Vol. 71, No. 10 Thursday, October 27, 2011 It’s in the Air and on the Streets! America hits sidewalks to curb greed, demand jobs, oust the mulish Is anyone listening to jobless? he knows something about titles as Chief Operating Homemade signs lined the Occupy rally route Oct. 15. SOfficer of the Milwaukee Pledgees provided a brisk side-business near Zeidler Park. Area Labor Council and titled Why Occupy fever keeps spreading honoree of many community Game On to recall Scott Walker irst dismissed as amorphous, unfocused and naïve, the Occupy boards. But at a special o waiting. No compromise. The longer his half-baked philoso- Wall Street started with a few pitched tents and a hippie flavor ""America Wants to Work" phy is in control, the more bleeds. So say the vari- in mid-September along with an eloquent if uncompromising forum Oct. 12, as she introduced Nous recall committees. F dignitaries, economic specialists manifesto that damned the entire US financial system. They have talked, weighed and decided to start collecting signa- Inevitably, right-wing politicos feeding on contributions from and union leaders, Sheila tures Nov. 15 to recall Gov. Scott Walker, which gives them a 60 day that financiers’ row dismissed the Occupy effort as dimwitted. Even Cochran made a telling point. window (though the final date will probably wind up Jan. 17, 2012, the lowly $50,000 a year drones on the street wondered if the brush "We all have titles and are because of calendar issues the Government Accountability Board is was too broad. glad to have them," she said, but still working out). But now it's October and how things have changed! Occupy "the most important title in the Announced Oct.10 on national cable and immediately supported Milwaukee, one of hundreds of offshoots in a protest sharing inten- room is carried by this gentle- by major progressive organizations, the decision reflects several reali- tions and slogans from New Zealand to Asia as well as across the US, man: Unemployed Citizen of ties, noted the sponsors in interviews -- chief among them United drew enough thousands to fill Michigan St. corner to corner for seven Milwaukee.” Wisconsin (unitedwisconsin.com, responsible for the famous Recall blocks Oct. 15 in a march from Zeidler Park to the Chase Bank, fol- At Yatchak Hall all ears and Scott Walker Internet movement including Facebook and Twitter), the lowed by a daylong rally of drums, food, hand-made signs and lively eyes focused on Martin - and Wisconsin Democratic Party, and (while instructing all eager unions to interchange among strangers: Rose and Andrea, all out of work heed the PAC rules and regulations) the state AFL-CIO. Unions, libertarians, peace activists, Ron Paul fans, bank tellers and searching endlessly for one, In their thinking: and suburban clerks students, moderates, Reagan Democrats, immi- two, three years, often denied There is no other name to worry about than Walker, whose grant communities, senior citizens -- something that looked quite like unemployment compensation own party knows he has over-reached (but seem so glad to finally be the advertised 99% and certainly gave the lie to the “thugs” descrip- because of technicalities and back in power that only in media comments do they reveal their dis- tions of talk radio. bureaucracy, left dangling and tress or how cowed they have become). The Act 10 decision to deny The Tea Party never climbed above a 25% favorable rating in then hung out to dry by temp public workers meaningful bargaining rights can't even be justified on national polls, but Occupy has already roared up to 54% approval. agencies, used to hard work and the money side. It went from a temporary money saver to lingering There are hundreds of Occupy (Name Your City) offspring. Major denied the opportunity, willing to disaster when even conservatives scrutinized education, safety and organizations, political movements, unions and elected officials have flip hamburgers for bottom community survival in the second year of his fiscal budget. not only climbed aboard but are now helping set the agenda and activ- wages and passed over as over- It was a decision that many Republicans are now ashamed to have ities as joiners in a cause that resists any group taking charge. skilled or maybe just too needy embraced, since it basically decided that private sector workers The right-wing pundits simply can't believe that Occupy hadn't given their hunger to care for shouldn't aspire to good health care and retirement benefits - why else been paid off to become a left-wing clone, like their money did for the their kids and families. take those away from government employees? It rewards a few at the right with the Tea Party organizations. Instead, elements of all seg- While there are thousands expense of many - and tries to sell that as the American way. ments of the middle class have rallied to the movement -- and guess upon thousands of work-oriented More than 55% of state adults in respected polls now disagree what? So have many of those Wall Street drones that started out as citizens in the community who with Walker, and many once voted only GOP. "How many critics. could echo such stories, the lis- Republicans thought they knew Walker and discovered they didn't?" How unlike the Tea Party this is. That discontent also started with teners needed only a handful to noted one recall insider. "They can't be fooled again and that's our loose anger at big banks but was co-opted by conservative money into wonder what strange contagion edge." attacking reasonable health care and needed government stimulus. The had infected the hearts of those That's why the recall organizers don't want voters distracted when Tea Party was quickly perverted into an arm of big business, electing Forum continued Page 11 Recall continued Page 8 many veteran right-wing operatives instead of true believers. uch coercion is unlikely with Occupy, which keeps moving and growing because one reality keeps shining through - the 99% of Sthe population with good reason to be outraged at the uncaring wealthy among the 1%. That tiny sliver of America wields un-American power and mis- guided capitalistic principles. They seem to relish the increasing gulf of income disparity, they engage in the class warfare they accuse the Occupy continued Page 6 All articles and photos by Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Milwaukee Labor Press.

