The (Sad) State of Collective Bargaining Recall Walker T-Shirts Were a Busy Sideshow During the MALC Town Main Injured Party Is Not Unions -- It’S the Public Hall Dec

Vol. 71, No. 12 Thursday, December 22, 2011

The (sad) state of collective bargaining Recall Walker T-shirts were a busy sideshow during the MALC town Main injured party is not unions -- it’s the public hall Dec. 7 at Serb Hall that gathered thousands of petition signa- By Dominique Paul Noth tures and trained hundreds to go get more. See photo Page 12. Labor Press Editor RELATED t wasn't just unions that Scott Act 10 Nuts and Bolts Walker cut out of 50 years of Page 3 Ia workable collective bar- The Kleefisch Factor gaining for public workers. A Page 13 vital other party in the process Right-Wing Grumbles was emasculated --- the public. So noted several labor histo- Page 16 rians, including UW-Madison Teachers Radicalized author and associate professor Page 19 Will Jones. "From the very beginning, the law was explicit 1955 and 1965. Both movements that the public was the third were making a similar point -- IT’S WE THE PEOPLE that party whose rights had to be rec- how could America grant basic Walker dumped, explains ognized," Jones said. That human rights to some but not to labor historian Will Jones. doesn't mean just the people the all? public elects. The public itself As was often the case in and its needs overlay any ratio- Union strategies turn Act 10 inside out labor history, said Jones, nal public bargaining system. ome of the largest public unions in Wisconsin Wisconsin was a pioneer, estab- "You keep hearing Walker have openly refused to participate fully in lishing a state law more than 50 supporters misquote Franklin Scott Walker's Act 10, the official name for years ago (1959), three years S Delano Roosevelt," added Jones. his emasculation of their bargaining rights. before President Kennedy man- Those are the false claims that Under the law, they are still forced to follow dated collective bargaining rights FDR opposed public unions. some of the restrictions he imposed once any cur- for federal employees. (One thing he actually said was rent bargained contracts expire - notably no collec- he genius of the pub- that the desire of government tive bargaining on anything except within a narrow lic bargaining law workers for fair treatment and pay corridor and no dues payments through govern- was to recognize that, voice at work "is basically no "T ment paychecks. But they refuse to be pushed into unlike the NLRB, there are three different from that of employees Walker's yearly recertification and other conditions parties involved - the workers in private industry.") that make it sound like Walker determines what a (unions), the public officials and What concerned FDR is that union is. the public - and special rules had with public workers "you can't "We existed long before there was a bargaining to be in place to understand the use the same procedures" estab- rights law," said state AFL-CIO President Phil differences," noted Jones. lished under the National Labor Neuenfeldt, also a leading strategist in the recall What concerned FDR was Relations Act for private industry movement. "We'll thrive long after people have for- that more than profit minded in 1935, Jones noted. The com- gotten who this Walker was." company and its workers were panies are dealing with profits. There are also AFL-CIO unions, some quite involved in the public realm. Directional instructions, maps and records In the public realm it is efficien- respected, sticking with all the conditions of Act 10, have become key to recall planning. Two-party bargaining made submitting to annual recertification and all the other cy of service and even avoidance So more than unions are unhappy about this, sense at the NLRB, "but the requirements. of profit motives. which is reflected in the numbers signing up to same methods couldn't always be In both circumstances, strategy and calculation So in private industry, only recall the governor. Along the way, union leaders involved" -- such as strikes by are involved as well as belief in the US system. two parties are involved - the are bringing resourcefulness to a bad situation, as unions and lockouts by manage- The unions staying within Act 10 understand company and the workers, with are some communities' leaders who don't agree with ment. well that Walker is trying to demean and restrict the NLRB mediating and estab- Walker but quickly and smartly looked around the "And it worked well for a them. They see a number of ways to turn the tables. lishing laws for a level playing corner at what they can do despite of or within his half century," said Jones, looking They can work on the forgotten partner in the public field. legislation. at the history. "In the case of collective bargaining rights law - the public (see "That's one reason it took All that is apparently confounding Walker and Wisconsin teachers, the most accompanying article) - pointing out how many of longer to create a framework for his minions, confronting them with a sophistication famous strike, Hortonville, was the conditions Walker has imposed in Act 10 don't public collective bargaining," they didn't expect from unions and with competition such a rarity because it took a save money but cost future taxpayers in operating said Jones, and other historians for public attention they thought their deep advertis- violation of the bargaining law to expenses and blockage of union expertise that so add that it is not a coincidence ing pockets would scare off. Walker thought his cause it, the refusal of the school