(ISSN 0023-6667) Labor plans to mobilize for health care, Employee Free Choice as campaigns fizzle By Mark Gruenberg Energy and Commerce – it has Majority sign-up, where PAI Staff Writer stalled due to Democratic divi- once unions get verified union SILVER SPRING, Md. sions. The Employee Free election authorization cards (PAI)—Organized labor plans Choice Act is delayed because from a majority of workers at a two mass mobilizations in key senators discussing site, they – not the bosses – can August – and beyond – on changes in that bill are choose between automatic health care and on the involved in the health care immediate recognition of the Employee Free Choice Act, talks, too. union or a National Labor An Injury to One is an Injury to All! The delays give unions Relations Board-run election. WEDNESDAY VOL. 115 interviews at the AFL-CIO Executive Council show. Both time, and the need, to mobilize, Other alternatives to major- AUGUST 5, 2009 NO. 4 campaigns are to counter mas- the staffers added. ity sign-up, including mail-in sive business-backed advertis- The health care mobiliza- ballots and quick NLRB-run ing blitzes against both health tion already started, and was elections, received scant dis- care revision and against the going even as the council met. cussion, staffers said. But they labor law, which is the top pri- Unions arranged for 50,000 are not ruled out, Acuff added. ority of the federation, Change phone calls to be funneled to “Both would be dramatically To Win and other unions. Congress on the issue on July better than what we have now” The campaigns were dis- 28. And on July 27, the under labor law, he said. cussed at a meeting July 28 at Alliance of Retired Americans, Present law allows long cam- the National Labor College an AFL-CIO, arranged two paigns with rampant employer here. The campaigns are need- conference calls, of 100 people intimidation and labor law- ed because the Democratic-run each, to talk health care cam- breaking. The Obama admin- 111th Congress – stymied by paign strategy. istration backs the Employee divisions within its own major- And the Employee Free Free Choice Act. ity – put off decisions on the Choice Act mobilization aims Senate sponsor Tom Harkin, issues until it returns Sept. 7. at the fact that Democrats now D-Iowa, also cautions that Five congressional commit- lack the 60 votes needed to shut majority sign-up is still on the These members of the Minnesota Nurses Association are tees are drafting the health care off a planned GOP-led fili- table. “Nothing is agreed to among the many unionists that have been on the picket line legislation. In two key ones – buster against the bill. until everything is agreed to,” in support of Workers United Local 99 workers at the Senate Finance and House “The important thing is to he says of the legislation. Pickwick. Stop by during the lunch and dinner hours. preserve the essential elements The Employee Free Choice of the Employee Free Choice Act mobilization includes tens Pickwick harassing picketers, workers Act: Restoring the freedom to of thousands of letters, hun- by Todd Erickson, President used to operate. It is not a fam- protected right to picket their organize and collectively bar- dreds of thousands of phone Workers United Local 99 ily restaurant anymore. It is employer. gain, and not the details” of calls, the largest march in the corporate run. The courage of these how exactly to achieve that history of Arkansas, and a I have read about several goal, said AFL-CIO Organi- coalition of 1,500 businesses union busting campaigns over We have been dealing with Pickwick workers inside and this employer’s supporters spy- out is remarkable. Some work- zing Director Stewart Acuff, supporting the bill. It’s all the years but never expected to who is directing the campaign. designed to push senators in 10 see one playing out the way it ing on us as we exercise our ers through it all still wear their protected and concerted rights, union buttons and show sup- “That’s the measure by which states, including Arkansas, is at the Pickwick. Chris any tweaking of the law” will California, Pennsylvania, Wisocki has apparently dug his verbal attacks from customers port for their union every day. smelling of alcohol, union They now work with reduced be judged, he added. Nebraska, Louisiana and heels in and is still refusing to The council reaffirmed its Maine, to support the law and get back to the table and give employees allowed to come out benefits and put up with verbal and attempt to have a negative abuse by an aggressive man- strong preference for the legis- his workers a fair contract. lation’s centerpiece: See Labor mobilizing...page 7 I want to let all of you know conversation about the union. agement team that is relentless what tactics we have witnessed On the inside there is no union in trying to divide the work- Is single payer getting heard? this employer using to intimi- talk unless it’s in an anti-union force. date his workers and get his capacity. We are not going away and SILVER SPRING, Md. (PAI)--Stories vary, but apparently message across that he is above On Wednesday, July 29 a will be in front of the Pickwick there was a prolonged and sometimes testy discussion about the law when it comes to his security guard was hired to one day longer than it takes to health care within the AFL-CIO Executive Council, behind its workers’ rights. stand out in front of the restore workers’ rights at the closed doors, on July 28. At issue was whether the AFL-CIO You need to know that these Pickwick. He is stationed there Pickwick and get a fair con- should continue to support and push for the hybrid public-private workers on the inside are also only when we have pickets tract. The support from labor health care revision legislation now moving through Congress, under constant intimidation going on. He told the picketers has been incredible and we will or abandon that and go with the rising sentiment within the labor from the Pickwick’s manage- that they were not allowed to not forget the support that we movement for single-payer government-run universal health ment team. Workers on the be there. Picketers stood their have seen for these workers. care. Some 552 labor bodies, including 21 international unions, inside are scared to support ground and told him that they As we get ready for the next now back single-payer, which would abolish the private insurers. their union as the message has were not leaving. These work- phase of our campaign, we Within the council, Californians, who twice pushed a state- been made very clear to them ers know their rights. expect this employer to ramp level single-payer plan through their legislature, only to see GOP that the Pickwick is in a new The guard told me that he is up his efforts to continue to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger veto it, argued strongly for move- era and the workers should for- there to keep an eye on things violate these workers’ rights ment-wide endorsement of single-payer. get about how the Pickwick and I informed him that we and ultimately push the liveli- Sheet Metal Workers President Michael J. Sullivan said his have been having issues with hood of his workers to the union’s campaign finance committee, which distributed $2.4 some anti-union supporters and brink and continue to keep million to candidates in the 2007-08 election cycle, will give I would gladly report any inci- them under siege. politicians nothing this cycle. Instead SMWIA would plow its dents to him so he can do his We have been outside of the money into a campaign for real health care reform. job. Pickwick for almost four “We should stop supporting the lapdogs among the Did Chris Wisocki hire him weeks and have spent over 90 Democrats unless they do real health care reform and a real to continue to intimidate his hours on the line. A full time Employee Free Choice