GOTV Schedule for the Milwaukee Area Labor Council Starting November 1st

There still is a tremendous amount of work to be done in the Milwaukee Area between now and Election Day. Any amount of time you can provide in helping us push our pro-worker candidates over the top on election day would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.

10 Reasons You Should Vote Early

This Friday, November 2nd is the LAST DAY you can vote early in Wisconsin. It is very important to vote. The AFL-CIO with concurrence from AFSCME Council 24 encourages EARLY VOTING. Follow the below link to understand why EARLY VOTING is more of a protection for you to vote.

10 Reasons You Should Vote Early

2013 WRS Contribution Rates for Participants

Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has announced the 2013 WRS Contribution rates. For most Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) employees and employers the rates will increase from 11.8% to 13.3% of payroll in 2013. In general, the total contribution rate is split equally between the employee and employer as shown in the chart below.

Employee Category	Total Rate 2012	Total Rate 2013	Employee Contribution for 2013	Employer Contribution for 2013
General/Teacher	11.8%	13.3%	6.65%	6.65%
Elected Official/Executive/Judge	14.1%	14.0%	7.0%	7.0%
Protective with Social Security	14.9%	16.4%	6.65%	9.75%

The new rates will go into effect January 1, 2013 and will be reflected on employees’ January 10, 2013 paycheck.

For more information please see ETF’s website.  The link is listed below:

http://etf.wi.gov/news/ht-2013contributions.htm

Message from Workers Independent News

Union Members:

Listen to Workers Independent News for election coverage! - - - - -  > 

Be sure to vote and get your members out to vote on or before November 6 if your state has early voting! 

And after November 6, stay with WIN for interviews with prominent union leaders discussing what we might expect from the next Obama administration and the next Congress. 

Workers Independent News is your voice in the media!  

WIN brings you news of the struggles of America’s working families and the trials and triumphs of organized labor.   

And now you can also tune in to our popular news/talk radio show - “The People’s Mic with Doug Cunningham”! Just dial 213-493-0286 from any phone!  

-----

Ken Pfile

Union Outreach Coordinator

Workers Independent News

(608) 251-6125

ken@laborradio.org

www.laborradio.org

Will You Help? South Central Federation of Labor Needs You!

Let's Bring Home a Victory for Barack Obama,

Tammy Baldwin & Mark Pocan

We need to fight to elect our candidates to the Wisconsin State Legislature, too.  Click here to see who else has been endorsed by SCFL and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

Players like Karl Rove and the billionaire Koch brothers have dumped millions into attack ads in Wisconsin.  Now, we need to get our boots on the ground and get our members to the polls.

We need your help now through Election Day, November 6, to make calls, knock on doors, and leaflet worksites. Just show up at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St, during any of the following times:

Thursday (Nov. 1) 9 am to 8 pm
Friday (Nov. 2) 9 am to 8 pm
Saturday (Nov. 3) 9 am to 8 pm
Sunday (Nov. 4)  3 pm to 8 pm (post game)
Monday (Nov. 5) 9 am to 8 pm
Tuesday (Nov. 6) 9 am to 8 pm

Food donations are also needed to fuel our effort.  Call the Action Center at (608) 433-5809 with further questions.

Harvest of Loneliness - Hosted by SCFL and School for Workers

On the evening of November 3 at 6:30 pm (snacks provided), the public is invited to view a historical documentary, Harvest of Loneliness: The Bracero Program. SCFL and the UW School for Workers will be hosting a dinner and screening of the film at the Madison Labor Temple.

After the film, Armando Ibarra of the UW School for Workers will lead a conversation about current immigration trends and policy, and how this fits within the larger political context in this election. Download the event flyer here. 

Another "Unconstitutional" Act by Governor Walker

The action of Governor Walker attempting to gain absolute control and power over virtually everything in the State of Wisconsin took yet another hit when a court ruled today that Act 21, a measure taking decision-making power away from the Department of Public Instruction, violates the state constitution.

Recently, Governor Walker had yet another court rule that major portions of Act 10 (Stripping of Collective Bargaining for Public Employees) were unconstitutional. In that ruling, the court refused to grant a stay, as requested by the Department of Justice, on behalf of Governor Walker, of its original ruling that major portions of Act 10 were unconstitutional.