quietly anticipated , interpreted and solved work- that public-sector collective bar- heavy-handedness would make unions go away - board to negotiate. Other than place issues. (The issues haven't gone away; it is gaining grew in tandem with the instead he has become their unintentional cheerlead- the freedom of managers to turn to union insight civil rights movement between er, reminding the state and indeed the nation of History continued Page 6 that has been lost in Act 10). what worker rights are. t’s clear from Labor Press interviews that almost Without exposing specific strategies, let's look nobody else wanted Walker to change all this at some reasons for union decisions and some and even many of his supporters didn't realize I results. the degree of damage he had in mind. "Walker up- The AFSMCE units in the state --- three coun- ended a bargaining system that has worked pretty cils, thousands of workers from roads to prisons to darn well for 50 years without having anything bet- parks --- are refusing to submit to Act 10 and are ter to replace it with," one Menomonee Falls Republican told Labor Press. In or Out? continued Page 16 Page 2 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Manitowoc Crane stirs up entire state’s unions mong the deceptions such reverse language?) allowing turing story on Page 9. Scott Walker pulled on free hitchhikers -- employees n December 10 at the Athe Wisconsin public who could opt out of paying Manitowoc Cranes was frequent statements that he union dues while still enjoying OMunicipal Baseball had nothing against private sec- the benefits and wages won for Field, 2200 Grand Ave., the tor unions, practically loved them by union negotiators. machinists were joined for a them as "partners" and they The workforce did not just rally by public and private union would be unaffected by the decline to let their rights to a members on their own time and clobbering he was inflicting on voice on the job disappear. They weekend. They chartered busses public workers. said no in a resounding 180-2 or doubled up in cars. It only caused unions famil- vote that they knew also would While the numbers involved iar with his blarney to wonder put them on strike. It's been in the marches and speeches were how long it would take for his years since labor historians heard sizeable, the media reporting was regressive policies to bleed into of such a lopsided decision to certainly bizarre. One FOX sta- the private domain. strike. tion said "hundreds" joined the Wonder no more. Echoing Interestingly enough, the strikers while an ABC affiliate the rules imposed in Walker's Act machinists say they already said "thousands" and had the foot- 10, Manitowoc Crane abandoned agreed to the financial terms in age to prove it. some 60 years of mutual benefi- the deal. The company is holding Members of AFSCME coun- Widespread conviction brought more than a thousand public cial labor/management relations out for union-busting conditions. cils, MTEA, boilermakers, labor- and private workers and their families to Manitowoc Dec. 10 and sought to slip Walker's "jus- Glen Tellock, CEO of parent cor- ers and steelworkers were there to to stand alongside striking machinists. tify your right to live" agenda poration Manitowoc Co. -- as did wave their banners and flags and held press conferences ridiculing Walker had actually brought pri- into its contract demands on its the previous CEO, Terry yell support. the company's approach. vate and public sector workers chief workforce, members of Growcok -- sits on the board of The reaction of unions Private employers who together, strengthening the union IAMAW District 10, AFL-CIO. directors of Wisconsin showed determination. The reac- thought Walker's actions could image and reputation for stand- The company sought to Manufacturers and Commerce, tion of the company was typical, be emulated and make unions ing up. require a costly "recertification" so it no stretch that the union bringing in outside workers in run faster discovered how poorly vote of the union every year. The regards this as a harbinger of dif- order to to stay in business they had read the tea leaves. company then tried to force a so- ficult days ahead in private man- despite the striking machinists. called "open shop" (who invents ufacturing. See related manufac- Democratic state legislators also Significance added to annual installation dinner n always crowded and important annual gala dinner may be tak- Aing on special significance this January for incoming and outgo- ing officers of all the lodges affiliated with District 10 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The January 28 installation was announced in the shadow of an overwhelming strike vote -- and immediate support from other private and public sector workers -- by the machinists at Manitowoc Crane. The company demanded yearly recertification of the union as one of the conditions of a new contract and also sought an open shop. The January installation dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and program at the Wyndham Airport Hotel and Convention Center, 4747 S. Howell Ave. A block of $59 rooms has been set aside for the IAMAW. Music and dancing follow the 7 p.m. dinner and program. A $55 ticket includes a free cocktail and there is also free beer and soda for those attending. A deadline of January 13 has been announced to ensure tickets and/or hotel room. Please contact Kathy Johnson as the IAMAW MILWAUKEE TEACHERS’ EDUCATION ASSOCIATION office, (414) 643-4334, ext. 10, or make checks payable to IAMAW Special Events Fund, 1650 S. 38th St., Milwaukee, WI 53215.

