Volume 7, Number 5 • October 2004 President/Business Manager’s Report Performance Review for the President of the United States of America By Ronald Kastner e' r e changes through Congress by adding it to a $750 a year more for each beneficiary in a al l major appropriations bill, and threatening PPO than it would have spent if the patient Wfam i l - to veto the funding bill. had stayed in the traditional Medicare iar with those The Budget Deficit - Bush inherited a program. annual job $256 billion surplus. Now there is a Bush's plan raises Prescription performance $374.2 billion deficit – a fiscal loss of Drug costs. Just three months after Bush's reviews. Our $630.2 billion dollars in three years. In Medicare "reform" passed and nearly two boss sits down 2011, the first of the baby-boomers will years before seniors see the benefits, the with us and have reached retirement age, coinciding verdict on it is in: it's no good for seniors, goes over the with an explosion of the deficit and especially those with lower incomes. specific parts of massive debt interest payments. By Seniors will not see cheaper prescription our jobs where we are expected to work at running large deficits in the years before prices when the plan is implemented in a competent level. the baby boomers retire, the country is 2006, because it does nothing to control It's time to look at George W. Bush's squandering the opportunity to prepare for the rising cost of drugs. The plan will raise job performance. He's had four years to this major demographic change. drug costs and reduce benefits all while meet the minimum expectations of his job enriching the pharmaceutical companies performance. How did George really do? Economy, Jobs Performance and the and providing a windfall for HMOs and First, in the area of the Econom y, Budget: President Bush Fails to meet the health insurance industry. 1.6 million private sector jobs have been expectations – 0 points on the appraisal. The Bush plan also makes it illegal for lost, 1.1 million government jobs have the government to negotiate drug prices been created leaving a conservative net In the area of Healthcar e more with the pharmaceutical industry, which loss of 585,000 American jobs since there Americans have lost their healthcare Continued on page 3 were in 2001 when George Bush took benefits after losing the jobs that provided office. There are tax incentives for those benefits. If they found a new job-it corporations to move jobs overseas has lower pay and either worse health because Bush said, "It's good for the insurance or no benefits at all. Today Gessler’s Report ...... pg 2 American economy to ship jobs overseas if almost 44 million Americans are the work can be done cheaper there." 2.8 uninsured. Since Bush took office, at Election Endorse m e n t s . .pg 4-5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost, least 4.9 million more people, including COPE Report ...... pg 6 and the replacement jobs are lower paying 126,000 more children, have become Sacco’s Report ...... pg 7 service sector jobs. uninsured. Yet President Bush has put Haymarket ...... pg 8 Still in the area of Jobs, Bush changed forward no plan and taken no effective the rules reducing the number of workers steps to remedy this crisis. USO ...... pg 10 who qualify for overtime pay, giving then On Medicar e - contrary to federal Webster’s Report . . . . .pg 11 comp or flex time when it is convenient for rules, the Bush administration has been Rep Fest ...... pg 12 the corporation. He did this despite allowing some private health plans to "serious coaching" from citizens across actually limit Medicare patients' health Retirees ...... pg 15 America who sent thousands of letters to care choices. The Bush administration Meetings ...... pg 16 Congress and the White House opposing exceeded its authority when it allowed those reductions. When Congress stopped preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to his legislative attempt, Bush attempted to restrict beneficiaries' choices of doctors, change the Department of Labor rules. nursing homes and home health care When that was blocked he forced the agencies. Yet, Medicare is spending some SBC: Poor Losers By Rick Gessler, Vice President /Assistant Business Manager

ere's an should legal l y be, an already settled dispute. Official Bi-Monthly Publication up d a t e In late September SBC filed a feder al International Brotherhood Hon the la wsuit in U.S . District Cour t, de m a n d i n g Of Electrical Workers status of the to have the arbitrator's aw ar d vac a t e d Local 21, AFL-CIO/CLC ar b i t r a t i o n and thrown out. Named as the defendant IBEW Local 21 decision on the in the suit is Local 21, Interna t i o n a l 1307 W. Butterfield Road dispute with Brotherhood of Electrical Wor ke r s . Suite 422 SBC in whi c h Ad d i t i o n a l l y, SBC has asked the Court to Downers Grove, Illinois 60515-5606 the company award SBC its costs, reasonable attorne y contracted out fees and all other relief the court deems just. Phone 630 960-4466 and continues to If ever y time SBC loses a major case in Fax 630 960-9607 contract out our work after the layof f of arbitration, it refuses to abide by the Local 21 members. In addition to getting arbitrator's decision or takes the Union to the company to abide by the terms of the co u r t, one might ask why continue to abide Website ag reement, our goal is to get our laid off by the no-strike clause in the contract. Th e r e www.ibew21.org members back on the payroll. SB C ' s st a l l are many answers to this question, but one Newswire hotlines tactics are bla t a n t l y wron g and will not be that stands out is In t e g r i t y . Both sides 630 415-2711 tolerated by our union. signed and agreed to the terms of the 866 423-9582 SBC's strategy is clearly to delay contract. One side continues to violate it, resolution of this dispute by not complyi n g and one side continues to represent the OFFICERS with the Arbitrator's awar d , beyond the date rights of the wor k ers covered by it. One side Ronald E. Kastner, that our laid off brothers and sisters maintain represents run a way corporate power and President-Business Manager recall rights. Briefly, our contract includes a greed and one side fights ever y day for a / Financial Secretary gri e vance and arbitration procedure to better life for all working families. This fig h t Rick Gessler, re s o l v e workplace disputes with SBC. Th e is about the lives of our laid off brothers and Vice-President /Assistant Business Manager last step is arbitration, where the company sisters and their families. Many still have not Jacquie Fields, and the union mutually select a neutral third found work and SBC continues using Treasurer pa r ty to hear the positions and argu m e n t s outside contractors. We must never forge t Linda Corcoran-Cox, from both sides, along with testimony and that an injury to one is an injury to all. Recording Secretary other rational on the dispute. Once the Our union is not taking SBC's lawsuit or arbitrator renders a decision in the case, it is their continued delays lightly. We have EXECUTIVE BOARD MEM BERS final and binding on both sides: co u n t e r sued SBC asking the judge to issue Kevin Curran Alison Watson "The aw ar d of the arbitrator shall be an order for the company to comply with the Bill Lawrence Rosetta Shinn Jim Noble Bryan Smith final and binding upon the par ti e s , Arbitrator's awar d . Larry Schuler subject to law, and the Company and the SBC is attempting to manipulate the law, Union agree to abide by the decision of the courts, the integrity of the arbitration MANAGING EDITOR Tom Hopper email: the arbitr at o r. " procedure and even the collective bargai n i n g [email protected] You win some and you lose some, b ut ag reement, but most important, SBC is Phone 630 960-4466 X223 aga i n , the decision is f in a l . injuring our brothers and sisters waiting for Fax 630 960-9607 United States Federal policy favor s recall. In suits to enforce arbitration awar d s , EDITORS industrial peace, preferring contract the law says that the courts should not Larry Moeller email: ag reements which include both arbitration accept even serious error of fact or contract [email protected] and no-strike clauses. It's important that all in t e r pretation as grounds for vacating an Nancy North email: members understand that our contract award. As long as the arbitrator is even [email protected] includes a no-strike clause. In other wor d s , arg u a b ly acting within the scope of the Comments and articles are welcome and the union gives up the right to strike to settle contractual authority, the award should be should be sent to the editors. Local 21 disputes in exchange for a gri e vance and enforced. reserves the right to edit letters and arbitration process. We ask that each and ever y member articles, and to use items as space allows. Ag reements to arbitrate should be continue to raise this issue daily with each Member: Illinois State Labor Press sp e c i fi c a l l y enforced as a matter of federal and ever y SBC manager, and let's ride them Association, Midwest Labor Press Association, and International Labor la w, which specific a l l y advances the policy each and ever y day until they are sick and Communications Association, of peaceful resolution of labor disputes. Th i s tired of hearing about it and until we have AFL-CIO/CLC brief explanation of arbitration labor law justice in this dispute. Because when there cl a r i f ies SBC's latest cowar d l y move in wha t is no justice - there must be no peace.

