Colorado AFL-CIO -- Employee Free Choice Act

Ally: Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower with retired CWA member in Denver.

Jim Hightower is a syndicated columnist, populist activist and author. He spoke this spring to CWA district 7200 in Denver, Colorado. He reiterated his strong support for civic involvement through unions and for the Employee Free Choice Act.

He said, "Unions are the escalators to the middle class ... unions are the real hope for real change, fairness, justice, opportunity." He says the Employee Free Choice Act gives working families a chance at a better life and encourages union and non-union members alike to get active in supporting this bill.

Hightower says the labor movement is a movement that is always in flux and never stops. It continues to push forward today with critical legislation in the form of the Employee Free Choice Act, which will benefit working families and help to restore justice in our lopsided economy.

Union Spotlight: Laborers (LIUNA) Local 720

Above: LIUNA 720's Bill Bates with letters in support of Employee Free Choice Act; Below: T. Paul Muller and son head out on a Saturday to talk about Employee Free Choice Act

Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 720, based out of Denver, continues the charge to mobilize members and the public around the Employee Free Choice Act.

LIUNA Local 720 continues to educate and collect a steady stream of letters in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Bill Bates, Local 720 Organizer said, “What I’m looking for is a swing of the pendulum back to center to where we have an equal footing with the employers. Right now all the balls are in their court.” He feels that significant labor law reform is inevitable this year and is not discouraged by the legislative process.

Under the leadership of Business Manager Larry Gray, LIUNA 720 continues to educate and add force to the labor law reform efforts. 

The Laborers will hold a Labor Day picnic on Labor Day at their local with several elected officials, union members and community members. Bill Bates said, "The response has been good over last five years" and they look forward to another great year.

Keep it up, Laborers!

Massive Call to Action for Health Care Reform

Today 9 A.M.  - 5 P.M.

1-877-264-HCAN(4226)

Washington has to hear from union members that Health Care Can't Wait.

While Congress is on recess in August, 400,000 Americans will lose their health care coverage, according to the Center for American Progress.

Call-In Instructions  -- Easy Steps

1. Call: 877-264-HCAN (4226)

2. Once connected, press 1 to be connected to your Representative. 

3. Then you will be asked for your home phone number.

4. Leave your message. Even if you don't reach a staff person, leave a voice mail.  Your opinion will be counted.

That's it. Here is a sample script:

"This is _____________________.  I am union member from (your town).  We need health care reform now.  My family and I are counting on the Senator (or Representative.)

[For Reps:]  I urge Rep. _____________ to support HR3200.

[For Senators:]  Health Care Can't Wait.  We need action on the health care reform bills.

We need all union members, their families and friends to call their member of Congress and Senators Bennet and Udall.

Our goal is to flood our representatives with calls, e-mails, faxes and messages to tell them we need Congress to support real health care reform NOW and vote for HR 3200. 

Important: Tomorrow! National Call-In Day!

 

Download Health Care July Call-in Flyer

Download AAHCA Summary

Update...

Hardly six months into the Obama presidency, the labor movement continues to work hard to Turn Around America, create good jobs and build an economy that works for everyone. Make no mistake, we are very close to passing landmark health care reform and the strongest, most comprehensive labor law reform in 75 years – both urgently needed!
 
Despite speculative reports in the press about Senate leadership discussions, no deal has been reached to move labor law reform to final passage. 
 
Many realize that majority sign-up remains the best way for workers to have the right to choose a voice at their workplace, and reform of our broken labor law system must include three core principles that are embodied in the Employee Free Choice Act.
 
Senate leadership works to clear space on the Senate calendar for a vote. The closer we get to success, the tougher the attacks from business will become. We must remain strong.
 
Let’s continue to do the work that we can do through personal visits, phone calls and letters to Senators, letters to the editor and our work with community coalition partners.

Upcoming Events

-This week, the United States Students Association (USSA) convened in Boulder. Their conference took place Tuesday through Friday. Actions around Employee Free Choice Act occured Thursday.
 
