Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

More Job Losses for Wisconsin Highlight Gov. Walker’s Failed Policies

When Gov. Walker ran for office last November he promised the state of Wisconsin 250,000 new jobs.  The facts are that since Gov. Walker has taken office, Wisconsin has lost more jobs than any other state in the nation.  Wisconsin lost 4,500 jobs in March and 23,900 jobs in the last twelve months -- signaling to all voters that Gov. Walker’s leadership is taking us in the wrong direction. 

 

The people of Wisconsin must stand up and take control of our democracy by recalling Gov. Walker on June 5 and electing a champion who will work to create family-supporting, middle class jobs.

 

“Gov. Walker says Wisconsin is open for business.   Give me a break," says Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.   “Is this a cruel joke that he is playing on the working men and women of Wisconsin?  We see breathtaking Wisconsin job losses again in March.  The middle class is taking a hit under Gov. Walker’s so-called “leadership.”  The people of Wisconsin are wide awake and ready to reclaim our state and recall Scott Walker on June 5." 

A Message from Illinois Workers

 

Over four thousand protesters gathered along Adams Street outside of the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 to speak out against Gov. Scott Walker.  Video Credit:  The State Journal-Register.

Solidarity in Springfield! Thousands Protest Walker in lllinois

A spirited crowd of over 4,000 rank-and-file union members and community supporters demonstrated against the extreme agenda and failed record of Gov. Scott Walker earlier today in Springfield, Illinois.  Gov. Walker is in the capital city today to address the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.  After his talk he will be flying to a GOP dinner in Troy, Michigan where the UAW and other working families are expected to protest his appearance. 
 
 

Over the weekend Illinois oldest newspap er The State Journal-Register wrote about Walker’s visit in an editorial entitled “Chamber’s invite to Walker a huge risk” explaining that “it’s difficult to decipher the intent or rationalize any expected positive outcome” of Walker’s visit and that “it is beyond baffling to us how a group like the Illinois Chamber — whose mission is to promote business in Illinois — believes its members will benefit by high-fiving the guy famous for starting a war against organized labor in his state.”  
 
Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, addressed the crowd in Springfield bringing a message of solidarity from Wisconsin workers. 

 

“It is amazing to see over 4,000 working people standing together in Springfield, Illinois today to tell Gov. Walker that his job-killing agenda of union-busting, cuts to health care and education and rolling back women’s equal pay protections are the wrong way for any state in the nation.  The energy and excitement here in Illinois is providing fuel for the people of Wisconsin as we undertake the historic effort to reclaim our democracy by recalling Gov. Walker on June 5.” 

 

Media Coverage

• ABC 12 WISN:  Demonstrators Protest Walker in Illinois

• Illinois State Journal-Register, What Would Abe think about Gov. Scott Walker?

• NBC TMJ4:  Protests at Gov. Walker appearances in Illinois, Michigan

• Fox 6 News:  Protests expected as Walker speaks to Illinois Chamber Tuesday

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Politics Blog:  Demonstrators Angered by Walker Illinois Visit

Walker's War on Women: Walker Repeals Equal Pay Law

Late last Thursday, as many were checking out for the holiday weekend, Gov. Walker quietly signed a bevy of controversial bills attacking Wisconsin women.  One of which was repealing the 2009 Equal Pay Enforcement Act. 

Among many things the Equal Pay Enforcement Act gave women workers more options to seek justice for pay discrimination at work.  The act served as a deterrent for employers to discriminate based on gender and allowed for workers to take their case to the less costly, more accessible state circuit court system.

Gov. Walker wants to turn back the clock on women’s rights and deny them their day in court.  Equal pay is an economic security issue for millions of Wisconsin women and this act threatens the livelihood of many workers. 

In the United States, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men make.   According to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health (WAWH), in Wisconsin, women earn 75 cents for every dollar men earn.  As Amanda Terkel reports for the Huffington Post, the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health also estimates that families in the state "lose more than $4,000 per year due to unequal pay."

 

“Gov. Walker is shamefully signing legislation into law that threatens the economic security of Wisconsin women,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Repealing the Equal Pay Enforcement Act is not the Wisconsin way and shows just how disconnected Gov. Walker is with the issues facing working women in today’s economy.”

