Thursday, June 9, 2011
Stand with Wisconsin - Walkerville
Stand with Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO talks about Walkerville and shares some pictures.
12 'zombie' protesters arrested at Vos' Capitol office
It is just fitting that the protesters would look like zombies, after all, Senator's Fitzgerald and Grothman have each publicly stated that the protester's smell and look horrible.
State Capitol police say 12 people were removed from the office of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) on Wednesday and arrested.
Clcik "here" to read the entire news story.
State Capitol police say 12 people were removed from the office of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) on Wednesday and arrested.
Clcik "here" to read the entire news story.
Huebsch says he believes Supreme Court will act quickly
We guess that when you control the court, as the GOP does, you will already know the answer to their deliberations. For this reason, DOA Sec. Mike Huebsch seems to already know that the Wisconsin Supreme Court will act quickly with regards to the collective bargaining law. Lets not forget that the four conservative judges have already been advised by the Walker Administration that they need for the anti-collective bargaining provisions to be in place by June 30th. So actually, the Walker Administration has given the Wisconsin Supreme Court the deadline date for them to rule in favor of the Walker Administration.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Huebsch: State preparing for big protests next week
It would seem that the Scott Walker Administration once again wants to create a scenario that the tens of thousands of Wisconsinites that have been massing at the State Capitol to denounce the actions of the GOP Majority are there to do evil things.
DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch, the individual who is deliberately ignoring a court order to "OPEN" the Capitol to free passage, in and out, by the citizens, is once again stating that he is preparing for the worst. As the Administration has demonstrated in the past, this will mean activation of the National Guard, and countless numbers of state troopers and other law enforcement officers will circle the state capitol.
A remedy that this Administration could employ is to "listen to the people" and totally rewrite the 2011-2013 biennial state budget so that it is fair to ALL the people of Wisconsin and it supports Wisconsin values. But hey, that would be too easy, so the administration chooses to overreact with wasted resources to protect themselves from what?
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch, the individual who is deliberately ignoring a court order to "OPEN" the Capitol to free passage, in and out, by the citizens, is once again stating that he is preparing for the worst. As the Administration has demonstrated in the past, this will mean activation of the National Guard, and countless numbers of state troopers and other law enforcement officers will circle the state capitol.
A remedy that this Administration could employ is to "listen to the people" and totally rewrite the 2011-2013 biennial state budget so that it is fair to ALL the people of Wisconsin and it supports Wisconsin values. But hey, that would be too easy, so the administration chooses to overreact with wasted resources to protect themselves from what?
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Protest organizers disavow Special Olympics demonstration
Madison - Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker were backing away from a demonstration against him held Wednesday at a Special Olympics event, even as organizers of the ceremony said the protesters did not disrupt it.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
GOP leader says Olsen knew of spoiler candidate idea
So who is lying then? Maybe it does not matter, it is a Republican calling a Republican a liar. Why so much lying on the Republican side?
Click on "share" to read the entire news story.
Click on "share" to read the entire news story.
GAB signs off on recall elections for Democrats
The Government Accountability Board has certified recall elections against Democratic state Senators Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie), and Jim Holperin (D-Conover). The action comes after board members rejected most claims from Democrats that rampant fraud was committed by people paid to gather signatures. A hearing on those complaints took most of the day on Wednesday.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Receive A Daily SEPAC Blog Summary to Your Inbox
In this present world of so many newsletters, web feeds and alerts that a person can subscribe to through the Internet, I would like to offer you yet another.
The SEPAC Blog has been a very popular site on the Internet amounting to over 300 visits a day from our members. The SEPAC Blog is used to post immediate news, share news stories and provide immediate feeds from various AFSCME and AFL-CIO feeds as well as our very own SEPAC Alerts.
For many of us, time is not on our side when it comes to visiting so many different websites everyday in order to stay informed. I believe we have taken that need away, to have to visit the SEPAC Blog to see what is happening and trust me, a great deal is happening and a great deal of information is posted on a daily basis at the SEPAC Blog. How we have eliminated the need for you to visit the SEPAC Blog many times in a day is to add some programming code that allows you to visit the SEPAC Blog once, enter your preferred email address in the box located at the top of the right column and then click submit.
When you submit your preferred email address to us at SEPAC you receive once per day at approximately 5:00pm a single email that will include ALL blog entries made that day complete with active links, if provided. It is that simple. When you receive your daily summary there will be a "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the summary that you can use if you so choose to no longer receive these daily summaries.
