Alliance Launches ‘Let’s Not Be the Last Generation to Retire' Campaign

Maybe you are not at retirement age, yet, however you should be very worried about the present opposition to public retirement systems, your retirement system.

The labor movement across this country is partnered with the Alliance for Retired Americans and here in Wisconsin the labor movement has been and presently is partnered with the Wisconsin Alliance of Retired Americans.

Follow the below link to learn what you can do to help push back against these attacks on today's retirement systems by the wealthy.

Alliance Launches ‘Let’s Not Be the Last Generation to Retire' Campaign

Council votes to rescind union contracts

After signing an agreement with the city workers of Racinbe the Racine City Council has decided that they do not like what they agreed to and have rescinded the agreement. That's right, they have changed their mind and simply voted to take it all away.

If the workers do not stay united in the fight to push back on these kinds of actions then what is the hope for your future if you step back and allow these kinds of anti-union actions to become the norm.

Stand up, speak up and sign up and join with other workers to push back these attacks on workers whether the fight is taken to the ballot box or at the workplace.

Point your browser to; https://www.wisconsinunionstrong.org/

Council votes to rescind union contracts

AFSCME | Romney: “I Believe in America,” but Bank in Switzerland

“I believe in America” has become one of Mitt Romney’s favorite catch-phrases. “I believe in America,” he says in speeches, interviews and debates. In a recent four page fundraising letter, Romney writes “I don’t apologize for America because I believe in America,” and mentions at least six other times that, yes, he “believes in America.”

AFSCME | Romney: “I Believe in America,” but Bank in Switzerland

AFSCME | From Guthrie to Morello, a Tradition of Labor Activism Through Song

Fans of Woody Guthrie are celebrating the folk icon’s centennial this week, as what would have been his 100th birthday approaches Saturday. Guthrie’s songs, penned as he traveled the country in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, captured the plight of working women and men. He left a legacy as both a musician and an activist committed to social justice. And he continues inspiring today’s musicians, from Bob Dylan to Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and the Nightwatchman. Morello is winning critical praise and awards for his advocacy on behalf of working women and men everywhere. AFSCME WORKS talked with Morello about why he’s passionate about unions and the lines of Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” they didn’t teach you in school.

AFSCME | From Guthrie to Morello, a Tradition of Labor Activism Through Song

AFSCME Pres. Saunders on Politics Nation with Al Sharpton - YouTube

AFSCME President Lee Saunders discussed with Al Sharpton on Politics Nation the recent Supreme Court healthcare decision, the 2012 elections and the ongoing attacks against working people across the country.

AFSCME Pres. Saunders on Politics Nation with Al Sharpton - YouTube

Dems take Wis. Senate after GOP incumbent concedes - Wire Nation/World - The Sacramento Bee

Republican Wisconsin state Sen. Van Wanggaard decided not to go to court to challenge his recall election loss, effectively conceding the race Tuesday to his challenger and giving Democrats at least a temporary majority in the state Senate. Wanggaard lost to Democrat John Lehman by 819 votes, or about 1.1 percent of the nearly 72,000 ballots cast. Wanggaard had demanded a recount, which affirmed his loss.

Dems take Wis. Senate after GOP incumbent concedes - Wire Nation/World - The Sacramento Bee

Capitol Report: Idea floated for state-run retirement system for private-sector workers

An effort to give private-sector workers the ability to ditch their 401(k)’s and instead participate in a state-run retirement system that would offer a more reliable pension payout could be on the horizon in Wisconsin. Within days of Wisconsin’s pension system being named the most solvent in the country by the Pew Center on the States, Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, pitched a proposal to create a separate but equal system for non-government workers like small business owners and farmers to buy into. The private worker fund would pool contributions from participants but not receive any additional money from taxpayers. ….. On Monday, Davis plans to present the idea to the Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants, an organization that represents public-sector retirees.