Marchers of all ages, causes and classes defy the stereotype Oct. 15 in a seven-block march from Zeidler Park to Downtown banks. That’s when Occupy Wall Street became Occupy Milwaukee. Page 2 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org Ready to create jobs, county officials insist t was a major Ready to Work demand for Milwaukee ICounty announced Oct. 13 at the Center of Excellence for WRTP/BIG STEP that will pro- vide key jobs training. But the press conference also threw down a gauntlet and signaled a "get on board" moment in county swagger. With a few other supervisors lined up behind him - co-creator Theodore Lipscomb, co-spon- sors Marina Dimitrijevic and Nikiya Harris - and others not present but also on board including Jason Haas and Peggy tor help bring this to life." West, Supervisor Eyon Biddle Biddle, Lipscomb and Abele not only detailed the initiative were already backing an but also stated bluntly: "We are enhanced Economic the new leadership of Milwaukee Development Fund to use some County." revenue generated from land He challenged the board and sales, but the Ready to Work ini- new County Executive Chris tiative does switch deposits Abele to back an immediate Supervisors announcing the effort at WRTP were Eyon Biddle (speaking), Nikiya Harris and directly to putting people to change in the budget to add $1 Marina Dimitrijevic at right and (inset upper right) Theodore Lipscomb. work. It could be a way out for million, funded by combining with high school (GED) diplo- Abele since some supervisors land sales and existing conduits, how urgent the demand is in the College, Milwaukee Public mas and driver's licenses -- and oppose creating yet another com- and develop ongoing private- community. It could start with 20 Schools, and Milwaukee Area reaching into the vast pool of mission to handle the land sales, publish fiscal and work partner- hours a week at $10 an hour for Building and Construction residents desperate for family as Abele suggested. For this ships through the existing eco- many and include job shadowing Trades, whose Ken Kramer was sustaining jobs -- the Ready to initiative, said Lipscomb, "Our nomic development department. and multi-craft WRTP construc- one of the speakers at the press Work Initiative would find entry own economic development peo- That $1 million would tion training to make up the dif- conference. level and higher positions,, use ple are ideal." quickly reach out to 1,000 ference. "Our congressional and state connections to create new ones With budget decisions loom- Milwaukee County residents and ut the key is getting leaders are failing us with hyper- and centralize training by WRTP ing in the first week of at least 750 immediate jobs, money in the county bud- partisan politics that almost and alongside existing skilled November, it will take quick existing and added, the planners Bget and flipping around always end up in gridlock," said workers. action to have any chance of get- say. Through screening, and some existing ideas. a visibly angry Biddle. "This As funding increases, so can ting Ready to Work ready for assessment, focusing on those Other partners include political wrangling does nothing the plan, noted Biddle, citing Milwaukee Area Technical to help people who need jobs - 2012, many insiders concede. and hope - the most. When I ran But there is considerable support for office, I told the people that I for the urgency of job creation would fight hard for jobs. Now, and the basic ideas to get gov- after six months in office, the ernment pushing for jobs and Biddle-Lipscomb Ready to Work training ahead of everything else. initiative" attacks the problem Lipscomb pointed out how head-on. “We have a serious jobs Milwaukee County has become a crisis. It requires bold action." job center for people living out- As part of that boldness, he side the county and how it was directly challenged Abele "to time to "put hope and jobs back support this initiative and have into the lives of those living his economic development direc- here." -- Dominique Paul Noth

Milwaukee area labor council, aFl-cio

Published Monthly by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO www.milwaukeelabor.org

secretary-Treasurer ...... Sheila D. Cochran President ...... Willie D. Ellis Vice-President ...... Annie Wacker Administrative Assistant...... Robin Lundgren Ernestine O’Bee J.C. Frazier editor, Communications Director ...... Dominique Paul Noth 1907-2007 Funeral Director editorial Assistant, Advertising & Circulation. . Lynnda Guyton EXECUTIVE BOARD - Richard Abelson, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 48, Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Ike Edwards, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473; Nacarci Feaster, Laborers Local 113; Dan Large, International “We are Setting New Standards for Funeral Services in our Community” Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 (Washington County); Larry L. Nunley, IAMAW Lodge 1916; Candice Owley, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5001; Dan Panowitz, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Scott Parr, International Association of Machinists Lodge 2110; Anthony Rainey, United Auto Workers Local 469 (CBTU representative); Scott J. Let us remember in our prayers the families of: Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Brian Reid, Office and Professional Employees International Union Midwest United Local 2009 (Ozaukee County Representative); Joy Roberts, Communications Workers of America Local 4603; Kenneth Roberts III, Graphics Communications Council/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 577M; Christine Vidmar of Workers United Local 122; Andy Voelzke, United Steel Workers Mr. Harry Lewis Jr., A.O. Smith (USW) Local 2-209; DiAnn Wagner, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150 (APRI Representative); Patrick R. Weyer, Brewery Workers 9, United Auto Workers; Ross M. Winklbauer Sr., United Mrs. Dorothy Brown, Milwaukee Public Schools Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-232. AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press Mrs. Jean Doss, U.S. Post Office Editorial and Business Office 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Telephone (414) 771-7070 FAX (414) 771-0509 Mr. Charl Harris, U.S. Post Office E-mail: [email protected] THE MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS (USPS 350-360) is published once a month by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription Mr. Leroy Heyward, United Parcel Service for $12 a year. Periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53214. Mr. William Roberson, American Motors The Publisher reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement which is deemed objectionable. Publication of advertisements is not to be construed as a personal endorsement nor are all ads necessarily from unionized companies or services of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council or any of its affiliates. Mr. Henry St. Clair, Ameritech COPY DEADLINE: Usually by noon 3rd Monday of each month except December (2nd Monday). www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 — Page 3 Urgency underlies United Way labor kick-off By Dominique Paul Noth Editor, Labor Press he United Way Labor Kick-Off Rally again took Tplace in the Center of Excellence job training center run by WRTP/BIG STEP. But this year on Oct. 13, with a play- off game going on and rain driz- zling down, the sponsors set up a more intimate casual affair, com- bining the snacks with the award ceremony and the calls on unions to give generously in treasury gifts and workplace donations. The center of the evening event - perhaps only a secret to the recipient - was the presenta- tion of the highest honor to a union member for constant sup- port of citizens and the United Way. The president of the state AFL-CIO, Phil Neuenfeldt, pre- sented the Werner J. Schaefer Community Service Award to a good friend, Lyle Balistreri, pres- ident of the Milwaukee Building & Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Award