I would also ask that you please share this posting on your Facebook page or email the posting to your email lists. Use any of the available social plugins at the bottom of this posting. We have added programming for those features as well. To use this feature you DO NOT need to be a member of AFSCME.
Click "EXAMPLE" to see June 8th's daily summary.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
In Solidarity,
Steve
----------
Steven Williams, PEL Coordinator
AFSCME Council 24 AFL-CIO
(608) 269-0307 Office
(608) 487-2424 Cellular
swilliams@wseu-24.org
wseu-sepac.org
wseusepac.blogspot.com
The SEPAC Blog has been a very popular site on the Internet amounting to over 300 visits a day from our members. The SEPAC Blog is used to post immediate news, share news stories and provide immediate feeds from various AFSCME and AFL-CIO feeds as well as our very own SEPAC Alerts.
For many of us, time is not on our side when it comes to visiting so many different websites everyday in order to stay informed. I believe we have taken that need away, to have to visit the SEPAC Blog to see what is happening and trust me, a great deal is happening and a great deal of information is posted on a daily basis at the SEPAC Blog. How we have eliminated the need for you to visit the SEPAC Blog many times in a day is to add some programming code that allows you to visit the SEPAC Blog once, enter your preferred email address in the box located at the top of the right column and then click submit.
When you submit your preferred email address to us at SEPAC you receive once per day at approximately 5:00pm a single email that will include ALL blog entries made that day complete with active links, if provided. It is that simple. When you receive your daily summary there will be a "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the summary that you can use if you so choose to no longer receive these daily summaries.
I would also ask that you please share this posting on your Facebook page or email the posting to your email lists. Use any of the available social plugins at the bottom of this posting. We have added programming for those features as well. To use this feature you DO NOT need to be a member of AFSCME.
Click "EXAMPLE" to see June 8th's daily summary.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
In Solidarity,
Steve
----------
Steven Williams, PEL Coordinator
AFSCME Council 24 AFL-CIO
(608) 269-0307 Office
(608) 487-2424 Cellular
swilliams@wseu-24.org
wseu-sepac.org
wseusepac.blogspot.com
Want to Help on Recall Elections?
Here are links that will help facilitate and easy sign up to help on a recall election of your choice.
To plug into the canvass and phone opportunities please go to: http://bit.ly/WAWinformationalsignup
To sign up for individual districts go to:
To plug into the canvass and phone opportunities please go to: http://bit.ly/WAWinformationalsignup
To sign up for individual districts go to:
- http://bit.ly/sd8vols - SD 8 link
- http://bit.ly/SD10volunteers - SD10 link
- http://bit.ly/SD12vols - SD 12 link
- http://bit.ly/SD14vol - SD14 link
- http://bit.ly/SD18vol - SD18 link
- http://bit.ly/SD22volunteers - SD 22 link
- http://bit.ly/SD302vols - SD 30 link
- http://bit.ly/SD32volunteers - SD32 link
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Assembly Likely to Call an Extraordinary Session
Earlier today, SEPAC reported that Speaker Fitzgerald's office was saying that the Assembly would most likely begin debate on the biennial budget bill next Tuesday, June 14th.
It appears that according to Joint Rule 81 of the 2011 Senate Joint Resolution 1 the Assembly and Senate can call an Extraordinary Session to address any bill that is brought to the floor for action. With that piece of information we have learned that on Thursday, June 9th at 3:30pm the Assembly Committee on Organization will meet to vote on calling for an Extraordinary Session in order to act on AB-40 and SB27, the two bills that are refrred to as the 2011 Biennial State Budget.
It appears that according to Joint Rule 81 of the 2011 Senate Joint Resolution 1 the Assembly and Senate can call an Extraordinary Session to address any bill that is brought to the floor for action. With that piece of information we have learned that on Thursday, June 9th at 3:30pm the Assembly Committee on Organization will meet to vote on calling for an Extraordinary Session in order to act on AB-40 and SB27, the two bills that are refrred to as the 2011 Biennial State Budget.
Capitol Updates: Senate Gallery Rules
Capitol Updates: Senate Gallery Rules: "Senate Gallery rules, as established by the Wisconsin State Senate for the 2011-12 legislative session : You must be quiet at all times You..."