Act,” Sullivan said. workers and taint our picket worker works an average of Quoting polls and unionists who show majority support for line? I wonder what hiring a 2080 hours in a working year single-payer, California Nurses Association Executive Director security company costs? Were so I feel that we are just getting Rose Ann DeMoro warned: “We don’t want to get whipsawed they hired to keep an eye on the started in our campaign for jus- again.” If the Democrats sell out on health care, she said, union two ladies who were fired for tice for the Pickwick workers support for them would drop dramatically, as it did after the having the courage to stand up and hospitality workers every- Clinton plan collapsed in 1994. The GOP won Congress that for what’s right? They were where. year, and held it 12 years. fired for making use of their See Pickwick...page 5 See Single payer...page 7 Public pension hearing in Bemidji Aug. 12 Comm. Serv. Liaison posting The Legislative Commis- numerous pension issues LCPR has met outside of St. The call is out for the job opening for AFL-CIO Community sion on Pensions and Retire- before opening the meeting to Paul. Sen. Mary Olson (DFL- Services Director for the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body. The ment will hold a hearing Weds., public comments and ques- Bemidji), who serves on the director serves as the liaison between the Central Body and the Aug. 12 in Bemidji City Hall tions. LCPR, suggested the commis- United Way of Greater Duluth. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. LCPR is a joint agency of sion hold a hearing in Bemidji, Central Body President Alan Netland said candidate selection The meeting will focus on the Minnesota Legislature because the area is home to will be made according to the National AFL-CIO Department of the current state of Minnesota’s which reviews and makes rec- many retired state employees. Field Mobilization and the Memorandum of Understanding bet- over 700 public employee pen- ommendations to standing leg- “This is an important oppor- ween the Central Body and United Way of Greater Duluth: sion plans, including those for islative committees on pro- tunity for current and retired •A screening committee representing local labor and the United state and local government posed public pension legisla- public employees in our region Way will interview qualified candidates; employees, police, firefighters, tion, and provides oversight for to learn more about their retire- •The screening committee will select the candidate best quali- fied to direct the Community Services Program under the supervi- state patrol, judges, legislators, Minnesota's system of public ment accounts,” said Olson. sion of the Central Body. military affairs personnel, and employee pensions. The “Given the instability in the Here is a brief AFL-CIO Community Services job description: public school teachers. Bemidji hearing will be the national and global financial The committee will discuss first time in many years the markets, it is more important Key Responsibilities than ever for workers to under- A. Implement the following core programs: UCAN Training, stand how their pensions are Services to the unemployed, Member assistance and advocacy, Labor Day Picnic donations lag Special needs programs, Emergency needs programs including dis- Donations to the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body’s performing and what they can aster services, Member awareness programs, and other programs annual Labor Day Picnic are coming in so slowly this year that expect in the future.” deemed necessary by the Central Body’s Community Services there is cause for concern. In the past month only $625 was A recent issue of the Labor Committee. donated, bringing the total raised to $5,500 of the $8,000 need- Capital Review stated that “In B. Promote and encourage labor participation in the United Way ed with the picnic only a month. The picnic is free to Central 2014, more than twice the Campaign; Secure publicity and recognition for labor in the United Body-affiliated union members and their families but it relies on number of workers age 65 or Way Campaign; and, Cultivate the labor/United Way partnership; donations and volunteers to make it happen. Any amount helps. older will be working than C. Conduct special Community Services programs and/or proj- Checks made out to “Labor Day Picnic” can be mailed to were in 1984.” ects as requested; Duluth Central Labor Body, Room 110, 2002 London Road, The meeting will be tele- D. Attend all appropriate AFL-CIO/United Way functions; Duluth, MN 55812. vised for those unable to E. Expand labor knowledge, use and support of community If you or your group would like to help with ant task that the attend. resources; picnic entails contact Picnic Chair Yvonne Harvey, 728-1779. Citizens interested in learn- H. Fulfill administrative responsibilities such as: Complete an The picnic is Monday, Sept. 7 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at ing more about the hearing Annual Work Plan according to the Memorandum of Understanding Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. should contact either the between the Central Body and the United Way of Greater Duluth; Legislative Commission on and, Report periodically to the boards of directors of the Central Pensions and Retirement Body, the United Way of Greater Duluth and the state, regional and I.U.O.E. Local 70 offices at 651-296-2750 or national offices of the AFL-CIO on the activities of the Community Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting [email protected], or Sen. Services Committee and programs. Olson’s office at 651-296-4913 Qualifications/Requirements Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 5:00 P.M. or [email protected]. A. Member in good standing of an AFL-CIO affiliated union. Duluth Labor Center, Hall B B. Knowledge of regional organized labor with a broad knowl- Dick Lally, Business Manager (651) 646-4566 edge of the Duluth area labor community and its Community Correction Services Program. In the last Labor World an C. Extensive knowledge of the Duluth region, its cities, servic-

SHEET METAL WORKERS erroneous statement was made es, the volunteer and nonprofit sectors with specific understanding $ as to how Gary Eckenberg be- of the local and regional United Way system. $ Meetings Cancelled came a Duluth city councilor. D. Comprehensive administrative, communication, marketing, The August 2009 regular meeting of the Duluth- Supe- Eckenberg was appointed to organizational and clerical skills, including but not limited to exten- rior area of Local 10 scheduled for 5:00 p.m., Monday, fill the seat vacated by Roger sive work with computers. Aug. 10, 2009 at the Duluth Labor Temple has been Reinert, after Reinert was E. Demonstrated ability to work with large and small groups as elected to the Minnesota House well as individuals. cancelled. of Representatives. F. Understanding of practices and principals of work teams and The August 2009 regular meeting of the Iron Range demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations from varied area of Local 10 scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. ~FOR RENT~ backgrounds. 11, 2009 at the Hibbing Park Hotel has been cancelled. G. Selection by the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body as its 3-bedroom duplex, off official representative. ~Dennis Marchetti, Business Representative street parking, gazebo, H. Approval by the AFL-CIO Dept. of Field Mobilization. washer/dryer, available Please send resumes with cover letter and references, post- marked no later than September 4, 2009, should be mailed to: Sept. 1, $825 + utilities, Alan Netland, President 2 miles from UMD Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body Room 110 2002 London Road Sunday, 728-4148 Duluth, MN 55812 September 6 Noon to 5:00 p.m.