recipient Lyle Balistreri and son Vincent pose with (from left) moderator Sheila Cochran, United Way campaign co-chair Teased by Neuenfeldt about Kristine Rappe and the organization’s president, Mary Lou Young. his normal garrulousness in ntriguingly, it was United money we seek," said another ond behind government in sup- are paying more in their family speeches, an unusually subdued Way that had just made the speaker, Mary Lou Young, presi- port of member agencies -- and lives just to get by, Young still Balistreri briefly recalled how he Imedia's "good news" head- dent of the United Way, "I sim- the governments under the cur- felt no choice but to set a higher had learned the power of giving lines since a blunt broad-based ply respond, 'How could I not?'" rent constricted attitudes at work goal this year to meet growing almost by accident. His anec- effort it has led to attack causes It is not just that more and are pulling back from the safety demand and ask people to dig dotes were about small good of community distress had paid more people need the help of the net role, starting to reduce the deeper for the less fortunate to deeds that only much later had a off in an amazing reduction of agencies in United Way, Young 46-50% the agencies count on. get health care, manage shrink- larger impact on both his own teen pregnancies from 52 per said in an interview afterward, it Even if more people are out ing funds and train for jobs. feelings and the results for recip- 1,000 five years ago to less than is that United Way has been sec- of work, even as union workers ients. 33. Introductions were handled United Way led an effort by Milwaukee Area Labor with the city health department, Council leader Sheila Cochran, MPS and advertising experts to who sits on the United Way further education, abstinence and board and also helps the AFL- condom awareness in a truly CIO field liaisons (Annie remarkable improvement that Wacker, Jay Reinke and Mike justifies the United Way's switch Balistriere) in their community this year to attack roots of prob- efforts. Brief remarks were made lems as well as the results of by WE Energies' Kristine Rappe, problems. one of three co-chairs of the "When I'm asked how dur- United Way Community ing such hardship, with more and Campaign that in the face of more people needing the help of hard economic times has raised our agencies, I dare increase the its yearly goal to $48 million. HAWKS QUINDEL, S.C. Attorneys At LAw Proudly Representing Labor Unions and Members for Over 30 Years. Labor and Employment Law Workers Compensation Wage and Overtime Claims Family Law - Divorce, Custody, Support Social Security Disability Law 414-271-8650 or 800-236-3348 Page 4 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org Occupy backers Bowling moving forward Calendar ncouraged by the turnout at MALC MIXED Visit www.milwaukeelabor.org for updated events IND. HIGH GAME OVER 170 E800 international locations SENIOR BOWLING DEL GROSS 214 Oct. 15, including an estimated LEAGUE GREG MARTIN 210 3,000 in Milwaukee, lead orga- Wednesday, October 26 SEPTEMBER 2011 RESULTS DON WIEDMANN 202 nizers of the Occupy movement Executive Council Meeting DAN LAACK 197 TEAM WINS are moving forward with plan- 2 p.m., 633 S. Hawley Rd. LOSSES WALLY GEISE 181 JESSE CORTEZ 180 ning and training sessions to 8 BALLS 19 2 keep Occupy grounded in how to GUTTER RATS 14 7 BOB WAGNER 178 DAN KNIPPEL 173 get change done, the organizers Thursday, October 27 PIN PALS 12 9 Voces de la Frontera CRAZY 8'S 9 12 revealed. Regular meetings are being SLAMMERS 5 15 IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 420 Fund-Raising Gala ONE BOARD OVER 4 17 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 521 centered around the launching Keynote speaker John Nichols, VIP reception 5:30 p.m., RAE MATOWSKI 486 point of the Oct. 15 march, dinner 6:30, then program, awards, celebration IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 490 JOYCE KNIPPEL 482 which is also known as the $50 guest, Potawatomi Woodland Dreams Ballroom, 1721 W. DEL GROSS 571 PHYLISS NAVARRETE 459 workers' park, since the Canal St., contact (414) 643-1620. GREG MARTIN 564 Milwaukee Area Labor Council IND. HIGH GAME OVER 165 DAN LAACK 554 helps its design and kicks off the Wednesday, November 2 DON WIEDMANN 528 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 183 RAE MATOWSKI 180 Laborfest parade there: Zeidler Delegate Meeting WALLY GEISE 510 JOYCE KNIPPEL 177 Union Square Park between 3rd DAN KNIPPEL 495 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. PHYLISS NAVARRETE 168 and 4th at Michigan St. Wednesday, November 23 Executive Council Meeting 2 p.m., 633 S. Hawley Rd. Wednesday, December 7 Delegate Meeting 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. Quote to remember "There is nobody in this country that got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there -- good for you. "But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to mar- ket on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers that the rest of us paid to educate...Part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along." -- Elizabeth Warren, running for US senate in Massachusetts: www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 — Page 5 Ideas, need for change pack Jobs Hearing

'm just here to listen," Walker's minions. They are said state Sen. Chris destroying not only "my income "ILarson, with nods of but my opportunity," as one agreement from the other panel- business owner put it. ists and the eight or so elected The panelists were mainly officials scattered within the gathering ideas and offering packed "Jobs Hearing" Oct. 17 information about what they at Washington Park Senior have proposed, and what action Center. they can take as long as they're What they heard was abun- in the minority. They included dant frustration, specific prob- Larson's fellow senator, lems and general concern from Spencer Coggs, and Assembly people looking for work, job members JoCasta Zamarippa, creators and even union work- and Fred Kessler. ers -- one whom said he "feels mong the detailed hand- blessed" but won't be complete Aouts were the state AFL- "until everyone who doesn't CIO jobs agenda to "Rebuild have a job enjoys what I have." Wisconsin's Middle Class" with Unhappy victims of temp charts and factual analysis by jobs, intelligent explainers of leaders Stephanie Bloomingdale transitional jobs and other pro- and Phil Neuenfeldt. fessionals also spoke, and orga- Fleshing out what national emphasized what elected repre- Workers to Organize and Corporate and Wealthy Investor nizers from many groups were AFL-CIO President Richard sentatives needed to do now Collective Bargain by repealing Tax Breaks. taking notes. But what mainly Trumka sought from the (and or had better set about Act 10 along with Scott Walker. • Support Skill Training for seized the listeners were ordi- Occupy movement - and build- changing or replacing the • Invest in Green Employment nary citizens worried about how ing far more demandingly on majority, said one speaker at Technology, Green Jobs and • Require the Wealthy to they can care for their families several ideas included in the hearing): infrastructure, job creating Pay Their Far Share without jobs or even with jobs President Obama's American • Strengthen both Buy money and unemployment ben- • Oppose Job-Killing Trade because they saw problems in Jobs Act, the state AFL-CIO America and Buy Wisconsin efits in the American Jobs Act. Agreements. requirement. • Raise Wisconsin's The carefully analyzed and • Insist on Corporate Minimum Wage (AB 281) factually supported menu had Accountability to Taxpayers. • Repeal Those New one ingredient in every item: • Restore the Freedom of More Jobs.

The panel of elected officials introduced themselves and then responded to dozens of ideas from the packed Washington Park Senior Center (photo above right). From left: Chris Larson, JoCasta Zamarippa, Sandy Pasch, Spencer Coggs and Fred Kessler. Several more officials were in the crowd.