Click HERE to read the complete story and applicable statements.

GOTV Rally in Green Bay Thursday

Join us this Thursday, November 1, at 4:00 p.m. for a special get out the vote rally with USW International President Leo Gerard, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt, U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin, 8th congressional district candidate Jamie Wall, state Senator Dave Hansen, and endorsed candidates for the state assembly Pat Vesser and Jeff McCabe.

 

GOTV Rally
4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1st
Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth Street

Click here for a rally flyer to share with friends and neighbors. This rally is a great time to get energized and fired up to talk with your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members about the importance of the November 6 elections. After the rally, grab a walk packet or a phone to help elect working family candidates like President Obama, Tammy Baldwin and a host of local candidates!

The choice is clear; we need to keep the country moving forward with President Obama. We cannot go back to the failed policies which crashed our economy in the first place. With President Obama the country has experienced 31 straight months of job growth and unemployment is now under 8%.

With only one week left until the final votes are cast, it is time to turn out votes by taking part in our grassroots ground game! See below for a list of statewide GOTV volunteer locations.

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer
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GOTV Staging Locations --

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington & Ozaukee County

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

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

Racine, Kenosha, Walworth & Rock County

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

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

• Janesville Labor Temple: 1605 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI 53546
Contact: John Grier - 570-540-0836; jgrier@seiu32bj.org
Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Columbia, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, & Lafeyette County

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

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

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

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

• IAMAW District 66: 1307 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Contact: Gregory Fries - 631-896-9249; gfries@unitedny.org

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

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

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

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

• Teamsters Local 662, 1546 Main Street, Green Bay, WI 54302
Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org

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

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

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

Douglas, Bayfield & Ashland Counties

• Canvass Office & Phone Bank: ILA Local 1037 Union Hall; 424 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880
Contact: Judy Hack - 218-391-6116

Want to be heard? You've gotta vote.

Early voting has already begun. In Wisconsin, it will end on November 2nd.

Avoid long lines at the poll and use your legal right to vote early. Follow the below link to learn more.

Want to be heard? You've gotta vote.

Mass Knows Mitt - The people of Massachusetts know the real Mitt Romney. Here are their stories.

Who best to know the real truth of Mitt Romney than the great people of the State of Massachusetts?
Check this website out to learn more about the "REAL" Mitt.

Mass Knows Mitt - The people of Massachusetts know the real Mitt Romney. Here are their stories.

MassKnowsMitt.com (These People Know Mitt the Best)

No one knows Mitt Romney like the people of Massachusetts. There is a reason he's down 20 points in his home state.

That's why we created MassKnowsMitt.com.  

We collected stories about how he hurt real people. There are stories about bait-and-switch education "reform," tax cuts offset several times over by fee increases and disappearing Christmas bonuses for first responders. The anguish is obvious; the anger is real.   

After you check out MassKnowsMitt.com, please tell a friend about it.  Word of mouth on a large scale is more powerful than all the ads a superPAC can buy.

CLICK HERE TO TELL A FRIEND

Mitt Romney doesn't want to talk about his record as a one-term governor. We know why.

Sincerely,

Isaiah J. Poole
Online Communications Director

Don't Wait - Do It Today!

You don’t have to wait in a line. You don’t have to wait until Election Day on Nov. 6.

Early voting has begun in Wisconsin, and it’s a great way to make sure your vote counts.

You can vote early in person until Friday, Nov. 2. But don’t wait until the last minute.

Click here to find a list of AFSCME-endorsed candidates for your area.

Then go to your local clerk’s office and cast your ballot. Find out how right here.

Gov. Walker and his allies have tried to put up new barriers to voting. Fortunately, courts have blocked some of the worst measures. But Walker’s tinkering is bound to create extra confusion on Election Day.

Save yourself some hassles and vote early.

And make sure to seek out and vote for pro-worker candidates all the way to the bottom of the ballot.

AFSCME members serving on screening committees have studied the candidates. They’ve asked tough questions to cut through the rhetoric.

Their recommendations for your area can be found here. Feel free to print the page and carry it with you to the polls.

Our country and our state are at the crossroads. A tidal wave of Wall Street corporate cash is trying to overwhelm the voices of working families.  We cannot let it wash away our rights -- our values -- our country.