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PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 GOP’s health care reform killers--unemployment, taxes by Lou Dubose, Editor, The Washington Spectator www.washingtonspectator.com, August 1, 2009 Since NFL training camps Congressional Republicans have run out the clock on health opened Friday and I’m aware care reform and are now turning to faux grassroots groups to that double digit numbers (Joe ramp up pressure on members who have not signed on to the Kapp’s 11) of you reading this House bill that was voted out of committee in July or the Senate wish there was a larger sports bill still in the works. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint told section in the Labor World, I’ll activists on a Citizens for Patients’ Rights (CPR) conference call give in like the wuss I am. that if a vote on health care can be extended beyond the August If Al Franken was your recess, health care reform can be defeated. favorite team’s football coach On the conference call DeMint said he could “almost guaran- and you were playing the tee you this thing won’t pass before August, and if we can hold Health Insurance Titans in the it back until we go home for a month’s breath in playoffs to see if your Health August...Senators and Congressmen will come back in Insurance Argonauts could September afraid to vote.” So watch for CPR (and Fox News) make it to the Super Health “tea parties” in August. The key talking point: taxes to fund Care Bowl and you were down under Lombardi. For you old dust bowl constituents. health care reform equals higher unemployment during a reces- 7-0 with 6.76 seconds left to timers Franken comparing Remember how the Dems sion. The advocacy group has more than $20 million and is go, with possession on the himself to Wellstone, who did threw rocks and whined at the already running TV and radio ads in eleven states.... Titans 20 yard line, 4th and go a bit Beltway conservative Republican White House in the Congressional Republicans have seized upon a clever issue to goal (your left guard had been but it took him 8 years as he recent 8-year past? They actu- exploit in the health care debate: unemployment. But it’s a penalized for holding), Coach hungered for victories, would ally perforated a few leaves on canard. The problem that they imply is cyclical and can be fixed Franken would send in the field be like Congressman Jim the Shrubs once or twice with by tax cuts is in realty structural. goal unit to avoid being shut Oberstar being compared to their limp arms. “He’s blocking From June 2000 to June 2009 the economy shed 5.4 million out, his idea of a moral victory, Congressman John Bernard. our agenda for the American jobs, according to MBG Information Services, a business analy- with hope for a Super Bowl PEOPLE! We’re fighting people!” they screamed to Fox sis and forecasting firm. “The country has fewer jobs today than appearance sometime in the for our lives here on health care News. Franken was throwing it had nine years ago,” said MBG president and chief economist future. You probably didn’t reform. America’s the laughing rocks at the time using the air Charles McMillion in a phone interview. “That’s the worst loss know he was so closely men- stock of the world for the way waves as his wrist rocket from ever. It’s never happened, or at least not since the mid-thirties.” tored by Coach Huntley. we protect insurance compa- Air America. Now that a McMillion predicts the unemployment rate will continue to Trouble is Coach Franken nies, Big Pharma, and health Democrat’s in the White House rise through the end of next year, reachings perhaps 11 percent speaks ad nauseam of being the care providers over our sick cit- and it’s put up or shut up time nationwide. And when the economy starts to turn around, the second coming of Coach izens. We should be leading the for Dems, they’re running and rate will increase as people who have returned to school or Wellstone, like he played for world but we’re shut out. hiding from their progressive stopped looking for work for other reasons begin looking again. him, kind of like Bart Starr At the Progressive Round- (is that progress for people?) The Republican Party’s lead talking point for August--as framed table forum held Sunday night agenda like union backers after by Senator Jim DeMint: “we can’t afford to increase taxes to ~NOTICE~ in the Hotel Duluth’s Boorish an organizing drive when the fund health care at a time when we’re shedding jobs”--has at Next issues of Labor World: Room, Sen. Franken, in his employer frowns at them back least a year of shelf life in the campaign against health care Aug. 19; Sept. 2 (Labor Day first weekend in Duluth since on the job on Monday. The reform. being seated, basically said employer pays the bills like issue), 23; Oct. 7, 28; he’d be willing to kick that insurance cos. and pharma pay Nov. 11, 24; Dec. 16. This Day In History playoff field goal rather than off Congressslackers. Oh, and from www.workdayminnesota.org LABOR WORLD fight for a public option to the Blue Dogs are howling! (ISSN#0023-6667) is published compete with private insurance It took Tony Cuneo a year August 5, 1931 - Some 1,500 jobless men stormed the semi-monthly except one issue in in health care reform. To Coach and a half to put the Progres- plant of the Fruit Growers Express Co. in Indiana Harbor, December (23 issues). Indiana, demanding they be given jobs to keep from starving. The known office of publication is Franken’s credit he does want sive Roundtable together, not universal, affordable health counting tax preparation time The company's answer was to call the city police, who rout- Labor World, 2002 London Road, ed the jobless with clubs. Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. care with no insurance compa- (oh, lighten up, former mayor Periodicals postage is paid at ny cherry picking of clients (no John Fedo was late paying his Duluth MN 55806. patients please), and subsidies too, and late pay pads coffers August 5, 1981 - President Ronald Reagan fired 13,000 POSTMASTER: for those unable to afford insur- with penalties so you be late federal air traffic controllers for participating in an illegal Send address changes to: ance, and, let’s see, “a gateway too), bringing in 70 people work stoppage. The PATCO strike was a watershed for Labor World, 2002 London Rd., American workers, both because it marked a new, anti-work- Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 for small business” (you got from around the country. But as me there). That’s a helluva NEALC President Alan er mind set on the part of the U.S. government and corpora- 6 7 ground game, Coach, and there Netland said in the Q&A after tions and because the American labor movement failed to (218) 728-4469 was a lot of other good stuff at the discussion, how do you build any mass resistance to this attack. FAX: (218) 724-1413 the forum, mind you, but the take that long to put together a 20,000 acres of red beets to top inept this progressive forum [email protected] trouble with our junior senator progressive forum here and not www.laborworld.org and being proud that you got was...In the Q&A a question ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ is that our senior senator, Amy invite labor. “I just heard about the tractor fueled after break- from the audience brought up Owned by Unions affiliated with the Klobuchar, is probably more this on Wednesday,” Netland fast and will get it’s flat fixed Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body conservative than he is. said. Me too, but come on Al, after lunch, and then really having said he probably won’t Subscriptions: $22 Annually Remember when we were so labor’s good theory but we’re give it hell. Whew, what a day! read the health care bill when it Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager embarrassed to have two not who intellectual