Anniversary North Carolina, Saw a 17 Year Battle End with Surprising Victory Parade for Organized Labor

Vol. 69, No. 7 Thursday, July 30, 2009

Monday, SepteMber 7th UFCW double-whammy Patrick Cudahy fire Laborfest 2009 obscures NC victory at Smithfield pork plant milwaukee area labor council he Fourth of July week- celebrates end launched national tri- Tumph and near tragedy for the United Food and th Commercial Workers (UFCW). The Milwaukee community anticipated tragedy (and was 50 happily disappointed) while a thousand miles away the least unionized state in the union, aNNIVersarY North Carolina, saw a 17 year battle end with surprising victory Parade for organized labor. Both events, intriguingly, Win a 2010 Downtown Milwaukee involved meat packing plants Between loading groceries at the emergency food pantry at dyna fXdf! 11 a.m. owned by Smithfield Foods. Machinists Lodge 66, UFCW’s Ike Edwards posed with a boy (And both reflected the from a Patrick Cudahy family temporarily out of income. SummerfeSt modern news practice - "If it Cudahy packing plant, though tary-treasurer, John Eiden and GroundS bleeds, it leads." The fire videos sparing the newer facilities. Grant Withers, also rallied fellow in Milwaukee drew national A catastrophe -- apparently unions and the community with a Noon - 5 p.m. media coverage while the quiet, started by a military flare care- hardship fund to help workers long lasting success in North lessly launched at a backyard and their families carry on even oPen to the Public • free admiSSion • live muSic food • drink • vintaGe carS • kidS area Carolina, lacking vivid pictures, Fourth barbecue -- miraculously as the fires smoldered. Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO was barely noticed.) spared human life but tossed Management lived up to its This poster heralding Laborfest and the MALC 50th anniversary is On July 5 in Cudahy, the families out of homes, shut down vow to reopen, returning hun- available for distribution at labor halls, stores and other support- skies rolled with smoke as a businesses and threw some 1,400 dreds of workers to the plant ive outlets. Available in two sizes (11” by 15” and 8” by 11”) stubborn fire kept re-igniting for union workers out of work and before repair. Only temporary- unions and locals can pick copies up at Laborfest planning meet- days as it burned down the older out of pay. type employees may not be ings or call (414) 771-7070, email [email protected]. buildings of the vast Patrick Not only firemen and first rehired, but all the UFCW mem- responders sped into action, bers were told to stand by as the Some ‘friends’ failed city in state budget Local 1473's president and secre- UFCW continued Page 6 By Dominique Paul Noth fund transit, leaving Milwaukee Editor, Labor Press Comment in impossible choices on cutting ast December, in an exten- bus routes -- and actually throw- sive planning session with Or at least promise to. ing into question the plans to Llocal unions, new If you look only at the fund regional transit that Doyle Assembly Speaker and former efforts made in the Assembly said he wanted to protect. Also UAW negotiator Mike Sheridan version of the budget, you can rolled away by the Doyle veto promised to make up for the self- credit Sheridan with trying, even was Milwaukee Mayor Tom destruction of Milwaukee's elect- while he was fighting to mitigate Barrett's .15% sales tax for public ed members, who managed to the woes GM was leveling on his safety. ace themselves out of any leader- hometown. Gone as well was the ship role in the state legislature. If you look at what finally Assembly's attempt to cap the Sheridan of Janesville emerged after Senate changes school choice voucher program pledged to keep Milwaukee's and Doyle's vetoes, you can't at its current level - there may concerns front and center and help feeling that Milwaukee got a have been no demand to add protect its desperate economic stick in the eye to go with the pat thousands of student lambs to the needs. Gov. Doyle had made a on the back. Simultaneously. program's slaughter of city of It was a city helped by ideo- Milwaukee property tax payers, similar pledge, mindful that A delighted Sheila Cochran (left) receives a whopping check from logical change and hurt by spe- but the final budget did. County Executive Scott Walker AFGE Local 003 President Roberta Sharbutt. See Page 3. would be slicing into the poor cific reversals of expectation. Meanwhile, Doyle and and working class to score politi- Such seemed the view in mid- Barrett combined to form an cal points with Republican regu- July of Rep. Tamara Grigsby, advisory committee to lay the lars as he pursued his party's who wrote a controversial letter hammer to Milwaukee public nomination to oppose Doyle in to Milwaukee area colleagues schools