The holidays are a time Milwaukee area labor council, aFl-cio

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

Secretary-Treasurer ...... Sheila D. Cochran mteaThis holiday season, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association gives thanks for the President ...... Willie D. Ellis individuals and communities who are working together to make Milwaukee’s public schools great Vice-President ...... Annie Wacker Administrative Assistant...... Robin Lundgren and create a brighter future for us all: Editor, Communications Director ...... Dominique Paul Noth Editorial Assistant, Advertising & Circulation. . Lynnda Guyton EXECUTIVE BOARD - Richard Abelson, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees DTeachers and other education District Council 48, Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Ike Edwards, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473; Nacarci Feaster, Laborers Local 113; Dan Large, International professionals who work in MPS Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 (Washington County); Larry L. Nunley, IAMAW Lodge 1916; Candice Owley, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5001; Dan Panowitz, DOur students and their families American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Scott Parr, International Association of Machinists Lodge 2110; Anthony Rainey, United Auto Workers Local 469 (CBTU representative); Scott J. D Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Joy Roberts, Communications Workers of America Local 4603; The labor, activist, and education Kenneth Roberts III, Graphics Communications Council/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 577M; Christine Vidmar of Workers United Local 122; Andy Voelzke, United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-209; communities DiAnn Wagner, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150 (APRI Representative); Patrick R. Weyer, Brewery Workers 9, United Auto Workers; Ross M. Winklbauer Sr., United Steel Workers (USW) Local DElected leaders 2-232.

AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press Great schools are the result of smart Editorial and Business Office 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 investments and teamwork. Telephone (414) 771-7070 FAX (414) 771-0509 E-mail: [email protected] THE MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS (USPS 350-360) is published once a month by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription We look forward to continuing our partnership to strengthen our schools for $12 a year. Periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. and improve the lives of the children and families we serve. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53214. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement which is deemed objectionable. Publication of advertisements is not to be construed as a personal endorsement nor are all ads necessarily from unionized companies or services of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council or any of its affiliates. COPY DEADLINE: Usually by noon 3rd Monday of each month except December (2nd Monday). 5130 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee 414-259-1990 www.mtea.org Page 3 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Hold your nose, you’re diving into the Act 10 world By Candice Owley Special to Labor Press he conditions of Act 10 were outlined in an ct 10, the so-called Budget Repair Bill, took effect Tanalysis by the state AFL-CIO. They are dev- on June 29, 2011. The bill has an immediate astating, including: Aimpact on public locals without a contract and, for • Prohibited subjects of bargaining are sick those with a contract, it goes into effect when the existing days, seniority rights, transfer and promotion contracts expire (or if extended, modified or renewed). rights, health care, pension benefits, vacations, The following are some basic questions and answers health and safety, layoff and recall rights, medical about the "Act 10 world" as our union's attorneys call it. leave and work rules. What rights are workers still guaranteed? • Public employee unions are required to hold The law still gives public employees the right to orga- a decertification election every year and the union nize and even bargain collectively, but the only area still will be decertified if it does not receive a superm- legal to bargain over is base wages. We are still waiting for ajority of at least 51% of ALL in the bargaining the final definition of base wages, but we know it does not unit, regardless of how many actually vote. include things such as wage steps, shift differentials, charge • Payroll deduction of union dues are out- pay, etc. Employees can still engage in activity such as col- lawed. Any employee can opt out of union repre- lecting and presenting petitions regarding wages, hours and sentation and no public employer can make a "fair working conditions, and it would be illegal to discriminate share" deal with a union. in any way towards an employee exercising those rights. Employees can attend meetings of county boards and open professionals at Milwaukee County -- must pay $500 to the government committees, and petition for changes to wages state each year just for the right to have an election. If we and working conditions, and the board can respond to these compare this to the private sector, there is no fee no matter concerns. But what they cannot do is bargain with the the size of the group, and the results are determined by a employees. majority of those voting, not of the entire potential mem- Can employees discuss union and workplace matters bership; and, once the union is certified, it stays certified and distribute fliers and other material at work? unless 30% of the members petition for a new election. The law still gives protection for concerted activity If this Act 10 were the standard for general elections, (concerted means activity by two or more employees) then none of the current politicians would be in office whether or not there is a certified union. Employees can because it is extremely rare for a majority of voters to vote Author Candice Owley, a leader in the AFT as well as engage in actions such as distributing fliers and informa- in each election. president of her nurses union, was shown last winter, tion, picketing, holding vigils, etc., but not on work time. When do dues stop being collected? bullhorn at the ready, leading a union protest at In addition, employees cannot be retaliated against for When a contract expires, then the law states that it is Milwaukee County’s medical facilities. activities generally associated with unions, such as filing illegal for the public employer to collect dues through pay- grievances and organizing protests. roll deduction, even if the member asks to pay dues. So, other subjects but, of course, none of these things can be Can the union or group of employees hold meetings at even if a union member wants to pay dues, they will have bargained. work? to pay directly to the union and will no longer have the t is permissible for the employer to seek input from the Yes, if such facilities are open to the public. convenience of payroll deduction. It's another action clearly union and to include recommendations in the rules. In Do employees still have the right to union representa- designed to make it much more difficult for members to Iaddition, if the procedure provides for employee repre- tion when called into the boss? pay dues, and with the goal of destroying the union. There sentation in the grievance procedure, then the union can Yes, while the union is still certified, but that could is no such rule in the private sector or in the federal sector. provide that representation. It is possible if the union does change if the union is no longer certified by the state. When do pension contributions begin? not get certified, either because it chooses not to or fails the How does the union become certified? The contribution to the state pension or, in the case of required super-majority certification vote, then the employ- In order to be formally recognized as a certified union, Milwaukee County, the county pension, began in August er can deny union representation. each year the union must file for a new election and a for those without a contract. For those with contracts expir- Over the next months we will see how the law actually majority of the workers must vote to be certified. This is a ing December 31, 2011, the contribution will begin in works as our local contracts expire. Our hope is that we very high standard, because it means if an employee January of 2012. The deduction will be approximately will continue to represent workers in grievances and disci- doesn't vote, forgets, is out of town, etc. then that is consid- 5.8% for those in the state system, and 4.7% for the plines -- and that members will be active with the union in ered a NO vote. What it means is if there are 300 members Milwaukee County members; and, it will be deducted from "lobbying" on a wide range of wages, hours and working of a workforce, then 153 (a full 51%) must vote YES for pre-tax wages. conditions. the union to be certified. If 151 of the 300 show up to vote Can employees still file grievances or complaints? and, even if they all vote YES, the vote still fails. And, this It is illegal for the employer to bargain for a grievance The author, [email protected], is president of the process must take place each and every year. procedure or arbitration -- however, the law does state that nurses and health professionals union (WFNHP). This Q & Clearly, the law was written to make it almost impossi- each public employer must create a grievance procedure for A for the union's newsletter -- with the help of a legal ble to recertify. In addition, the union must pay a fee for discipline, terminations and workplace safety. In addition, expert in the area, Atty. Jeff Sweetland of Hawks, Quindel, the election each year so that a local -- like ours for health the employer may create rules or policies that cover many S.C. - was adapted by the Labor Press staff.