2 Attendance Case Victory By Kevin Curran, Business Representative

e had a until the Dismissal Panel took place. The over a copy of all of his attendance files ma j o r company said that they had no interest in immediately to the Union. The letter also Wissue settling the case with us. We told them, demanded the attendance records of all in the Oak Park "OK, but it's going to cost you." employees in each and every Credit and National Credit Management kind of laughed that off. Collections Center be turned over to the Verification So the hearing date arrived and Area Union as well to ensure that the grievant Ce n t e r Steward Elly Augustine and I met with the had not been treated with disparity in concerning an company. Elly and I knew that the Senior comparison to any employee in Credit and employee who Manager from Oak Park at the hearing had Collections. was suspended direct knowledge of other employees in the As you can imagine, shortly after pending office who had worse attendance records making this demand, the case was dismissal for attendance . As most of you than the grievant, but yet they had not been resolved. The grievant was reinstated know, as soon as the Union is notified disciplined as severely. So, in the hearing, without a Back to Work Agreement. In of a suspension pending dismissal, we on the record, we asked this manager, addition, the grievant was paid immediately make a documented demand "Isn't it a fact that you know that there are approximately $3,200 in back wages. of the company requiring them to turn over other employees in the Oak Park NCVC As most of you are aware, the company all relevant documents on the case to the who have a worse attendance record than continues to be more aggressive when it Union. After reviewing the records in this the grievant?" As we expected, in typical comes to discipline, particularly in the area case, it was clear to us that there was no company fashion, he responded by saying of attendance. It is imperative that we, as way this member should be discharged. In he didn't know, he'd have to check his files, the Union, become even more aggressive an effort to resolve the issue, we contacted etc., etc. Well, we told him not to bother in opposing any and all attempts by SBC SBC and attempted to get the employee checking his files. We then presented him to implement unjust discipline. Solidarity! back to work right away instead of waiting with a letter demanding that he turn

Kastner, continued from page 1 results in a windfall of $139 billion for past three years, the Bush administration in Bush lies, there are literally hundreds of drug companies. HMOs and health the past three years has gutted the reliable sources, probably because there are insurers will receive $46 billion in collective bargaining rights of tens of so many of them (lies). Just type in "Bush incentives just for agreeing to participate thousands of federal workers, overturned lies" into any Internet search engine for in the plan. And employers can reduce and weakened workplace safety rules, tons of information or check out one benefits or increase retirees' premiums sought to eliminate Fair Labor Standards website that I like at: www.democrats.org/ without losing $89 billion in tax breaks Act overtime pay protections for up to 8 specialreports/ top10_lies/ It is critical and subsidies. In addition, the Bush million workers, attacked prevailing wage that we educate ourselves about this man, Administration has admitted that the $400 laws by banning project labor agreements, his beliefs and his policies. billion cost of the bill is 35 percent too opposed raising the federal minimum low. Administration sources admitted that wage, supported efforts to silence Integrity and the Code of Conduct: "it was an open secret" that the bill would workers' political voice, appointed an President Bush Fails-Numerous be more expensive even though President anti-worker/anti-union National Labor Violations = Unacceptable Performance! Bush stated publicly he would not sign Relations Board that weakens organized anything that exceeded $400 billion. labor and everything we believe in and More than ever, we all must be have fought for in the last 120 years. This educated about who we elect, whether here Healthcare and Prescription Drug Costs: is just a sampling. The list goes on and on in our home states or on the national level. President Bush Fails to meet and on. Can you even imagine what Bush When leaders fail to meet the expectations expectations-0 points on the appraisal. will do to working families if he has the of the working class and the American chance for four more years? people, we must exercise one of our most In the area of Standing Up for important rights - the right to vote. You Working Families , the Bush record is not Standing Up for Working Families: will find a list of endorsements on pages 4 just miserable, it is absolutely shocking. To President Bush Fails to meet & 5 of Frontline. Please, make sure that share the details of the most dismal record expectations-0 points on the appraisal. you exercise your right to vote on of any U.S. President in our lifetime, November 2nd. It is time for change at the would require every page of Frontline. The Last - let's talk about the Integrity of top of our great country. It is time to fir e Bush administration's Department of Labor Geor ge W. Bush. There's Bush on Iraq - Geor ge W. Bush and also, time to elect attempted to portray itself as an advocate Bush on the Economy - Bush on his own John Kerry for President of the United and defender of workers and unions. In the Policies - and Bush on Bush. For the top States.

3 2004 Illinois State AFL/CIO Endorsements based on pro-labor voting record

I L L I N O I SH O U SE by District

1st Susana Mendoza (D) 30th William Davis (D) 75th Careen Gordon (D) 2nd Edward Acevedo (D) 31st Mary Flowers (D) 76th Frank Mautino (D) 3rd Willie Delgato (D) 33rd Marlow Colvin (D) 77th Angelo Saviano (R) 4th Cynthia Soto (D) 34th Connie Howard (D) 78th Deborah Graham (D) 5th Ken Dunkin (D) 35th Kevin Joyce (D) 79th Lisa Dugan (D) 6th Patricia Bailey (D) 36th Jim Brosnahan (D) 80th George Skully (D) 7th Karen Yarbrough (D) 37th Kevin McCarthy (D) 82nd Kim Savage (D) 8th Calvin Giles (D) 38th Robin Kelly (D) 83rd Linda Chapa LaVia (D) 9th Art Turner (D) 39th Maria Antonia Berrios(D) 86th Jack McGuire (D) 10th Annazette Collins (D) 40th Rich Bradley (D) 87th Bill Mitchell (R) 11th John Fritchey (D) 43rd Michael Noland (D) 91st Mike Smith (D) 12th Sara Feigenholtz (D) 46th Joe Vosicky (D) 92nd Ricca Slone (D) 13th Larry McKeon (D) 47th James Cavallo (D) 95th Dirk Enger (D) 14th Harry Osterman (D) 51st Nancy Shepherdson (D) 98th Gary Hannig (D) 15th John D'Amico (D) 52nd Larry Feigen (D) 101st Bob Flider (D) 16th Lou Lang (D) 57th Elaine Nekritz (D) 103rd Naomi Jakobsson (D) 17th Michelle Bromberg (D) 58th Karen May (D) 106th Scott Crawford (D) 18th Julie Hamos (D) 59th Kathleen Ryg (D) 107th Kurt Granberg (D) 19th Joe Lyons (D) 60th Eddie Washington (D) 108th Bill Grunloh (D) 20th Michael McAuliffe (R) 62nd Sharyn Elman (D) 111th Steve Davis (D) 21st Robert Molaro (D) 63rd Jack Franks (D) 112th Jay Hoffman (D) 22nd Michael Madigan (D) 64th Paula Yensen (D) 113th Thomas Holbrook (D) 23rd Dan Burke (D) 67th Chuck Jefferson (D) 114th Wyvetter Younge (D) 25th Barbara Flynn Currie (D) 68th Carroll Brumfield (D) 115th Mic Middleton (D) 26th Lovana Jones (D) 70th Bob Brown (D) 116th Dan Reitz (D) 27th Monique Davis (D) 71st Mike Boland (D) 117th John Bradley (D) 28th Roberta Rita (D) 72nd Pat Verschoore (D) 118th Brandon Phelps (D) 29th David Miller (D) 74th Don Moffitt (R)

