Former supporter challenges Fitzgerald to debate; Senate Majority Leader recall may be reality | Dane101

An independent group seeking to recall Wisconsin State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-13) announced this morning they had enough signatures to trigger a recall. Although they wouldn't say how many signatures had been gathered We Are Wisconsin Executive Director Kristen Crowell suggested in her comments that Wisconsinites would be "surprised" when the signatures are submitted to the Government Accountability Board on Tuesday.

Former supporter challenges Fitzgerald to debate; Senate Majority Leader recall may be reality Dane101

Wisconsin governor determined to survive recall threat - HUMAN EVENTS

MADISON, Wisc. -- Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker told HUMAN EVENTS that an election to recall him is looming “because I made promises of reform and have kept them” and that any special election to determine his fate as chief executive of Wisconsin will be about the “future and not the past.”

Wisconsin governor determined to survive recall threat - HUMAN EVENTS

Editorial: Public sector unions -- why won't Walker finish the job?

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told Newsmax he’s not afraid of “the national big government union bosses.”

Oh yeah? What about union bosses who represent police and firefighters?

Walker made national news last year with a controversial proposal that ended collective bargaining for most unionized government employees. Note the word “most.” The bill, Act 10, exempted police and firefighters from the change.

Editorial: Public sector unions -- why won't Walker finish the job?

Biz Beat: State pension checks to fall at least 4 percent

Retired public employees in the Wisconsin Retirement System will get smaller checks when the new payouts begin on May 1. Preliminary estimates from the Department of Employee Trust Funds shows that participants in the "Core Fund" will see a 4 to 4.5 percent reduction in their monthly payout through April 2013.

Biz Beat: State pension checks to fall at least 4 percent

Transit union settles; deal includes pension payments, pay freeze - Beloit Daily News: News: beloit, transit union, will o'brien, settlement, willowbrook road

The contract covers 2012 and 2013 and calls for a full payment of the employees' share of the WRS contribution rate as determined by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. It also increases deductible, maximum out-of-pocket costs, and prescription drug co-pays. And finally, the contract calls for a two-year wage freeze followed by a salary increase of 2.5 percent effective Dec. 16, 2013.

Transit union settles; deal includes pension payments, pay freeze - Beloit Daily News: News: beloit, transit union, will o'brien, settlement, willowbrook road

GOP Anti-Labor Zealotry | The Nation

Why is unionbashing so central to today’s Republican Party?

GOP Anti-Labor Zealotry The Nation

Lee A. Saunders: Killing Pensions to Benefit the 1 Percent

The typical AFSCME member -- men and women who plow our streets, care for the sick, protect our children, clean our buildings and keep our communities safe -- receives a pension of approximately $19,000 a year after a career of public service. The employees have earned and paid for these pensions. Employee contribution rates commonly amount to 3 percent to 10 percent of their paychecks. These contributions, combined with investment earnings, usually account for 75 percent or more of all pension benefit funding.

Lee A. Saunders: Killing Pensions to Benefit the 1 Percent

Democratic legislator seeks Gableman's ouster - JSOnline

Madison - A Democratic legislator circulated a resolution Wednesday to remove state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman from office because he ruled on cases involving a law firm that provided him legal services without charging him for them.

Democratic legislator seeks Gableman's ouster - JSOnline

Marathon County Democratic Party chairman steps up to challenge Galloway | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

Johnson, a retired probation and parole agent and former member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said changes in state law approved in 2011 to limit public employees' collective bargaining powers is a big part of why he is running for office. But he also cited a "total breakdown of the legislative process" and said legislators should be forced to explain and defend, if necessary, the bills they sponsor or support.

Marathon County Democratic Party chairman steps up to challenge Galloway Wausau Daily Herald wausaudailyherald.com

Scott Fitzgerald says recall petition deadline is today

MADISON - Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald filed a complaint Thursday challenging the end date for collecting recall signatures.

Scott Fitzgerald says recall petition deadline is today

Walker, Texas (Money) Ranger: Can Lone-Star Cash Save Anti-Labor Governor? | The Nation

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is scared, so scared that he is calling in a posse of Texas billionaires to try and save his political skin.

Walker, Texas (Money) Ranger: Can Lone-Star Cash Save Anti-Labor Governor? The Nation

Accountability board to create recall petition database, request more time - JSOnline

Madison - State elections officials plan to enter the names of all those who sign recall petitions into a new database - a policy that will add to taxpayer costs and delay until summer when any recall elections would be held.

Accountability board to create recall petition database, request more time - JSOnline

Government workers file record number of retirement applications - JSOnline

The state pension fund received nearly 18,800 retirement applications last year from employees of state agencies, school districts and local governments. That compares to an average of about 10,500 in each of the previous seven years.