General Orthopedics/Joint Replacement Joint Reconstruction/Arthroscopic Surgery Hip Resurfacing and Fracture Repair Sports Medicine/Work Related Injuries Back and Neck Surgery Foot, Ankle, Hand & Wrist Repair Jeffrey Butler, MD Thomas Perlewitz, MD James Stone, MD Eric Pifel, MD Daniel Guehlstorf, MD Joshua Neubauer, MD Steven Trinkl, MD Christopher Evanich, MD William Pennington, MD Brian McCarty, MD Jamie Edwards, MD Bindu Bamrah, MD AminBrian Afsari,Law, MD DO Immediate Appointments Available 414-384-6700 Mention This Ad Suite 102 Suite 310 Suite 200 2901 W. KK River Pkwy. 2323 N. Mayfair Rd. 3111 W. Rawson Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53215 Milwaukee, WI 53226 Franklin, WI 53132 Now Accepting Appointments at our Brown Deer Location! Suite 201 East 9252 N. Green Bay Rd 17000 West North Avenue Brown Deer, WI 53209 Brookfield, WI 53005 www.TheOrthoInstitute.com MJS3592317 Page 6 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org actually accomplish. It com- all sorts of other social protests. Occupy pelled cross-sections of citizens People concerned about every- From Page 1 to recognize common goals. thing -- climate change, rapa- The Occupy movement isn't opposition of, and they resist cious mortgages, crumbling every modest effort even from quite sure of the future steps, and bridges, frozen credit, court deci- their own ranks to get them to knows it is facing an organized, sions equating speech and pay a fairer share. legalist and lobbyist heavy oli- money, banks too big to fail and hat selfish attitude of garchy of overly wealthy con- people too weak to fight back, hoarding their own wealth trolling our nation's politics and courts open to legalistic wrinkles Tas the expense of every- elected officials. This has caused more than ethics -- see a pattern one else -- the 1% that owns political tension that frays the in the worst behavior of the bar- 40% of the nation and leads the edges of the Occupy movement, ons and their tendency to fund greatest income disparity vs. the but right now it has only explod- venality. 99% in a century -- has had a ed virally - across the Internet arsh reality and basic boomerang affect. Almost spon- and news media -- not physical- data also justify the taneously that obstinacy forced ly. Everyone who hears about the Hmovement. With unem- the Occupy movement to switch cause runs to support it -- and ployment at a 60 year high for Hundreds of marchers signed their names to the 99% poster. from blind anger at the financial tries to keep belief in change those 18-24, young people are on parents or food pantries, meaning Street excesses. More in system to focus on organization alive. The alternative is ugly. board. People who once worked the higher end of the middle Occupy gravitate to the do-able: and an agenda of what it can Occupy has now gathered in hard for a living now rely on class now is part of the poor and Invest that locked-up money, the homeless. With the wealthi- forgive those underwater mort- est Americans parking some $2 gages and foreclosures caused trillion rather than investing in by financial finagling. Support jobs and America, there are ever education and new technology. more reasons for Americans to Believe again in the American put their bodies on the line in worker not a jobless recovery protest. that lines a few pockets at the Partisan clenching - embod- top and leaves communities ied in GOP leaders in Congress devastated. Embrace sensible -- has actually strengthened the regulations that keep greed from Occupy movement. running amuck - because such Despite the sound-bite sim- evasion almost destroyed the plicities, Occupy was never nation. about bringing business to its Vice President Biden was knees, but about insisting on quick to understand. "The core common cause ("all hands on is: The bargain has been deck") in the nation's economic breached," he told a D.C. forum difficulties. There are extremists in explaining Occupy. "The core Different streams of thought marched down Michigan St. as an estimated 3,000 joined the attracted to every social move- is the American people do not Occupy Milwaukee protest from Zeidler Park to the Chase and M&I banks. ment, but the right-wing is now think the system is fair or on the using that inevitable fringe to level." distract Americans from the larg- t's giving voice to a Orthopedic Institute er purpose. broad based frustration nions, in essence, want "Iabout our financial of Wisconsin business to succeed to institutions," President Obama Ucreate more jobs but for similarly explained to the press. Thomas J. Perlewitz, MD years have condemned the fail- "The financial sector with the Orthopedic Surgeon ure to heed rules and respect Republican Party fight us every Spine Specialist workers. So while they didn't step of the way. They also fight Fellowship Trained launch the good ship Occupy, the reforms. These days a lot of they have been happy to swarm people doing the right thing are 2901 Kinnickinnic River Parkway aboard and join progressive not rewarded and people not Suite 102 organizations in helping steer it. doing the right thing are reward- Milwaukee, WI 53215 That input has grown the ed." 414-384-6700 effort beyond those catchy Obama has actually come in for a lot of knocks from Occupy 2323 N. Mayfair Road chants that every taxpayer Suite 310 agrees with ("Banks got bailed Wall Street, which feels he pre- Milwaukee, WI 53226 out, we got sold out") to practi- ferred saving the big guys and 414-771-5080 cal ways to create US jobs. backs a financial team way too AFL-CIO President Richard protective of those largest insti- Trumka has not just praised cap- tutions, the "too big to fail" that turing "the imagination and pas- keep getting even bigger. Movement members also argue “I offer comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of all spinal conditions sion of millions of Americans who have lost hope that our he has been to open to compro- by utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, procedures and instrumentation. My nation's policy makers are mise rather than laying down ultimate goal is improved quality of life for the patient through both operative and speaking for them." He outlined the hammer and too slow to non-operative measures.” pragmatic steps, unabashedly force better credit and bold investment. But at least they Specialty Procedures and Professional Achievements building on the labor federa- tion's year old rallies about Wall can't complain Obama doesn't � Fellowship trained in spinal surgery at Harvard with emphasis on treatment get it. of conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine Former House Speaker now � Compassionate care focused on the whole individual Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi � Selected as Chief Resident in Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the similarly voiced support of the Medical College of Wisconsin message "to the establishment, whether it's Wall Street or the � Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society political establishment and the Medical Education Fellowship – Orthopedic rest, that change has to happen." That empathy from some Medical College of Wisconsin Spine Surgery politicians doesn't eliminate the Milwaukee, WI Harvard Medical School inherent danger of every such Boston, MA movement - and the danger is Residency Board Certified not becoming an arm of the Medical College of Wisconsin American Board of right or left establishments. It is Milwaukee, WI Orthopedic Surgery the danger when diverse injured and humanistic concerns no For more information or scheduling, please call 414-384-6700. longer trust in an unyielding establishment. w w w. T h e O r t h o I n s t i t u t e . c o m Se e c o m m e n t a r y o p p o s i t e www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 — Page 7 Taking to streets: Very edgy. Very American By Dominique Paul Noth Editor, Labor Press Comment et's not pretend there isn't explode in frustration. Given the something very risky, as suffering in neighborhoods, the Lwell as very American, families losing their homes (and about taking your issues to the in Wisconsin their right to vote streets. at the same time), their frail par- America has a history of ents' health care, their kids' food social movements that have and schooling, there is clearly a brought changes to our institu- psychological conflict at work. tions, laws, rules, and a deeper Occupy embodies forcing understanding of the underlying change by the power of numbers, principles of our country. Some but when there is emotion there of these movements were upset- has to be great care taken in they must have a legislative ABOVE: Spotted in the crowd ting to the status quo. Some motivation and organizing, espe- agenda and organized principles returning after the Occupy were illegal or seem dimwitted cially with an opposition that to go with their anger, and that march were labor leader when they began. Entrenched would like nothing more than to leaders such as Trumka are well Bruce Coburn (left) and tow- politicians called them radicals inflame the distress into vio- positioned to provide that. ering noted stiltwalker from and extremists. lence. t may be healthy that there is Riverwest, Debra Davis. But they marched against he danger was pointed out mutual wariness. Within the RIGHT: Carrying flags or play- slavery, for the right of women by Naomi Klein in the IDemocratic Party, some fear ing instruments, marchers to vote, for civil rights, for some- TNation magazine, remind- that Occupy could turn disrup- reflected various causes. thing other than wars as a for- ing the protesters: "The 1% tive more than productive while While conservative pundits eign policy, for the rights of loves a crisis. When people are others fear it will push the party kept insisting that well-heeled every worker to bargain with panicked and desperate and no to the left. leftists like George Soros management about working con- one seems to know what to do, The internal debate was must be manufacturing those ditions. that is the ideal time to push summed up recently by an placards, much of the fun was All at one stage or another through their wish list of pro- Occupy veteran who privately how inventive, varied and self- endured, working on the con- corporate policies: privatizing wanted to stiff-arm the made the messages were. science of America and reshap- education and social security, Democratic Party but then ing the democratic process so slashing public services, getting thought more deeply: "Including times have police and govern- much that many falsely think we rid of the last constraints on cor- the Democratic Party" - and ment leaders to call on to make must have always shared these porate power." other organized groups, such as even boisterous opposition seem goals. Within the Occupy move- unions - "will raise the profile of radically over the top. Some of t's inspiring that people are ment, which deliberately lacks an the movement, and make it more the incitements have already again taking to the streets to official spokesman, some mem- difficult for it to be undermined " occurred in places like Colorado Icompel democratic action. bers don't want the Democrat It will take work to keep and even in New York City But there is a scary side. It's label wrapped too tightly to pre- Occupy Wall Street positive and before pressure to back away. wondering whether we'll believe serve independent action. Others under control, because the provo- The people screaming about agi- in democratic process rather than are only slowly recognizing that cateurs on the other side some- tators on the airwaves seem to be the real agitators. That power the right has to make trouble and act as if the law is on its side - that alone could engulf Occupy in rage when supporters consider the slick and self-righteous status quo on the other side. But hang in there, 99%. Even the Occupy veteran makes that point: "Open up the tent, and let them all see for them- selves what it looks like when history is being made."

