Wisconsin AFL-CIO -- Employee Free Choice Act

Media Matters: Clips from Around the State

The Capital Times weighed in with an editorial in favor of Employee Free Choice:
http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/443318     

 

Also in Madison, David Nack of AFT and the School for Workers published an excellent opinion editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/other/442931
Right on, David!

 

The Kenosha Rally for Corporate Accountability made the television news on three different stations in Milwaukee.   Check out what Dave McGrath of Wisconsin Public Radio had to say on the subject:
http://www.wpr.org/news/newsstories.cfm    (be sure to scroll down to 3/27/09)

 

The story also received great coverage in the Kenosha News:
http://www.kenoshanews.com/scripts/edoris/edoris.dll?tem=lsearchart&search_iddoc=4638281            

 

Jeff Johnson of AFSCME wrote an awesome opinion editorial which appeared in the Wausau Daily Herald, the Appleton Fox Cities Post Crescent, the Fond Du Lac Reporter, the Oshkosh Northwesterner, and the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Friday: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990327063
Way to go, Jeff!           

          
And finally, Erin Brannan of Working America wrote a letter to the editor which appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sunday:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/42026402.html 
Straight to the point, Erin!

 

For help crafting your own letter to the editor, contact AFL-CIO WI Field Communicator Sara Wallenfang at 414-418-5485.

No More Blank Checks for Corporate Execs

“I want to emphasize the anger and frustration that myself and many of my fellow workers have,” said Vern Fisher, a 36 year member of UAW.  “These financial analysts tell us that executives are going to have to get the bonuses because they have a contract.  While this is going on, we autoworkers are being force by the government to reopen our contracts and give concessions.”

Fisher spoke on March 26, as part of UAW Local 72’s Rally for Corporate Accountability.  Members of ATU, NEA, SMWIA, UAW and UFCW stood in solidarity at the event, calling on executives at companies such as AIG to stop cashing in at taxpayer expense while working families are sacrificing.

Fisher also feels that the Employee Free Choice Act is necessary in order to help address the inequality in our current economy.  “We need to let more people who want to join unions, we have to make it easier for them to do so . . . We need to rebuild America’s middle class; that is the backbone of America.”

“The bonuses that were given to AIG made me very angry.  The last time the government gave our plant money, we paid it back,” said UAW Local 72 member Danetta (Dan) Davis.  “Union people have given up tough concessions to help the company.  We expect the same of the company.”

“It’s time for us to stand together,” according to Cleveland Cornelious of Local 72.  “It’s time for us to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.”

“Because of recent economic problems with the auto industry, we opened up our contract that was due to expire in September of 2011.  And because we opened our contract I have been laid off,” explained Cale Kollman, electrician from the Kenosha Chrysler Engine Plant.  “I find it kind of disgusting that other companies just get money.  The U.S. government is breaking the contracts of UAW workers, yet they say they can’t break the contracts of corporate executives.”

“The Employee Free Choice Act, I believe, would really help the middle class,” said Kollman.  “It has been proven that union workers generally have better health insurance and better benefits overall.  It would be great if more people had the opportunity to join a union.”

“The average CEO in this country makes in 4 hours what the average worker makes in a full year.  I don’t know how you guys feel about that, but I think it is a little ridiculous,” said UAW Local 72’s closing speaker Kevin Ellis. 

Ellis had a suggestion for the crowd on how to close that pay gap.  “The Employee Free Choice Act is very important . . . You ought to call your Senator or Congressman and remind them.”

Local Union Spotlight: IBEW Local 2150

Juan Roche worked for Waukesha Electric for over 17 years.  When he heard rumors that company executives planned to cut wages and benefits in order to boost their profits, Juan began to talk to his coworkers about forming a union.

Although workers at Waukesha Electric eventually won their fight to become part of IBEW Local 2150, the victory was bittersweet. 

Juan was fired before he had the chance cast his vote for a union.  The company dismissed him within a few short days of figuring out that Juan had been circulating union cards among fellow employees.

In addition to firing Juan, the company engaged in other activities to intimidate workers before the vote.  Watch the video below in which Terry Bossell explains the mandatory anti-union meetings and the threatened loss of benefits that he and his coworkers experienced:

In spite of everything that they went through, workers at Waukesha Electric managed to come together and form their union.  But at what cost?  We must pass the Employee Free Choice Act in order to protect heroes like Juan Roche. 

As Juan himself said, “None of this would have happened if they had the law in place . . . I would still have my job.”

The Real Secret, and How to Spill It

We all know that corporate front groups are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act and prevent working people from bargaining for a better future. 

Click here to read an excellent article, wherein Seth Michaels of the National AFL-CIO follows the money.

In order to be heard over the din created by BIG money corporate interests, we are going to have to raise some funds ourselves.  This is the type of ad that the Employee Free Choice Act Media Fund hopes to put on televisions across America:

The money needed to spread this message isn’t going to come from a handful of philanthropists with deep pockets.  The money needed is going to come in small sums from people who know firsthand how unfair our current labor law is.  Please donate today via this secure online link:

https://secure.ga6.org/08/turnaroundamericafund?source=field

Whatever economic recovery measures our country may need, we will not achieve balance and broadly shared prosperity unless we restore workers' freedom to form unions and bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions.

