The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran a photo and brief description which is no longer available online. Sheila Cochran of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council also had an opinion editorial published the following day: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/45438752.html
Members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have been reaching out to their elected officials to let them know just how important the Employee Free Choice Act really is. Through letters and phone calls IBT is keeping the pressure on so that meaningful labor law reform will be enacted this year.
Watch the video above in which IBT Wisconsin Legislative Director Mike Koziara explains how the Employee Free Choice Act will help rebuild the middle class. He says that Walmart is a perfect example of why we must strengthen our labor laws.
Congress is currently on recess for Memorial Day, which means that your elected officials are visiting their in-state offices. It’s a great time to call your senators and thank them for their continued support of the Employee Free Choice Act:
For Senator Kohl, call 866-207-2060. For Senator Feingold, call 608-828-1200.
“In June of 2007 Chrysler made a public commitment to this workforce — to the state, the city and the county — that the Kenosha plant would be retooled to build the Phoenix V6 Engine in 2010,” said to UAW Local 72 President Glenn Stark. “Not only is Chrysler now planning to close our plant, but they will be doing it at the very same time that they are going to open a new plant in Mexico.”
The Chrysler Engine Plant closing would eliminate 800 jobs and send a ripple effect through the local economy of Kenosha and the state economy of Wisconsin. This is a betrayal of billions of dollars that United States taxpayers have invested to keep Chrysler in business.
On Monday,hundreds of UAW members and community supporters picketed outside of the threatened plant, calling on Chrysler to change its restructuring plan. CWA, IAMAW and UFCW members were among those who turned out in solidarity.
You can do your part by calling President Barack Obama today. Tell him that, as a taxpayer, you want your bailout money used to keep jobs in the U.S.A. Urge him to keep the Chrysler Engine Plant in Kenosha open. Dial 202-456-1111.
Karl Rove, notorious advisor to President George W. Bush, was in Milwaukee yesterday to speak at a closed-door meeting of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. It was the latest in a series of appearances that Rove has given to denounce the Employee Free Choice Act and the rights of workers to bargain for fair wages and benefits.
Thankfully, most of the public attention was focused on the large and vocal rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act happening outside of this exclusive planning session.
About 200 union members and community allies called for immediate passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in order to rebuild the middle class. Participants hailed from AFGE, AFSCME, AFT, BAC, CWA, IAMAW, IBEW, IUPAT, LIUNA, NEA, Roofers, SEIU, SMWIA, UA, UAW, UBC, UFCW, Workers United and local student groups.
Two State Assembly members were on hand to show their support for working people who choose to form and join unions. Representative Barbara Toles of District 17 spoke from personal experience as a member of AFT Local 212.
Representative Jon Richards of District 19 challenged Karl Rove’s economic authority head on.
In addition to giving an eloquent speech and several interviews at the rally, Milwaukee Area Labor Council Secretary Treasurer Sheila Cochran published the following opinion editorial in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
This month, a delegation of leaders from the faith community met with the staff of Senator Kohl’s Madison office to thank him for his continued support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Participants included Jonathan Currie of Interfaith Worker Justice, Becky Schigiel of Temple Beth El, Rev. Robert Sichta of the Barneveld Congregational United Church of Christ, and Rabbi Renee Bauer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice.
“Unionization brings a huge social benefit to a community, particularly a rural community,” said Rev. Sichta. “Nonunion workers are often forced to be more transient. When renters pull out of a small town that can have a huge impact. Nonunion workers often rely on emergency care rather than less expensive, more effective forms of healthcare. Through no fault of their own, low-wage workers draw more heavily on public assistance. When working people have the opportunity to come together and bargain for fair wages and benefits, that is one of the best safety nets that there is. It raises the standard of living for everyone.”
“Most major faith traditions support a worker’s right to organize,” said Currie. “This is not simply an economic issue but is an expression of our values and our commitment as a nation to the common good.”