Both Milwaukee police and sheriff’s deputies -- including the deputies’ horse brigade -- worked closely with the Occupy organizers. But while larger than anticipated, the march was respectful and peaceful, except for some outside agitators reportedly turned away by authorities. FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING

Dr. Robert Matteucci, DPM Dr. John Bostanche, DPM Dr. Paul Basile, DPM All Physicians Board Certified American Board of Podiatric Surgery Yes! We Will Help...... Get Results Now!

A new procedure for COMPLETE FOOT & Chronic Heel Pain, ANKLE CARE Introducing Swiss Dolorcast® Limited Stock of Union Made - Radial Shock Wave Therapy. • Quick, affordable, in-office procedures Carhartt FR Still Available! Non-surgical Treatment! • Safe & effective treatments FREE FOOT • Virtually painless procedures with no downtime SCREENING from your regular activities WITHOUT • Alternative to harmful prescription medications OBLIGATION • The latest and most complete surgical & Carhartt Clothing • Union Embroidery • Union Made Promotional Items non-surgical treatment options Union Silkscreening • Union Made Carhartt • Union & USA Made Clothing Ask About West (Brookfield) 262-781-0200 NEW No access from Capitol Affordable 18200 W. Capitol Dr. Must use Gumina Road UMA Specialties LOCATION UMA Laser North Shore (Bayside) 414-247-0128 Gumina Rd 21100 Capitol Drive 320 W. Brown Deer Rd. Treatment Barker Rd Corner of Brown Deer & Port Wash. Rd. east of Sendik’s Pewaukee, WI 53072 for Toenail Capitol Dr South (Franklin/Oak Creek) 262.373.0777 414-761-0981 Springdale Rd Fungus 8153 S. 27th St. 2 blocks south of Drexel umaspecialties.com 3 7 1 9 4 - 0 Page 8 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org If ever there was evidence to too clever and say, oh well, what Recall move fast, Walker is providing it, can he do if we wait," noted From Page 1 say the recall folks. state AFL-CIO leader Phil His policies are shredding Neuenfeldt. "Frankly, he can do they consider who snatched food the state economy. It's not just a heck of a lot." money from pocketbooks of the thousands of jobs lost in he other argument for school teachers and state, city early decisions, not the continued delay was also rejected - and county line workers while emptiness of the pledge to bring Twait until a strong oppo- also decimating all sorts of civil in 250,000 jobs even as the state nent steps forward and then try servants the public is only begin- loses thousands. It's the view- to time signature collection to ning to learn about - officer point that protecting the richest the most advantageous moment workers, nurses, planners, engi- will eventually create jobs, when (which might be next neers. It was Walker, first, last it clearly hasn't. November, when Obama is on and always in their strategy. t's refusing to raise revenue the ballot, a Senate seat is open "You can find a financial except by excluding low- and all the Assembly and half savings here and there, but the Iincome families from care. the Senate are on the ballot.) larger destruction of morale, of It's a flood of policies that are or But timing is the one thing that good hiring practice, the loss of will cost Wisconsin jobs and rep- can't be controlled and recall excellent employees through utation. Try to find a teacher people trust Walker would do fearful retirement - all of that is willing to work in this state. Try everything possible to avoid long-term damage unless we can to find an engineer who wants to being on the ballot in start right now to reverse raise a family in a din of careless November. course," said a Madison political gun laws and rigid cultural Should there be enough sig- leader. views. Try to find a small busi- natures, which is not quite the The governor is still a crip- ness owner not dismayed to live stretch the GOP pretends, the pler and must be stopped. near Walkerville. likely election would be in May Some have argued that Walker And note that CEOs who While many in the community may not be crazy about the con- or June, and there could well be can do little more damage if left rave about Walker's policies are cept of recalls, Walker’s name seems to be cutting right primaries. Several Democrats in office, now that summer largely shedding jobs, not adding through that hesitation. Recall Walker lawn signs as well as may compete and even Walker recalls have reduced his GOP them. bumper stickers have been popping up throughout Wisconsin. may face a real or manufactured majority in the state senate to "Walker's going backwards," told the public what he was real- April general election, when the challenger. one and several members clearly noted another senator, Chris ly up to when he ran for gover- GOP is counting on heavier turn- "Look," one Republican won't vote for further extreme Larson. "This goes far beyond nor, the director of a private sec- out because of a presidential pri- operative said privately to me, excesses. public workers," a distressed tor union, USW District 2's mary that will only be busy on "When the iron was hot, the ut the recall planners Rep. Sandy Pasch said in a chat Mike Bolton, noted that one side. Democrats could have run strongly disagree - point- after an Oct. 11 gathering "He "Walker's time in office cannot Several see anger at Walker Howdy Doody against him and ing out he can do a lot of B couldn't do worse if he set out to end soon enough for the working strengthened by winning away have a chance. But now they damage and still is, with attacks destroy the middle class." families here in Wisconsin." two senate seats in Republican need a big name that indepen- on prevailing wage, local control Milwaukee County There's no time like now. districts and retaining all threat- dents in particular can flock to." and minority hiring. Supervisor Gerry Broderick, who Some observers had suggested ened Democrats. "Only someone By his reasoning, Walker sur- Even as the recall began he labeled Walker a "one-trick the window of outrage has on the Republican payroll would vives by default. backed multiple bills that would pony" when he refused to raise closed, that Walker's year of call winning 5 out of 9 recalls a The recall organizers dis- limit big pharma's legal immuni- revenue and submitted inade- required grace from recall gave failure," noted Stephanie agree - and not just because, as ty for damages caused by defec- quate budgets as county execu- him time to fill his coffers and Bloomingdale, secretary-treasur- one argued, "it is hard to think tive drugs, restrict civil lawsuit tive, expecting other officials to gather his outside networks of er of the state AFL-CIO. Nor of a Democrat the Wisconsin awards for consumers -- but not rescue him, noted how money. They even suggest the will Walker's redistricting efforts public wouldn't trust right now for corporations -- and make it "Wisconsin is now getting a taste needed signatures are no longer to change legislative seats in more than Walker." The others more difficult to bring discrimi- of the Walker we endured - and there despite the public opinion favor of the GOP have any have a more convincing "build it nation suits. He's rewarding what a bitter taste! More fools polls and the way Walker animus effect, since this is a statewide and they will come" view. wealthy backers while limiting we if such weak thinking is creeps into every public cam- race and it's all about turnout not "As the recall grows and health care access to the working allowed to continue." paign about jobs, Wall Street and boundaries. awareness of Walker's limita- poor. Recalling how Walker never corporate excess - and even flies It’s also quite possible that tions grows with it," said one in the sky over every Badger in several districts where experts member of United Wisconsin, game. think sitting GOP senators are "you'll be amazed at the respon- o the recall supporters see vulnerable and can also be sible recognized politicians who 540,260 signers as simply recalled, the Walker recall peo- will prove willing to be recruit- Sthe first plateau, the vital ple may get a signature and then ed. If we do our job, they'll