I L L I N O I SSE N A T E by District

2nd Miguel del Valle (D) 14th Emil Jones, Jr. (D) 38th Pat Welch (D) 3rd Mattie Hunter (D) 17th Donnie Trotter (D) 47th John Sullivan (D) 5th Rickey Hendon (D) 20th Iris Martinez (D) 49th Deanna Demuzio (D) 8th Ira Silverstein (D) 29th Susan Garrett (D) 56th Bill Haine (D) 11th Lou Viverito (D) 32nd Patrick Ouimet (D) 59th Gary Forby (D)

I L L I N O I SSU P R EME C O U R T by District

5th District Gordon Maag (D)

I L L I N O I S A P P E L L A T E C O U R T by District

3rd District Mary K. O'Brian (D) 5th District James K.Donovan (D) 3rd District Bill Holdridge (R) - retention

C O O K C O U N T Y

Commissioners of Metropolitan Circuit Court Clerk State's Attorney Water Reclamation District Dorothy Brown (D) Dick Devine (D) Gloria Majewski (D) Patricia Young (D) Recorder of Deeds Board of Review Barbara MCGowan (D) Eugene Moore (D) Larry Rogers (D) You can bring these endorsements to the voting booth with you.

4 Indiana State AFL/CIO 2004 Endorsements

S T A T E - W I DE

Governor Joe Kernan (D) Lt. Governor Kathy Davis (D) Attorney General Joseph Hogstett (D)

S T A T E S E N A T E by District

2nd Samuel Smith (D) 3rd Earline Rogers (D) 5th Nancy Dembowski (D)

S T A T E H O U SE O F RE P R ESE N T A T I V E S by District

1st Linda Lawson (D) 11th Dan Stevenson (D) 2nd Earl Harris (D) 12th John Aguilera (D) 3rd Charlie Brown (D) 13th Chester Dobis (D) 4th Ralph Ayres ( R ) 14th Vernon Smith (D) 10th Duane Cheney (D) 19th Robert Kuzman (D)

You can bring these endorsements to the voting booth with you.

5 COPE Report It's Time to Join the Game By Dennis McCafferty, Committee on Political Education f you're like And God forbid you should have the the fact that their tours of duty were a great many temerity to disagree with them. Because involuntarily extended past their discharge Iof us that's when they throw temper tantrums dates because of how dangerously thin our working and go run and hide behind the flag. Then armed forces are stretched. So much for Americans they're all about changing the subject and having a plan. you're getting deflecting the responsibility of their Somewhere along the line, we got pretty disgusted actions onto someone or something else. turned around in this country. We don't with politics by Let me give you a few examples. work to live, we live to work. The po wers now. It ticks When you ask them about the that be want you to go through life you off to see UNFUNDED No Child Left Behind feeling lucky to ha ve a job . The current politicians Initiative, they come back with Prayer in assault on organized labor began when the playing footsie with corporate lobbyists, the Schools. When you try to get them to "beloved" Ronald Reagan busted the air receiving fat contributions in return for even admit that there is a Health Care controllers union in 1981, and has doling out huge tax cuts, favorable crisis in this country, they resort to continued relentlessly to this day. regulatory decisions, subsidies that attacking a Woman's Right to Choose. Personally, I judge most candidates on basically amount to nothing less than When you bring up the subject of deficit the age-old question of "Are you better off corporate welfare, and a whole lot more spending, and the jobless economic today than you were 4 years ago?" Well that we'll probably never know about. recovery, they try to convince you that WE all know the answer to that question, But now they're saying that there is not outsourcing is good for the economy. which is probably why they're not asking enough money left for the government to When you tell them you support the troops it! But please, somebody tell me they have take care of the things that really matter but not the war, they look at you like it's something more to offer than "If you don't like affordable health care, better schools, not possible to do one without the other. vote for us, you'll die!" a cleaner environment, or a living No w I may be wrong, but I highly Now while I don't buy into their minimum wage for the working poor. doubt there's anyone by the name of predictions of gloom and doom, I can't The very essence of the quality of life for Bu s h , Ch e n e y, Ru m s f e l d , or As h c ro f t help but make a few of my own. working families. And I'm here to tell being sent half-way around the w or ld to BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THIS IS you that not a whole lot is going to be put in harms way so Hallib ur ton can THE ELECTION OF OUR LIVES. change anytime soon unless you decide la y claim to the second largest oil r es e r ve If we don't step up to the plate and take to become a pla yer in the game of on the planet. But do you know who is control of our futures now, there very politics. Now I know what you are there? It's the men and women, the sons likely will be no next time. thinking. Gee Den, what can I do? I'm and daughters, and the brothers and sisters Please don't fall for their hate and only one person. And yes we are all just of the "cryb a b y unions" and "whi n y fear bullshit! working people. None of us are rich; none minorities" that's who. And those people This is the last time I'm going to say it of us are above the law. But do you know who saw the military as their chance to folks, support your C.O.P.E. endorsed what? The Big Corporations are. They "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." candidates. IT'S IMPERATIVE THA T think they can do anything they want. Well they proudly served , only to find that YOU GET OUT AND VOTE ON Why? Because the current administration their jobs weren't here for them when they TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND . Our lets them. They not only allow it, but they re t u rn e d , and their military benefits wer e livelihoods and w ay of life depend on it! help them do it. being drastically reduced. Not to mention Thank you and God Bless. This administration also enjoys the support of the fanatical right-wing factions that are bent on taking control of the so-called "liberal press." You can't turn on the radio, TV, or pick up a newspaper Do you have a News Story? without being bombarded by their hate We need your contributions — on disk in and fear tactics. They use term like Word format at the Union office (paper copy "crybaby labor unions" and "whiny backup is a good idea) or simply paper copy. minorities" while telling us we should Or you could email an attachment in Word to "pull ourselves up by our proverbial both addresses as insurance. bootstraps." At the conclusion of their Nancy North programs I keep waiting for the President [email protected] to appear so he can say, "I approved this Larry Moeller message." So much for objective unbiased [email protected] reporting.