 

 

Amanda Terkel's Huffington Post report, "Scott Walker Quietly Repeals Wisconsin's Equal Pay Law" contributed to this blog post.

Walker’s Botched Train Deal, Leads to More Job loss for Wisconsin

One year after Gov. Walker halted high-speed rail, train maker Talgo is laying off workers.  This job loss is a direct result of the actions of Gov. Walker and could have been avoided. 

Last year, despite protest from the citizens of Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker put politics before the people and refused federal funding for investment in Wisconsin’s high-speed rail.   Along with isolating Wisconsin from other parts of the Midwest and leaving the state behind in infrastructure development, the move will cost Wisconsin workers over 4,700 full-time jobs in the private sector.  

The move is also crippling to Talgo, a Spanish train manufacturer, who invested in Wisconsin expecting more from its Governor. 

“The high-speed rail debacle is another clear example of how Gov. Walker’s poor choices are costing the people of Wisconsin the family-supporting jobs that our communities need to thrive,” explained Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Since Gov. Walker has taken office, Wisconsin has lost more jobs than any other state in the nation.  We need to recall Gov. Walker on June 5 in order to put an immediate stop to his backward, job-killing policies.” 

“Investment in high-speed rail would have brought needed jobs to Milwaukee, which faces devastating unemployment,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Instead of allowing job growth to come to Wisconsin, Gov. Walker foolishly stopped the train, sending our jobs to neighboring states.  Walker’s political antics killed the train – one more reason people want him recalled.”

Court Puts Partial Check on Gov. Walker’s Attacks on Working People

Today, a federal court ruled that parts of Act 10, Gov. Walker's union-busting law, were found unconstitutional under the U.S. constitution.  While this is a step in the right direction and shows that Gov. Walker disregarded the law when attempting to strip public employees of their rights on the job, it does not restore collective bargaining rights for Wisconsin workers.  The fight to reclaim Wisconsin by recalling Scott Walker continues. 

 

Below is a statement from officers of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO on today's federal court ruling.

“Gov. Walker’s extreme attacks on public sector workers has, in part, been reversed by the court of law today and found in violation of the U.S. constitution,” explained Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “This proves that Gov. Walker rammed through his radical and secret agenda without regard to the U.S. constitution, the rule of law, or to what is right and fair for Wisconsin families.  There is still much to be done to reverse the harm that Gov. Walker has done to nurses, teachers, snow plow drivers and other public workers.  The fight to fully restore public employee’s voices on the job and a strong middle class for Wisconsin continues.” 

 

“This is a better day for public sector workers but unfortunately does not fully restore the ability of public employees to have a meaningful voice in the workplace so that they can speak out on behalf of the communities they serve,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.   “Limiting collective bargaining, as Scott Walker has done, is unjust and un-American.   The fight to reclaim Wisconsin and restore the rights of working people to collectively bargain continues.” 

Recall Election Gets the Go Ahead!

Today, the Government Accountability Board voted to move ahead with the historic recall elections of Gov. Walker, Lt. Gov. Kleefisch and four State Senators -- Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, Sen. Van Wanggaard, Sen. Terry Moulton, and Sen. Pam Galloway.  This morning the Board announced that it has verified enough signatures to trigger a people-powered recall election of Gov. Scott Walker, his second in command and four anti-worker legislators. 

 

It is expected that final election dates will be set today and are anticipated to be:

•  Tuesday, May 8:  Primary election

•  Tuesday, June 5:  General election

 

The Board found that over 97% of signatures turned in to recall Gov. Walker were valid, finding only 5 fake names.  Now, we continue to talk with our friends, family and neighbors about the importance of reclaiming our state by recalling Scott Walker. 

 

Gov. Walker dismantled union rights for public employees, destroying a fundamental underpinning of our middle class communities.  Under Walker, Wisconsin has lost more jobs than any other state in the nation! 

 

The facts are clear:  Gov. Walker is putting the interests of the 1% above the interests of the people.  Gov. Walker increased taxes on the poor and elderly and made devastating cuts to our education and health care systems so that he could give billions in tax breaks to his corporate friends and allies.   Wisconsin can’t wait, recall Walker on June 5. 