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s a n d H a p p y N e w Y e a r From District No. 10 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO

Russell D. Krings, Directing Business Representative Scott Parr, Assistant Directing Business Representative Business Representatives Benito Elizondo * Donald L. Griffin * Alex Hoekstra Patrick T. O’Connor * Greg Pursell * John Rolbiecki * Organizer Janice DeSmidt * Adm Assistant Denise Werlein * Staff Assistants Kathy Johnson & Reyne Kasten

Local Lodges 66, 78, 140, 510, 516, 873, 1061, 1260, 1266, 1367, 1377, 1406, 1516, 1564, 1845, 1855, 1862, 1916, 1947, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2073, 2110, 2269, 2560

Page 4 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011

Happy Holidays From Plumbers Union Local 75

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the BOILERMAKERS & HELPERS Bricklayers and CONSTRUCTION LOCAL 107 Allied Craftworkers Blane Tom, Business Manager District Council and All Local 107 members Of Wisconsin Jeff Leckee Director Fred Hultquist & Ray Wersel Field Representatives

5941 W. Bluemound Rd. • 475-5580

LocalLocal #815 #815 BestBest Wishes Wishes Local #815 ACD-GLDCACD-GLDC BestFor ForWishes The The AFL-CIOACD-GLDCAFL-CIO ForHolidays The & InternationalInternational AFL-CIO Holidays & & Longshoremen’sLongshoremen’sInternational AssociationLongshoremen’s A SuccessfulA Successful AssociationAssociation A Successful President:President: PhilPhil SmithSmith LaborLabor New New President:President: Phil Phil Smith Smith Labor New ViceVice Pres.:Pres.: Frank FrankFrank Perea Perea Perea Year!Year! ViceRec.Rec. Pres.: Sec.:Sec.: Frank Lee LeeLee Perea Schlund SchlundSchlund Year! Rec.Trustee:Trustee: Sec.: LeeJoe WesleyJoe SchlundSmith Smith Miller& Tom& Tom &Schwark Tom Schwark Schwark Trustee:BusinessBusiness Joe Agent,Smith Agent, Financial& FinancialTomFinancial Schwark Sec., Sec., Sec., Treas.: Treas.: Treas.: Tom ReitznerTom Tom Reitzner Reitner BusinessI.L.A. Agent, also Financial means Sec., “I Treas.: Love Tom America” Reitzner I.L.A. also means “I Love America” I.L.A. also means “I Love America” Page 5 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Fired janitors stir up Downtown hen unions say an hour -- and by competitive, tle, Somerscales emailed me: Calendar injury to one is an apparently the building operators "The building manager said he Winjury to all, that actu- mean bottom feeding. At was dissatisfied with the work, Visit www.milwaukeelabor.org for updated events ally means they'll go to bat big- Regency under a union contract, but if a couple of people are time for a dozen. That's what has the janitors received $11 an hour allegedly goofing off, we told Through January 3 been stirring up downtown in -- still low but with benefits. him we don't support that and Happy Holidays! MALC Offices Closed holiday season rallies and pro- The fired janitors have been they should've been written up" tests as SEIU Local 1 seeks fair turned away when applying for -- not fire everyone in sight and Saturday, January 7, 2012 dealing for fired janitors, "the jobs with the new cleaner. This, hire minimum wage fill-ins. too, is a game familiar to unions UAW’s Annual Dr. King Celebration most vulnerable of the 99%," "This is about money and Honor the Legacy said SEIU organizer David because if the laid off workers nothing else. It's a sad and clas- 6 p.m., Laborers Local 113 Hall, 6310 W. Appleton Ave. Somerscales. don't apply, the company can say sic example. Moreover, if this The story is this. The union- they didn't want the jobs in the building gets away with it, it ized workers were employed by first place. could spread to other buildings Wednesday, January 11 Regency Janitorial, which in late Other unions are joining downtown and threaten the .very Monthly Delegate Meeting November was suddenly SEIU in these winter rallies. existence of the janitors' union in Includes Election Endorsements Warning this could be along bat- replaced by a non-union firm to Milwaukee." 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. clean the office building at 875 E. Wisconsin Ave. owned by an Voter ID myths stir major attack Wednesday, January 25 affiliate of Wangard Partners, new website, Progress," are the first step in an Inc. Janitors who handle the AProtectingtheVote.org, "unprecedented voter protection Executive Council Meeting building were fired. . makes the case that actual effort," DNC Chairwoman and 2 p.m., 633 S. Hawley Rd. After switching to a firm instances of voter fraud are rare, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman that pays $8 an hour with no despite Republicans' success in Schultz told the press Dec. 1. Saturday, January 28 known benefits, Wangard repre- passing stricter laws to combat "We're aggressively engaged IAMAW Installation Dinner sentatives refused to let the new fraud in dozens of states. in making sure that we help vot- Annual Gala for District 