6 What Are We About? By Michael Sacco, Business Representative

s I challenge, but hopefully I do it with must not remain as President of the talk to patience, skill and righteous determination. United States. Do I think John Kerry Apeople My job involves understanding the various will make a great president? Maybe. He about what I do jobs we do, the law, human relations, was not my first choice though. But for a living – psychology, negotiations, politics and Bush has been an absolute disaster for both by people government. working Americans. Millions without in and out of And our union, what is it about? jobs or healthcare. Broken promises on the union – I'm Unions are organized by workers in order education, social security and the forced to think to bargain collectively with our employers. budget, to name a few. More to our about not just To advance all of us to gether as a group. concerns, a labor law and corporate what I do, but To make sure that all members are treated system that has busted unions and as we – as a union – do. fairly. We accomplish this through driven down wages while squandering What do I do? I work for President- organizing non-union workers to keep all billions in pension assets to enrich a Business Manager Kastner as his wages at the industry standard, applying few wealthy friends. appointed agent to represent the interests safe work rules, and educating workers on Please, don't help re-elect Bush, of union members and our union in a good choices for our individual and based on his past record, there is no specific area at SBC, the north and west collective futures. telling what he will do without having sides of , Johnson Controls and What about the members of our Union? to please a constituency for re-election. statewide in the Datacomm unit. Like all Are we just about working and a The working and middle-classes will other Business Reps, I'm responsible for paycheck? I don't think so. I believe our suffer even more than we have in the the policing of the collective bargaining members have a duty to our co-workers last four years. If it's your gun you're agreements, the training, counselling and and our families to work safe, to respect concerned with, don't sweat it. 40 years supervision of Chief Stewards and and enforce our contract, to be good of gun control efforts and we have Stewards and the assessment and citizens, to give a fair day's work for a fair more guns than ever. That is not going advancement of grievances. The Business day's pay, and to be informed on what is to change, no matter who is president. Rep is also responsible for the direct happening to our jobs, our industry, and Over 30 years of legalized abortion, 20 representation of members being the world we leave to our kids. years of which abortion rights have terminated. We are also the voice of our By now you're asking, "what's the been whittled down to the nub in court, units, giving feedback on the needs of our point?" The point is that we all have and we still have abortions. This is also units. Along with all of that, reps are also important duties we're responsible for. The not going away. Do not think narrowly the voice of the union leadership in the most important duty we have this month is about these or other single issues. workplace. to put all of the b.s. aside. To put all of our Think big. Think of the future. Think of Personally, I love my job. It is a tough single important issues aside and make a our kids' future. Hold your nose and one, but I'm honored to hold it and proud choice for the future of our great nation vote for John Kerry to represent my fellow workers. It can be a and our common good. Geor ge W. Bush The Mysterious Case of AG Communications By Tom Hopper, Business Representative uring August of 2003, 250 negatively; many lost jobs due to Lucent, for failing and refusing to members working for AG subsequent layoff and since last year, bargain with IBEW Local 21 in violation DCommunications mysteriously the companies have refused to negotiate of Sections 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act. disappeared from the ranks of IBEW with IBEW Local 21 over these changes. As part of the remedy for the unfair Local 21. The caper started when the Our union filed an unfair labor practice labor practices, the Board's General company first integrated the workers into charge against AG and Lucent on Counsel seeks an order that the company an installers’ bargaining unit employed October 22, 2003, charging that AG make the former IBEW Local 21 by Lucent Technologies. Next the and Lucent, a single employer, violated bargaining unit whole, and for all other company refused to recognize IBEW the National Labor Relations Act by relief as may be just and proper to Local 21 as the workers’representative. their blatant unilateral actions against remedy the unfair labor practices. Lastly, they illegally applied the terms the bargaining unit members and for A hearing has been scheduled of the collective bargaining agreement refusing to negotiate. before an Administrative Law Judge of between Lucent Technologies and the In a surprising and uncharacteristic the NLRB, set to begin on November 16, CWA to the sisters and brothers of move, on September 2, 2004, the 2004. This is a big, big decision by the our union. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Board and certainly a case to follow. Every worker was impacted issued a complaint against AG and Stay tuned.

7 Labor History Alive! The Haymarket Riot – The True Story By Tom Hopper & Nancy North ro b a b ly no single event has deteriorated since Cyrus McCormick died station to tell Captain Bonfield to send his influenced the history of labor in in 1884. His son was dissatisfied with a men home because the meeting was almost PIllinois, the United States, and even 71% profit and cut the wor k ers' wages. A over. The mayor had agreed to station 176 the wor l d , more than the Chicago successful strike in 1885 was followed by a policemen at the precinct in case of Hay m a r k et Af fai r -both the riot and the trial. lo c k out in March 1886. Management had trouble. Then the mayor briefly returned to In the 1880's Chicago was the fastest brought in replacement wor k ers to keep the the meeting. Policemen dressed as growing city in the world. The rich plant running. At the end of their shift, workers reported back to Bonfield when businessmen who settled from the East se veral hundred scabs began leaving the the mayor left. coast feared losing their political control of plant and were taunted by the striking and Bonfield and Ward ordered their men the city when the foreign-born voters lo c k ed-out wor k ers. The Chicago Pol i c e to disburse the meeting. 176 policemen began to outnumber the native-born voters. De p a r tment arri ved almost immediately armed with the latest technology Each new ethnic immigrant group was and assaulted and shot at the strikers. Two Winchester rifles, marched up Desplaines only seen as cheap labor to be exploited. men were killed and many were clubbed Street in a new military formation for The industrial revolution drew and beaten. Spies returned to his news p a p e r crowd control. It began to rain. Police thousands of skilled craftsmen into of fice and composed a flyer condemning also clubbed patrons leaving a nearby factories and mills where jobs were the violence, using the figure of six deaths theatre. The workers retreated northward. simplified, performed by machines, or from the Chicago Daily News . Suddenly, from a store vestibule behind reduced to a single repetitive task. Men, Later that evening, in a group of the policemen, someone thr ew a women, and children worked ten, twelve, workers Gottfried Waller proposed a dynamite bomb into the front lines of or fourteen hours a day. The eight- hour protest meeting against this kind of anti- the police , where the wor kers stood onl y day laws for federal employees and union violence, but it was poorly planned. seconds befor e. It was the first dynamite workers in Illinois were not enforced. More than twenty thousand fliers were bomb ever used in peacetime in the United In 1884 the Federation of Organized distributed to workers calling for States. Trades and Labor Unions passed a attendance and participation. Mayor The police panicked, opened fire, and resolution that effective May 1, 1886, eight Carter Harrison issued a permit. The in the darkness many shot at their own hours would constitute a legal day's work. meeting was scheduled to start at 7:30 men. Eventually seven policemen died, The strategy was to pressure employers May 4, 1886 in Haymar ket Squar e on only one directly accountable to , over the next two years with the possibility Randolph Street between Desplaines and the rest from friendly fire. Four workers of nationwide strike. Although perhaps a Halsted. Almost 2,500 people were milling were also killed. It is not known to this simplistic solution to low wages and about at 7:30, but no speakers arrived and day who threw the bomb. One theory is unemployment, the "Eight-Hour Da y many left in disgust. At 8:30 Rudolph Schnaubelt, who may have been Movement" captured the imagination of mounted a discarded old wagon parked in an agent of the police and businessmen, workers across the country . front of Crane's Alley on Desplaines and paid to throw the bomb into the crowd Planned for two years, the events of Street, half a block north of the square. His of workers, but the police pushed them Saturday, May 1, 1886 were well speech condemned the forces responsible north of the alley too quickly. organized. Across the country, over for the deaths of striking workers at the The next day martial law was 340,000 workers shut down their factories. McCormick Plant the day before. declared, not just in Chicago, but across New York, Milwaukee, Baltimore, and Spies sent a messenger to look for the nation. Anti-labor governments around Cincinnati had energetic participation, yet or , or the world used the Chicago incident to the heart of the mo vement was focused anyone else who could help him address crush local union movements. In Chicago, in Chicago. Albert Parsons, his wife Lucy, the crowd. None of the speakers had State's Attorney Julius Grinnell stated that and their two children Albert Jr. and Lulu participated in planning the event. Parsons the police who made the raids on May 5th led 80,000 workers up Michigan Avenue and Fielden were at a meeting of sewing should disregard the law. Hundreds of singing arm-in-arm and carrying the workers organized by Lucy Parsons and people were arrested for no reason. Labor banners of their unions, in what many did not even know there was a rally until leaders were rounded up, houses were historians now recognize as the first May fifteen minutes before they spoke. Albert entered without search warrants, unions Day parade. There was no violence, no Parsons gave an inspirational speech on the were raided, and union newspapers were conflict with police, and no blood. overlying problems of society and left. By shut down. On May 3rd, 1886, August Spies, editor 10:00 only two hundred people were left to The eight-hour movement immediately of the Ar b e i t e r -Zeitung spoke to a crowd of listen to Samuel Fielden, a Methodist stopped as the crackdown continued on six thousand striking lumber wor k ers and preacher and leader in the community. workers, meetings, organizations and lo c k ed-out wor k ers from the nearby Mayor Harrison left the meeting at anywhere else the "law" felt was necessary. Mc C o r mick Reaper Plant. Relations about 10:00, and rode about half a block Newspapers screamed for blood. Of the be t w een wor k ers and management had south to the Desplaines Street police hundreds of labor, anarchist and