Capitol Report: Idea floated for state-run retirement system for private-sector workers

The Associated Press: Unions to hold 'shadow convention'

Three weeks before the Democratic National Convention this summer, union leaders plan to hold their own "shadow convention" to promote labor issues they believe too many elected officials are ignoring. The union gathering in Philadelphia on Aug. 11 was inspired by the anger many labor officials felt after Democrats decided to stage their nominating convention in North Carolina, a right-to-work state that is the least unionized in the country.

The Associated Press: Unions to hold 'shadow convention'

AFL-CIO Curbs Democratic Convention Involvement As Part Of New Strategy, Memo States

The AFL-CIO has told its member unions that it won't make significant contributions or host events at this year's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., while it works to establish its political independence from the Democratic Party. In a memo to union presidents on Monday, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said he will host a meeting of federation members who are serving as delegates but this will be the extent of his group's involvement at this summer's convention. "In recognition of the changes we have made in our political program ... and our desire to engage in politics in a more effective and grassroots way, this year we will not be making major monetary contributions to the Convention or the Host Committee for events or activities around the convention," Trumka wrote. "We won’t be buying skyboxes, hosting events other than the Labor Delegates meeting or bringing a big staff contingent to the convention."

AFL-CIO Curbs Democratic Convention Involvement As Part Of New Strategy, Memo States

AFSCME | AFSCME Applauds Extension of Middle Class Tax Cuts

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders hailed President Obama’s announcement today calling on Congress to pass a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for people earning less than $250,000 a year.The tax cuts are set to expire on Jan. 1. …. Attending the ceremony were two AFSCME members from Local 3085 (Maryland Council 67): Dale Chase, a Howard County master electrician and president of Council 67, and Bill Chenowith, a county waste water treatment plant operator.

AFSCME | AFSCME Applauds Extension of Middle Class Tax Cuts

Union Sportsmen's Alliance - You are Union. You are Sportsman. You Belong. unionsportsmen.org

Retired AFSCME Council 24 Field Staff Representative featured in Union Sporttsmen Alliance magazine and on television.

Union Sportsmen's Alliance - You are Union. You are Sportsman. You Belong. unionsportsmen.org

Our view: State pension plan is envy of nation

Wisconsin certainly attracted its share of national attention in the past two years for its political strife, but we are doing some things right. One area where Wisconsin leads the nation is how we operate our public employee pension system. The $77 billion pension plan is the only one in the country that is fully funded. The national average is 75 percent.

Our view: State pension plan is envy of nation

State contract spending increases - Leader-Telegram: Daily Updates

The state of Wisconsin increased the use of private contractors by 17 percent last year according to a state report filed Tuesday, nearly nine months after it was due. Overall contracting from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, cost $488.9 million, up from $417.2 million from the previous year. State agency contracting increased 26 percent to $363.8 million and University of Wisconsin System contracting decreased 2 percent to $125 million. The Contractual Service Purchasing Report by state law is to be filed annually by Oct. 15 to detail the hiring of private contractors for state agencies.

State contract spending increases - Leader-Telegram: Daily Updates

Check FBI website to avoid losing Internet connectivity | KDVR.com | Denver Breaking News, Weather & Sports – FOX 31 News in Denver, Colorado

Thousands may be without internet access on July 9 unless they check their computer for malware. The FBI believes there are currently 64,000 infected computers in the United States. The FBI has a set up a special website to check if your computer is infected. Visit http://www.dcwg.org/to check if your computer is in harm’s way.

Check FBI website to avoid losing Internet connectivity | KDVR.com | Denver Breaking News, Weather & Sports – FOX 31 News in Denver, Colorado

Poll: Fewer insured through work - POLITICO.com Print View

Fewer Americans are getting health insurance from their employer, a continuation of a trend that started in 2008, according to a Gallup Poll out Thursday. Only 55.9 percent of adults aged 26 to 64 received employer-provided health insurance in 2012, down from 61.6 percent in 2008. …. “It is clear … that one part of the [Affordable Care Act supported by Democrats and the president] — the piece allowing those up to age 26 to stay on their parents’ plans — has already had a significant effect. More 18- to 25-year-olds have gained health insurance — and through an employer in particular,” reports the polling firm.

Poll: Fewer insured through work - POLITICO.com Print View