in a concept that some 2010. chastising them for not standing took as interference with the vot- In other words, both together for their city. er-chosen executive board and Democrats had good reason to Removed by Doyle's veto others took as good intentions. fight for Milwaukee. was a .5% sales tax increase to But no extra money came along with the advice. Gone, too, was an idea that affected Milwaukee congestion and safety more than any other region of the state -- a way to raise revenue and the number of insured motorists as well. The Downtown janitors and their families launch a classic campaign Budget continued Page 7 for justice. Story on Page 5. Page 2 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 www.milwaukeelabor.org Serving the community LEFT: The homeless, the unem- In Memoriam ployed, the children and elderly perating Engineers Local to co-workers of a good friend. A of troubled families -- and the O317 represents approximate- highly skilled steam system just plain hungry -- lined up ly 500 members who work for mechanic, Bill was also a won- early at St. Benedict the Moor’s We Energies doing operations derful, generous man. Many June 28 for the summer barbe- and maintenance work in power describe him as a friendly person cue by the labor community. plants and the downtown who would give anyone the shirt Volunteer union families prayed Milwaukee steam system. The off his back. He was active in his and then served 450 guests -- jobs are often dangerous. community and a very important and also gave out canvas bags On Friday, June 19, mem- part of his church, where he to hold belongings. The food bers responded to flood condi- served on the church council and was bought at union stores and tions downtown. William "Bill" volunteered much of his time. prepared by union members. Kaiserling, a 30 year member of Bill had loving family and Local 317, was among the steam many friends who will mourn his workers who came to work in passing. He is survived by his Ladish adds the middle of the night to pump wife Jean and three adult chil- to layoff woes water from the steam tunnels and dren. s if fire at the Patrick address other problems. The entire Local 317 mem- ACudahy plant were not In the course of his work, bership will remember his good enough (see Page 1), manufac- Kaiserling suffered significant nature and strong work ethic. We turing issues laid off 70 produc- burns. Bill's work partner did a will strive to honor Bill's memo- tion workers at Ladish in great job of getting Bill to safety ry by watching out for our Cudahy, a company that dates and finding immediate treatment Brothers and Sisters on the job. back to 1905. for him. But Bill, hospitalized in The author, Mark Maierle, Blaming the erosion of critical condition, unfortunately is business manager for demand during this recession and passed away July 6. Operating Engineers (IUOE) insisting management had This was a devastating loss Local 317. exhausted every other cost-cutting measure, the company said 70 workers (out of workforce of 850 in Cudahy) would be affected by layoffs of indefinite length, though the company is hopeful reduction won't be permanent. Ladish produces and markets forged and cast metal com- ponents for the jet, aerospace, and industrial markets. A significant portion of sales involve US defense contracts. In 2006, while negotiating lengthy contracts with six unions at its Wisconsin facilities, Ladish inked an unusu- al six-year deal with the machinists (IAMAW Local 1862), spreading a 17% increase in wages over six years. These longer-term contracts not only at Ladish but at Bucyrus and Joy Global provided stability and profit for management. Analysts expect the companies to benefit from enduring skilled labor at predictable cost as the recession recedes. Trapshooting fter 13 weeks of shooting Ain the 2009 Milwaukee Area Labor Council league, here are results by team, reflecting wins, losses and ties:

Class AA W-L-T 1. Pipers Plumbers Local 75...... 10-2-1 2. 6 Volts to Lightning IBEW 494...... 7-3-3 3. Blind...... 4-7-2 4. Wire & Fire CWA 4603...... 1-10-2 Class A 1.Wirenuts IBEW 494...... 12-1-0 2. Pipe Dopes Plumbers Local 75...... 9-4-0 3. Team #2 CWA 4603...... 3-10-0 4.Sparkeys IBEW 494...... 