Capitol Updates: Assembly Gallery Rules
Capitol Updates: Assembly Gallery Rules: "In accordance with Assembly Rule 26, the following is not allowed in the Assembly Gallery: Eating Drinking Smoking Talking Use of mobile..."
Legislative Debate to Begin on State Budget Next Week
We have just learned that the Assembly will take the first action on the proposed JFC version of the 2011-2013 biennial state budget. Speaker Fitzgerald's office is stating that they believe the floor debate will begin Tuesday, 06/14/2011 at around 11:00am.
Having written this we must caution that everything is subject to change as we have been learning from the GOP Majority. It is also suspected that there will be a substantial increase in security in and around the state capitol.
The proposed 2011-2013 biennial budget, even with some minor JFC revisions is the most controversial state budget in decades, if not the history of Wisconsin. This budget bill is the most anti-union, anti-middle class, pro-wealthy and pro-corporation loaded with many tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and more taxes shifted to the middle class and lower income. It also cuts many of the social programs that are in place to help everyone in Wisconsin achieve at least some level of decency in thei living style.
Having written this we must caution that everything is subject to change as we have been learning from the GOP Majority. It is also suspected that there will be a substantial increase in security in and around the state capitol.
The proposed 2011-2013 biennial budget, even with some minor JFC revisions is the most controversial state budget in decades, if not the history of Wisconsin. This budget bill is the most anti-union, anti-middle class, pro-wealthy and pro-corporation loaded with many tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and more taxes shifted to the middle class and lower income. It also cuts many of the social programs that are in place to help everyone in Wisconsin achieve at least some level of decency in thei living style.
Paulette Feld to Lead Largest State Employee Union
June 8, 2011
Contact: Marty Beil
608-836-0024
Paulette Feld has been sworn in as president of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24. Feld is stepping up from her role as vice president to complete the term of retiring President Bob McLinn.
Feld will be the first woman to serve as president in the 79-year history of the union.
Feld is president of AFSCME Local 579, which represents UW-Oshkosh employees. Feld joined the union shortly after beginning work at the university 31 years ago. She currently works in Polk Library as an information systems network support tech.
She has held leadership posts in Local 579 since 1988 and has served on Council 24’s Executive Board since 1995.
“She brings a wealth of talent and years of experienced leadership to the position,” said Marty Beil, Council 24 executive director.
Feld was sworn in at the conclusion of Council 24’s 79th Annual Convention, which was held June 2 and 3 at the Wisconsin Dells.
McLinn announced his retirement from union office and from the state Department of Corrections at the opening of the convention. McLinn had served as president of the 23,000-member union for seven years.
Contact: Marty Beil
608-836-0024
Paulette Feld has been sworn in as president of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24. Feld is stepping up from her role as vice president to complete the term of retiring President Bob McLinn.
Feld will be the first woman to serve as president in the 79-year history of the union.
Feld is president of AFSCME Local 579, which represents UW-Oshkosh employees. Feld joined the union shortly after beginning work at the university 31 years ago. She currently works in Polk Library as an information systems network support tech.
She has held leadership posts in Local 579 since 1988 and has served on Council 24’s Executive Board since 1995.
“She brings a wealth of talent and years of experienced leadership to the position,” said Marty Beil, Council 24 executive director.
Feld was sworn in at the conclusion of Council 24’s 79th Annual Convention, which was held June 2 and 3 at the Wisconsin Dells.
McLinn announced his retirement from union office and from the state Department of Corrections at the opening of the convention. McLinn had served as president of the 23,000-member union for seven years.
Three more GOP senators go to court, try to stop recall elections
Click on "share" to read the entire news story.
Wisconsin primary could change under proposed bills
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state Senate is expected to take up two bills Wednesday that would push the dates of Wisconsin's presidential and partisan primaries back by weeks.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Wisconsin elections board to vote on Democratic recalls
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The nonpartisan Wisconsin state board that oversees elections is meeting to determine whether three recall elections against Democratic state senators can proceed.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Abele pushes for deal with 2 unions
A push by two Milwaukee County unions to get contract extensions in advance of a new state law restricting public employee collective bargaining got an assist Tuesday from County Executive Chris Abele, who urged supervisors to get the job done to save money on benefit costs.
