AFSCME | New Webinar for AFSCME Members on Hazard Communication Standard

Nearly every AFSCME member will be affected by a new, basic health and safety regulation: the Hazard Communication Standard (Hazcom), or Right to Know Law. OSHA estimates that more than 32 million workers are exposed to 650,000 hazardous chemical products in more than 3 million American workplaces. Most affected are public works, transportation and health care. … Expert Diane Brown will give you the inside scoop on the law, explaining what the changes mean to AFSCME members. The webinar will occur at 3 p.m. EST, Aug. 29.

AFSCME | New Webinar for AFSCME Members on Hazard Communication Standard

Bill Lueders: Filings track unions’ fall, mining bill fight

The fight for Wisconsin Workers needs YOU! The likes of Scott Walker and his GOP supporters will continue to diminish the standing of public employees unless YOU, the public employees stays committed to the fight.

Public employees along with the private-sector employees need to first WIN AT THE BALLOT BOX before we can GET BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE!

If you FAIL TO RECOMMIT to this fight then we do not see what miracle you are waiting for.

Bill Lueders: Filings track unions’ fall, mining bill fight

Dept. of Corrections explores ways to stop assaults on prison guards

It's been happening in prisons across the state and right here in the Chippewa valley, corrections officers being assaulted by inmates. WEAU 13 News is finding out what's being done to make sure prisons are a safer place to work. ….. “Before, we had a mechanism for them to deal with them. Since Act 10 we don’t,” said Marty Beil, the executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union. Beil said with more experienced officers retiring, newer officers, already exhausted on overtime, have to step in to control a growing prison population. …. The union representative said he doesn’t see much good coming from the secretary's memo and a frank discussion between the DOC, the union and legislators needs to happen.

Dept. of Corrections explores ways to stop assaults on prison guards

AFSCME | With Voter Disenfranchisement on the Rise, an AFSCME Sister Fights Back

As voter registration deadlines approach, AFSCME members like Josette Jaramillo are out every weekend and every evening registering voters.    In a little more than two weeks, Jaramillo, a member of Local 1335 (Council 76) in Pueblo, Colo., has registered nearly 50 voters, in a state where voter suppression tactics have been designed to discourage registration.

AFSCME | With Voter Disenfranchisement on the Rise, an AFSCME Sister Fights Back

Fw: August 25th Canvass Kickoffs

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

---

From: Steve Kwaterski <skwaterski@aflcio.org>

Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:40:30 +0000

To: Steve Kwaterski<skwaterski@aflcio.org>

Subject: August 25th Canvass Kickoffs

To: Members of the WI AFL-CIO Political Steering Committee

 

This Saturday, August 25th, we will be kicking off our fall election campaign to reelect President Obama, elect Tammy Baldwin to the US Senate, and work to elect pro-worker candidates elected to Congress and the State Legislature.  Below you will find the details for this first set of canvasses.  We encourage you to please share these canvass locations/shift times with your membership.

 

Start Time

End Time

Location

Contact

 

 

Milwaukee Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213	Annie Wacker - 414-771-9830,  annieaflcio@sbcglobal.net
Waukesha Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Machinists Lodge 1377, 1726 S. West Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53189	Jenissee Volpintesta - 262- 364-6751, jvolpintesta@wisaflcio.org
Racine Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Racine Labor Temple, 1840 Sycamore Avenue, Racine, WI 53406	Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177, jgeiger@wisaflcio.org
Kenosha Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	UAW Local 72, 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI 53144	Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177, jgeiger@wisaflcio.org
Madison Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715	Greg Neil - 608-556-9521, gneil@wisaflcio.org
Eau Claire Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Eau Claire Labor Temple, 2233 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703	Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353, athompson@wisaflcio.org
Wausau Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Wausau Labor Temple, 318 S. 3rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401	Scott Wright - 920-450-2121, swright@wisaflcio.org
Green Bay Canvass	9:00 AM	1:00 PM	Green Bay Labor Temple, 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay, WI 54302	Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309, ghinds@wisaflcio.org

 

 

Thank You AFSCME Local 555

Today, (08/16) AFSCME Local 555 delivered several "NEW" membership sign-up's to AFSCME Council 24. Thank you Local 555 for your vision to see the strength in being organized. Your local is setting a great example and Council 24 recognizes and truly appreciates your efforts and commitment.

AFSCME Council 24
Wisconsin State Employees Union

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