2-11-0 LEAGUE HIGH GUNS John Kling 311 Ron Wahl 309 Jeff Jeske 305 Scott Kruck 305 Submitted by Ron Wahl, League Secretary www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 — Page 3 AFGE local provides serendipity for MALC he positive version of growing Midwest unit. At the VA model of cooperation with local "sticker shock" stunned here it's risen to some 750 mem- councils and federations such as the delegates to the T bers, including clerical, mainte- MALC. Through its gift, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council nance, mental health and social local also thanked MALC for its at the July meeting in Serb Hall. work specialists. But size is only open welcome and its ongoing Extraordinary generosity one component of Local 0003's backing of Local 0003's issues came from a union that few ability. Consider that as a federal on behalf of both its members know by acronym, AFGE, and union at a federal facility, it has and its main clients, the veterans. particularly from its local here, to operate under open shop Members of the local's exec- which had defied the current rules. It adds workers and negoti- utive board attended the council economic odds by doubling in ates for them, but membership is meeting as President Roberta size in the last year or so. voluntary. Sharbutt presented the check to With unanimous votes by its The local, as Alles told the Secretary-Treasurer Sheila executive board and then by its delegates, hopes to serve as a Cochran. rank and file, AFGE Local 0003 beacon to other AFGE locals, a gave $5,000 to the MALC. This was a huge gift in terms of one local, single-handedly funding Moore helps UWM fund the Union Label Booth at the Attending the delegate meeting were officers and council leaders State Fair Aug. 6-16. The lar- of AFGE Local 0003 including (left to right) Richard Alles (Chief sunny (solar) side of street gesse earned surprised and sus- Steward), Roberta Sharbutt (President), Julie Kohlhepp f the Energy and Water Appropriations Act that passed the House tained applause from the dele- (Secretary/Treasurer), Dave Bump (Vice President), Diane Green Iof Representatives in July becomes law, the University of gates. (Executive Vice President) and Walter Groth (Chief Steward VBA). Wisconsin-Milwaukee will benefit from a half-million dollar provi- The American Federation of sion secured by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) - and Wisconsin could Government Employees, AFL- work in Milwaukee at the noted endary commitment to veterans and expanding Clement J. of two world wars, it now boasts benefit from 200 new jobs and revitalization of the nation's foundry CIO (hence, AFGE), includes and molding industries, according to UWM. service to military veterans at Zablocki Veterans Center on another Democratic US repre- National Ave. Named after a sentative, Gwen Moore, as its Those are impressive estimates, but they have considerable basis. facilities around the country. The provision allows UWM to use "cutting-edge nanotechnologies" it Local 0003 centers its member of the House with a leg- congressional champion for attention and expansion. has been key to developing to create production of new solar cells for MLPA cancels annual confab As chief steward Richard much less cost than today's models - and with as great or better effi- Alles explained in announcing ciency. he president and executive June to cancel the conference the financial gift to the MALC "The development of solar technology at UWM has an added Tboard of the Midwest Labor that was to be held this summer delegates, his local voted eagerly benefit for our local manufacturing sector," said Moore in announcing Press Association (MLPA) in Duluth, Minnesota. That will to give MALC the money as a the addition to the appropriations measure. "These funds will help regretfully made the decision in give the labor community time to way to signal the importance of transfer new solar technologies to area industries and train Wisconsin's regain its feet -- and time for the veterans and the importance of metal manufacturers" who are facing fierce international competition. Official notice economy to rebound. his local's work. Michael Lovell, dean of UWM's College of Engineering and ewly elected officers took The decision wasn't made Within the AFGE, the local Applied Science, hailed the funds as vital steps to turn solar energy Ntheir seats July 9 for terms lightly but with the attendance has won awards as the fastest into "a practical energy source." that run to July 14 of 2011 at down and so many other factors IBEW Local 2150. going against Midwest labor The seated at this journalists, including layoffs and International Brotherhood of bankruptcies, there was no other Electrical Workers local include alternative. The conference is President Mike Bruening, Vice- tentatively being planned to be President Hollie O'Neill, held in Duluth in 2010. Recording Secretary Nancy If anyone who handles a Wagner, Treasurer Linda Keck labor newspaper or publication is and Business Manager/Financial not a member of this organiza- Secretary Forrest Ceel. tion of veterans and experts, Contact the union, (262) please do join by contacting 252-2552 or (800) 551-1151 for Lynnda Guyton, the vice presi- details on meetings. dent for Wisconsin, at (414) Nancy Wagner 771-7070 or e-mail lynnda@mil- Recording Secretary waukeelabor.org.

