of UAW Local 833.

The contract fight at Kohler is part of a larger trend affecting all workers, union and non-union.   As companies sitting on huge cash reserves consistently put profits above people, the Wisconsin labor movement is mobilizing to fight on behalf of the middle-class and all working families.
 
“This pattern of ‘restructuring’ is becoming all too frequent, with successful companies demanding huge concessions from workers; not because they have to, but because they can,” according to Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “This is happening at non-union facilities too, but you simply don’t hear about it, because those workers don’t have a democratic structure though which to fight back.”

Neuenfeldt and newly elected Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale attended yesterday’s rally in Kohler in order focus statewide attention on the growing cancer of corporate greed which threatens to consume Wisconsin’s middle-class.

According to Bloomingdale, “It’s time to take a stand. This madness has to stop somewhere. If companies like Kohler want people to be able to buy their products, they must provide reasonable compensation in order to make it possible.”

“All too often the retirees that toiled to create a strong company are forgotten and thrown under the bus, all in the name of greater ‘competiveness.’ We’re not willing to let that happen here,” vows Pete Behrensprung, UAW International Representative and former Local 833 President.

“Maybe the company should focus less on improving their golf tournaments and more on improving their operations; then they wouldn’t have to extract huge concessions from the workers,” remarked Bruce Krueger, rank and file member of UAW Local 833.

In order to successfully fight the battles that lie ahead, working people will have to unite across sectors to support each others’ struggles.  Thor Backus, AFSCME Council 40 Organizer, sees the larger picture and is speaking out in support of his UAW brothers and sisters.  “If Kohler gets its way, workers and retirees in the area won’t be able to afford a pot to piss in, much less the company’s toilets.”

Media outlets around the state covered yesterday’s informational picket, and hopefully that will pressure Kohler into doing the right thing.  Here are a few press clip highlights:

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20101007/SHE0101/10070472/Union-picket-near-Kohler-Co-draws-thousands

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/Kohler-union-workers-held-informational-picket-today-104451824.html

http://www.wisn.com/money/25307609/detail.html

http://whbl.com/news/articles/2010/oct/06/union-workers-gather-informational-picketing-kohle/

(Top Photo: Members of UAW Local 833 picket outside of Kohler.  Contract negotiations are ongoing.  Middle Two Photos: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt and Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale join Kohler workers and community members to rally for a fair contract.  Bottom Photo: Close-up of a UAW Local 833 logo on the back of a rally participant.  Credit for All Pictures: Mike Underhill and Stephanie Bloomingdale.  For more images from yesterday's rally, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157625113676552/.)

Biomass Jobs Project Clears an Important Hurdle

Last week the Rothschild Village Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to allow a height exception for a proposed biomass energy project, which could create more than 400 construction jobs and 150 permanent, family-wage positions in fields supporting the facility.

The Village of Rothschild has an ordinance stating that no building or structure can be higher than 65 feet.  In order for this project to meet federal air quality regulations, four of the proposed buildings and chimneys will have to exceed that height.

The passage of this variance was due in part to the vocal participation of dozens of union members who turned out at the Board of Appeals meeting in support of the project.

“There were at least 40 local activists from a broad coalition of unions at the meeting.  It’s really exciting to see our movement galvanize around creating high-quality green jobs,” according to Phil Neuenfeldt, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer.  “Furthermore, this is an opportunity to put materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill or cause forest fires to wise use.  We should seize this chance to create a more energy independent state and family-supporting union jobs.”

What is biomass?

Biomass is a plant-based energy source.   In this case, it is the tree tops and branches left after logging takes place and clean or the untreated left over material from wood manufacturing such as bark or shavings.

Domtar and We Energies are partnering to build this biomass-fueled cogeneration facility, which will produce steam to run the paper mill and electricity for commercial use.

Combined heat and power cogeneration is a more efficient use of biomass fuel than producing steam and electricity separately. In addition to a smart use of a renewable resource, the new facility will use the existing brownfield site on the Domtar property and share the mill’s infrastructure and resources.

Domtar currently burns 130,000 tons of clean woody biomass each year to generate steam for their facility. Domtar produces 50,000 tons of biomass through their paper-making process and purchases an additional 80,000 tons annually.

Opponents of the project cite air quality as one of their objections.  However, with the combination of the biomass facility’s air quality technology and the retirement of Domtar’s existing boilers, the new facility is projected to reduce the overall emissions from the mill site by approximately 30 percent. Ambient air quality is also expected to improve as shown by analysis that includes the effects of truck traffic.

Why should working people care?

The project is expected to create 400+ construction jobs over the 2.5-year building process and approximately 150 permanent jobs in fields supporting the operation of the biomass facility (forest management, logging, transportation).

On top of that, this project will help retain the current jobs connected both directly and indirectly with the Domtar facility. Domtar's Rothschild pulp and paper mill and the associated Lignotech chemical facility directly employ 460 men and women at family supporting wages. Roughly 800 external jobs rely on the economic impact of the mill.

Even local residents who aren’t directly employed by the project stand to benefit.  Once the biomass plant is in service, both the Village of Rothschild and Marathon County will receive an annual payment based on the megawatt capacity of the facility, and that money can be used to support vital public services.

What’s next?

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is performing an independent environmental review of all of the data.  

When completed, the PSCW will issue a draft of that report (an Environmental Assessment or EA) and all parties will have the opportunity to review and provide comment.  That will be another opportunity for local union members to show support for this project and the associated jobs.

If the project receives PSCW approval, construction could begin as early as the spring of 2011, which would put the biomass plant on track to begin commercial operation in the fall of 2013.


This is how the Marshfield News Herald reported last week’s Board of Appeals meeting:
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20100820/MNH0101/8200624/Rothschild-residents-sound-off-on-biomass-plant-proposal#pluckcomments

(All pictures taken by Scott Wright at the Rothschild Board of Appeals meeting on August 19th. Top photo: Todd Bencke of UA Local 434, Terry Hayden of UA Local 434, Ron Holden of LIUNA Local 268, and Gene Rustic of IRON Local 383 inside of the meeting. Second Photo: Chris Ignatowski of UA Local 434, Rosie Britz of UA Local 434, and Tom Hill of LIUNA Local 268 outside before the meeting. Third Photo: Tom Hill of LIUNA Local 268 heads into the meeting. Bottom Photo: Steve Parrott of IBEW Local 388 and Tracy Parrott of UA Local 434 outside of the meeting. For more pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157624644466097/.)