Government workers file record number of retirement applications - JSOnline

POLL: Do you approve of the job Gov. Walker is doing?#pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768#pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768#pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768#pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768%23pd_a_4647768

POLL: Do you approve of the job Gov. Walker is doing?

Government Accountability Board wants all recalls on same date

The Wisconsin board that oversees elections hopes to hold any recalls that qualify for the ballot on the same date.

Government Accountability Board wants all recalls on same date

GAB: Signature Review For Walker Recall Will Take Longer Than Planned - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

The review of signatures submitted on petitions seeking a recall election of Gov. Scott Walker will take longer than the 60 days originally planned.

GAB: Signature Review For Walker Recall Will Take Longer Than Planned - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

Sen. Grothman introduces bill to eliminate campaign donation disclosure rule | Dane101

Allegations that Gov. Scott Walker improperly reported campaign contributions over 1,000 times since 2009 have come back into the spotlight with the introduction of SB 292, legislation that would eliminate the current requirement that anyone donating more than $100 a year to a political campaign disclose the name of their employer.

Sen. Grothman introduces bill to eliminate campaign donation disclosure rule Dane101

Political Battle Brewing Over New Voter ID Laws : NPR

As the presidential campaign kicks into high gear, a fight is brewing over stricter voting laws that could affect turnout and influence general election results in battleground states.

Political Battle Brewing Over New Voter ID Laws : NPR

Op-Ed: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker doesn't like it both ways

Scott Walker doesn’t like it when Democrats get out-of-state money to campaign, but when he $2.4 million from out-of-state sources it is okay, because he needs to do it to fight the evil unions that want him recalled.

Op-Ed: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker doesn't like it both ways

AFSCME Launches 'Political Match Game', Highlighting Anti-Worker Positions of GOP Presidential Candidates | Crooks and Liars

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union launched a fun interactive game Monday test people's knowledge of the anti-worker sentiments of the top Republican presidential contenders. The game is a great use of low-level technology to make a clear point about the candidates. Using only YouTube clips with embedded links, they achieved a technological feat that in the past would've required much higher level tech skills and programming. This is a tool that has a lot of potential use for campaigns and interest groups in the future.

AFSCME Launches 'Political Match Game', Highlighting Anti-Worker Positions of GOP Presidential Candidates Crooks and Liars

Unions adapt to new rules, even as they fight to reverse them

….. As public-sector unions across the country leave a tumultuous 2011 behind, the situation in Idaho is not unique. On one hand, labor is learning to live by a new set of rules governing collective bargaining and other matters, the product of new laws in nearly a dozen states. On the other hand, labor is fighting back in a number of states, hoping to reverse some of what was lost and in some cases to exact revenge on political opponents. …. AFSCME’s Council 24, which represents more than 20,000 state employees, is one of the unions that has decided to let its collective bargaining status lapse under the new rules. The union is shifting its focus toward providing more legal counsel for its members and representing them in the grievance and arbitration processes, says Martin Beil, the Council’s executive director. “

Unions adapt to new rules, even as they fight to reverse them

Host of GOP Heavyweights Slated for Pro-Walker Rally in Wauwatosa - Greenfield, WI Patch

A who's who of top Wisconsin Republican politicians are expected to appear at a Jan. 21 rally in support of Gov. Scott Walker at Hart Park in Wauwatosa.

Host of GOP Heavyweights Slated for Pro-Walker Rally in Wauwatosa - Greenfield, WI Patch

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine | ThinkProgress

According to the statutes, each violation of the reporting laws can result in a fine of up to $500, which in Walker’s case could top nearly $557,500.

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine ThinkProgress

Democrats on commission called by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker call waste report misleading | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

A special commission Republican Gov. Scott Walker created to root out government waste has identified about $456 million per year in potential savings, but Democrats said Tuesday it’s misleading and Walker is taking credit for others’ efforts. … Other recommendations include reducing overtime by $5.2 million, having schools and local governments share services and contracts to save $45 million and cutting state agency spending by $50 million.

Democrats on commission called by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker call waste report misleading Appleton Post Crescent postcrescent.com

Errors in redistricting process could affect thousands of voters

Errors in the redistricting process could mean thousands of Wisconsin voters could be sent to the wrong precinct if the errors are not fixed before the election. Thousands of people could be affected by an apparent error in the state's controversial redistricting process that caused them to be listed in the wrong municipalities, school districts or wards, some election officials say.

Errors in redistricting process could affect thousands of voters

State leads in government job cutting - JSOnline

State leads in government job cutting - JSOnline

John Nichols: Right-to-work GOP threatens Rev. King’s legacy

King, whose legacy is honored nationally next week, often spoke of the link between organized labor and the civil rights movement. He recognized that the cause of freedom needed allies, and that unions such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the United Auto Workers were key allies in the struggle. The unions shared in that recognition, and do to this day.