Jeffrey Butler, MD William Pennington, MD James Stone, MD Jamie Edwards, MD Daniel Guehlstorf, MD Thomas Perlewitz, MD Steven Trinkl, MD Eric Pifel, MD Joshua Neubauer, MD Page 4 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 www.milwaukeelabor.org Bishops press landmark labor accords By Dominique Paul Noth and healthcare groups for years. a joint venture orthopedic hospi- the pope's encyclical, leaders of Editor, Labor Press She is Candice Owley, a tal and numerous physicians' major hospital consortiums ormalizing long-held registered nurse best known as clinics. That organization had not joined Vice President Joe Biden teachings on social justice, the president of the Wisconsin responded at press time to the and Secretary of Health and Fthe US Catholic Federation of Nurses and Health inquiry. Human Services Kathleen Conference of Bishops has pro- Professionals (WFNHP) but she Wheaton Franciscan did Sebelius at the White House to claimed guidelines for the is also a national leader of the respond with what many might announce the nation's hospitals nation's Catholic hospitals on American Federation of interpret as a stall. Anne had agreed to give up $155 bil- labor organizing, taking unprece- Teachers, AFL-CIO, as chairper- Ballentine, its vice president for lion in projected Medicare and dented steps in a report entitled son of its National Health Care communication and public rela- Medicaid payments to help "Respecting the Just Rights of Division. tions, said senior leaders in defray the cost over 10 years of Workers: Guidance and Options She describes the discus- "Mission Services and Human comprehensive health care for Catholic Health Care and sions that led to the document as Resources" would review the reform. Unions." an "amazing yet humbling expe- document and specific details Prominent among the lead- The principles in this "call rience." "internally." ers was Sister Carol Keehan, "Although we came to the for action" emphasize neutrality Nurse union leader Candice Pressed, Valentine said she president and CEO of the table with differing perspectives, and allowing workers to have Owley, shown at a Milwaukee expected the review would not Catholic Health Association the unions and Catholic Health their own voices. It emerged labor event in May, was one even take place for "several (CHAUSA), which lists both Care reached common cause so after a decade of talks between of the lead negotiators with weeks." Columbia and Wheaton as mem- that the workers, patients, and labor unions and Catholic health- the US bishops. oving far faster on the bers. care organizations. communities we serve will be moral imperative was The bishops' report details campaign. Four national labor leaders the true beneficiaries." the pope. In an encyc- seven guidelines for unions and Since the document is vol- M spearheaded the most recent odifying the approach to lical released July 7, Pope management to work together. untary on member Catholic insti- talks that let to what the bishops worker justice embodied Benedict XVI decried the "com- Owley says the process will tutions, both unions and the bish- describe as a "workers docu- Cin Catholic tenets, the bination of social and economic create "an atmosphere where ops are eager to see how open to ment." One of those leaders who bishops' document outlines spe- change" that caused trade union employees in Catholic health Catholic teachings on social jus- helped create the document with cific guidance that will prevent organizations to "experience care facilities that adopt the tice will be the healthcare orga- Catholic health associations and conflict, tension, and misinfor- greater difficulty in carrying out guidelines will no longer face nizations in Wisconsin. the bishops has been arguing for mation. The policy will create their task of representing the threats and intimidation when Reaction was sought by the justice from Wisconsin hospitals equal footing in any organizing interests of workers." they consider forming a union." Labor Press from two of the larg- The pope called on all Currently, the nurses at est. They are Wheaton Catholics to recognize the social Columbia St. Mary's are seeking Franciscan, which provides one- American Income Life Insurance Company doctrines that made unions to be to form a union. The hospital's fourth of the total health care N88 W17015 Main Street "honored today even more than response has been to hire known delivered in Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 in the past, as a prompt and far- union busters and run anti union Waukesha, Washington, Racine, Phone (262) 502-9777 sighted response to the urgent videos and captive audience and Ozaukee counties. It also need for new forms of coopera- meetings. operates six major acute-care tion at the international level, as Owley quotes the retired WHY NOT WORK WITH A 100% UNION COMPANY? hospitals in southeastern well as the local level." cardinal for the Washington arch- Wisconsin. We offer unions and their members a no cost benefit The pope also encouraged diocese, Cardinal Theodore The other is Columbia St. package and supplemental benefits. governments as well as Catholic Edgar McCarrick. Mary's, which operates three organizations to respond to the "He said, 'Catholic Health For a career opportunity call Cindy Vogel at 1-888-502-8777 acute care hospitals in the region, church's teachings. Care is a ministry not an indus- Governments, “for reasons try.' of economic utility, often limit “ I think it's important that the freedom or the negotiating we continue to reach out to capacity of labor unions," noted Columbia St. Mary's and the encyclical. "Hence traditional Wheaton to dialogue with them networks of solidarity have more so we can ensure the Cardinal's and more obstacles to over- statement of principle is, in fact, come." upheld." Interestingly, the day after When Accidents or Injuries Happen to Someone You Love Our Family of Lawyers Will Protect Your Family.