10 Lodges firm - not called Lowball but The Democratic National ers remove these obstacles and Purity -- rehire any of the laid Wyndham Airport Hotel Committee (DNC) in announcing barriers," she said, adding that off workers. the site and national effort the voter ID laws favored by The building manager, accused the Republican Party of Republicans are "essentially Wednesday, February 2 employed by Wangard, says the trying to stifle minority votes as change was made based on merit designed to rig an election." Monthly Delegate Meeting a way to win elections. In addition to registering 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. and competitive bidding but The site and an accompany- voters and recruiting volunteers there is not much merit in $8 an ing report, "A Reversal in to help with voter-protection Tuesday, February 21 efforts, Democrats plan to begin Primary Election Bowling organizing lawyers in January to help monitor the 2012 presiden- Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. MALC MIXED IND. HIGH GAME OVER 190 DAN LAACK 235 tial election - as they have in SENIOR BOWLING BOB WAGNER 223 past cycles. DEL GROSS 222 NOVEMBER 2011 RESULTS DON WIEDMANN 219 TEAM WINS LOSSES GREG MARTIN 195 8 BALLS 50 34 IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 400 CRAZY 8'S 47 37 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 545 ONE BOARD OVER 44 40 RAE MATOWSKI 495 SLAMMERS 41 43 JOYCE KNIPPEL 493 GUTTER RATS 35 49 PHYLLIS NAVARRETE 445 PIN PALS 35 49 IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 500 IND. HIGH GAME OVER 150 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 187 DAN LAACK 601 JOYCE KNIPPEL 186 DEL GROSS 561 RAE MATOWSKI 178 BOB WAGNER 556 PHYLLIS NAVARRETE 169 DON WIEDMANN 538 HAWKS QUINDEL, S.C. Attorneys At LAw Proudly Representing Labor Unions and Members for Over 30 Years. Labor and Employment Law Workers Compensation Wage and Overtime Claims Family Law - Divorce, Custody, Support Social Security Disability Law 414-271-8650 or 800-236-3348 Page 6 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 What FDR actually said It becomes an emotional as well as an ideological con- History flict, but it is a knife that cuts both ways. The Wisconsin From Page 1 pubic doesn't fully know it's bleeding. It's a case of punish- ing yourself in the delusion you're sticking it to someone that, the law made each side deal with the other and con- else, in this case the unions sider the public's needs." No wonder that private sector unions are even angrier n Wisconsin, overseeing that law fell to a civil service at Act 10 in their public pronouncements than public division to interpret rules and provide arbitration, the unions. They see the real target. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. I he paradox of course is that in attacking unions so One sign of Walker's meddling is that he has imposed broadly, Walker has emboldened and spread the political appointees rather than civil service neutrality and union ideal. He went after the essence of ethics in such key positions as the WERC general counsel. T Wisconsin's reputation. This is the state Theodore Wiser heads prevailed on him to keep longtime general Roosevelt once called "the laboratory of democracy." It led counsel Peter Davis, who himself joked at a Milwaukee in innovation for the workers and the middle class -- intro- luncheon in September that the change "doesn't affect me - ducing workers' compensation, in 1911; unemployment everyone knows I'll keep operating as I always have" and insurance in 1932; and the public employee bargaining in he has a reputation for fair and open dealing 1959 that served as a model across the US because it "It's the next guy that could be a problem," smiled worked. Davis, since that appointment is now political if Walker Walker's Act 10 threw its essential elements away remains in office. The dangers of key political appointees Th e d e s i r e o f Go v e r n m e n t e m p l o y e e s for {unions} is without warning and without having a substitute on hand. in jobs that previously were civil service are becoming both natural and logical, but meticulous attention The result is described on all sides with such terms as clear in many state divisions. Further affecting agencies should be paid to the special relationships and obli- "uncharted waters," like the WERC and the GAB, which oversees election pro- gations of public servants to the public itself . . . "class warfare," cedures, is that Walker has given himself the kingly author- A s t r i k e o f p u b l i c e m p l o y e e s m a n i f e s t s nothing less "Armageddon." ity of seeing and potentially vetoing without question new than intent on their part to prevent or obstruct the Such terms may operational rules rather than trusting the experienced operations of Government until their demands are sound extreme, "but experts. satisfied. . . . It is, therefore, with a feeling of grat- only if you are on the