8 community leaders arrested, only 31 were they were responsible for the throwing of before the execution. On November 10th indicted, and this number was cut to the bomb. Fr om the beginning Judg e Samuel Gompers arrived from Washington eleven. Gottfried Waller and William Joseph Gary made the trial a tr avesty of and convinced Gover nor Oglesby to change Seigler were never brought to trial because justice . Only jurors who already believed the sentences of Samuel Fielden and they agreed to turn state's witnesses. the men guilty were chosen. No tangible to imprisonment for life. Rudolph Schnaubelt was never found. evidence ever presented. In his closing On the morning of November 10th, Only eight men were tried, and only two of remarks, prosecuting attorney Julius was found in his cell, his head these men were at Haymarket Square when Grinnell made it clear that the trial was half blown off by a dynamite cap. the bomb was thrown. about ideas, not deeds. All were found The families of the condemned men The Haymarket Eight represented a guilty, eventually all but Oscar Neebes thought they would be able to see them cross section of the labor movement: a were sentenced to death. early in the morning of November 11th, but they were either arrested or turned away by the police. By noon Parsons, Spies, Engel and Fischer were executed by hanging on a gallows built in the ally between the County Courthouse and the County Jail. Just off Dearborn and Hubbard Streets, a select crowd of 200 businessmen watched the execution. On Sunday November 13th, the funeral began at noon with thousands of workers marching from home to home to pick up the bodies of each of the martyrs. Nearly half a million people watched them travel down Milwaukee Avenue to downtown. Then the workers traveled west by train to the gravesite in German Walheim Cemetery in Forest Park. At an international labor conference held in Europe in 1889, a resolution was adopted to make May 1st of every year the day workers around the world would now In a ceremony on September 14, 2004, a fitting monument was dedicated to honor the celebrate in solidarity. In June of 1893, workers' struggle at Haymarket Square. Chicago artist Mary Brogger depicted the Illinois Governor speakers' wagon in 3,200 pounds of rust colored bronze. The wagon, with a faceless pardoned those still alive, Neebe, Fielden, human figure apparently orating atop it, is coming apart. More faceless figures are beneath and beside it, holding, pushing or pulling the wagon. Mary Brogger explained, "These and Schwab. figures are engaged with either building or dismantling the wagon. So it gives us the Throughout the world May 1st is a duality showing that the truth in any movement is complicated." The statue sits near the continual reminder of working class corner of Randolph & Desplaines in Chicago. struggles and the fight for free speech, the rights of minorities, the right to organize militant preacher, trade union organizers, The massive crackdown of basic rights around issues, and the right to join labor members of the labor press, and men in America, along with a sham trial, led to unions. Although May Day is celebrated involved in community and political a world wide outcry. Protests and rallies everywhere else in the world, in the U.S. it action. The trial opened on June 21, 1886 were held across the globe. was changed to Law Day and workers in with seven defendants: August Spies, The actual hanging was delayed by an the US and Canada celebrate Labor Day on Geor ge Engel, , Samuel appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. It the first Monday in September. Fielden, Louis Lingg, Michael Schw ab, was denied on the basis that Socialism and . Knowing he was was the advocacy of the theft of private Sources include: Haymarket Revisted by innocent and believing he would be property, and the jurors had the right to be William J. Adelman, "Illinois Forgotten exonerated, Albert Parsons returned from prejudiced against Socialist defendants. Labor History" in Illinois Issues by Wisconsin to stand trial with his friends. The execution date was set for November William J. Adleman, and The Making of The sixty-nine discordant charges 11, 1887. American Society by Edwin C. Rozwenc. included speaking in groups and openly The appeal to the United States Chicago Tribune 9-15-2004. criticizing corporate America, therefore Supreme Court was denied nine days