progres- But back to the game...the comes to a vote. No one had a Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper Republican U.S. senators-- sives want to work with are NFL has only 16 games a year chance, and the panelists didn’t Board of Directors Boschwitz and Durenberger? we? They’ll save six for our but it keeps our interest clue in, that Conyers has the Pres./Treas. Mikael Sundin, DD was good on health care pall bearers. As moderator Dr. 24/365. Congress should learn most progressive health care Painters & Allied Trades 106; for a GOPer and actually had a Barry Kendall, Executive from that. They told us Sunday bill in Congress, HR 676, a sin- V.P. Paul Iversen, BMWED 50% labor voting record. Director of the Commonweal night they are progressing after gle payer Medicare for all bill. 1710; Sec. Larry Anderson, Franken’s been in the U.S Institute (honest) said in accomplishing little but have That oversight or slight under- Laborers 1091; Al LaFrenier, Senate for four weeks and he’s answering Netland, “We try to prospects (Hell’s Angels got mined any semblance of pro- Workers’ United Midwest Bd; a backslider already. That bring the right mix of people Mike Kuitu, Operating Engi- ’em too) for the future. Their gressivity the forum was sup- makes him a great Democratic together to solve problems.” timing was perfect Sunday posed to foster. True progres- neers 49; Susan Jussila, MN teammate in Washington. Chris Wisocki of the Pickwick Nurses; Rick McDonald, night in Duluth, so why am I so sives, though, panelists said IBEW 31; Jayme McKenna, “We’re on our way to the Super couldn’t make it. angry? It’s just a game! don’t blame Conyers, his staff AFSCME 66; Dan O’Neill, Bowl” is their slogan while it’s This new definition of pro- Let me diagram a play in will read the bill for him. Plumbers & Steamfitters 11 “California and Bust” for us gressive’s work is like having the sand to show you how I’m dying here. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 PAGE 3 Duluth Trades endorse Bakk for governor Central Body screens Aug. 13 The Duluth Building & was when Rudy Perpich of Local 606 in Virginia in 2006. The Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body will be screening Construction Trades Council Hibbing left the governor’s He had worked with the tools candidates who seek the labor endorsement for this fall’s Duluth unanimously endorsed Senator mansion at the end of his third as a carpenter for 11 years prior elections. Screenings will be held Thursday, Aug. 13 in Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) in his term in January 7, 1991. He to being named a business rep Wellstone Hall of the Duluth Labor Temple at 5:30 p.m. for the bid for Minnesota governor in had been sworn in Jan. 3, 1983. in 1987. Since his retirement four Duluth City Council seats up this year. At about 6:15 p.m. the 2010 election. The endorse- Perpich had previously served the Carpenters have disaffiliat- the four Duluth School Board seats will be screened. ment came at the DBCTC’s from Dec. 29, 1976 to Jan. 4, ed from the building trades on Filings for the positions closed July 21. All candidates who monthly meeting July 21. 1979. He is the longest tenured the national and most state and filed have received invitations to the screenings “We’ve worked with Tom of Minnesota governors and local levels. City council races to be contested are two at-large seats, and for many years on many levels the only one to serve non-con- Bakk has an associate districts 2 and 4. and know where he’s coming secutive terms.) degree from Mesabi Commun- At-large incumbent Jim Stauber has filed for re-election. from,” said DBCTC President The DBCTC endorsement ity College and a bachelor’s Other candidates who have filed include Mike Akervik, Becky Craig Olson. “He came to our is the first one Bakk has degree in business administra- Hall, Dan Hartman, and Beth Olson. The other at-large seat up is meeting and gave one hell of a received. He first announced tion from UMD. The Cook held by Gary Eckenberg. When he was appointed by the council speech as a gubernatorial can- his exploratory campaign for native lives on Lake Vermilion. to fill Roger Reinert’s term after Reinert was elected to the leg- didate to our delegates. We’d governor in June 2008. That He was first elected to the islature, Eckenberg said he would not run in this election. love to see Tom Bakk lead our July he was encouraged to run Minnesota House of Represen- Greg Gilbert will not seek re-election to the District 2 state as a governor from north- by delegates to the Minnesota tatives in 1994, winning the (precincts 8-13) seat he has represented so well for many years. ern Minnesota finally once Building & Construction DFL Primary Election against Patrick Boyle, son of former Wisconsin State Assemblyman again.” Trades Council (MBCTC) con- four other candidates. He held Frank Boyle, and Rob Wagner have filed for the seat. (The last time there was a vention. that seat for four terms, running District 4 (precincts 23-29) incumbent Garry Krause is not northern Minnesota governor The MBCTC held their con- unopposed in 2000, until win- seeking re-election. Kerry Gauthier, Gordon Grant, Heath vention last week in Rochester ning the District 6 senate seat Hickock, Matt Potter, and Celia Scheer have filed for that race. and Bakk was among those vacated by Doug Johnson’s In Duluth School Board races up for election all incumbents who addressed the delegates retirement in 2002. whose terms are up have filed for re-election. but no endorsement was made. Like Johnson, who also ran Mary Cameron and Nancy Nilsen have filed to run again as Dick Anfang, who retired as for governor although he got at-large candidates. Also filing in those races are Maureen MBCTC president at the con- into the 1998 race too late, Booth, Bryan Jensen, and Tom Kaspar. vention and was replaced by Bakk has risen to lead the In District 1 (precincts 1, 4-7, 10, and five townships) incum- Harry Melander, stood in the Senate Tax Committee, which bent Ann Wasson, Gary Glass, and Marcia Stromgren have filed. way of a Bakk endorsement has given him statewide expo- In District 4 (precincts 23, 28-32, 34-36 (precinct 33 is in the many trades members feel. sure. He also serves on the Proctor School District)) incumbent Laura Condon has had Art Anfang has stated in the past Rules and Administration, Johnston file to oppose her. that “that no one from the 218 Business, Industry and Jobs, All Central Body affiliated local unions’ members are invited area code could ever be elected and Environment, Energy and to COPE (Committee On Political Education) screenings. COPE statewide” one worker related. Budget committees. recommendations for endorsements will be considered and Bakk retired as a business Bakk has established a web- voted upon by Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body delegates Senator Tom Bakk representative for Carpenters site at www.bakk2010.com for only at the monthly meeting immediately following screenings. his campaign. If there are questions as to who your union’s delegates are, The list of Democratic- submit a new list on union letterhead with an officer’s signature Support your local pharmacy Farmer-Labor announced and to the Central Body office, 724-1413 (phone and fax line), or Tell your union, health fund, and employer exploratory campaigns for email to [email protected]. New delegates with cre- Minnesota governor, including dentials can be sworn-in before the meeting and can then vote. you want local pharmacy services Bakk’s Iron Range buddy Rep. It takes a two-thirds vote of delegates present for candidates Tom Rukavina, is a long one, to gain an endorsement. It’s Better...Keep It Local! many with good labor creden- The Primary Election is late this year on Tuesday, Sept. 15 Your Local Mail Order tials but that didn’t deter the with the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. vs Duluth Building Trades White Drug Pharmacy Pharmacies Council. Lawsuit can’t slow LRFP 3Personal service Service only by phone/computer “Tom Bakk has forgotten The Duluth School District’s Long Range Facilities Plan more about our construction jumped yet another hurdle July 28 when Judge Eric Hylden ruled 3Consulting at the pharmacy No personal contact. How do you get questions answered? trades issues like prevailing that construction can begin in spite of a lawsuit brought by Let wages, project labor agree- Duluth Vote, an organization formed to stop the LRFP. Hylden 3Questions answered reliably, Allegations of re-dispensing ments, OSHA, and organizing accurately product that has been returned said the lawsuit can proceed to its October 15 day in court. Let than all the other announced Duluth Vote was hoping for an injunction to stop construction. 