Wisconsin Labor Leader Issues Statement Regarding Misleading Political Ad by the WMC

Contact Lyle Balistreri: 414-475-5580

WMC Runs Misleading Ad in Green Bay, Fox Cities

The following statement is from Lyle Balistreri, President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Council. 

It is unfortunate that these comments were taken out of context.   Politicians need to put aside partisan politics and do what voters elected them to do -- create jobs.   Few industries have been hit harder by the Great Recession than the building and construction trades and as President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council, I fight every day in every way for the working men and women of this state. I support Jessica King and know she will put working Wisconsinites first.  Wisconsinites are tired of the same old partisan politics, we need to put our differences aside and create jobs.

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Wisconsin Voter Information

Follow the below link for a "non-partisan" resource on how you can vote in Wisconsin. This will include information on the "Early Voting" process in Wisconsin.

The below link will take you to the Government Accountability Board in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Voter Information

Early Voting — Wisconsin — GottaVote

Early Voting starts today, October 22nd. We urge you to early vote in the possible event your employer does not release you from work to vote on Tuesday, November 6th or some unforseen event occurs on Tuesday, November 6th that prevents you from voting.

Early Voting — Wisconsin — GottaVote

Social Security: 6 Facts You Need to Know

Every paycheck that you receive has money collected from it to finance, in part or for some, in whole, your retirement when you reach the age of eligibility. The wealthy political leaders have for years been trying to discredit social security and scare workers from relying on social security to be their financial source at retirement. Before you vote on November 6th please take the time to educate yourself on six very important facts about social security.

Social Security: 6 Facts You Need to Know

Union Lawyers Protecting Your Right to Vote

Union lawyers ready to protect "My Vote - My Right" for union members. Click on the below link to learn more.

Union Lawyers Protecting Your Right to Vote

Wisconsin Labor Unions Can Make The Difference - With Your Help

Brothers and Sisters of Wisconsin Labor Unions,

With just three weekends to go until voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 6, races across the state are neck and neck.  We need your help now more than ever to educate voters and encourage them to get to the polls on Election Day in support of Barack Obama and Tammy Baldwin. 

Across the state union members and community activists are having the critical one-on-one conversations which will swing the tide in favor of working families this November. 

Bring a friend, or volunteer solo and we can match you up with a partner at your request. Help us get out the vote for working people this weekend!

Below you will find locations where you can stop in and volunteer.  If you cannot join us this weekend, our offices are open throughout the week.

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington & Ozaukee County

Office: Milwaukee Area Labor Council: 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214
Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: 6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Contact: Chris Czubkowski - 414-573-2170

Phone Bank Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Racine, Kenosha, Walworth & Rock County

Office: Racine Labor Temple: 1840 Sycamore Avenue, Racine, WI 53406
Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: UAW Local 72: 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI 53144
Contact: Carol Edelson - 202-320-1410; Cedelson@aflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Janesville Labor Temple: 1605 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI 53546
Contact: John Grier - 570-540-0836; jgrier@seiu32bj.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Columbia, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, & Lafeyette County

Office: Madison Labor Temple: 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715
Contact: Greg Neil - 608-556-9521; gneil@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Phone Bank Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Office: 258 Barstow Street, Horicon, WI 53032
Contact: Melissa Austin - 608-347-5320; melissa@scfl.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Eau Claire, Chippewa, Clark, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempeleau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon & Crawford County

Office: Eau Claire Labor Temple: 2233 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Contact: Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353; athompson@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;      3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: IAMAW District 66: 1307 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Contact: Armando Monterrosa - 646-339-6436; amonteerosa@seiu32bj.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;  3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Marathon, Wood, Portage, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, Taylor, Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida, Forest, Vilas & Florence County

Office: Wausau Labor Temple: 318 S. 3rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401
Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Laborers Hall: 220 Johnson Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org

•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;           

Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Winnebago, Outagamie, Oconto, Marinette & Calumet County

Office: Green Bay Labor Temple: 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay, WI 54302
Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: USW District 2: 1244A Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952
Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Fond du Lac Labor: 50 E. Bank Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 Office: Winnebago Labor Temple: 2211 Oregon St. #A3, Oshkosh, WI
Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 21: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Douglas, Bayfield & Ashland Counties

Office: ILA Local 1037 Union Hall; 424 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880
Contact: Judy Hack - 218-391-6116
Canvass & Phone Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 20: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m

Walker's New Koch Connection

Supporter's to the GOP will shell out $1000 per person for a luncheon featuring Governor Walker as the "Special Guest" speaker next month. If a GOP supporter wishes, they can shell out a total of $2500 per person and receive a picture of themselves with Governor Walker.

The GOP is missing the ability to raise even more money. Why not charge $5000 per person and receive a picture of the donor with Governor Walker on one side and David Koch on the other side? After all, David Koch should be there, he is hosting the fundraiser for the GOP.