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® Why Choose Anyone Else? Published Monthly by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO Injuries From Accidents Contingent Fee Available www.milwaukeelabor.org Automobile & Truck Accidents � Motorcycle Accidents � Product Defects � Fires & Explosions secretary-Treasurer ...... Sheila D. Cochran President ...... Willie D. Ellis Farm Accidents Boat & Air Accidents � Medical Malpractice � Workplace Injury Vice-President ...... Annie Wacker Construction Accidents � Machinery Accidents � Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse Administrative Assistant...... Robin Lundgren Our Reputation, Experience & Honesty Result In Most Of Our Cases Settling Without a Lawsuit or Trial editor, Communications Director ...... Dominique Paul Noth � editorial Assistant, Advertising & Circulation. . Lynnda Guyton Helping Injured People For Over 75 Years Wisconsin’s Largest Personal Injury Law Firm EXECUTIVE BOARD - Richard Abelson, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Free Consultation � No Fees or Costs Unless We Are Successful � 100’s of Millions in District Council 48, Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Stephanie Bloomingdale, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals; William F. Christianson, International Association of Settlements and Verdicts Collected For Our Clients � More Lawyers Named in the Best Machinists Lodge 1845; Ike Edwards, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473; Nacarci Feaster, Lawyers in America Publication Than Any Other Personal Injury Law Firm in Wisconsin Laborers Local 113; James K. Fields, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Sam Gallo, Workers United Local 122; Larry L. Nunley, IAMAW, Lodge 1916; Anthony Rainey, UAW Local 469 (CBTU representative); Scott J. Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Joy Roberts, Communications 1-800-2-HABUSH Workers America Local 4603; Kenneth Roberts III, Graphics Communications Council/International Brotherhood 1-800-242-2874 of Teamsters Local 577M; Andy Voelzke, United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-209; DiAnn Wagner, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150 (APRI Representative); Patrick R. Weyer, Brewery Workers 9, Milwaukee Office - US Bank Center United Auto Workers; Ross M. Winklbauer Sr., United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-232. 1-800-242-7205 AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. Suite 2300 � Milwaukee, WI 53202 Editorial and Business Office 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Waukesha Appleton Sheboygan Telephone (414) 771-7070 FAX (414) 771-0509 1-800-559-5599 1-800-472-9334 1-866-888-3620 E-mail: [email protected] Stevens Point Racine Green Bay THE MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS (USPS 350-360) is published once a month by the Milwaukee Area 1-800-682-3434 1-800-757-8644 1-800-248-0171 Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription Kenosha Lake Geneva Rhinelander for $12 a year. Periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. 1-800-388-8222 1-800-275-1729 1-800-369-5990 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53214. Madison West Bend Wausau The Publisher reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement which is deemed objectionable. 1-800-822-1690 1-800-242-7205 1-800-248-0171 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. COPY DEADLINE: Usually by noon 3rd Monday of each month except December (2nd Monday). Visit us on the web at www.habush.com

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BVK JOB NO.: ks 1092 AR NAME/LOCATION: Megan-Milwaukee SHIPPED: DISK TO AR www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 — Page 5 Janitors inspired to keep fighting For years, the Justice for Janitors campaign has symbol- ized core values of the union movement: Low-paid workers who lack respect; well-heeled companies that use middlemen (contracting firms) to lowball Guest speakers (from left) Pedro the workers and escape person- Colon, Sheila Cochran, Willie al responsibility; working class Wade and Spencer Coggs join families struggling to raise and Downtown custodians and SEIU educate their children but hav- Local 1 President Tom Balanoff ing to fight for every scrap of (above) in the Justice for Janitors pay and benefit that most of campaign for a new contract. society takes for granted. SEIU Local 1 represents translator Jackie Poulakas - thousands of building custodi- moved comfortably from ans in the Midwest and some English to Spanish to both 350 who work the Downtown praise the contract campaign office buildings in Milwaukee, and to hope that Wisconsin will many occupied by the same indeed act on something lost in financial companies that federal state budget negotiations and taxpayers have been helping out vetoes - a driver license process with billions in TARP funds. panies you clean up after don't aloud why the people who union members and public offi- for undocumented workers. This summer the janitors think you're a good enough risk "keep our city clean of filth and cials, have to know our place "In so many cases," Colon once again are negotiating with to loan money to, particularly dirt have to work the hardest to on the team." said, "we must help each other. such contracting companies as as they keep attacking your pay. earn a living" and are the first State Rep. Pedro Colon - You will win your contract and ABM, Modern Maintenance, "Our battle is the same as targeted for cuts. one of the few speakers who we will win the driver license Regency and Performance it was last time: better wages, State Sen. Spencer Coggs didn't need the services of fight." -- D.P.N. Clean, which ostensibly hires better health insurance," noted urged the janitors to keep fight- them. But once again, as union Somerscales. "Everyone forgets ing for a living wage as well as organizer David Somerscales that the janitors are going respect. "You are not invisible. noted, the strings are being through the same recession as You are essential," he said. pulled elsewhere. The real fight everyone else, but with fewer Milwaukee Ald. Willie