Today we turn the tide. Vote now!

In solidarity,

Jim Garity, President AFSCME Council 40 Paulette Feld, President AFSCME Council 24 Brian Stafford, President AFSCME Council 48

Rick Badger, Executive Director AFSCME Council 40 Marty Beil, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24 Rich Abelson, Executive Director AFSCME Council 48

This is a Wisconsin statuue 11.29 communication to members and subscribers.  Paid for by AFSCME Council 11 and Wisconsin PEOPLE Conference PAC, Doug Burnett, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate, candidate's agent or committee.

White House: Statement from the press secretary on the president's Tuesday Schedule

President Obama WILL NOT be appearing in Green Bay on Tuesday. The President needs to remain at the White House to monitor the activity surrounding the tremendous threat caused by Hurrican Sandy.

White House: Statement from the press secretary on the president's Tuesday Schedule

"This is a violtion of Wisconsin election law"

Media Advisory for Monday, October 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Contact: Jennifer Epps-Addison (Citizen Action of Wisconsin) (414) 213-7574     

Faith & Community Leaders Take a Stand -

Announce Formal Complaint Against

Rite-Hite CEO Michael White’s Illegal Voter Intimidation

Milwaukee: Monday at 11:00 AM, faith and community leaders will announce the filing of a formal complaint with the Government Accountability Board against Rite-Hite CEO Michael White for violating Wisconsin election law.  The complaint states that White’s illegal and misleading communication with employees, sent the week of October 21, 2012, was an attempt to intimidate more than 1,400 employees into voting for Mitt Romney.

In his message, chairman and owner Michael White, urged employees to “understand the personal consequences . . . if President Obama is re-elected.” The letter goes on to threaten the security of employees' retirement accounts and health care plans, stating that if the President is re-elected, "Every opportunity to make up for lost profits to taxes will have to be evaluated." This is a violation of Wisconsin election law.

What: News Conference to announce formal complaint against Rite-Hite CEO Michael White
Where: Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 North 9th Street (on the Wells street side)
When: Monday, October 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Speakers: Alderman Tony Zielinski; School Board Director Larry Miller; Michael Lauer, Director, Wisconsin Jobs Now; Jennifer Epps-Addison, Economic Justice Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin; Minister Greg Lewis; Mike Wilder, Director, African-American Roundtable.

Photo Opportunities, Stand Up Interviews, and Visuals Available

“ We demand that Michael White immediately retract his email, apologize to employees, and post that apology publicly at the workplace. ” said Mike Wilder, Director of the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable, and a member of the staff of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “Democracy only functions if workers are free to vote however they choose without fear of reprisal from their boss.”

Wisconsin election law makes clear that no employer can threaten workers’ wages, jobs, or conditions of employment in an effort to persuade them to vote a particular way.

"No employer or agent of an employer may distribute to any employee printed matter containing any threat, notice or information that if a particular ticket of a political party or organization or candidate is elected or any referendum question is adopted or rejected, work in the employer's place or establishment will cease, in whole or in part, or the place or establishment will be closed, or the salaries or wages of the employees will be reduced, or other threats intended to influence the political opinions or actions of the employees." Wisconsin Election Law 12.07(3)

Mike Wilder, Director of the African American Civic Engagement Roundtable and Citizen Action of Wisconsin; Christine Christie, a Milwaukee resident; Minister Greg Lewis; and Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, and others will officially  file the complaint with the appropriate legal authorities.

Organizational sponsors of the media event include: Citizen Action of Wisconsin, the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable, Wisconsin Jobs Now, AFT Local 212, AFT Wisconsin, SEIU Local 150, All Black Everything (ABE), ATU Local 998, The Transit Riders Union, The Advancement Project, The League of Young Voters Education Fund, 9to5 Milwaukee, Urban Underground, True Skool, Reproductive Justice Collective, MICAH, NAACP Milwaukee Chapter, Afro World Enterprises, and the Center for Progressive Leadership.

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Friends and Neighbors

Welcome to Friends and Neighbors!
This exciting new tool makes it quick easy to connect with your friends and family through your Facebook account to make sure they know what’s critical in this next election.