John Nichols: Right-to-work GOP threatens Rev. King’s legacy

How Different Should Public and Private Pensions Be? —Letters to the Editor - WSJ.com

The typical American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union member receives a pension of approximately $19,000 a year after a career of public service. These pensions are largely earned and paid for by the employees themselves. Employee contribution rates commonly amount to 3% to 10% of their paychecks. Our contributions, combined with investment earnings, usually account for 75% or more of all pension benefit funding.

How Different Should Public and Private Pensions Be? —Letters to the Editor - WSJ.com

AFSCME | AFSCME’s McEntee on New Hampshire Primary Results

Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on the New Hampshire GOP primary results

AFSCME AFSCME’s McEntee on New Hampshire Primary Results

John Nichols: No longer a party of Lincoln: The racial politics of the new GOP

John Nichols: No longer a party of Lincoln: The racial politics of the new GOP

Chris Rickert: I can name that scandal in one word

Chris Rickert: I can name that scandal in one word

Union backers protest outside Lincoln Hills School | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

Department of Corrections officials sent a memo to staff Friday night that said they can wear union clothing, but local union members chose to have a rally outside the facility Monday to demonstrate against Walker, AFSCME representative Troy Bauch said.

Union backers protest outside Lincoln Hills School Wausau Daily Herald wausaudailyherald.com

Protesters rally at Lincoln Hills School over union T-shirt fight | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

….. About 75 people marched Monday outside Lincoln Hills School in Irma, where an employee was sent home without pay last week for wearing a union T-shirt. ….. Lincoln Hills Superintendent Paul Westerhaus sent youth counselor Ron McAllister home Thursday after McAllister refused to remove a T-shirt he was wearing that had an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union logo. …. "I went to unbutton my pants and I told them I had AFSCME underwear on and would they want them, too," McAllister said.

Protesters rally at Lincoln Hills School over union T-shirt fight Wausau Daily Herald wausaudailyherald.com

AFSCME | And the Award for Worst Governor of the Year Goes to…

By trying to take away our collective bargaining rights, our pensions, our union — our very foothold in the middle class — these governors galvanized a Main Street movement. So now we’d like to give one of them their own special distinction: “Worst Governor of the Year.” There’s only one problem — we can’t decide. So, please help us by casting your vote for the worst governor of 2011.

AFSCME And the Award for Worst Governor of the Year Goes to…

Special collective bargaining status for police and fire unions causing problems

The special status of police and fire unions under the state's collective bargaining law is creating an unfair divide between public safety workers and the rest of the government workforce, which has lost union rights and take home pay, labor and management leaders say.

Special collective bargaining status for police and fire unions causing problems

Lincoln Hills worker says he was sent home for wearing union T-shirt; Department of Corrections investigates | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

"The next step if they don't retract this policy or ban wearing green (union) T-shirts to work is we're going to sue them," Bauch said.

Lincoln Hills worker says he was sent home for wearing union T-shirt; Department of Corrections investigates Wausau Daily Herald wausaudailyherald.com

WisPolitics.com: WSEU: Walker’s bureaucrats bully workers at Lincoln Hills

Not satisfied stripping worker rights – they now want to strip workers’ of their clothes

WisPolitics.com: WSEU: Walker’s bureaucrats bully workers at Lincoln Hills

Worker sent home for wearing union T-shirt | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

An official with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, said today that longtime Lincoln Hills School employee Ron McAllister was sent home Thursday without pay for refusing to take off a T-shirt with the AFSCME logo on it.

Worker sent home for wearing union T-shirt Wausau Daily Herald wausaudailyherald.com

DOC rule changes worry corrections officers | Fond du Lac Reporter | fdlreporter.com

“Union workers had protections in the contract and all those protections have been lifted with the passage of Act 10,” said Marty Beil, executive director of the state employees union.

DOC rule changes worry corrections officers Fond du Lac Reporter fdlreporter.com

Candidates Back State's Right-to-Work Bill - WSJ.com#printMode

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry both voiced their support in the Republican presidential debate Sunday for so-called right-to-work legislation in New Hampshire.

Candidates Back State's Right-to-Work Bill - WSJ.com#printMode

Continuing Assault on Unions - NYTimes.com

Voters, unionized or not, should recognize the new “right to work” push for what it is: bad economics and cynical politics.

Continuing Assault on Unions - NYTimes.com

Unions stay on convention sidelines - POLITICO.com Print View

AFSCME political director Larry Scanlon said while unhappiness with Obama is still percolating within union ranks, turning out the vote for Democrats will be a yearlong process, not just one beginning with the convention.

Further Scanlon said that “a lot of the discontent has softened” as the Obama administration has become more outspoken on the side of the middle class, rolled out its jobs program and made the NLRB appointments despite GOP opposition.

AFSCME plans on coming out full force in Charlotte, assisting delegates and using soft money to help union members in contested races at the convention.

Unions stay on convention sidelines - POLITICO.com Print View