is the indirect one with the resources." Wade credited his own union office building owners and ten- The tougher the economy background, as did Coggs, for ants, who employ pitifully gets, the more the bankers seem deepening their belief in collec- small cleaning staffs now yet to seek an advantage on the tive power. "What works in keep pushing the workforce to workers' backs while the work- this contract campaign is the be "smaller, leaner and cheap- ers are paying taxes to help the team," said Wade. "Union is er." banks stay in business, noted about teamwork, and we all, Just check the tenant lists at the local's Chicago-based presi- the buildings that house Chase dent, Tom Balanoff. Bank, US Bank, Wells Fargo, He was part of an inspira- and peek as well at the tional lineup when Milwaukee's Milwaukee Center and other Downtown custodians launched big structures along Wisconsin their campaign July 11 with Avenue. Just check the lack of snacks, T-shirts and video for a affordable housing in the areas convention centered in a con- where the janitors work and ask ference room at Midwest who really is making the money Airlines Center. that allows long-distance travel And inspirational speeches to work without jeopardizing were not in short supply. children and family finances. The Milwaukee Area Labor Apparently, many of the com- Council's chief financial officer, Sheila Cochran, wondered Page 6 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 www.milwaukeelabor.org issues given the history of unsafe to pay dues but will still be cov- got safety committees with teeth UFCW conditions and ignored com- ered by the contract. and grievance procedures, all From Page 1 plaints by workers. wice before over the years new to the rural community 80 production workers came back The UFCW contract was federal officials stepped miles from Raleigh in eastern by seniority. approved last December but it Tin and threw out the North Carolina. or those workers weeks took six months for worker com- results of two previous union Workers kill and butcher as away from returning, the mittees, UFCW bargain experts elections in the plant, saying that many as 32,000 hogs a day at FUFCW, the Milwaukee and plant management to ham- the company unfairly influenced this plant, cutting and packaging Area Labor Council, Voces de la mer out an agreement. the results by harassing and fir- the meat as it moves along con- Frontera, Hunger Task Force, There's a $1.50 an hour raise ing union supporters. veyor belts. The speed and pres- AFL-CIO Community Services over the next four years -- not as Perhaps most important for sure magnify the complaints and staff and union volunteers turned much as the workers wanted -- workers is the chance to speak injuries -- the lines moved too Machinists Lodge 66 into a food but the UFCW helped the work- about working conditions and fast, that knives were too dull, bank and counseling center. ers win benefits similar to those injuries, things many said got the repetitive work caused seri- "Given how it started, this at other Smithfield plants, eight them fired in the past. UFCW ous injuries. And yet if injured was close to a happy ending," of which are unionized, includ- spokesperson Jill Cashen told the workers couldn't perform their jobs, they were often fired, the noted UFCW's Ike Edwards, also UFCW member Angelica Perez ing Patrick Cudahy. state's News and Observer news- union said. The large immigrant a MALC executive board mem- picks up food for her family. UFCW outlined the details paper: "It's difficult to explain in ber. "But it won't be the same for for North Carolina newspapers, words how exactly this plant is population was easy victims of company direction (according to a while." He noted how workers which are rather unused to see- going to change now that they injury, firing and forced silence. newspaper reports), then govern- accustomed to 50 hours a week ing such sweeping union advanc- have a voice and they have this Now the contract requires ment agents sweeping in on the were told to expect only 36; how es in their state. (In fact, this suc- clause that says they can't be company-funded safety training same undocumented workers shifts, duties and work stations cess may be the opening salve in fired without just cause." and access to the union's exten- also with company support (as would bow to the immediate unionizing several southeastern What has the workers sali- sive safety training. Workers can Labor Press and other journalists need and how family incomes US meat plants.) vating are things many union use the grievance procedure to have reported). could suffer in the interim. The contract guarantees workers take for granted, such as address conditions. Some 85% of the 5,000 espite the issues in workers at least 30 hours of time and a half for being made to In Cudahy, the celebration workers at this enormous Cudahy, consider how, work each week, when before work on holidays, actual vaca- of the Fourth went carelessly Smithfield Foods' slaughterhouse in North Carolina, going the management could punish tion days and sick leave -- in awry. In North Carolina, the D in Tar Heel -- ostensibly the to work for the first time under with less income those who the past workers were given dis- Fourth solidified the holiday's nation's largest pork factory -- a union contract should ease spoke up. It keeps modest the ciplinary points that could lead meaning of independence and went through plant gates July 2 more desperate persistent suffer- increases in health insurance to firing if they stayed home individual respect. under a ratified contract, with an ing -- sliced tendons, lost limbs, costs. Union dues of about $7 a sick. -- Dominique Paul Noth emphasis more on having a voice poverty wages, harassments, fir- week will start in late summer With this contract they also at work and avenues to address ings for complaining, busloads -but those who decided not to safety than on instant good of workers carried across the join the union in this "right to wages. Those were the primary border in the dead of night under work for less" state will not have

Edwards and ATU retiree Nick Rudelich prepare the food boxes.

