The Coalition To Save Workers

Hundreds of thousands of public employees are peacefully defending their rights in states across the US, and they’re all up against GOP underhanded tactics pushing through dangerous bills. Each state faces their own battle for saving workers rights, but they all share in the belief that ending fundamental rights to organize does not balance budgets.

The Coalition To Save Workers

Wisconsin Workers under the Thumb of Walker’s Law | The Progressive

….. Interest arbitration became a statutory part of the collective bargaining process for public employees in 1978. …. ….. According to Katy Lounsbury, attorney for AFSCME Council 40, the loss of interest arbitration under Act 10 “makes collective bargaining a sham.” She explained: “At the end of the day, when one party has 100% of the power to institute their offer, there is no real bargaining.”


Wisconsin Workers under the Thumb of Walker’s Law | The Progressive

Rightwing ALEC Puts Wisconsin Anti-Labor Laws On May Agenda | | AlterNet

With the recent publication of additional American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) documents, new questions are being raised about the source of certain provisions in Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's controversial collective bargaining legislation. Some of those provisions may be adopted by ALEC for introduction in other states. ….. This radical departure from longstanding labor traditions -- the American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) formed in 1932 in Madison, Wisconsin, and in 1959 the state was the first to codify public sector collective bargaining rights -- felt to many like it was imposed upon them, rather than being a Wisconsin response to Wisconsin issues. …. According to the newly exposed agenda for ALEC's upcoming Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force meeting on May 11, 2012, Mackinac Center's Director of Labor Policy, Paul Kersey, will propose “The Election Accountability for Municipal Employees Act” for adoption as a model ALEC bill. Like Act 10, Kersey's bill would require unions to re-certify every few years (with legislators filling-in-the-blank about the exact number of years), with an absolute majority of all eligible members, rather than a majority of those voting.


Rightwing ALEC Puts Wisconsin Anti-Labor Laws On May Agenda | | AlterNet

AFSCME | May Day Commemoration Calls Attention to Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice

It’s May Day and working people and supporters all over the world are today recognizing the contributions public service employees make to economic justice. They’re honoring the day by raising public awareness about attacks on workers’ rights by corporate-backed politicians.


AFSCME | May Day Commemoration Calls Attention to Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice

AFL-CIO Vows 400,000 Volunteers for Obama Election, Trumka Says - Businessweek

The AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest labor federation, may deploy as many as 400,000 volunteers this year in its effort to re-elect Barack Obama, who President Richard Trumka said helped save tens of thousands of U.S. jobs. The volunteers, accounting for about 3 percent of the 12 million members in AFL-CIO affiliates, will talk to friends, neighbors and co-workers in a get-out-the-vote effort, Trumka said today at a meeting of the Building and Construction Trades Department in Washington. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, wouldn’t look out for workers’ interest and is beholden to wealthy donors, Trumka said.


AFL-CIO Vows 400,000 Volunteers for Obama Election, Trumka Says - Businessweek

AFSCME | Obama Stands Up for Workers’ Rights in Powerful Speech

Pres. Barack Obama yesterday reiterated his support for collective bargaining during a speech to the AFL-CIO, referring to legislation that weakens it as ‘right-to-work-for-less laws.’ …. The President’s remarks come at a time when those rights are threatened by corporate-backed lawmakers nationwide. AFSCME’s International Executive Board voted to endorse President Obama’s re-election.


AFSCME | Obama Stands Up for Workers’ Rights in Powerful Speech

Dems vie for chance to unseat Walker: Falk profile | Herald Times Reporter | htrnews.com

…. Falk's relationship with unions has become something of a double-edged sword. She quickly won endorsements from most of the state's public unions, including Wisconsin Education Association Council and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which already have pumped almost $2 million into ads for her. Falk has promised unions that she will veto any state budget that does not repeal Walker's collective bargaining law, which sparked the recall. But critics, mainly Republicans, have called her the "union" candidate, implying she would be loyal to them over the rest of the state.


Dems vie for chance to unseat Walker: Falk profile | Herald Times Reporter | htrnews.com

AFSCME | Saunders: AFSCME Members Are Everyday Heroes

AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders appeared on progressive radio show Rebuild America this past week to discuss with host Jeff Santos the attacks on public service workers and union members’ right to organize. Today he will be a guest on The Working Family Network’s Union Edge radio show (broadcast 4-6 p.m. ET). Listen online at WFRNLive.com or on one of the broadcast stations listed on the site. “It really is disgusting when you have these ultraconservatives and the extreme right wing criticizing the work that public service workers perform every single day,” said Saunders. “ … Listen to the podcast at RevolutionBoston.com.


AFSCME | Saunders: AFSCME Members Are Everyday Heroes

Falk calls for removal of Wisconsin DNR leader - JSOnline

Falk, one of four Democrats running in a primary to take on Walker in a recall, said Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp should be forced out of her job because environmental enforcement has plummeted on her watch. The Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday on the drop in enforcement.


Falk calls for removal of Wisconsin DNR leader - JSOnline

Order blocking parts of collective bargaining law will stand during state's appeal

A federal judge said Friday that he will not delay his order last month that blocked two key facets of a controversial state collective bargaining law while the state pursues an appeal. U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled that his order — which blocks mandatory annual recertification of employee unions and allows the collection of union dues from employee paychecks — will take effect while the state appeals his March 30 ruling. … Conley said, however, that a stay of his decision does apply to public employee unions that had already been decertified by the time of his March 30 ruling. For example, AFSCME Council 24 declined to hold recertification elections after learning it would have to pay a $10,000 fee to the state just to take part in the process.


Order blocking parts of collective bargaining law will stand during state's appeal

Wisconsin Democrats divided over who to best oust Walker in recall election - The Washington Post

… For many union leaders, Barrett is, if not as bad as Walker, not good enough either. …. . The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, in particular, has aggressively attacked Barrett, at one point suggesting that he supported Walker’s reforms. …. Falk’s union supporters argue that the primary is good for the party in more ways than one. Not only is she “the stronger candidate and the better candidate,” said Rich Abelson, executive director of Wisconsin’s AFSCME District Council 48, but a divided primary means Walker couldn’t focus all his attacks on one person.


Wisconsin Democrats divided over who to best oust Walker in recall election - The Washington Post

Sarandon: 'I’ve Always Known that Unions Made America'

“That was the turning point for a lot of actors," said actor Susan Sarandon to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka about the national commercial actors strike 12 years ago. "It wasn’t until we felt threatened that we realized the importance of our union.” … The conversation ranged from Trumka’s background as a coal miner from a family of Pennsylvania coal miners to Sarandon’s own long-time support of working people. “I’ve always known that unions made America,” she said, adding that it’s one thing to know it on an intellectual level but another to get it in your gut.


Sarandon: 'I’ve Always Known that Unions Made America'

AFSCME | AFSCME’s McEntee: Legislation Pits Women & Children’s Health Against Student Loans

Statement of AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee in response to the passage of H.R. 4628, a bill capping student loan rates by siphoning funds from health prevention: “Congressional Republicans used the tactic of divide and conquer in putting forth HR 4628. They are shamefully trying to pit funding for cervical cancer screenings and children’s immunizations against affordable student loans. It is a political smoke screen designed to shield their big business buddies,” stated AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee.


AFSCME | AFSCME’s McEntee: Legislation Pits Women & Children’s Health Against Student Loans