It won’t happen without your help.

Green Bay Working Lunch Sends a Strong Message

The Working Lunch event hosted by the Greater Green Bay Labor Council on Thursday was a massive success!  Union members at the event wrote 110 letters to Senator Herb Kohl, Senator Russ Feingold, and Representative Steve Kagen, thanking them for their continued support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Check out the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s coverage of the Working Lunch:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903130606

Union members from AFSCME, APWU, IBEW, IUPAT, IRON, LIUNA, NEA, OPEIU, SMWIA, UAW, USW, and UFCW participated.

Those attending heard from a wide range of compelling speakers.  Cyndy Williams of IBEW Local 158 shared how having a union made it possible to support her family. 

Timm Driscoll, Executive Board Member of WI Alliance for Retired Americans talked about the health and retirement benefits that are only available to most working people through collective bargaining.

Dan Cole, retiree from Ironworkers Local 8 expressed the frustration felt by many in the room, over current labor law.  “This is America!  Why should we be afraid to join together and bargain for better benefits?”

Gene Yuma, who recently became an Organizer with IUPAT District Council 7, explained that proposed legislation gives workers a choice between majority sign-up or a Nation Labor Relations Board election.  “With all of our support, hopefully the Employee Free Choice Act will pass. . . But it takes all of us to do it.”

The message sent from this grassroots effort to Congress was clear: EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT NOW!

Local Union Spotlight: UAW Local 1102

As part of grassroots actions in support of the Employee Free Choice Act in Green Bay on Thursday, members UAW Local 1102 explained just how difficult it was to form a union in their workplace.  “Our experience illustrates why the law needs to change,” said Pat Veeser, Local 1102 President. 

Watch the videos below in which Pat Veeser, Fran Van Pay, Mike Campbell, and Brian Van Ark explain what they went through.

Introduction

Breakfast with the Boss

Corporation Out Spends Workers

The Threat of Being Fired

Company Lays Off Union Supporters, Then Calls for Another Vote

Winning is Just the Beginning

The Company Plays Favorites

False Threats of Closure

One-On-One Meetings with the VP

Our Union Was Worth It

After hearing what people who want to form a union must go through, Pat, Fran, Mike and Brian are sure you will agree: the Employee Free Choice Act must pass so that workers get a fair shot at bargaining for a better life.

The Employee Free Choice Act is good for America’s workers AND America’s businesses.

If you believe the headlines generated by the Chamber of Commerce, you may get the impression that all managers and business owners are against the rights of working people who want to form unions and bargain for a better life.  That simply isn’t the case.  Watch the video below in which Pat McKenna, Owner of Union Copy Centers, Inc. makes a heartfelt statement in favor of workers’ rights.

On March 11, members of the business community who support the Employee Free Choice Act gathered at the Milwaukee BIG STEP job training center to take part in a panel discussing this critical legislation.  Watch the video below in which Professor Cheryl Moranto of the Marquette University School of Management gives an overview of the advantages unions can provide to businesses.

Jim Maples, Owner of Vinton Construction, is thankful that unions help him provide health and retirement benefits to his employees.  Maples hopes that the Employee Free Choice Act passes so that workers can form unions at the companies competing against him.

The Employee Free Choice Act will help prevent friction between management and their workers, according to panel host Earl Buford, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership. 

Many companies already enjoy a better relationship with their workers because of majority sign-up.  American Income Life is one such company.  In the above video segment, Public Relations Specialist Robin Ferraro explains how her company is reaching out to other corporations to build support for the Employee Free Choice Act.

Many business people realize that a strong middle class, built through unions and collective bargaining, is good for the larger economy.  As moderator of Wednesday’s business panel WI AFL-CIO President David Newby emphasized that point.

Members of the audience took the opportunity to address the panel after the discussion.  Listen to these words of wisdom from Rose Daitsman, which debunk the idea that more unionization will hurt us during a recession:

And finally, Employee Free Choice opponents falsely claim that the legislation will eliminate secret ballots.  In our closing video, Professor Moranto explains that the Employee Free Choice Act still allows workers to choose an election through the National Labor Relations Board.  She also shares some very compelling reasons that majority sign-up must also be an option.

La Crosse "Working Lunch" in Support of Employee Free Choice

On Monday, union members and retirees in La Crosse helped kick off a National Week of Grassroots Action in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.  This bill, which was recently introduced in the U.S. Congress, is crucial to building an economy that works for everyone.

 

Watch the video above in which IAHFI Local 19 member Kristian Platten describes the difference that being a union member has made in his life. 

UA Local 434 hosted the event in their training facility.  Union members from AFGE, ATU, BCTGM, IUOE, IAM, IBEW, LIUNA, OPCMIA, UA, UAW, and UURWAW called and wrote letters to Senator Kohl, Senator Feingold, and Representative Kind, thanking them for supporting this critical legislation.