The Chrysler Engine Plant in Kenosha is scheduled to close, eliminating 800 Wisconsin jobs. Meanwhile, the company is planning to build and expand facilities in Mexico. This is a betrayal of billions of dollars that United States taxpayers have invested to keep Chrysler in business.
On Monday, May 18th, workers and community members will picket outside of the Chrysler Engine Plant in Kenosha, urging the company to reconsider its restructuring plan.
UAW members and their families need YOU to join them on the picket line. The event will kick off at 4:30 PM and the media has been invited to participate starting at 5 PM.
Homemade signs are welcome, so long as they do not disparage the country or people of Mexico.
For more information, contact UAW Local 72 President Glenn Stark at 262-497-1921.
What: Kenosha Workers Picket to Save Chrysler Engine Plant
Who: UAW Workers, Retirees, and Community Supporters
When: May 18, 2009 at 4:30PM
Where: Chrysler LLC Kenosha Engine Plant 5555 30th Avenue; Kenosha, WI 53144
President Obama reaffirmed his support for the Employee Free Choice Act at a townhall meeting in New Mexico this week.
"If you look at our history, I think it bears this out - even if you're not a member of a union, you owe something to unions. A lot of the things that you take for granted as an employee of a company, the idea of overtime and minimum wage and benefits, a whole host of things that you, even if you're not a member of a union, now take for granted, that happened because unions fought and helped to make employers more accountable."
"What I think we have to do is to find ways in which the core idea of the Employee Free Choice Act is preserved, which is how do we make it easier for people who want to form a union to at least get a vote and have an even playing field. How do we do that? But at the same time get enough votes to pass the bill. That's what we're working on right now."
During the 2008 election cycle, the United Steel Workers (USW) developed an incredible rapid response program to educate union members and turn out the vote. As part of that national effort, Wisconsin’s District 2 conducted some of the most visible and effective political outreach in the entire country. Now USW members are using many of the same grassroots techniques to make sure that the Employee Free Choice Act passes in 2009.
Wednesday night’s USW Retirees meeting in Waukesha is just one example the ongoing mobilization to make this bill a reality. This week, retirees wrote to Senator Kohl, thanking him for his past and future support of Employee Free Choice.
Thomas Kahlow is the Financial Secretary and Second Shift Chief Steward for USW Local 2-815. He works at Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Clintonville, which builds highly specialized fire trucks and rescue equipment. In the video below, Kahlow explains what the Employee Free Choice Act will do and how USW members are contacting their senators.
The Greater Wisconsin Committee has started airing a radio advertisement in Western Wisconsin highlighting Congressman Ron Kind’s support for the Employee Free Choice Act and asking his constituents to contact him to voice their support for this needed legislation.
The advertisement touts the benefits of the legislation in leveling the playing field between workers and their employers and providing workers the freedom to choose a union to improve their wages and protect their health care and retirement benefits.The ad also corrects misinformation about the legislation being spread against Congressman Kind and other supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act by corporate special interest groups.
“At a time Wisconsin workers are facing unprecedented layoffs, decreased wages, and loss of benefits, it’s more important than ever that workers have the freedom to choose a union,” said Michelle McGrorty, executive director of the Greater Wisconsin Committee.“Passing the Employee Free Choice Act will help prevent corporations from using intimidation to deprive workers from exercising their rights to join a union.It’s important for Ron Kind’s constituents to know that he backs this crucial legislation that if enacted could help workers in Western Wisconsin gain higher wages, better benefits, and increased job security.”
On May 12th, the Fox Valley Labor Leader’s Conference was held in Neenah, WI. Participants took the opportunity to thank Senator Herb Kohl for his past and future support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
In the picture above, members of the International Brotherhood of Electricians Local 2150 place phone calls to Senator Kohl’s office. You can follow their example. Call your senators today and remind them that working people deserve the opportunity to bargain for a better life.
For Senator Kohl, call 866-207-2060. For Senator Feingold, call 608-828-1200.