EmployEEs arE rEprEsEntEd By: Workers United LocaL 122 (414) 271-0290 www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 — Page 7 the Senate. Doyle -- though finally closed some loopholes While there is more transpar- This, after all, was always intend- Budget noticed by few -- went to page long used by corporations to ency in how federal stimulus ed as a two-year one-time recov- From Page 1 450 of the budget to excise it. escape their fair tax burden. money is used, it is a transparen- ery stimulus. budget failed to allow a limited Milwaukee along with the But advocates for urban cy with complexity and delay. So the patient Wisconsinite driver license for undocumented entire state does benefit from workers could also argue that Much of these funds must move will concede that this budget workers. improvements in prevailing wage there was no imperative in the through the state and its mecha- pays better attention to the state's nd one veto aimed state- laws and the repeal of the quali- admittedly difficult budget to nisms. Initially, for example, only first class city (in size) -- wide undid some heroic fied economic offer system speed relief to the 45,000 highway projects are benefiting and that a new cooperation Anegotiations by a (QEO) that limited teachers' pay Milwaukee workers who have but other construction projects - means the federal government is Milwaukee legislator. So don't while feeding the runaway lost jobs in the first five months from weather-stripping old hous- also paying better attention. The even ask Rep. Barbara Toles increases in health costs. The city of 2009 or deal directly with the es to fish waterways on the impatient Milwaukeean will note what happened after successfully also gains from allowing state- unemployed African Americans Milwaukee River -- move more how much more could have been improving rules for apprentices resident tuition levels for high- of working age, estimated in slowly. So do urban-centric and should have been included - on state projects and finessing it achieving children of undocu- recent surveys as more than 50% grants for dislocated workers and and the financial and human cost through both the Assembly and mented workers. And the budget in many areas of the city. educational credits, though more we all pay as a result of turtle- help is certainly in the pipeline. dom. Trust issues still dominate union campaign at WTMJ he Wisconsin Broadcast board member, and Gregory 715 had some four dozen engi- Rollovers Made Easy TEngineers re-elected their Haladej as treasurer. neers at Journal Broadcast 401(k), 457, 403(b) main officers in June. IBEW The local is also using hard- Group's WTMJ-TV, WTMJ-DT, Local 715 returned Christopher J. hitting video in its ongoing dis- WTMJ-AM and WLWK-FM Albrecht as president, business pute with the Journal company, (formerly WKTI-FM) stations. Robert S. Johnston manager, financial secretary and which has stalled negotiations Journal Company has seen Financial Adviser, Financial Services delegate to the international con- and imposed cross-training of its stock fall 72% after limiting Representative, MetDESK® Specialist vention; Rachelle Cehanovich as stagehands (members of IATSE employee ownership and open- (MetLife’s Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids) recording secretary and executive Local 18). Before this, Local ing up to public trading. Its prof- 9000 W. Chester Street, Suite 105 its have similarly plunged and it has responded by freezing retire- Milwaukee, WI 53214 ment benefits, reducing wages www.nextlevelpwm.com Calendar and engaging in layoffs and buy- For updated master list of events, outs - while increasing pay for Contact Bob today at (414) 615-4912 visit www.milwaukeelabor.org CEO Steven Smith by 22%. or at [email protected] Monday, August 3 Its unilateral decision about Laborfest Planning Meeting, 5 p.m. broadcast engineers breaks the smooth negotiations of more Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Rd. than 70 years. The full story and Wednesday, August 5 updates, along with youtube (An office of MetLife.) Monthly Delegate Meeting video, is available at whytrustt- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities and investment advisory services offered by MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/SIPC). MLIC and MSI are MetLife companies. 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. mj4.com L0609041881[exp0710][WI] Thursday, Aug. 6-16 Union Label Booth, State Fair Monday, August 17 Laborfest Planning Meeting, 5 p.m. Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Rd. Wednesday, August 27 Executive Board Meeting, 2 p.m. Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Rd. Monday, August 31 Laborfest Last Planning Meeting, 5 p.m. Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Rd. Wednesday, September 3 Monthly Delegate Meeting 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. Monday, September 7 Laborfest!!!