9 Another View: Helping America's Sons and Daughters The Pentagon’s By Tom Hopper, Business Representative Revolving Door olunteering to help others is by Jim Hightower one of many core values of a Vgood union member.Tom ime for another Gooberhead Award Ahlfeld, an IBEW Local 21 member – presented periodically to those in working out of the Wabash Central Tthe news who have their tongues Office in Chicago, is such a person. going 100 miles per hour...but who forgot Brother Ahlfeld worked tirelessly over to put their brains in gear.Today, I’ve the last year in his efforts to support our got a whole nest of Goobers for you all troops through the USO.Tom coordinated of whom are nesting in the fraud-ridden a very successful raffle raising funds and Pentagon...except when they fly that coop other donations, conducting the raffle on to feather their nests with top jobs at September 10, 2004 on a sunny day in Lockheed, Boeing, Halliburton, and other front of the Wabash C.O. Brother Ahlfeld has corporations that pocket billions in bloated Whatever our opinions about the already begun preparations for next Pentagon contracts. The scam of such reasons for going to war in Iraq, it's clear years raffle, yet took the time to share his Goobers is to work awhile at the Pentagon, that the men and women in the armed thoughts and thanks for this year's event, in gain insider knowledge and contacts, forces serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and a message titled Tanks to Everyone! then peddle their insider connections to other perilous places throughout the world corporations wanting more fat contracts have the full support of our union. Some Next Year we get 300 from us taxpayers. are the sons and daughters of IBEW Local Care Packages Take Pete Aldridge, who has made 21 members, and others are brothers and a career of spinning in and out of the sisters, mothers and fathers, even members Just a quick thank you to the people that revolving door between the Pentagon and themselves. volunteered and donated to help with the military contractors. He was secretary Since before the United States entered USO raffle. I was told once that you do of the air force, then he left to become World War II, the USO (United Service not have to ask people when it is a worthy president of air force contractor Organizations) has been a bridge between cause they will ask you "What can I do to McDonnell Douglas. Then George W. the American people and the U.S. military. help?" We are at war, we have many brought him back inside to be in charge In times of peace and war, the USO has families that are sacrificing much more of all Pentagon purchases. Last year, he consistently delivered its special brand of than I can imagine but the people that left again, this time to become a highly- comfort, morale and recreational services have showed me they care makes me paid board member at Lockheed. But just to service members and their families. A proud to be involved. I appreciate being before leaving, he personally approved a nonprofit, congressionally chartered, able to do Operation Care package and $3 billion contract for 20 jet-fighters to be private organization, the USO relies on the will not forget the people that pitched in. made by – you guessed it – Lockheed. generosity of individuals, organizations The Veterans of our armed forces are Even while Pete’s on Lockheed’s and corporations to support USO activities. payroll, Bush named him chairman of a amazing and have taught me a valuable space exploration commission.Pete’s lesson. Thank you all that supported our commission recently called for privatizing raffle in whatever way you did. NASA.Guess what corporation stands to God Bless you all. gain the most from such a move? Did you Gratefully - Tom - say Lockheed? Bingo! Wabash Central Office - About his glaring conflicts of interest, NEVER FORGET . Pete simply declares that he’s in compliance with current ethics laws. But, of course, these laws are shams, written by Brother Ahlfeld, we won't forget. lobbyists for Goobers like Pete. “Legal” Thank you for your isn’t the same as moral. To learn more kindheartedness and for about all the Petes now nesting in top jobs reminding us all what it truly with military contractors, call the Project means to be Union. on Government Oversight: 202-347-1122.

– Jim Hightower’s newest book is Let’s Stop Beating Around the Bush.

10 Restoring the Right to Organize Part 3: Why Workers Can't Get Unions By David Webster, Business Representative he Security Employees. For those lucky Fre e d o m enough to be covered by the law, the Tto choose system designed to protect workers right to is a fundamental organize is broken.! Employers routinely human and legal violate the law with impunity. The right to right. "Ever yon e organize no longer exists in America. has the right to Employers are waging a war on fo r m and to join workers. Employers fire union supporters trade unions for in 25% of union campaigns. Companies 20% believe that is happens regularly. the protections have supervisors conduct intimidating one- 91% believe that it would be wrong for of his interests" on-one meetings with worker in 78% of supervisors to urge individual employees – Universal campaigns. Employers threaten plant to vote against the union, while 22% Declaration of Human Rights – 1948 closings in 51% of campaigns. Employers realize that it happens all the time. The "Employees shall have the right to...form... send anti-union letters to workers' homes opinions of the general public show similar labor organizations (and) to bargain in 70% of campaigns and employers hold percentages. collectively .... It shall be an unfair labor captive audience meetings in 92% of We have an obligation to shine the light practice for an employer to interfere campaigns. A union campaign would be of attention on these terrible tactics of with...the exercise of (these) rights" – like a congressional election where only employer abuse and educate our fellow National Labor Relations Act – 1935 the incumbent has access to voters, the union members and the general public But whatever the law may say, it's challenger is excluded from the district, about the reality that the right-to organize important to look the reality workers face and the losing incumbent can prevent the in the U.S. only exists in theory. We must when they seek to exercise their legal right victor from ever taking office! redouble our efforts to support workers to organize. The sad truth is that American What do people think about the who are struggling to win collective workers are losing the freedom to form employers' war on workers? Overwhelming bargaining, by exposing and embarrassing unions and bargain collectively. Twenty- numbers of our members think that it's their anti-labor employers. eight million workers are excluded by law unacceptable for employers to interfere Of all the rights and liberties we hold when it comes to organizing a union and with the freedom to form unions. dear, freedom of assembly, speech, press, bargaining collectively. They include: Unfortunately, only a tiny fraction of them religion etc. workers exercise only one--the Farm workers, Independent contractors, know about the employers anti-union legal right to form a union--with a real Supervisors, Domestic Workers, Public tactics. 96% of union members feel that it sense of great fear. All liberties and rights employees in 14 states, Airport Security is unacceptable for employers to fire captured in our Constitution are left at the Workers and Department of Homeland employees who support the union, but only doorstep once we enter the employer's threshold. Of those workers who beat the Scholarship Winner While nurturing his intellectual and employers anti-union campaign, 32% still career interests, he also will play for the don't have a contract a year later, due to avid Merchant, son of Local 21 Creighton Blue Jays baseball team. the employer's common tool....delay and Sister Karleen Merchant received Coming from a home with two union deception. With card check and neutrality Da $1,000 Union Plus college parents (his dad, James, is a member of agreements win rates jump from 50% to scholarship award. He was one of 106 the Teamsters), Merchant embodies the about 80%. While employer interference students from 38 AFL-CIO unions who values of a family whose foundation is and misconduct was once considered have been awarded $150,000 in built on hard work. "Even though my unacceptable, today, without any change in scholarships from the Union Plus mother has what some consider an the law, employers routinely and ruthlessly Scholarship program. occupation for a man, because of the violate workers rights with impunity. They David Merchant is a graduating senior union she has been given the opportunity are considered foolish by their peers if they with a 3.87 grade point average. He will to be successful and has been treated don't not push the limits of the law to attend Creighton University in Omaha, with fairness and equality. In a non- crush workers trying to organize. The Neb., this fall as an accounting major. His union environment, it would have been problem is clearly intensifying and the academic achievements include being much different." agencies charged with protecting the legal named a 2003-2004 Illinois State Scholar right to organize (the NLRB in the private and a member of the 2003 Academic All- 2005 Applications sector) are now powerless. State Football Team. Applications for the 2005 awards are No one seems to know about the secret An outstanding student, athletics are available online at the Union Privilege war employers wage on workers. We must website:www.unionplus.org/scholarships. where his passion lies. He played football, lift the veil of secrecy, inform our fellow Or, send a postcard with your name, members and larger community about the basketball and baseball for four years in return address, telephone number and high school. He also is a member of the truth: The right to organize and the international union affiliation to: Union freedom to form a union no longer exists 2003 Mid-Northern Honors Band. Plus Education Foundation, c/o Union Merchant is active in his community Privilege, P.O. Box 34800, Washington, in the United States. Next issue in part through volunteer work with the Seward D.C. 20043-4800. The application four we will discuss what we're doing Congregational Church Youth Group. deadline is Jan. 31, 2005. about it.

11 Rep Fest 2004 By KC Coates, Area Steward

he Arlington Heights Consumer Care Center kicked off the Labor TDay weekend with Rep Fest 2004 in their parking lot on Friday Sept 3rd in parking lot. It's imperative that our members understand the significance of Labor Day, and that it celebrates the gains of organized labor. For almost six weeks members and management alike spent time helping with fundraisers to make the festival a success. The menu consisted of hamburgers, ribs, chicken breast, mostaccioli and corn on the cob. I think the most interesting idea came from member Dee Fudala – roasting a pig on a spit. We played music, double dutch, and basketball. Many of the management staff agreed to enter a dunk tank. A great time was had by all!