-Working America builds momentum in Colorado. Working America members will deliver hundreds of letters in support of Employee Free Choice to Senators Udall & Bennet's offices in Denver next week!

-July 28th National Day of Action on health care reform!!! More info here.

Phone banks. More information here.

Coming in August ...

-August 2nd: Jobs with Justice first annual "Strikes (& Spares) with Justice" Bowling Tournament

-August 13: Community leaders deliver support of Employee Free Choice Act to Senators Bennet and Udall in Denver

-August 18: Health care providers roundtable discussion on the benefits of union members for patient and worker safety

-Phone banks. More information here.

Coming in September...

-September 3: Working women roundtable with Congresswoman Diana DeGette

-September 7: Labor Day Activities in Longmont & Denver

-September 9 and 10: Community delegations to lobby in  D.C. in support of Employee Free Choice Act

-Phone banks. More information here.

National Day of Action - July 28th!

Call for Health Care Reform — July 28th Day of Action!

Tuesday, July 28 from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
CALL: 1-877-264-4226

It’s time. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and last fall we voted for real change. Congress needs to support President Obama and pass health care reform in this session.

On Tuesday, call your representative and tell him or her that your union and your family want our broken health care system fixed now.

Write the number down and share it with your fellow union members. It is a no-stress way to tell your Congressperson that real reform can’t wait.

Share the number with your friends and family. Now is the time we can make a difference: 1-877-264-4226.

Justice for Rocky Flats Workers

Fight for justice for the Rocky Flats workers by  fast-tracking the Charlie Wolf Act which will help the miners of Colorado.

At a recent town hall-style meeting with Senator Michael Bennet, Rocky Flats workers reminded us that their struggle continues.

The Rocky Flats Plant was a United States nuclear weapons production facility near Denver, Colorado that operated from 1952 to 1992. Hazardous waste and pollutants have compromised the health of hundreds of workers. They continue to fight for justice and implore legislators to fast-track the Charlie Wolf Act, which would ensure retribution for workers affected.

The Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) August Meeting in Colorado Springs!

CARA was founded by retired union members to continue to fight for the rights and dignity of our working men and women and to protect the security of retirement benefits by mobilizing citizens. CARA is made up of over 35,000 seniors and retirees in the Colorado which includes members from unions, civic and community organizations.

The Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans invites you to the August membership meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the IBEW Union Hall, Local 113 - 2150 Naegele Rd - Colorado Springs, CO 80904. The meeting is from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Guests include:
- State and Local Elected Officials
- Speakers from the Area Agency on Aging  
- Health Passport Links

Cookout after the meeting! ($5.00)  
DRAWINGS FOR PRIZES (Free)

RSVP for the meeting to Vivian Stovall at 720-841-4902 or coloradoalliance@yahoo.com and RSVP for the cook-out to Bob Knapp at 303-427-4483 

"Protecting children's futures"

The Colorado Springs Gazette

Letter to the Editor-

I am one of the baby boomers who will benefit from a pension from the Post Office, Social security and veterans' benefits. Since I have been employed for more than 36 years, I will receive a defined retirement package. I will never be wealthy, but I will have an income I can survive on.

I have served my country for over 36 years and by all accounts I have earned my retirement benefits. I am one of the fortunate baby boomers who had the opportunity to work in an environment that allows its work force to earn these benefits. I am afraid I will not leave these opportunities to my daughter and my nieces and nephews unless decisive action is taken now that will guarantee these opportunities to our children and grandchildren.

The basic guarantee that we must provide is that all Americans must be given the right to enter into a contract with their employers. We have contractual rights and obligations in all areas of endeavors, except that of employment. A privileged few (CEOs, sports figures and members of unions) have this right but most Americans do not.

We have an opportunity to correct this flaw in our economic system by urging our members of Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. This act will allow our judicial system to enforce the right of all Americans to form a contract with their employers, which will allow us to rebuild the middle class and provide a future as bright as or brighter than ours. Contractual rights must be universal - urge our members of Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. We must provide the effort to fix our economy so that it can work for everyone. One truism still exists: a rising tide will lift all boats

Robert A. Annala, Colorado Springs

Link here.