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.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Three more GOP senators go to court, try to stop recall elections
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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