Walker's New Koch Connection

Stand Up For Medicare and Medicaid Ambulance Tour

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to end Medicare as we know it, leaving seniors without proper care.  They also want to repeal the Affordable Care Act which will leave millions of Americans without health insurance and unable to go to the doctor when they get sick. 

The Stand Up For Medicare and Medicaid Ambulance Tour will be crisscrossing the state in the days leading up to November 6 Election to raise awareness of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s scary plans for healthcare.  Join us at an event near you!

Ambulance Tour Schedule:

•    1:00 pm, Monday, October 22, Green Bay Labor Temple, 1570 Elizabeth St.
•    6:00pm, Wednesday, October 24, La Crosse Hmong Cultural Center, 1815 Ward St.
•    Noon, Thursday, October 25, Bray Center, 924 Center St., Racine
•    5:30pm, Friday, October 26, Wausau Labor Temple, 318 S. 3rd Ave.
•    TBA, Wednesday, October 31, Paul Ryan District Office, 20 S. Main St. #10, Janesville

These family-friendly events are designed to draw public attention to and educate voters on the harmful Romney/Ryan healthcare plan. Bring your friends and family to learn about the consequences of the Romney/Ryan plot to gut healthcare.

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

Romney and Ryan and Respect for Workers

A bold and innovative street artist with the simple name "JR" has transformed an unoccupied building at 14th and T Streets in Northwest Washington, DC. JR has given the nation's capital a new and inspiring mural, an enormous version of the iconic "I Am A Man" photograph of AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn., during their 1968 strike. This project could not be more timely, as it provides a powerful reminder that the struggle for respect the workers in Memphis undertook nearly 50 years ago is an ongoing battle. ….  Romney speaks out regularly against the right of sanitation workers and other public service workers to have a voice on the job.  …. This mindless rush to belittle the worth of workers pervades the elitists who fund and support the Romney-Ryan ticket.

Romney and Ryan and Respect for Workers

Growing the movement for Retirement Security

AFSCME Council 24 Executive Director Marty Beil wishes to share the below information with all of the members of AFSCME Council 24 and its Retiree's. Engaging in your retirement security should be something you should pay attention to. The present Administration and legislative majority have many ideas to diminish public pensions.

Growing the movement for Retirement Security

Finding Reliable Information about Budget Issues Now Easier than Ever

This is a very good and honest website for learning many facts about Wisconsin's state budget. Please check it out.

Finding Reliable Information about Budget Issues Now Easier than Ever

2013 State Group Health Insurance Premium Rates - ETF Wisconsin

AFSCME Council 24 would like to draw your attention to a good resource document for seeing what your health care choices and cost will be for 2013.

The State of Wisconsin "Open Enrollment" period will run from Monday, 10/08/2012 to Friday, 11/02/2012.

We encourage you to follow the below link as soon as possible in order that you can best inform yourself in order to make the right choice for yourself and your family.

2013 State Group Health Insurance Premium Rates - ETF Wisconsin

Hearing for Wisconsin John Doe defendant postponed | News - Home

To date, no information has been revealed that shows Governor Scott Walker has offered to return this money to the state's veteran's from any of his millions he has received from donors all across the country.

I do recognize that he is under no obligation or legal requirement to do so, but Governor Scott Walker travels our Great State saying he cares and supports veterans so much, yet he makes no attempts to "right" a "wrong" committed by two of his close associates.

If it is not legal to transfer money from his campaign then surely he could very easily take the time to raise the funds from his very rich donors to demonstrate that he truly cares about our states veterans. He has already demonstrated his ability to raise millions with little to no effort when he needs a political victory.

How about it Governor Walker, do you think you could raise $42,000.00 that you could give in a charitable fashion to our states veterans?

Posted by Steven Williams
U.S. Army Veteran
AFSCME Council 24 AFL-CIO

Hearing for Wisconsin John Doe defendant postponed | News - Home

Many unions opt not to spend on Dem convention

….. "The relationship is strong," said Brian Weeks, the political director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees of his union's ties to Obama. "We didn't get everything we wanted but we knew the challenge he faced with a Congress that opposed a progressive agenda." The union has contributed to the Charlotte convention, Weeks said. He would not say how much the 1.6 million-member union has given to the event nor how much it will spend on Obama's behalf this fall, but he said about 33,000 new people became active in the union's state battles in the past two years. "We will spend whatever it takes to support our members and the middle class in these fights," he said.

Many unions opt not to spend on Dem convention

Saunders on the GOP Convention: “All Lies and No Solutions”

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders joined host Roland Martin on the set of “Washington Watch” this week to talk about attacks on unions, working families and the middle class, starting with a discussion of the GOP Convention held last week in Tampa, Fla. “Well, I think that convention should be retitled,” said President Saunders. “It should be called ‘All Lies And No Solutions.’”

Saunders on the GOP Convention: “All Lies and No Solutions”