If I had a Hammer...If I had a Bell... By Nancy North, Area Steward Shopping Early? n mid- People believed they could change September the world for the better – that everyone www.ShopUnionMade.or g IDad and I deserved a modestly comfortable life, a took our annual say in the decisions that affect them, and offers a wide selection of road trip to a chance to develop their potential. union-made items, including: visit Aunt I still believe that my safety and Bernice in freedom can be no greater than how Clothing, Shoes & Accessories; southern much I'm willing to share that safety and Books & Magazines; Artwork & Illinois. She freedom with my neighbor. I believe lives in a small America should be a good neighbor in Posters; Greeting Cards & Gift town, and after the world community – not a fortress. Wrap; Computers; Flowers; dinner all Dad wants to do is watch a little On November 2nd we all have a television. Her local PBS station was in chance to stand up for ourselves, and we Food & Beverages; Sports the middle of a pledge drive and they don't need to travel to Washington D.C. – Equipment and Toys & Games. broadcast a special on Peter, Paul and only the nearest polling place a few Mary. blocks away. Me? I'm voting for John They sang at a number of large protest Kerry . Why? Because he's smart, rallies in Washington D.C. and I noticed articulate, and compassionate. Because something I'd never seen in film excerpts we all deserve a better chance. No Complete information about all from the sixties before. The people behind matter how much overtime I work, I don't Union Privilege services is the "speakers" were smiling. Now maybe think I can ever become one of those rich available online at it's just because the music was good, or people who are served so well by the www.unionprivilege.org. maybe it was because they were happy Bush administration. I want a better they could make a difference. future for everyone. Vote.

12 Moving on Up, Moving on Out By Michael O’Connor, Chief Steward ☛ Everyone should make their own ell, we and leave an N-A card if no one is home. informed choice on Election Da y. It's a rati- Do not make it easy for SBC to come after right we enjoy that most people in the Wfied a your job. world only dream of exercising. But there new contract Unjust scheduling continues in the CO is a reason that this union is endorsing with an over 80 world. Members are denied EWD and day- Kerry, Edwards, and Obama. Do you percent yes at-a-time-vacation before the agreed-to remember the flyers we posted on the vote and before number is reached. It seems that any bulletin boards before the contract? One we get the manager who is shorthanded can close the of them spelled out all the great social contracts week, shafting members in any other advancements that American society had printed, the office. We are almost on top of the made in this century. From the inspection bloom is off the vacation selections for 2005 and we can't of meat in packing houses to the deal. If you haven't noticed, management get the employer to follow the guidelines it elimination of child labor; from the Civil is on the warpath and you should expect no agreed to in 2004! Rights Act to the Clean Air and Water different through the end of the year. Safety is a big topic this fall. Again, Acts; all these things were initiated or After extending the suburban detail do not do harm to yourself by ignoring supported by Organized Labor.You know assignments repeatedly, SBC dropped the established safety practices. Please follow what else; all of them were opposed by Big bomb that 105 techs in Chicago will be the six life-saving behaviors. If you can't Business. preferenced to suburban locations in work safe, don't do the job. If we are The Global Market drain on American permanent headcount realignment. complicit in working unsafe, there is one Jobs and the massive deficits run up by an Previously, the company extended the less argument we have in the face of the immoral war are but two reasons to reject detail assignments of city techs twice on company's productivity steamroller. Do this Administration's plan for our future. the very day the new six week schedule not climb poles that have been tagged For this Administration it is hard to was due to be posted, forcing stewards unsafe. Do not work on X-Boxes without imagine that poor and working people even and craftspeople to scramble to fill the balconies. If you have to make a non- exist in this country. The very first thing weekends that those techs had already been standard ladder placement, document the the President did in office was quash the assigned in their home garages. That reasons and secure your ladder the best ergonomic standards for workers in the meant the rest of you had to pick up extra way possible-before you climb. The union OSHA code. He used the Homeland weekends and now you get to do it forever, will not win at arbitration any grievance Security Bill to deny union rights to all the because in Chicago, 105 of your co- for ignoring these practices. At the tur n workers in the TSA. His recent overhaul workers are dust in the wind. of the century , when a bucket truck was of overtime rules is a blatant assault on the Scheduling is the number one concer n a two-story stagecoach pulled by a team 40 hour week and nothing less. in the garages! SBC rolled out a new of horses, the fatality rate for linemen in Please read up on the issues, be methodology for weekend scheduling that the Bell System was 50 PERCENT! informed when you enter the polls. Do not uses the MOST data to establish the "true" That ratio has declined dramatically, not let your position on one issue influence run-rate or efficiency for the weekends because of the employer, but because your entire vote! If this President is worked. MOST is your GJI8 data on unions demanded and won company returned with no check on his authority, steroids. It links your WFA load to your provided safety gear. working people in this country are dead. vehicle GPS, includes real-time dispatch info, your fuel card usage and cell phone minutes in a single database that every Members marched in the Springfield Labor Day Parade manager can access and manipulate. It is simply too easy for the company to track what we do on a daily basis. So for the sake of your pension do NOT use any Special thanks to company tools, equipment or service for Chief Steward non-business purposes. Mike Roach Mid-September marks the last Stewards financial quarter for most companies. Amber Shipman This means pressure for expense Mike Shipman reduction and increased productivity . Tammy Baker Now, we can only do what we can do in 8 Ernest Baker hours, but let's be sure we are giving 420 minutes of work in each of those days. The company's focus, especially in the city, will be last job of the day productivity. Make your premise visits, pre-call the customer