Abele said concessions on health and pension costs already agreed to by the county's largest union would save county taxpayers some $322,000 a month. The union representing county nurses also is seeking a new one-year contract through 2012 that includes increased employee health and pension payments.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Abele said concessions on health and pension costs already agreed to by the county's largest union would save county taxpayers some $322,000 a month. The union representing county nurses also is seeking a new one-year contract through 2012 that includes increased employee health and pension payments.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Recall primaries could be costly to taxpayers
Madison - A Republican effort to stall recall elections by forcing Democratic primaries to be held will cost taxpayers at least tens of thousands of dollars, a check of local election clerks shows.
Meanwhile, the top Senate Republican said Tuesday that all GOP recall targets were familiar with the plan to delay the recall elections by fielding fake Democrats in primaries. Earlier, some of those recall targets claimed they didn't know about the plan.
Recall elections for six Republican senators are scheduled for July 12. If there are multiple candidates from the same party in any of those elections, the July 12 election becomes a primary election, and a general recall election will be scheduled for Aug. 9.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Meanwhile, the top Senate Republican said Tuesday that all GOP recall targets were familiar with the plan to delay the recall elections by fielding fake Democrats in primaries. Earlier, some of those recall targets claimed they didn't know about the plan.
Recall elections for six Republican senators are scheduled for July 12. If there are multiple candidates from the same party in any of those elections, the July 12 election becomes a primary election, and a general recall election will be scheduled for Aug. 9.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Senators tangle over bill to outsource road help
Madison - Counties and local governments would have to give more of their highway work to private contractors under a budget provision that is drawing opposition from lawmakers from both parties.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Protests are Escalating. Police Presence will Increase. GOP will Limit Debate
There is much speculation about how legislative leaders in the majority party are going to manage the increasing public resistance to the state’s most anti-worker, anti-middle class budget proposal in state history. At last week’s Joint Finance Committee meeting, about two dozen protestors were removed from the room. Already this week several protestors were removed from the Capitol. And now, Walkerville is set up and running, with another week of protests to highlight the draconian cuts, corporate tax breaks and harm to working people and fundamental Wisconsin values.
GOP lawmakers are edgy and eager to have the budget finished so they can leave Madison to work on the campaigns. Some speculate that whatever changes to the budget the lawmakers believe are needed will be done behind closed doors, with no public input or input from minority Democrats. It is also widely understood among Capitol watchers that leadership will strictly enforce time limits on speakers during the legislative debate on the budget, which could spark protests from Democrats and observers. Expect an even greater police presence in the Capitol as the days unfold.
After the Assembly and Senate vote on the budget, it will be sent to the governor to be signed into law. The deadline for passing the budget is June 30. July 1, 2011 is the start of the 2011-2012 state fiscal year. The governor has until August to decide whether or not to veto parts of the budget, although few, if any, vetoes are expected.
Author: Susan McMurray, AFSCME Lobbyist
Authority: Marty Beil, Executive Director
GOP lawmakers are edgy and eager to have the budget finished so they can leave Madison to work on the campaigns. Some speculate that whatever changes to the budget the lawmakers believe are needed will be done behind closed doors, with no public input or input from minority Democrats. It is also widely understood among Capitol watchers that leadership will strictly enforce time limits on speakers during the legislative debate on the budget, which could spark protests from Democrats and observers. Expect an even greater police presence in the Capitol as the days unfold.
After the Assembly and Senate vote on the budget, it will be sent to the governor to be signed into law. The deadline for passing the budget is June 30. July 1, 2011 is the start of the 2011-2012 state fiscal year. The governor has until August to decide whether or not to veto parts of the budget, although few, if any, vetoes are expected.
Author: Susan McMurray, AFSCME Lobbyist
Authority: Marty Beil, Executive Director
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Walkerville Mock Listening Session | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG
Wisconsin Public Employees held a "Walkerville Mock Listening Session" AFL-CIO NOW BLOG
Monday, June 6, 2011
Five arrested in Capitol as high court takes up collective bargaining
Five people have been arrested at the state Capitol as the Supreme Court hears arguments over whether a bill taking away collective bargaining rights legally passed the Legislature.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Justices split politically as court takes up collective bargaining law
As the state Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on a Dane County judge’s order blocking a law curtailing public employee unions, questions from the justices appeared to fall mostly along the court’s political divide.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
WSEU Convention Recap - We Have a New President
While much is happening this week in and around our state capitol, we wanted to update you on the events of the past weekend.