 

(Middle Left Photo Credit:  Wisconsin State Journal, GAB throws out few petition signatures; recommends Walker recall proceed) 

Support Fire Fighter Mahlon Mitchell for Lieutenant Governor

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has endorsed Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell for Lieutenant Governor in the upcoming special election for his commitment to middle class families and economic justice.  

Mitchell, who is the first and youngest African American to serve as President of the P.F.F.W, is a Lieutenant in the Madison Fire Department and has been a Fire Fighter for 15 years. 

“Mahlon Mitchell has emerged as a true leader for Wisconsin’s middle and working class families,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State  AFL-CIO.  “With Mahlon you can be sure that the interests of the 99% are put before the interests of powerful insiders and corporate special interests.  Mitchell will put a check on corporate power by fighting for union and collective bargaining rights to ensure that we have a fair and balanced economy that works for all of Wisconsin.” 

 

“Mahlon Mitchell has dedicated his life to protecting and serving our communities.  He will fight to bring jobs and better economic opportunities for all citizens of Wisconsin,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “We can count on Mahlon to bring Wisconsin together, uphold democracy and fight for fairness and equality.”    

You can learn more about Mahlon Mitchell and his commitment to working families at mahlonmitchell.com

 

(Bottom left photo credit:  ra-hurd, Flickr.com)

Wisconsin Workers Endorse Senate Candidates in Summer Recalls

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has endorsed the following Senate candidates in the upcoming summer recall elections:

• Lori Compas - Senate District 13

• John Lehman - Senate District 21

• Kristen Dexter - Senate District 23

• Donna Seidel - Senate District 29

“The people of Wisconsin, through grassroots activism, are fighting to hold their legislators accountable for attacking middle class families, union rights, education and health care by recalling Republican Senators who ignored the voices of their constituents in order to rubber-stamped Gov. Walker’s agenda,” explained Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. 

As the statewide coordinating council for all AFL-CIO unions in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO represents and fights for labor and working people, provides core services to local unions and members, and pushes for policies that help and support working families across Wisconsin.  The State AFL-CIO coordinates advocacy with its 1000 affiliated unions which represent 250,000 members in the state.

Reclaim Wisconsin: Take the Pledge!

The Reclaim Wisconsin Tour has been criss-crossing the state in order to give citizens a chance to speak out on the local impact of Gov. Walker’s disastrous agenda.  At each and every stop rally-goers are signing the Pledge to Reclaim Wisconsin. 

Click here to sign the Pledge to Reclaim Wisconsin.   Wisconsinites are pledging to vote to recall Scott Walker and support a candidate who believes in democracy, shared prosperity and investing in the people.  Sign the pledge today and forward this e-mail to three friends! 

At the Reclaim Wisconsin Stop in La Crosse, we heard from Mary Serwe, a 21 year old student, who told the crowd that her friends are leaving Wisconsin because of the lack of quality jobs.

“Cutting over $1 billion dollars for education is not the way forward.  We need a Governor who supports education.  The next generation depends on it.”

Bill Brockmiller, an AFSCME member and President-elect of the Western Wisconsin Labor Council explained how Gov. Walker tricked the electorate last November and came into office under a veil of dishonesty and deceit.

“Gov. Walker didn’t run for Governor on cuts to youth programs, cuts to BadgerCare or attacking unions.  I believe if he had campaigned on the actions he was going to take that he would not have been elected Governor.  We have defective merchandise in Wisconsin and we need to return it by recalling.”

Jeff Murphy, President of Fire Fighter's Local 127, explained that Gov. Walker’s union-busting bill is impacted police and fire fighters in Wisconsin.

“What we are seeing is less fire fighters in the city of La Crosse than we had a year ago.  Young fire fighters and police are going to other states.”

Scott Walker’s divisive and reckless agenda has torn Wisconsin apart.  These stories highlight the need to recall Scott Walker and reclaim our Wisconsin.  Click here to sign the pledge today. 

For a Reclaim Wisconsin Tour Flyer with a complete list of times and dates click here.  Tonight, the Reclaim Wisconsin Tour will be stopping in Wausau and tomorrow in Eau Claire.  The tour culminates with a Reclaim Wisconsin March in Madison on Saturday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m.  Click here to share the Face Book invite for the Reclaim Wisconsin March.

Please mark your calendars and spread the word about the Reclaim Wisconsin Tour and the Reclaim Wisconsin March!