315 minute service on No ability to customize orders candidates put together,” said Organized labor in Duluth has been on board with the LRFP new prescriptions Olson. since it was introduced a couple of years ago. 3Ready RefillTM (Automated Two week delivery, often LATE Surprisingly, the list of Hylden also said that Craig Hunter, who has represented Let Refills) authorizations Republican candidates is also a Duluth Vote and Gary Glass, a member of the Duluth School 3Free in town prescription Do you want your meds sitting in long one after Gov. Tim Board who is opposed to the LRFP, can no longer represent Let delivery a 110 degree mailbox? Pawlenty said he will not seek Duluth Vote in the lawsuit. The judge further ruled that Hunter re-election. That party seldom 3We contact doctors for refills Some require you to get your can not share any information by any method with whomever is own refill authorizations has Primary Election battles. hired by Let Duluth Vote for their lawsuit. 3Monthly health screenings Why trust your health & safety to 3Free blood pressure checks a nameless, faceless person? 733-0100 Your local White Drug Pharmacy is more reliable KOLAR than mail order. We are always available to answer your questions face to face with a local pharmacist. www.kolarnet.com For a listing of locations visit www.thriftywhite.com A U T O M O T I V E G R O U P Pinetree Plaza Inside Super One Foods When Others Won’t...KOLAR Will Cloquet, MN 218-879-6768 • 1-800-967-3421 4781 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth, MN Store hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm • Sat 9am - 5:30pm • Sun 11am - 5pm

PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 Federal unions split from Obama’s DOD on NSPS system (PAI)--The nation’s defense mend it.” A 3-member panel tections, merit pay and even defense workers into NSPS. workers unions have split from whom Defense Secretary fairness in discipline. Obama halted the insertions, the Obama administration on Robert Gates appointed to Bush wanted to extend the too, pending the review -- a the future of the controversial review NSPS issued a report anti-worker personnel system halt Gage says DOD back- Defense Department’s so- and recommendations in July to all of government, and even- handedly evades. That review called “National Security saying the opposite. tually to the private sector, found the defense panel and Personnel System,” or NSPS. The Bush regime pushed warned AFGE President John Gage on opposite sides of end- In so many words, unions NSPS through the then-GOP- Gage, whose 600,000-member ing NSPS. for the 700,000 defense civilian run Congress in 2004. Bush’s union leads the continuing Testifying June 25 to the workers -- including the NSPS stripped defense civilian fight against the system. panel, Gage said reconstruction 205,000 NSPS already covers - workers of collective bargain- The Democratic-run 110th wouldn’t work. - are saying: “End it, don’t ing rights, whistleblower pro- Congress halted inserting new “NSPS is a failed system, disliked by employees under it and feared by employees con- Bob Oswold cerned they will come under it. October 5, 1949 - NSPS should be done away with completely, not tinkered August 1, 2009 Injured on the job? with or modified. NSPS was Bob Oswold, the long time created by people with ulterior president of the Carlton County motives, who tried to hide their Central Labor Body, passed real agenda from employees, away Saturday at the Com- their unions, Congress and the munity Memorial Hospital in public. After Sept. 11, 2001, Cloquet. Oswold, 59, of the department exploited the Scanlon, had been battling pan- national fear of another terror- creatic cancer for the past year. ist attack and determination to Oswold led the Carlton Co. protect our country to advocate CLB for close to the last 20 for what was in reality a pro- years. His former vice presi- found erosion of civil service dent Tom Bellt said Oswold protections and collective bar- took that thankless job in spite gaining rights that had nothing of his many other activities and whatsoever to do with national kept the Central Body going. security,” Gage said. “The Cloquet Labor Day celebration would have died a Boycott quiet death a number of years ago but for Bob's efforts to Pickwick keep it going,” Beltt said in an ...from page 1 email. “Many people have given of their time, some more Please help in whatever way than others, to pull off the cele- you can. Standing with us on bration over the past many the picket line, educating oth- years, but Bob was the glue We can help. ers of our struggle to get a fair that kept it all together.” contract, is a great help. Let’s Oswold was a leader in his restore our drive to make life USW/PACE Local 11-63 at easier for Duluth low wage Sappi, a vice president of the R hospitality workers. If you Minnesota AFL-CIO, active in eceiving fair compensation for on-the-job injuries isn’t simple. would like to help please call his church, the Boy Scouts, the You may run into red tape and your employer’s Workers’ Workers United Local 99 at Cloquet Hospital Board, and 728-6861. the Minnesota Wood Fibers Compensation insurer may try to cut or reduce your benefits. You can also call Pickwick Council, among his many owner Chris Wisocki at 218- activities. He was a Vietnam That’s where we come in. We’ve helped thousands of workers 727-8901 or email him at War veteran of the U.S. Navy [email protected] and tell successfully negotiate the complexities of the system and emerge and a Navy Reservist. him his employees deserve a Oswold’s visitation and with benefits which reflect fair compensation for their hurt. fair contract for helping make funeral were held earlier this the Pickwick the fine establish- week. An online guest book is ment it is. If you’ve suffered a work related injury, call us. We have the at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net. experience to show you the way.