Delegates representing all but three local unions from Council 24 wrapped up business at our annual convention over the weekend in Wisconsin Dells. The biggest news of the weekend is that President Bob McLinn announced his retirement effective at the end of convention. Vice President Paulette Feld of Local 579, UW Oshkosh, was sworn into office as President on Friday, 6/3/11. We wish former President McLinn a long and healthy retirement, and look forward to working closely with him as he stays active in the fight for workers’ rights, as well as the upcoming recall elections.
Looking forward, we congratulate President Feld on the historical occasion of becoming the first female president of AFSCME Council 24. She brings a wealth of talent and years of experienced leadership to this position. We look forward to working for and with her as she leads us into the trying times ahead. Feel free to contact President Feld with any comments or concerns at this email address: pfeld@wseu-24.org.
Convention delegates also passed resolutions in support of: looking into dues subsidies and/or structuring; using state workers over outsourcing; and recognizing the “Fab 14” of the Wisconsin State Senate, as well as the support of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
Congratulations again to both President Feld and former President McLinn as they enter these new life chapters. Please stay informed as events unfold this week with tent city and Walkerville in downtown Madison, and events in court as well as the State Capitol. Our SEPAC website and e-alerts will contain the most up to date information.
Delegates representing all but three local unions from Council 24 wrapped up business at our annual convention over the weekend in Wisconsin Dells. The biggest news of the weekend is that President Bob McLinn announced his retirement effective at the end of convention. Vice President Paulette Feld of Local 579, UW Oshkosh, was sworn into office as President on Friday, 6/3/11. We wish former President McLinn a long and healthy retirement, and look forward to working closely with him as he stays active in the fight for workers’ rights, as well as the upcoming recall elections.
Looking forward, we congratulate President Feld on the historical occasion of becoming the first female president of AFSCME Council 24. She brings a wealth of talent and years of experienced leadership to this position. We look forward to working for and with her as she leads us into the trying times ahead. Feel free to contact President Feld with any comments or concerns at this email address: pfeld@wseu-24.org.
Convention delegates also passed resolutions in support of: looking into dues subsidies and/or structuring; using state workers over outsourcing; and recognizing the “Fab 14” of the Wisconsin State Senate, as well as the support of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
Congratulations again to both President Feld and former President McLinn as they enter these new life chapters. Please stay informed as events unfold this week with tent city and Walkerville in downtown Madison, and events in court as well as the State Capitol. Our SEPAC website and e-alerts will contain the most up to date information.
Protesters give capital feel of ‘homeless’ village
MADISON – If you want to play hopscotch in Walkerville, you'd better be in good shape.
As of Sunday, the sidewalk drawing boasted 113 squares — "and still going strong" — one square for each day since Feb. 12, when Gov. Scott Walker announced his plans to reform the way unionized state employees bargain with the state. It was a day that has sparked countless protests and demonstrations since.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
As of Sunday, the sidewalk drawing boasted 113 squares — "and still going strong" — one square for each day since Feb. 12, when Gov. Scott Walker announced his plans to reform the way unionized state employees bargain with the state. It was a day that has sparked countless protests and demonstrations since.
Click "here" to read the entire news story.
Supreme Court Will Hear Arguments Related to the Anti-Collective Bargining Starting at 9:45am CDT
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to take oral arguments starting at 9:45am this morning regarding Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi's Temporary Restraining Order. The Walker administration has also asked the court to hear argtuments on Judge Sumi's final order that that invalidated Wisconsin Act 10 because of an Open Meeting Law violation.
Information coiming out of the legislature is that if the WSC does not overturn Judge Sumi's ruling the Republicans are poised to place the anti-collective bargining piece into the 2011-2013 biennial state budget and enact the law through that process.
Information coiming out of the legislature is that if the WSC does not overturn Judge Sumi's ruling the Republicans are poised to place the anti-collective bargining piece into the 2011-2013 biennial state budget and enact the law through that process.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Walkerville is setup and active
Message from Council 24 Assistant Director, Jana Weaver:
"We are set up at walkerville on Mifflin St just down from Cooper's tavern. If you stop bring a chair. Beautiful day!"
Sent from Jana Weaver's BlackBerry® smartphone
Watch a short two-minute YouTube video of Walkerville.
"We are set up at walkerville on Mifflin St just down from Cooper's tavern. If you stop bring a chair. Beautiful day!"
Sent from Jana Weaver's BlackBerry® smartphone
Watch a short two-minute YouTube video of Walkerville.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