“Although majority sign-up has always been a lawful way for workers to form a unions, companies are now allowed to veto that choice.  This forces workers into an election process that is manipulated by companies to intimidate, harass, coerce, or even fire workers,” Said David Branson, Business Agent for UA Local 434.  “This is an urgent crisis for workers, blocking their freewill and their ability to bargain for a better future.”

Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Terry Hicks describes current labor law as “dismal.”  He went on to add that, “This is a question of power.  Corporations don’t want to give that up.”

Local media in La Crosse took notice.  Here are some of the stories about the Employee Free Choice Act following the event.

On television:
http://www.wkbt.com/global/story.asp?s=9978571

On the Radio:
(be sure to scroll down to 3/10/09)
http://www.wpr.org/news/newsstories.cfm

http://1410wizm.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=2251

UA Organizer Joe Moenck summed up why so many working people are taking action.  “The system is broken, and needs to be fixed.  The Employee Free Choice Act is the way that we are going to get that done.”

The Moment We Have All Been Waiting For!

The Employee Free Choice Act was introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate today, launching the legislative battle to restore workers' freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life.

Check out this awesome statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney marking the occasion:

Today is a banner day for working Americans, a milestone on the road to rebuilding our nation’s middle class – and it couldn’t come at a more crucial time.  We thank the House of Representatives and the Senate for introducing the Employee Free Choice Act, which will restore workers’ freedom to bargain for fair wages, job security, better health care and secure pensions.  Special thanks also goes to Congressman Miller, Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Harkin for being the lead sponsors and champions for America’s working families.

We are confident the Employee Free Choice Act is going to become the law of the land. 

The introduction of this bill so early is a strong message that Congress is ready to move forward to help working families build an economy that works for everyone.  It is common sense legislation that makes good on a simple promise:  If a majority of employees in a workplace want a union, they should be able to have a union and bargain for a better life.  That’s why the Employee Free Choice Act has broad public support.  Independent polling shows that 73 percent of the public supports it – and that support comes from every region, every demographic group and every political party.  Even moderate and liberal Republicans support the Employee Free Choice Act, as do a wide array of progressive and public interest allies of working families. 

Still, the debate will be tough.  Wealthy corporate interests don’t want to give up power and they are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to lie about what the bill does.  But hard working Americans will not let their voices be silenced by wealthy CEOs and corporate lobbyists.  Already, all across the country, working men and women are mobilizing at the grassroots, calling on Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

Passing the Employee Free Choice Act will allow workers to have a voice at work, lift their standard of living and build stronger communities as well as stronger families.  The bill will allow workers to form a union if a majority indicates in writing that they want one, taking away the right of corporations to demand a ballot election they can readily manipulate.  Workers can also choose a ballot election if they prefer – but it will be their choice, not their company’s.  

Working families here in Wisconsin must fight hard to pass this legislation.  Call Senator Kohl and Senator Feingold and ask them to vote for the Employee Free Choice Act:

For Senator Kohl, call 866-207-2060.

For Senator Feingold, call 608-828-1200 (Middleton), 414-276-7282 (Milwaukee), or 920-465-7508 (Green Bay).

Write On! Representative Kagan’s Constituents Thank Him for Supporting Employee Free Choice

In the weeks since Steve Kagen became an official cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, dozens of letter to the editor have been sent to newspapers across District 8.  Check out these awesome letters from union members, many of which directly thank Kagen for supporting this important piece of legislation:

Frank Helebrant, March 6:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903060563

William Mencheski, March 6:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090306/GPG0603/903060564/1271/GPG06

Jesse Jacques, March 1:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903010740

Ingrid N. Justman, March 1:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990301005

Don VandenBusch, March 1:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903010745

Joeseph Heyrman, February 26:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902260563

Dan Rickel, February 26:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902260495

Greg Young, February 26:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902260497

Dennis Delie, February 24:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902240559

Randal Hanus, February 21:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902210535

John Dillion, February 19:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902190582

Dennis Bomberry, February 18:
http://www.peshtigotimes.net/?id=11097

Derk Lesniak, February 17:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902170432

Lynette Biedermann, February 8:
Appleton Fox Cities Post-Crescent, link unavailable.

Michael Bolton, February 7:
Appleton Fox Cities Post-Crescent, link unavailable.

Gerri Pieczynski, Feburary 6:
Stevens Point Journal, link unavailable.

Robert J. Agen, February 4:
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902040510

National AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and WI AFL-CIO President David Newby also weighed in with this opinion editorial in the February 27th Green Bay Press-Gazette:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090227/GPG0706/902270634/1269/GPG06

Of course, not all letters submitted are chosen for publication.  Greater Green Bay Labor Council President Tony VanderBloemen estimates that at least 15 additional letters have been sent to newspapers in District 8 during the past two weeks. 

It is not too late to send a letter to your local newspaper about Employee Free Choice, and you don’t have to live in Steve Kagen’s district to do it.  Contact WI AFL-CIO Field Communicator Sara Wallenfang at 414-418-5485 for local submission guidelines and sample letters.