13 Single Issue Voting The Issue That Should be Most Important to You... By Bob Przybylinski, Area Steward he working people since he took office. Labor Charges filed go unanswered election Let's see how we ha ve been attacked. because the NLRB is on the side of the Tis right These are the facts, these are experiences corporations. The Labor Board can no around the I've had since becoming involved in the longer be relied upon to protect the corner. I've Union movement. workers for which the laws were written. heard a lot of On Safety: Starting in March 2001 Our security at home is in jeopardy. reasons on why Bush supported and signed the first-ever Democratic administrations have people are congressional repeal of an Occupational supported the rights of working people. going to vote Safety and Health Administration John Kerry and John Edward have vowed for George W. worker protection rule, killing OSHA's to sign the Emplo yee Free Choice Act. Bush. They've ergonomics standard that would have This Act will allow workers to join unions ranged from his position on abortion, gun prevented hundreds of thousands of work- without the restraints currently placed on control, tax breaks, and handling of the place injuries each year, such as carpal them by the National Labor Relations Act. war. Others are voting for him because tunnel syndrome. His signature overturned The Employee Free Choice Act will also they don't want their tax dollars going to more than a decade of work by OSHA. offer protections to workers when the under privileged, and one of the best Then Bush attacked our pocketbooks. bargaining a first contract with their yet came from my Mom "He really cares The attack on overtime has been raging employer. This Act will balance the power about me, he sent me a letter." Thankfully since the middle of last year. George Bush between corporate America and the it wasn't from the IRS-my 85-year old and his labor secretary Elaine Chao keep American worker. grandmother got that one. attempting to eliminate the 40-hour Unions currently represent 13% of the Now war records are distracting us. Is workweek and guaranteed overtime. Today US workforce. It is the goal of corporate that what this election is really about? Do millions of workers have lost their ability America and the current administration in we really care about Kerry's Purple Heart to earn the extra income their families Washington to reduce that number to fewer or Bush's military record? need to survive because their jobs have than 5% making Unions insignificant in Bush has claimed homeland security been reclassified and they are now no this country. The Union worker in this has improved since the attacks. But has it longer eligible for overtime payments. country while growing fewer in numbers really? Has your security at home Bush proposes "flextime," allowing carries significant weight in the voting impr oved? Have the hard working people the substitution of "comp time" for the booth. Nearly 25% of the voters in the of this country had a fighting chance to payment of time-and-a-half overtime pay. 2000 election belong to Union households. raise a family without worrying where I can hear many of you saying, "Yeah, but We have the power to make a change. We their next paycheck is coming from? Will I still have mine." There is the risk that need to get out and vote for the candidates the parents of today's children be able to when our contracts expire it will be harder who will help our families at home. We provide them with a future better than they to retain our overtime payment if there are need a change in the White House. We had? No! laws denying non-union workers the right need the passage of the Employee Free It's time for a reality check. We are all to collect that extra income. Choice Act. working people. Some of us lead very Our greatest concern with regards to I can appreciate the other single issues good lives because of the hard work we the Bush Administration has been the that affect the way we vote. I cannot think have put in and the overtime we have had attack on Unions and the rights of of another issue that affects all of us. If we to wor k to provide the many extras for workers that want to join Unions. Many cannot guarantee job security, wages and our families. Let's not fool ourselves. It Americans say the country is safer because benefits for our families none of the other doesn't matter what our income was last of the Patriot Act. However, it attacks single voting issues really matter.We will year, we are still blue collar Union American workers. The Patriot Act gutted never be able to see their benefits if we members. George W. Bush will do the collective bargaining rights and civil cannot provide for our families. This whatever it takes to destroy our livelihoods service rights of tens of thousands of election will probably be the most to protect the interests of his corporate federal workers. important election we have ever been apart peers. I know I've turned off all the The National Labor Relations Board of the results of it can be devastating if we Republicans out there right now but I ask governs the actions of Unions and the do not have the courage to vote a change all of you to keep reading, I was once a companies that are unionized. Republicans in the November election. Republican. have a 3-2 majority on the NLRB, because We must look at the most important of the appointments made by President For more information on how President single issue facing us in this election. The Bush. Our Local has filed numerous Bush has attacked the rights of working issue is do we ha ve "security at home" complaints against both Comcast and SBC people visit our website www.ibew21.org will we be a ble continue to pr ovide our for violations of the National Labor and click on the Bush Watch link. families? George Bush has attacked Relations Act. Almost all of those Unfair

14 Iraq Labor Repression Thrived Under Occupation CONGRATULATIONS LOCAL 21 RETIREES n inves t i ga t i ve story about the status of unions in Iraq – before and during AU.S. occupation – has been named one of 25 major news stories of social Feburary / March 2004 August / September 2004 si g n i f icance that have been over- l o o ke d , Laurice Story June Rakoczy un d e r- r e p o r ted or self-censored by the Inice Ledet Sandra Davis co u n t r y's major national news media. Laura Rowland Mark Gauger Or i g i n a l l y published in The Progre s s i ve Terry Littrel in December 2003, and authored by labor Mike Gruber jo u r nalist David Bacon, "Saddam's Labor Debra Bey La ws Live On" was part of the annual list of April / May 2004 Bertha Clark censored news cited by Project Censored. David Johnson Carmen Hernandez The story details how many Iraqi E Delores Harmony Joanne Withington workers hoped Saddam's fall would liberate John Fleischli them from repressive labor laws that prevented them from forming unions and June / July 2004 bargaining. A 1987 decree by Saddam had Doris King October 2004 reclassified most Iraqi workers as civil Vivian Mc Kenney Pam Cooper servants, and therefore unable to exercise Richard Brittain basic rights to organize. Arnold Curry "The occupation, however, didn't lift this Terry Smith Linda Prichett decree... While keeping in place the ban on Bob Stratton unions, the occupation forces have kept Juanita Sheffield wages low and unemployment high." The article further exposes the U.S.'s intention to help privatize most Iraqi factories and Information Alert workplaces – perhaps not surprising when Members must be in good standing for 10 consecutive years with IBEW Local 21 (or former juxtaposed with Defense Secretary Donald Locals 165, 188, 336, 383, or 399) immediately preceding their retirement in order to receive a retirement from the Local Union. These members must be severing their employment with Rumsfeld's efforts to weaken unions within the employer. Stewards, Area Stewards, Chief Stewards, and Business Reps can request his own civilian workforce here at home. applications by calling Nancy Kopydlowski at the union office 630 960-4466 X234. Read more of the story at ww w. p r ogre s s i ve. org/dec03/bac1203.html.

The Rat in the Woods...

omcast held its annual Comcast Cares Day on Saturday October 2 at many communities it serves, Choping to show the public it really cares by performing acts of public service while ignoring the needs of its workers. Comcast decided to clean up Busse Woods, a Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village. When Comcast's top level management team arrived they found there was a Rat in the woods revealing a secret they've been trying to hide from the public-Comcast doesn't really Care. Comcast workers have been without a contract for over 5 years. They've been fighting against increased health care costs, for higher wages, and job security after the many layoffs since Comcast bought AT&T Broadband. With the support from other AFL-CIO Unions, such as SEIU, Unite HERE, and members from other IBEW locals, Comcast workers exposed the hypocrisies of ...Comca$t Care$? the company. Executives can't hide behind the veil of corporate responsibility. The secrets will be unearthed. The Rat in the Woods is just the beginning.

15 IBEW LOCAL 21 Non-Profit 1307 W. Butterfield Rd. Organization Suite 422 U.S. Postage Downers Grove, IL 60515-5601 PAID Downers Grove, IL Permit No. 424

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

UNIT MEETINGS 2 0 0 4 NO V E MBER Unit 3 Thursday, November 18, 7 PM Unit 1 Gurnee American Legion Unit 6 Thursday, November 11, 7 PM 749 Milwaukee Ave Tuesday, November 16, 5:30 PM Days Inn & Suites Gurnee IL IBEW Local # 193 2175 E Touhy 847 244-9282 3150 Wide Track Dr DesPlaines IL Springfield IL 847 635-1300 Unit 4 217 544-3479 Wednesday, November 10, 7 PM Unit 2 IBEW Local #145 Unit 7 Tuesday, November 9, 7 PM 1700 52nd Ave Suite A Monday, November 15, 7 PM Gaelic Park Banquet Hall Moline IL American Legion Post #141 6119 W 147th St. 309 736-4239 916 Main St Oak Forest IL Mt Vernon IL 708 687-9323 Unit 5 618 242-4561 Wednesday, November 17, 7 PM VFW Post #630 1303 E Main St Urbana IL 217 367-4197

Information on attending your closest Local 21 Union meeting can be obtained by contacting the Union office at 630-960-4466 or ask your Steward.