In the Labor Temple! Walk-in Service meets Building Trades members Quality Cutting Edge! were on the Pickwick picket line on it’s first day. Call Keith 464-4247 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 PAGE 5 T r a d e U n i o n D i r e c t o r y New MN laws effective Aug. Here’s a partial list of new Minnesota laws now in effect: “The world is run by those who show up!” Shared Work-Employer’s use of the Shared Work program AFSCME COUNCIL 5— President Mike DULUTH AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER is expanded to provide partial unemployment benefits to Buesing, Local 1011; VP Judy Wahlberg, BODY —Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m., Well- CARRIERS, BRANCH 114 MERGED— Local 66; Treas. Clifford Poehler, Local stone Hall, 2002 London Rd., (218) 724- Meets 2nd Mondays, 7 p.m., Reef Bar (back employees who have their hours reduced in order to prevent lay- 2938; Sec. Mary Falk, Local 4001; Director 1413, President Alan Netland, AFSCME 66; room) President Robert Marshall, 727-4327 offs. Under the new law, a business can submit a shared work Eliot Seide; Area office, 211 West 2nd St., VP Beth McCuskey, Duluth Fed. of Teach- (office), P.O. Box 16583, Duluth 55816; VP Duluth, MN 55802; 722-0577 ers; Rec. Sec. Terri Newman, CWA 7214; Kevin Lammi; Recording Secretary Regina plan to DEED, in which the employer would detail how they Treas. Sheldon Christopherson, Operating Westerlund; Financial Secretary Scott AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 66—Meets 1st Eng. 70; Reading Clerk Larry Sillanpa, MN Dulas; Treasurer Karl Pettersen would reduce the hours of a group of employees rather than lay- Tues. at 7:00 p.m. in the AFSCME Hall, News Guild/Typos 37002 ing workers off. The employees impacted by the reduced hours Arrowhead Place, 211 W. 2nd St. NATIONAL CONF. FIREMEN & OILERS Pres. Alan Netland; VP Judy Wahlberg; DULUTH BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION SEIU 956—Meets 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m. would be granted unemployment insurance benefits to help com- Treas. Deb Strohm, Rec. Sec. Sue Urness. TRADES COUNCIL—Meets 3rd Tuesday, Meetings held at Central High School. Union office, 211 W. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 3:00 p.m., Freeman Hall, Labor Temple. Pres. Jerome DeRosier, 315 W. 5th St. pensate for their reduced income. (S.F. 1454/ Ch. 27) 55802, 722-0577 Pres. Craig Olson, Painters & Allied Trades Duluth, MN 55806; Treas. Dennis Unemployment Insurance-Several changes to the state’s 106, 724-6466; Treas. Jim Brown, IBEW McDonald, 7208 Ogden Ave., Superior, WI AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1123—City of Two 242, 728-6895; Rec. Sec. Dan Olson, 54880, 628-4863; Sec. Steve Lundberg, Unemployment Insurance program went into effect Aug. 2. Harbors workers. Meets 1st Wed. of each Laborers 1091, 728-5151 8304 Grand Ave, Duluth 55807, 624-0915 month at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall, Two Har- Several technical changes put the state’s UI program in con- bors. Pres. Brad Jones, 723-15th Ave., Two DULUTH MAILERS UNION LOCAL ML-62 NORTH EAST AREA LABOR COUNCIL, formity with federal law. The new law modifies eligibility Harbors 55616; Sec. Karrie Seeber; Meets 3rd Monday, Duluth Labor Temple, AFL-CIO-Field Coordinator Chad McKenna, Treas. Paul J. Johnson 2002 London Rd., Pres. Oscar Steinhilb: 218-310-8412, [email protected] requirements and other parts of the program, including: Sec. Marty Lee-Burgener, 106 S. 62 Ave. 2002 London Road, Room 95B, Duluth, MN •Granting eligibility to workers who are forced to quit their AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1934— W., Duluth, MN 55807, 218-624-7537 55812 St. Louis Co. Essential Jail Employees. jobs due to situations involving domestic abuse of themselves or Meets 3rd Wed., 3:15 at Foster’s Bar & Grill. IBEW LOCAL 31 (UTILITY WORKERS)— NORTHERN WISCONSIN BUILDING & Pres. Dan Marchetti, 726-2345, Rm.105, Duluth Labor Temple, 728-4248. CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL— family members; VP Glen Peterson, Sec. Larry Van Why, Pres. Tim Ryan; VP Paul Makowski; Meets the 3rd Wednesdays, Old Towne Bar. •Granting eligibility to workers who quit their jobs to care for Treas. Heather Ninefeldt Rec. Sec. Bob Fonger; Treas. Dan Leslie; President Norm Voorhees, (218) 724-5073, Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Mark Glazier, 2002 London Rd., Duluth, MN 55812; an immediate family member; AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 3558 - Non-profit Ass’t. Bus. Mgr. Dick Sackett V-P Dan Westlund Jr., Sec.-Treas. •Allowing a worker who quits their job to relocate with a employees. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.. Monthly Meetings: Duluth: 1st Wednes- Larry Anderson, (218) 428-2722 AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St. Pres. days, 7:00 pm, Labor Temple; spouse whose job has been moved to be eligible for benefits, if Michelle Fremling ; VP Todd Kneebone; Iron Range: Gilbert VFW, 2nd Tuesdays, OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49 — Sec. Susan Cook; Treas. Yvonne Harvey 7:15 pm; Grand Rapids Blandin Workers Meets 2nd Tues. of month at 7:30 p.m., the commute to work from the new location is impractical; Hall, 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm; Hall B, Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London •Calculating an applicant’s unemployment benefits using AFSCME LOCAL 695 - Meets 4th Tuesday Western Area: 3rd Wednesdays, all at 7:00 Rd., Bus. Rep. Brent Pykkonen, 724-3840, of even numbered months at Council 5 pm: Jan., Brainerd Legion; Feb., Park Room. 112, Duluth Labor Temple. more recent wages than are currently used; and Duluth offices and odd numbered months Rapids Legion; March, Nisswa Tasty Pizza All members attend each meeting •Allowing a worker who accepts a voluntary furlough to pre- at Gampers in Moose Lake. North; April, Little Falls Legion; May, Ironton President John McGovern, 393-5718 Legion; June, Brainerd Legion; July, Park OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 70— vent another employee from receiving an involuntarily furlough Rapids Legion; Aug., Little Falls Legion; Union office, 2417 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. AFSCME LOCAL 3801 - Representing Paul, MN 55113, 651-646-4566. Bus. Mgr. to receive unemployment benefits. This provision was support- UMD Clerical & Technical employees, Room Sept., Jenkins VFW; Oct. Brainerd Legion; Nov., Nisswa Tasty Pizza N.; Dec., Wadena Dick Lally. Meets 2nd Tues. at 5 p.m. in the 106 Kirby Student Center. Meets 4th Th. @ Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd. ed by the Flight Attendants Association, which is currently going 4:45 pm, Room 125 A.B. Anderson Hall; Superior: Shamrock Pizza, 4th Tues, 7 pm through a furlough process at NWA/Delta. (H.F. 2088/Ch. 78) President Denise Osterholm, 726-6312 Quarterly Meetings: 3rd Mons. Jan., April, PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES LOCAL July, Oct. at Schroeder Town Hall, 6 pm 106 Meets 1st Wed., 6:00 p.m., Duluth Uniform deduction-Aug. 1 a new law went into effect allow- AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION Locations Labor Temple. President Lee Carlson; VP AFL-CIO Greater Northland Area Local— Duluth-Labor Temple-2002 London Road Ron Folkestad; Rec. Sec. Mikael Sundin; ing an auto dealer to deduct up to half of the costs of furnishing P.O. Box 16321, Duluth, MN 55816. Brainerd-American Legion, 708 Front St. Fin. Sec. Brian Coyle; Treas. Bryce Sjoquist an employee a uniform, including the cost of cleaning it. The Membership meetings held monthly in Crosby/Ironton-Ironton American Legion Bus. Rep. Craig Olson, Duluth Labor Duluth, bi-monthly on Iron Range (in odd Gilbert-Gilbert VFW, 224 N. Broadway Temple, Room 106, 2002 London Rd. deduction is capped at $25, and can not bring an employee’s numbered months), 218-722-3350 Grand Rapids-Blandin Papermill Workers Duluth, MN 55812, 724-6466 Hall, 1005 NW 4th St. wages below the minimum wage. (S.F. 1431/Ch. 69) BRlCKLAYERS & ALLIED Jenkins-VFW, 3341 Veterans St. PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS Employee Misclassification-A new law Aug. 1 attempts to CRAFTWORKERS LOCAL NO. 1—Chap- Little Falls-American Legion, 108 1st St NE LOCAL 11, U.A.— Meets 1st Thursdays at ter #3, Duluth & Hibbing meetings are listed Nisswa-Tasty Pizza North, Hwy 371S, union hall, 4402 Airpark Blvd. (218) 727- crack down on misclassification of some workers in the trucking in the quarterly update newsletter. Chair- Pequot Lakes 2199; President Dan O’Neill; VP Scott and courier industry. The law lays out criteria for when an oper- man/Field Rep. Jim Stebe, 218-724-8374 Park Rapids-American Legion, Hwy. 34 Randall; Rec. Sec. Butch Liebaert; Recording Secretary Stan Paczynski, Schroeder-Town Hall, 124 Cramer Rd. Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Jeff Daveau, ator in the trucking and messenger/courier industry is considered Sergeant at Arms Jerry Lund Superior-Shamrock Pizza, 5825 Tower Ave Ass’t Bus. Mgr. Dave Carlson Wadena-Pizza Ranch, 106 Jefferson St. S. an employee or as an independent contractor. (S.F. 910/Ch. 89) BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10— Acupuncture-People can now see acupuncturists (if covered AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS IBEW LOCAL 242 (CONST., R.T.V., MFG., Duluth-Superior area meets 2nd Mondays LOCAL 512—Northern MN office/training MAINT.)—Rm.111, Labor Temple, 728-6895. at 5:00 p.m. in Wellstone Hall, Duluth Labor in their health plan) without needing a referral or having to center, 3752 Midway Road, Hermantown Pres. Jesse Wick; Rec. Sec. Don Smith; Temple, 2002 London Rd. receive the service through a chiropractor. (SF 245/Chapter 45) MN 55810, (218) 724-5073, Pres. Kevin Treas. Stan Nordwall; Bus Mgr./Fin. Sec. Iron Range meets 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Kowalski, B.M./F.S.-T. Charlie Witt, Jim Brown. Meetings 4th Wed. of every Regency Inn, Beltline/Howard, Hibbing. Criminal histories on job applications-Public employers B.A. Darrell Godbout, Rec. Sec. Bill Gerl month at Duluth Labor Temple. Bemidji area meets 3rd Thursday Jan., Unit meetings - Brainerd, American April, July & Oct., 6:00 pm, Carpenters Hall are banned from asking about criminal histories on job applica- BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF Legion, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wed. each month WAY EMPLOYES DIVISION LODGE Bus. Mgr. Craig Sandberg, 1681 E Cope tions, allowing such inquiry only after an applicant has been 1710—Meets 1st Mon. of each month at 7 Ave., St Paul, MN 55109, 612-770-2388-89. INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Duluth-Superior-lron Range area. Bus. Rep. selected for interview. The law does not limit consideration or p.m., Pit Stop, Boundary Ave.; Gen. WORKERS, LOCAL 294 - Meets 4th Thurs- Chair/Sec. Treas. Mike Nagle, 6049 Seville Dennis Marchetti, 2002 London Rd., Duluth inquiry of criminal records for jobs that require a statutory back- day, 7:30 p.m., Local 294 Building located at 55812, 724-6873 Rd. Duluth, MN 55811, 729-9786; 503 E. 16th St., Hibbing, MN. Business ground check, and it does not limit public employers from noti- Pres. Bart Berglund; 1st Vice Chair Alan Management Scott Weappa, (218) 263- SUPERIOR FEDERATION OF LABOR — Hansen; 2nd Vice Chair Jim Sonneson 6895, Hibbing. I.B.E.W. Local 294 Unit Be- Meets 1st Weds, 6:30 p.m., Public Library, fying applicants that they would not be hired if they have a crim- midji, meets 3rd Thursdays of the month at Pres. Janice Terry, 394-2896, Treas. Mar- inal background. (HF 1301/Ch. 59) BUILDING & GENERAL LABORERS 7 p.m. in Carpenters Hall LOCAL 1091—Meets 3rd Thursdays, 7 pm lene Case, 399-8152, Sec. Cindy Lee, 395- 1853, PO Box 1246, Superior, WI 54880 Licensing full-time firefighters-Full-time firefighters hired Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall. INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL President Larry Anderson, V.P. Brad Buko- WORKERS, LOCAL 366—(Electrical, Sig- LOCAL 241 — on or after July 1, 2011, will need a license, and volunteer and vich, Rec. Sec. Bill Cox, Bus.Mgr./Fin.Sec./ nal & Communication Workers of C/N) - Meets Ist Tues. of the month, 7:30 p.m., Du- on-call firefighters will have the option of getting a license by Treas. Dan Olson; (218) 728-5151 Meets 3rd Thursdays, Proctor American Le- luth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd., P. Del gion. President/Local Chairman Larre Cole, following the same requirements as full-time firefighters. The CARLTON COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR Soiney; Fin. Officer Eric Sparring, 259 3309 Kolstad Av., Duluth MN 55803; Canosia Rd., Esko, MN 55733 BODY—Meets 1st Monday of month except VP Al Johnson; Fin. Sec. David Ostby, 303 approximately 2,000 current full-time firefighters would be Sept. which meets last Monday in August. Park Ave. Cloquet, MN 55720, 879-0941; UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL exempted from renewal requirements on the 3-year licenses. Meeting 7:00 pm 2nd floor of Labor Temple, Rec. Sec. Darren Lundberg; Treas. Kurt WORKERS LOCAL 1116—Duluth Labor 1403 Ave C, Cloquet 55720; President Bob Shaw Temple, 2002 London Rd., Rm. 211, P.O. Oswold, VP Tom Beltt, Treas Dan Swanson, Box 16388, Duluth 55816-0388. President Sec. Diane Firkus, 390-9560 INTL. ASSOCIATION OF HEAT & FROST Gary Morgan; Sec. Treas. Joyce Berglund, INSULATORS AND ALLIED WORKERS 218-728-5174. CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 361— LOCAL NO. 49—Meets 2nd Friday each Meets 2nd Tues. of the month at 6:30 p.m. Retirees' Club meets 2nd Monday, 1:30 Set up your next meeting... month, 8 p.m., Duluth Labor Temple. Busi- p.m., Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall at Training Center, 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy., ness Manager Dick Webber, 2002 London It’s early August and no one wants to think much 724-3297. President Steve Risacher, Rd., Room 210, Duluth 55812, 724-3223; LOCAL 1028 - VP Susan Erkkila, Rec. Sec. Chris Hill, Fin. Pres. Wade Lee; VP Garth Lee; Meets 2nd Tues., Room 212, 2002 London farther down the road--we know what’s coming. But Sec. Larry Nesgoda; Treas. Chuck Aspoas, Rec.Sec. Randy Neumann; Rd., Duluth 55812, 728-9534. Pres. Bruce Field Reps. Steve Risacher, Chris Hill Fin. Sec./Treas. Gerry Nervick Lotti, VP Mike Connolly, Fin. Sec. Larry if you plan for your next meeting now, and let every- CEMENT MASONS, PLASTERERS & Libra, Treas. Lee Popovich, SHOPHANDS LOCAL 633—Duluth & Iron Rec. Sec. Dave Lubbesmeyer one know pizza’s on the agenda, they’ll all show up! Range Area Office: Mike Syversrud, 2002 UNITED STEELWORKERS 1028 London Road, Room 112, Duluth 55812; RETIREES ASSOCIATION—Meets 3rd 2531 218-724-2323; Meetings to be announced Weds (except Jan, Feb) Evergreen Center, 5830 Grand Ave 3 p.m. All USWA 1028 re- West tirees welcome. Pres. John Stojevich, Treas. Mary S. Petrich, Sec. Ted Krakovac Superior St. WORKERS UNITED LOCAL 99 — Execu- tive Board meetings 2nd Mon. each month: 1:30 p.m. in Mar., June, Oct., & Dec., Your 727-0020 9:30 a.m. in all other months. Union Quarterly regular membership meetings are Grill held on the 2nd Mon. of Mar., June, Oct., & House! Dec. at 2:30 p.m. All meetings are at the Union Office, 2027 W. Superior St. President Todd Erickson, 728-6861 Call for help in setting up your party! Happy Hour M-F 3-6, $1 off Drinks, 1/2 off Apps Oh yah, we deliver! PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 Single payer health care is finally getting a look from leaders...from page 1 Earlier in July backers of co-pays and premiums, huge the vast majority of which per- of the for-profit insurance com- single-payer, including ranking government-run single-payer profits, and denial of legitimate form far better than ours. The panies, we can save $400 bil- Republican John Kline, R- health care got their first win in care. one that has been the most-test- lion per year and provide cov- Minn., said they want to let the ongoing battle to reshape The single-payer move by ed here and abroad is single- erage for all medically neces- states set their own health care the dysfunctional U.S. health Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D- payer,” Kucinich told his col- sary services for everyone.” agendas, a nod to -- ironically - care system, as the House Ohio, faces many hurdles in the leagues. "Under a single-payer Kucinich’s amendment - states’ rights. Dem backers Education and Labor health care fight. Two other system everyone in the U.S. drew surprising bipartisan agreed with unions and Committee voted 27-19 on July House committees and two would get a card that would backing in the Labor panel, Kucinich that the health care 17 to let states set up single- Senate committees