Board Certified Page 8 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, July 30, 2009 www.milwaukeelabor.org Trumka pursues top job n July 9, the current AFL-CIO secretary-trea- Osurer, Richard Trumka, announced an open secret -- that he was running to replace the retiring John Sweeney as national president. At press time, he was the only announced candidate. Trumka also revealed his running mates: Incumbent AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker, who will run for re- RESOURCE FAIR: Visitors election. crowded around speakers for As secretary-treasurer, the information. Table after table highest ranking woman in the (left and below) offered sourc- IBEW, Elizabeth Shuler, execu- es of help for working families tive assistant to President Edwin in need during these tough eco- Hill. Trumka was keynote speaker at the 2005 Milwaukee Laborfest. nomic times. The Milwaukee On June 8, a labor leader Area Labor Council had turned who lives in the Milwaukee area the AFL-CIO's new officers at from Villanova University Law Yatchak Hall into a Resource announced his candidacy for sec- the 26th Constitutional School and served as president Fair July 9. Many groups partic- retary-treasurer: Gregory Convention in Pittsburgh Sept. of the Mine Workers (UMWA) ipated as AFL-CIO Community Junemann, president of the 13-17, from 1982 to 1995..That's when Service liaisons Annie Wacker, International Federation of Sweeny announced earlier he joined Sweeney on a slate for Jay Reinke and Mike Balistriere Professional and Technical this year that he would retire in the AFL-CIO. served as the gatekeepers at Engineers (IFPTE). September after completing his Trumka's running mate for the all-day event. But on July 21, after a talk fourth term as president. secretary-treasurer, Shuler, joined with Trumka expressing his con- Trumka has served as AFL- IBEW Local 125 in Portland, cerns for financial stability at the CIO secretary-treasurer since Ore., in 1993 where she worked AFL-CIO, Junemann announced 1995 and was widely viewed as as an organizer and state legisla- he was withdrawing his candida- the most likely candidate in the tive and political director. In cy and would address his issues AFL-CIO to succeed Sweeney. 1998, she was part of the IBEW's through a seat promised him by Aside from taking the lead on international staff in Washington, Trumka on the finance commit- trade issues and other causes, he D.C., as a legislative and politi- tee. made an astounding impact last cal representative. Wielding voting power by summer when youtube presented Holt Baker has spoken sev- per capita membership, delegates his speech to the USW conven- eral times in Milwaukee. She from AFL-CIO unions will elect tion in Las Vegas. served as executive assistant to In blunt terms he defended Linda Chavez-Thompson, who presidential candidate Barack retired as executive vice-presi- Obama and took on racism in the dent in 2007. labor movement head-on. Such Holt Baker was also tough candor, belief in union AFSCME's international union values and persuasion on the area director in California from stump have become hallmarks the late 1980s to 1995 and also of the third-generation coal worked as an organizer and inter- miner who holds a law degree national representative.

“We are Setting New Standards for Funeral Services in our Community” Let us remember in our prayers the families of: Mr. Robert Allen, Milwaukee County Mr. Lee Quantrell, Milwaukee County Mr. Virgil O. Williams Jr., Milwaukee County Mr. Virgie Hall, Allis Chalmers Mrs. Jean Marie Taylor, WE Engergies Mr. Michael Page, Miller Brewery Mrs. Lorraine Tillman, Milwaukee Public Schools Mr. Elijah Voss, A.O Smith Mr. Manuel Cockroft Sr., Incryco Inland Steel Co.