Friday, October 22, 2010

Another Quote of Scott Walker

We can no longer afford to have a society where the public employees are the haves, and the people who foot the bill as taxpayers are the have-nots.- Milwaukee Co. Exec. Scott Walker in the second gubernatorial debate

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Update: GOTV Rally

I just received an update on the AFSCME GOTV Rally planned for Mon. 10/25 in Racine.

Kris Barrett, wife of Tom Barrett will be appearing at the GOTV Rally.

Check the SEPAC website (www.wseu-sepac.org) for more details or scroll down these blog entries.

Thank you Kory Small and Peter Drummond for making this happen.

Posted by Steven Williams
PEL Coordinator, AFSCME Council 24

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Political Message from Director Beil

The whirlwind of activity around political campaigns continues. For state employees, there is no clearer choice as to who the best candidate is for Governor and for U.S. Senate.

Don’t be misled by paid political propaganda on TV and radio. Don’t be discouraged that the election is “already decided” and then stay home.

It is vital that you exercise your right to vote. There is no reason – absolutely none- as to why a public employee would squander their right to vote by sitting on their hands. You, your family and coworkers’ futures all depend on voting in this election.

We urge you to visit the SEPAC website for very specific information about the candidates and their positions. SEPAC’s website is here: http://www.wseu-sepac.org/.

Remember, Charlie Sykes, Vicki McKenna, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and all the other right-wing crazies do NOT have your best interests at heart. Their focus is to eliminate you and contract out your job, eliminate programs and let people fend for themselves, eliminate government and let the strongest and richest survive. Please make a very careful decision at the polls.

AFSCME Is Fighting Back

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is now the biggest outside spender of the 2010 elections, thanks to an 11th-hour effort to boost Democrats that has vaulted the public-sector union ahead of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and a flock of new Republican groups in campaign spending. The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats' hold on Congress.

Last week, AFSCME dug deeper, taking out a $2 million loan to fund its push. The group is spending money on television advertisements, phone calls, campaign mailings and other political efforts, helped by a Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on campaign spending.

"We're the big dog," said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME's political operations. "But we don't like to brag." ….. Gregory King, a spokesman for AFSCME, said conservatives make too much of the issue, especially the link to taxpayers. Based on their logic, "the government is funding the movie industry every time AFSCME members go out to the movies," he said. The union is spending heavily this year because "a lot of people are attacking public-sector workers as the problem," said AFSCME President Gerald McEntee. "We're spending big. And we're damn happy it's big. And our members are damn happy it's big—it's their money," he said.

Read the full article at The Wall Street Journal

AFSCME Political Rally in Union Grove

AFSCME Get Out the Vote Rally with State Senator John Lehman!

Monday, October 25th
4:30pm-5:30pm
American Legion Post 171
1027 New St, Union Grove


This year’s elections are more important than ever. Scott Walker has already let Milwaukee County fall apart on his watch and if we don’t get everyone to the polls he’ll do that same thing to the state. Join our union brothers and sisters along with State Senator John Lehman to help get out the vote for our endorsed candidates.

Free refreshments included!

Stay at the end of the rally to help us make phone calls to our elected candidates, John Lehman, Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett.

Have questions?
Contact Kory Small at (262) 939-8222 or Peter Drummond at (414) 333-1606

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Take at Least One Person with You to the Polls

The below brief communication from Council 24 Field Staff Representative says it all in a nutshell;

Voter Public Access gives Wisconsin voters one-stop access to information about exercising their right to vote.

Below is the web address of the Wisconsin Voter Public Access. I encourage all union members to make individual contact with other union members and not only get a commitment from them to vote themselves, but to bring at least one other person along with them to the polls as well. This is where the rubber meets the road folks. Make sure you, other members, family and friends know where to vote and when they need to vote by. In fact, all of us can vote early, there is no need to wait until the November 2nd.

Wisconsin Voter Public Access: https://vpa.wi.gov/

--- Troy Bauch, AFSCME Council 24

Special Bargaining Notice from Council 24

All locals should be aware that we are anticipating a contract settlement within roughly the next two weeks. In preparation for the mail ballot regarding contract ratification, we are urging local union secretaries to submit address corrections to Council 24 ASAP so that we can attempt to ensure these ballots get delivered to the current address. We will not have the luxury of time on our side in terms of this ratification vote, so please help us to get these ballots delivered right the first time. Communications Assistant Betty Dorow (bdorow@wseu-24.org) can assist with any questions.

Thank you,

Martin Beil
Executive Director