are working allow access to any doctor at which is normally split ideo- system is broken. payer systems. That’s how on health care legislation and virtually any hospital. Doctors logically. Seventeen of its 19 Canada got single payer -- their measures all lack single- and hospitals would continue Republicans are Right-Wing province by province. payer. The chair of one key to be privately run, but the white men, but Kucinich won INTERSTATE The vote was cheered by the panel, Senate Finance chief insurance payments would be the GOP, 13-5. Democrats California Nurses Association, Max Baucus, D-Mont., is in public hands. By getting rid tied, 14-14. GOPers voting for SPUR one of the 19 international openly hostile to it. unions backing single-payer "There are many models of Obama fills out NLRB and its elimination of the pri- health care reform from which vate health insurers, their high to choose around the world – with required GOP nominee WASHINGTON (PAI)--Democratic President Barack Labor mobilizing...from page 1 Obama has nominated the required Republican, Brian Hayes, chief labor counsel for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and oppose the filibuster. Pensions Committee’s GOP minority, to the last vacant seat on 2700 W. Michigan St. Labor’s motivation and mobilization for the health care over- the National Labor Relations Board. By law, the board must be haul, where it is working with Obama, is complicated by com- GAS - DIESEL split 3-2 between parties. GROCERIES peting versions of the legislation, said AFSCME President Hayes’ name was packaged with those of two Democratic Gerald McEntee, the AFL-CIO political committee chair, and nominees, union attorney Craig Becker and pro-worker upstate You’ll really like others. New York attorney Mark Pearce, and sent to the Senate July 9. our car wash! That mobilization drive also faces two more problems: Foes If the three are confirmed, they will bring the board up to its full who simplify the issue and Finance Committee proposals to drop 5-person membership for the first time since the end of 2007. requiring all employers to pay for health care and to eliminate That’s important, because the NLRB rules on everything the proposed government-run competitor to health insurers. from who can be organized to labor law-breaking to which Summertime “We reviewed what’s happened so far and talked about our workers are in bargaining units. It has been hamstrung at the success in beating back the idea of taxing employee health ben- board level for almost two years. Savings! efits,” AFL-CIO Legislative Director Bill Samuel said. But if Since three other members’ terms expired, the remaining Senate Finance decides to let employers off the hook and to ax NLRB members, chair-designate Wilma Liebman, a Democrat, Purchase the government-run competitor, “We’ll have to see” what to do, and Republican Peter Schaumber, have plowed through more One Pair of McEntee added. than 300 cases. Each was decided 2-0 with a third “phantom” Vision Pro Glasses In the meantime, his union alone is mobilizing an estimated and Get the member not voting, to make a quorum. But a federal appellate Second Pair 16,000 members to campaign for health care. It’s also running judge in D.C. earlier this year ruled that whole procedure illegal. ads featuring union nurses talking about the need for health care The board lacks a real quorum, he said. * reform for both their patients and themselves. Before becoming a Senate staffer, the White House said “We also did something we’ve never done before: The Health Hayes, of Massachusetts, practiced labor law for 25 years FREE!FREE! Care Reform Coalition – a number of unions – contracted with “devoted exclusively to representing management clients.” He on the campaign. For $50,000, they’ll cover Sale Includes: also had been an aide to prior NLRB chairmen. 6LQJOH9LVLRQ‡%LIRFDOV a state. For $60,000, they’ll send in a roving team. We’ve put 7ULIRFDOV‡5[6XQJODVVHV Progressive No-Line in $300,000 and the AFL-CIO has put in another $100,000,” &RPSXWHU*ODVVHV McEntee said. “The president and the Democrats are trying to WPA art at UMD’s Tweed legislate in a very complicated area, covering one-sixth of the Lithographs produced by Minnesota artists employed economy, and it’s hard to cover that in a good sound bite.” through the Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Program from 1933-43 will be featured in an Arts for Hire exhibit at UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art from through Jan. 3, 2010. Need Help? Dial 2-1-1 Just like President Obama’s American Recovery and OPTICAL Reinvestment Act, President F.D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” agen- Not sure where to turn? Dial United Way’s 2-1-1 to cies of the 1930s were designed to jump-start a failing economy 'XOXWK‡6XSHULRU‡$XURUD‡7ZR+DUERUV get connected to resources throughout Minnesota. by creating jobs nationwide for all kinds of workers, including *UDQG5DSLGV‡&ORTXHW‡0RRVH/DNH For personal services provided by the Community Services writers, visual artists, and theatre professionals. *With purchase of glasses. Up to a $258.95 value. Must be of Program sponsored by the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Just like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the equal or lesser value: select from special collection of frames and plastic lenses. Cannot be combined with any other offer Body and the United Way of Greater Duluth Call 728-1779 Roosevelt’s “New Deal” agencies of the 1930s were designed to or prior purchase. See store for details. 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LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 PAGE 7 OurOur $100$100 RebateRebate hashas grown!grown! We’ve added Air Conditioner and Sump Pump rebates to New, Residential Electrical Service Upgrades, including Dual Fuel and Off Peak! This Residential Rebate Program is brought to you by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 242, in conjunction with their signatory contractors listed below. IBEW Contractors are the most highly skilled companies working in the electrical industry because they employ the most highly skilled, trained workers. IBEW members are the best because they’ve gone through 5- year Apprenticeships, learn on the job from fellow union members who are Master Electricians licensed by the State of Minnesota, and because they attend trainings every year, including 16 hours of code classes, to keep up with changes in the electrical industry. Call one of these contractors today to find out how to save money by upgrading your electrical service, and get a great rebate for making your home more efficient! TWIN PORTS REGION Ask APi Electric...218-628-3323 your union Park Electric...218-721-3500 Absolute Electrical...218-522-0101 contractor Pine Lake Electric...800-997-5751 about the Agate Electric...218-834-9226 Polyphase Electric...218-723-1413 Bachand Electric...715-392-5580 PLUS 5 Service Electric...715-392-8771 Beacon Electric...218-591-7163 PROGRAM TM Automation...715-244-3727 Belknap Electric...715-394-7769 A 5-year Yax Electrical...218-724-8450 warranty Benson Electric...715-394-5547 BRAINERD AREA Bergstrom Electric...715-392-2427 on all residential APi of Brainerd...218-829-5859 Dave Twining Electric...218-721-3833 work! Electrical Systems of Brainerd...218-825-0549 Duluth Electrical Contracting...218-390-2819 Hoffmann Electric...218-829-9533 Electric Builders...218-722-1073 Holden Electric...218-829-4759 Electric Systems of Duluth...218-722-0764 Energy & Air Systems...715-392-9115 Gilbert Electric...218-729-7874 Lake City Electric...715-394-3873 Lakewood Electric...218-525-4388 Laveau Electric...218-384-4001 MK Electric...218-624-0836 Northern States Electric...218-652-4227 Nylund Electric...218-624-5706 Don’t Delay, Call Today! This Rebate is valid through 2009!

PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009