be step that clears the road forward. suggest, “Oh, by the way,” and there" That's offer the chance to sign a sepa- "Better this way. If we try a quarter of the number of votes rate recall for the Walker obedi- to anoint a chosen ahead of in the 2010 gubernatorial elec- ent senator who should have gathering signatures," said a tion. Tom Barrett got that many known better. leader of the state AFL-CIO, just sneezing. (And in October, In the Walker case, the "we're just giving the more than 200,000 on the organizers want 700,000 signa- Republicans and the media a tar- Internet have already pledged to tures as a cushion because they get. It's the Republicans who recall Walker.) also know they can't control the like to manipulate and control Given the delaying tactics schedule, the challenges, the events. Let's trust in the people either side could employ, and the games the GOP loves to employ. and the process." time needed by the GAB to rankly, no one could be But isn't that scary? count and validate signatures, sure of stalling the inde- "Only if you fear the peo- early recall action won't result in Fpendent recall enthusiasts ple" came the rejoinder. a race for governor as part of the from gathering signatures as soon as possible (November) so it made sense to combine the momentum. Minority Assembly Leader Peter Barca in an interview sug- gests the GOP was certainly clever and successful in running EmployEEs arE rEprEsEntEd By: fake Dems to stall the recall elections a month this summer, but he adds that they are now Workers United paying a price with the public LocaL 122 for looking "way too slick and Reasons not to wait were out- opportunistic." Rep. Sandy Pasch, interviewed (414) 271-0290 lined by Phil Neuenfeldt, one of "The fury about Walker is for article Oct. 12. Her arm is the recall strategists and also real and now, so let's not shoot in a cast because of a jogging president of the state AFL-CIO. ourselves in the foot by acting accident during family vacation. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 — Page 9 Turns out Congress has loused up, not US Postal Service By Dominique Paul Noth become a concept turned ugly screams for more jobs. Editor, Labor Press because of those dropped post This is the background for lawed media coverage, offices, removal of convenient the eruption September 27 by expensive political rheto- as well as excess mailboxes thousands of protesters at 492 Fric, misunderstood social around town -- and now the locations around the US includ- trends and partisan simplicities. effort to drop Saturday mail ing hundreds gathered Those can create a 2+2=5 eco- delivery. (That idea prompted a Downtown on Milwaukee St. for nomic math myth so pervasive hilarious New Yorker cartoon the national "Save America's that it fools average citizens, Tea cover Sept. 19 of a government Post Office" day of action. Party mavens and liberals alike. edifice sporting that famous his- our USPS employee Here's a big one. A continu- toric motto about how neither unions-the postal workers ing example of false conclusions. snow nor gloom could stay these F(APWU), letter carriers It's based on how few of us write "couriers from the swift comple- (NALC), mail handlers affiliat- letters anymore, how literacy tion of their appointed rounds" - ed with Laborers (LIUNA) and seems to be dying, how United Labor lawyer Mark Sweet was spotted in a surging crowd demonstrating but now amended to add the rural letter carriers- would Parcel Service in ads and actuali- on Milwaukee St. Sept. 27 to restore the US Postal Service from "EXCEPT ON SATURDAYS.") be damaged by staff cutbacks, ty delivers big and small packag- impossible financial burdens imposed in 2006 by Congress. Worse, plans now include but the protest drew far more laying off 120,000 workers, with than unions. Citizens concerned es around the globe (but to limit- worked together on efficiencies, the USPS sound out of date no guarantee that this would about loss of Saturday mail, ed parts of the US) and how the marketing, contracts and mecha- when it's not. change red to black, only molli- closed post offices in their dis- planes of FedEx provide faster nization while quietly providing As a result of this goofy fy those slavish Wall Street tricts, erosion of a principle of and costlier delivery, as countless passports and other special ser- imposition by a pension-illiterate goons who think fewer workers American democracy and the commercials inform us. vices. And millions still check Congress, several things have will provide bigger profits. How outlandish anti-enterprise pen- How modern it all seems, if daily for the convenient arrival. happened. Fear of fiscal collapse about simply not asking USPS to sion costs spoke up at these ral- you don't look at the poor pay The public is further amazed has flooded the airwaves in prefund the health and pension lies, including rural communities forced on many privatized van to learn that USPS doesn't cost every discussion of USPS. This costs of workers not yet born? that would be hit especially drivers, or other shortcuts that the taxpayers, unless you stretch media-generated fear of the That would make the financial hard. allow big-bucks companies to to include the few millions allo- future, without explaining the woes disappear and keep AFL-CIO itself in the form deliver to the door. cated for mail to the blind and facts, has emerged as the crip- employment strong. of Executive Vice President And how much we complain mailed election ballots. In 1970 pling reality of our times. Such a ready solution is in Arlene Holt Baker told Congress that postal rates, still much USPS was changed from Ben The management and the front of Congress. Not to say through an Oregon crowd: "Get cheaper than the alternatives, Franklin's vision to a semi-inde- unionized workforce, which competitive pressures aren't real off the dime and start fixing have crept up in all categories; pendent federal agency, much always had some conflicts but and USPS will have to work problems instead of making how so many post offices seem like a private business but man- harmoniously worked out con- hard to keep winning the battle things worse. America has a jobs antiquated by today's aluminum dated to be revenue-neutral (sup- tracts and adjustments, have now and provide delivery options for crisis. Cutting 120,000 jobs is and glass standards and how posed to break even, not make a been put at loggerheads because all citizens. But Congress could nothing but another bad idea." daily mail delivery seems old- profit.) management pushed by worried wipe away that artificial moun- We are about to find out if fashioned manual work, like nd it did, except for an Congress wants to shut down tain it created simply by passing the GOP majority in Congress needing 19 actors to perform act of the GOP adminis- post offices around the nation H.R. 1351, introduced by Rep. cares. But this is also a valuable "Hamlet." tration in 2006, which and seems to have settled in A Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) to teaching moment for citizens So, in a world where email demanded something that UPS, large measure on communities undo what the GOP imposed. who may assume they know has grown omnipresent and even FedEx - in fact no business nor lacking electoral clout, such as Management insiders quiet- what is wrong with America recycled green sounds like just government agency in the nation rural and inner city areas. ly agree with this bill though from what they hear on TV -- more dead trees, most citizens must do: Pay its pension costs ook for a ferocious battle dare not say so aloud. Because only to discover, as Pogo once believe these are the reasons the for workers, even future workers, to erupt in Milwaukee the GOP is back in the saddle, said in a cartoon, "We have met U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is 75 years into the future! That's over that idea, led by L however briefly, and the party the enemy and they is us." Now losing money. not good business, that's a killer. Rep. Gwen Moore and Mayor powers sure seem to resist any a mixture of