PAGE 24 LABOR TRIBUNE • February 2-6 2014 Secret Society of ALEC infiltrating Jeff City list of members made public. Missouri By DAVID COOK legislators with ALEC ties, however, include Speaker Tim Jones, Majority President Leader John Diehl, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and State Senator John Lamping. Former Sen. Jane Cunningham, also named, now serves on the Monarch Fire Depart- www.ufcw655.org After the Trayvon Martin shooting in ment Board and is heading a team to break Florida, the national spotlight had finally their union. - - been turned on a secretive organization that The votes go to ‘model bills’ to change our helped put in place the "shoot first" legisla - rights to most often benefit the corpora- tion that allowed the killing of an unarmed tions’ bottom line at public expense. AFL-CIO enlists former GOP Speaker Tilley in ‘right-to-work’ fight youth. Progress Missouri identified more than After opposing efforts to move a ‘right-to-work’ bill in the legislature while serv- And they are among our lawmakers in two dozen corporation-friendly bills ing as Speaker of the House, Steven Tilley is back at it again – this time, joining Jefferson City. introduced in the Missouri General Assem- the AFL-CIO as a lobbyist as it revs up for a potentially big fight over the issue. After years of working behind the scenes, bly that echo ALEC model bills. There are so many things we can do for this state to make it a better place the American Legislative Exchange Council But think about it... “ to work and live, that both labor and business can agree on,” he said. (ALEC) had its cloak of secrecy blown and There have been no outcries from business “There is no reason to start that discussion with the most divisive issue working men and women are angry to think begging the legislatures to crush unions. possible,” Tilley stated. their vote might have put an easily-swayed The financial support to hurt labor laws See full story on page official into office. comes from outside groups. ALEC is the voice of corporate special Republican legislators are willing to Feds charge Walmart with breaking interests in state legislatures across the poison relationships and demean their country. Whether it's an anti-union, anti-en- states’ teachers, public safety workers and labor laws in Black Friday protests vironment, anti-immigrant or anti-consumer others in order to please their out-of-state In January, the National Labor Relations despite being protected by the National issue, you can bet ALEC has pushed its sugar-daddies like the National Right to Board (NLRB) filed a formal complaint Labor Relations Act. More than 60 pre-written, far-right legislation. Work Legal Defense Foundation and against Walmart saying the company violat- Walmart supervisors and one corporate officer are named in the NLRB complaint. ALEC is funded by huge corporations and National Tax Limitation Committee, both ed the rights of nearly 70 workers rallying mega-money conservative activists to woo of which sent operatives to Jefferson City to on Black Friday to try to improve their “Now the federal government is confirm- conservative state lawmakers with fine visit Republican lawmakers last session. wages and working conditions. ing what we already knew: Workers have wines and Kobe beef at annual conferences. Basically, if it’s good for Corporate Amer- Representatives of the NLRB said they the right to speak out. Walmart wants In2014 return, the lawmakers New promote ALEC’sYears ica, it’s Resolutionsgood for ALEC. tried but failed to reach an agreement with people to believe it’s for union recognition 'model legislation,' bills aimed at things like It’s time politicians in Missouri are Walmart that would have avoided legal rather than being forced to obey the law and stripping workers of protections and requir- reminded that each vote counts. If your action. They said after talking with Walmart respect their right to speak up,” Cook said. ing photo identification to vote. state and local representatives aren’t that they saw no option but to issue the The complaint reads: “At stores in A new report released two weeks ago by working to pass laws in your best inter- formal complaint accusing Walmart of California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Progress Missouri says more than 60 of est, tell them straight up that they will breaking labor laws during strikes by its Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachu- our own Missouri legislators have been not get your vote. Tell them you detest store workers. The complaints stem from setts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, identified as having ties to ALEC, and the ALEC influence. Black Friday protests that began in 2012; Texas and Washington, Walmart unlawfully number may be much higher. Identifying Speak out by calling or writing letters. filings represent workers in 14 states, threatened, disciplined and/or terminated the list of ALEC legislators is nearly Email is acceptable, but every state senator including Missouri. employees for having engaged in legally impossible, because ALEC operates and state representative I know tells me The workers are backed by the United protected strikes and protests. At stores in largely in secret. letters are noticed the most. For a list of Food and Commercial Workers Internation- California, Florida, Missouri and Texas, Even though they claim to be a legislative state senators and representatives visit al Union, including Local 655; the UFCW’s Walmart unlawfully threatened, covertly membership organization, there is no full www.house.gov or call (202) 224-3121. non-union affiliate, OUR Walmart; and Jobs watched, disciplined and/or terminated With Justice, which have coordinated the employees in anticipation of or in response walkouts and blasted the retailer for its to employees’ other protected concerted UFCW Launches GOLD Internship Program treatment of employees. activities.” “Retaliation against any employee who This low-wage retail workers’ campaign UFCW is now accepting applications for its GOLD Internship Program. fights for better working conditions and began after the Occupy Wall St. Movement The UFCW GOLD Internship Program will invite 40 members from the United States living wages is wrong and illegal,” said emerged, opposing an economic system to participate in a fi ve week summer internship. The objective of the internship Local 655 President David Cook. that feeds the top one percent, and harms program is to develop future leaders and union activists. Ideally, participants will The National Labor Relations Act guaran- the bottom 99 percent. The Occupy move- become great assets within local unions. tees the right of private sector employees to ment’s daring protests gave wind to the sails act together to try to improve their wages of OUR Walmart’s demands for better jobs. All 40 participants will be committed to a one week education and training assignment. and working conditions with or without a OUR Walmart was commended by Jobs Depending upon the results of this assignment, participants will then be given a four union. With Justice, a national labor-community week project within one of five areas: Legislative and Political Action, Organizing, In at least one of the charges, the NLRB group with local chapters.- Collective Bargaining, Civil Rights, and Health and Safety. accuses Walmart of illegally threatening “This global company personifies the workers through statements made by one of worst of corporate America and what The GOLD internship program will be substantive and interns will be given roles on its own spokespeople on television. During seems to be a pattern of trying to grow on critical UFCW projects. Participants will be paid throughout the internship, and an interview that Walmart spokesperson the backs of working men and women,” housing and travel costs will also be provided. Are you or someone you know interested David Tovar gave to CBS Evening News said Cook. in being a GOLD intern? ahead of the strikes, he said "there could be Cases were consolidated to avoid unnec- • Must apply online by April 1, 2014 consequences" for workers who are expect- essary costs or delay. Walmart was told to • Rank and file members only ed to show up for work and don't.” respond to the complaint by January 28, • 40 interns will be accepted in the first year Workers in several states filed complaints 2014. Their response has not been made • All members are committed to the one week education (Phase I) portion of the with Applicationsthe board after the walkouts, Due: and the public. No hearing date has been set. The program. Depending on evaluation, each member could then be invited to board's counsel eventually "found merit" in Office of General Counsel has authorized or participate in a four week (Phase II) action project. many Januaryof the accusations 28, 2014while dismissing issued complaints in other Walmart cases others. The consolidated complaint involves and additional charges remain under inves- For more information or to apply please visit: www.goldufcw.org more than 60 employees, 19 that were fired tigation. LIKE Us on Facebook Subscribe to UFCW 655 Mobile Updates Follow us on Twitter UFCW Local 655 Join by texting ufcw655 to 738674 @ufcw655 Share Your Pride: Share this page in your break room..