misguided observa- hey are amazed to learn And that's $80 billion, now an Tom Barrett, who promised to idea the Democrats support. Nor tions and ideological fibs could that's not so. In cost and added $5.5 billion weight each fight at an Oct. 17 press confer- do they balk at wiping away keep the mail from going Tdelivery of services, the year. That would cripple any ence. 120,000 jobs even as the nation through. USPS has made money since the business but, given the lack of The modernizing routes that 1970s. Management and labor public information in the face of both labor and management have (despite conflicts) have often technological change, it makes long worked on creating has Page 10 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org D.C.’s crazy dance of training and trade deals By Dominique Paul Noth ify. But others made eligible aid and retraining to help work- Editor, Labor Press Analysis remain so. They include those ers displaced by foreign competi- or fair trade advocates and who held service jobs; workers tion. In Milwaukee, the remark- unions that opposed the by foreign competition and tariff whose companies shifted produc- ably effective HIRE Center, three free trade bills, the preferences for developing tion to China, India and other staffed in large part by union F countries that are not free trade workers who know how it feels passage in the House Oct. 12 nations if he got the trade pack- was bad news. For Congress ages. partners with the US and sec- to lose their jobs and are com- watchers it was an odd schizo- Such extension will includes ondary workers such as suppliers mitted to helping clientele, has phrenic moment of accord service workers whose benefits whose jobs are affected when a emerged as the principal training between two parties usually in expired in February. The Bush plant closes. center for dislocated workers, gridlock - and came a day after era TAA only covered displaced hile a majority of TAA grants and assistance here, the GOP in lock step voted workers in manufacturing. But, Democrats wound up using the federal funding Conflicting emotions hit Alba against Obama's most important recognizing how global changes Wvoting against the siphoned through the state's trade bills - including Department of Workforce Baltodano, the manager of the initiative, the American Jobs Act, in technology were sending as HIRE Center listening to the sto- which now will have to be sub- many service jobs out of the US Milwaukee's Rep. Gwen Moore - Development, which is legally many did not. The GOP was responsible for parceling out ries of the jobless (opposite mitted piecemeal. as manufacturing (such as call page), the same day she learned largely united for passage. So funds to regional centers. Only Beltway insiders can centers and bill paying services), that Congress has passed the comprehend what happened in Obama added service workers to even the most controversial bill, n recent months, the failure TAA so vital to HIRE’s work, but both chambers after five years of the TAA. The GOP seemed par- involving Columbia, which has to extend TAA - and the GOP lashed it to trade bills whose delay and tinkering with the ticularly resistant at first to the worst human rights record Iuse of service worker assis- dislocation of workers causes so trade bills and the strange cou- including those workers, but including killings of union activ- tance as a pawn in renewal -- much of that retraining. pling with the training money finally did, with some negotiated ists, still passed that chamber seems to have played into the and other assistance for dislocat- compromises and reductions. with 267 votes. The other two anti-federal aid attitude of funds are further delayed or ed workers, whose need to land The service workers and deals, Panama and South Korea, Wisconsin's freshman governor. diffused despite strict rules for so many new jobs with new general TAA extension runs only had much larger margins and It remains to be seen implementation, Walker and the skills was necessitated by previ- through 2013 and the bill also more Democratic crossover. whether state impediments con- DWD are sure to be scrutinized ous similar trade deals such as cuts the weeks of extended Fair trade advocates consid- tinue. If they do, if the federal by local and federal officials. NAFTA. unemployment insurance that er all the bills that President That's only one of several participants can receive to 130 Obama supported badly flawed City bolsters jobs access ironies of the affair. Unions that from 156, and reduces the in labor and environmental pro- strongly opposed the trade bills health-care tax credit. tection, and not good enough on also support training dollars for nder an agreement with building American jobs and pro- dislocated workers - the various the Senate and the White tecting the price of American Trade Adjustment Assistance House, House GOP lead- exports while also protecting the U living conditions of the most vul- bills (TAA) that had enjoyed ers agreed to vote on a renewal bipartisan support for nearly a of TAA immediately after the nerable foreign workers in agri- half century. Only today's GOP House approval of trade agree- culture and crafts. has taken a turn to viewing every ments with South Korea, Supporters argue that more help for workers as a social pro- Colombia and Panama. It pro- foreign trade can propel econom- gram the nation can't afford and vides $575 million for TAA to ic growth and exports - and con- moved to block renewal. train workers over the next two sider accord a political victory Knowing the GOP wanted the years. The cost over three years, for the president since there was trade deals while resisting the offset by spending cuts else- rising protectionist sentiment in both parties. But despite high Several of the sponsors of the Milwaukee jobs efforts also full TAA, the White House in where, is put at $900 million. organize the marches by and for the homeless and out of effect offered to split the baby. Another bothersome change. hopes and the White House's belief that it worked hard to work at freeway spans. This recent candlelight march took The deal used Speaker John Public sector workers who were place on North Avenue over the I-43 bridge. Boehner's pledge to include eligible for TAA benefits under address union concerns, even renewal of aid for workers hurt the 2009 law will no longer qual- federal analysis anticipates mini- mal economic benefits, an increase of one-tenth of a percent in gross domestic product (about $14 billion). Even economic experts at respected think tanks criticize the trade deals as ineffective and ill- timed. The Economic Policy Institute noted Oct. 14: "With fourteen million unemployed, these deals will only further bur- den our domestic economy, which is already teetering on the t was a great slam dunk but it was only a start on a better path to brink of another recession." Milwaukee jobs. On October 11 in a 14 to 1 vote with Mayor Those are among reasons ITom Barrett promising to sign aboard, the Common Council fair trade activists and unions passed an ordinance requiring 25% of city contracts be awarded to criticize the trade deals as yet people of color, women, and small businesses. another example of one step for- The legislation was opposed only by Ald. Dudzik, who com- ward and two steps backward. plained that previous such efforts hadn’t worked. But instead of the They are weighing a president Emerging Business Enterprise ordinance that many called vague, this who is still completing deals legislation was carefully crafted by Ald. Ashanti Hamilton aided by made during "his overly compro- Ald. Milele Coggs to address contract disparities by providing more mising phase" as one critic put it, access to diverse vendors and contractors and more jobs for women even as he turns in public and minorities. speeches to a more defiant, "pass Calling it a "strong piece of legislation that's narrowly tailored for the jobs bill" stance. But the what our community needs," Hamilton said it will stand up to legal deal-making roller coaster he challenges; “it pushes back against the belief that government doesn't was on still causes vertigo create jobs We do create jobs," in this case minority participation in among progressive supporters. construction and professional services, along with tight monitoring. s to explaining the cur- It was a major victory for happy diverse sponsors, including rent GOP, who can? Citizen Action of Wisconsin and its Good Jobs coalition, MICAH, ATheir needless delay of 9to5, Urban Underground and the NAACP, but the sponsors headed the much needed renewal of the back to City Hall the next week to fight for another jobs centered ordi- TAA was intellectually dum- nance, this one to directly address unemployment by revitalizing the founding to desperate laid-off Milwaukee Jobs Act. workers. To learn more and to help, contact organizer Jennifer Epps at The TAA provides financial (414) 213-7574 or [email protected]. -- D.P.N. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 — Page 11 Forum From Page 1 elected to power, who can't be moved by the human tragedy they have helped engender -- largely because they don't show up to hear it. taff for some concerned officials heeded the invita- Stion (Sen. Kohl, Rep. Moore and the mayor) but not Sen. Ron Johnson's people- and on that very afternoon he called Martin Rose Andrea Cassandra police to his downtown office to dren, trying to find doctors for a cess rate wasn't enough to handle falling housing prices.) "Change who they are and we're arrest 19 people protesting the severely ailing mother while bat- the thousands upon thousands in "The economy isn't compli- on the road to recovery." senator's vote against President tling illness herself, Cassandra trouble. cated," Norman said during his The entire afternoon didn't Obama's American Jobs Act. It is recounted how the HIRE Center olks from United Way and own analysis "We need jobs. just elevate the title of "unem- no wonder that Johnson was has been retraining her in com- service agencies won- When business doesn't create ployed" to the most important among those named by the puter skills, setting up algebra Fdered aloud if even their them, government must step in rank in our society, justifying unemployed as important people hurdles for her and helping her skills could cope with the grow- and help. It's madness to hear the why there is so much turmoil who could help but are AWOL. acquire the knowledge and the ing need and the emotional trag- intractability on the other side." and frustration on the streets and The surprise for the crowd confidence that can combat the edy ("You must never give up Nor are solutions as compli- in the neighborhoods. The testi- was another hard luck and hard- tears and depression crowding in hope," said one noted counselor, cated as the opposition pretends. mony put faces and family on to-hear case from one who was for those who want jobs, would Vanessa White, known for con- But even if they don't listen, that gaping empty space in long among the influential be talented at jobs and can't get necting the dots of community Norman pointed out, there are American values. employed in the community but hired. support). really about 65 people in the The nation requires more now says all those big shots "did "I have to work on my Jack Norman of the Institute state who are causing the prob- than jobs; it requires a reminder not care about us." math," she started to explain, for Wisconsin's Future first said lems and could solve them. He of the humanity and sharing that It was the moderator, "but my mom is sick and needs he felt like "fish out of water" in named the governor and the America is supposed to be about. Cassandra Cassandra, known for care. But I have to work on my the face of the painful human Assembly and Senate majority. years as the morning interviewer math …" her voice trailed off, stories but then the economic of the troubled and famous on and many in the crowd wondered researcher cut right through the WMCS 1290 but let go a few why more of the officials who right-wing smokescreen about years ago by the station. could make a difference seem job creators who just don't create Having lost her son in a uninterested in hearing these sto- jobs but still take the profits. shooting, about to lose her house ries. He leveled with facts the of 28 years because of foreclo- Representatives from the myth about taxes as the core sure, faced with evicting her HIRE Center were there, despair- problem, noting taxes are not working daughter and grandchil- ing at how even their high suc- even close when Wisconsin's rich families and corporations, as his Walker team adds condition research confirms, currently escape without paying state for unemployment insurance income taxes. any of the desperate job requirement to make an active (Norman’s points landed the Mhunters seeking to survive search for work, which involves same week as a national study interpret a new condition from contacting at least two employers called “The Wrong Target” Gov. Walker's administration as each week. The department noti- refutes myths that public sector simply another bureaucratic bar- fies people of the requirements unions play any role in the crisis Carrie Geenen of Working America and Jack Norman of the rier, a rationale to check up on when they file their initial in many state budgets, which are Institute for Wisconsin’s Future were among the dozens of whether people who have lost claims. caused most by such factors as intense listeners to the daily pain of the unemployed. jobs are really looking for work. Wisconsin residents have just learned that filing new claims for unemployment insur- ance requires registering through Wisconsin Job Service. The theory is that they can Drive safely. But if you are find resources and matching skills, including posted job open- ings at www. in an accident, put years of JobCenterofWisconsin.comac- cording to a press release from the new secretary of the legal experience on your side. Department of Workforce Development, Scott Baumbach. The dilemma comes for Accidents can happen to even the best drivers. Fortunately, the those who feel they can meet Previant Law Firm has a well-earned reputation for assisting people search requirements and find jobs through other methods - involved in auto accidents. Receive the settlement you deserve. If you apparently they then can't file. have been in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, call for a free consultation. The DWD website, inspect- ed on a recent visit, does list more than 1,600 jobs from all Car, truck & motorcycle accidents. Call 414-271-4500. around the state. But that number also includes jobs in Minnesota and Illinois (so much for adding state jobs) -- and does not yet reflect several new job creation and availability efforts mentioned recently in the Labor Press. Economic experts also point 1555 N. RiverCenter Drive, Suite 202, Milwaukee, WI out that the high number of unemployed requires new efforts 414-271-4500 • 800-841-5232 • www.previant.com rather than new restrictions. That new requirement is in addition to following the current Page 12 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org

Change in health insurance? Need to nd a new doctor? Choose an Aurora doctor.

Employer insurance plans often change this time of year, requiring many people to switch doctors. If you’re one of them, switch to Aurora Health Care. We have patient navigators available by phone at your convenience. They’re experienced professionals who’ll personally help you nd the right doctors and services to ensure uninterrupted care. Need a family doctor? Aurora has over 500 pediatric, OB/GYN, internal medicine and family practice doctors. And a patient navigator can connect you with one. Or you can request a free DVD containing brief, candid video interviews of our family doctors, so you can get to know them before you commit. But what if you have needs that go beyond a family doctor? If you need a specialist for a speci c medical condition, we can help with that, too. Is your doctor an Aurora doctor? Call today and make the switch to Aurora.

Let us help you nd the right doctor: Call 414-471-6470

Aurora.org