Looked at this way, Walker surprised even his support- ification that I have noted in the constitution of the outside looking in," ers by cutting neutrality out of once respected agencies and National Federation of Federal Employees the provi- said one irate subur- procedures - and also cut the public out of the bargaining ban teacher now fac- rights process while neutering WERC's responsibility in sion that "under no circumstances shall this ing double the class this regard. Substituting his vision of what the public is Federation engage in or support strikes against the size without help and and needs is not the same. United States Government." no paid time in her ther historians note that the upsets usually came "Walker makes it sound (like I was) the wimp afraid to new handbook to pre- when the legislature started interfering with collec- stand up to my duties, and I resent that." pare lessons, grade tive bargaining out of immediate economic con- O Jones is also amused at how Walker inflamed the papers or talk to par- WERC’s Peter Davis cerns or to reward friends. Almost all the uproars between power of the unions in order to sell the public on his ents.. unions and state governments stem from rules about how changes to the law. "The idea you can sit down at bargain- Historical perspective exposes the real offended party workers can be rewarded through state money or paid ing table and impose rules distorts what bargaining is and ought to be the public. through established wage procedures by private companies why the system was created," he noted. "It's a myth to say "I understand how a lot of moderates might be upset hired by the state. public officials were selling the farm away. Any who did with Walker and anxious to oppose him," noted Sid Hatch, "Think about it," said Jones. "The public may elect the were clearly violating his or her public duty." the new executive director of Milwaukee's public teacher officials but once elected their concerns don't always mesh ther historians and economic analysts describe this union, MTEA. "But they balk at the idea of recalls as with the public's basic wants and desires. as scapegoating unions. Among other think tanks, somehow not American." "It might be in the interest of city manages to drive the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities ana- t's actually very American, he noted -- as does noted labor costs down by every means possible, but that's not O lyzed how, contrary to Walker's assertion, there is no direct administrator Kathleen Falk in facing article on Page necessarily in the interest of the public, which would like correlation between public-sector collective bargaining and 7. Government is required to provide avenues of griev- better teachers, better municipal services, better law I yawning state budget deficits. Such deficits -- and ance and objection, says Hatch, and he points to Ohio. enforcement. Wisconsin is in the middle of the pack -- reflect the varying There, the legal process allowed the public to rise up in ref- "You want to have a happy workforce, you don't want impact of the recent recession on individual states, the erendum and prevent destroying public bargaining rights to have angry nurses, for goodness sake, and you want peo- integrity of fiscal monitoring and the fairness of revenue before such a law took hold. . No such avenue exists in ple working for the city who pay your local taxes. collection and dispensation. Wisconsin, which means recalling an official from public "And all that is now in jeopardy." So how did middle class health benefits and pensions office "is one way the public can speak out and fight back," alker carved the public out of Act 10 even as he get in there? Enter the old political adages of never letting said Hatch. "That's why it's there." emasculated the rights of union workers to bar- any economic crisis go unexploited and finding someone to Labor historian Joseph A. McCartin an associate pro- gain across the board as well as across the table W blame. fessor of history and labor studies at Georgetown "He didn't campaign on this," one angry rural Workers in the private domain who deserve pensions University, is blunt about why Walker thinks he can get Republican official told me, insisting on anonymity and better health care support couldn't get that equity from away with this. "Walker's inflammatory rhetoric" is just "a because of his political situation. their employers, but they do regard themselves as "the bald attempt to exploit the bad economy, undo 50 years of "Frankly I'm not the only one upset. Listen I was never boss" when it comes to public workers, whose unions legal precedent on labor issues, and win a political victory, going to have the votes of these union workers and they worked hard to get them what every worker should have. no matter the cost," said McCartin. knew when I sat down at the table they were facing a hard Walker didn't advertise his tactics in advance but now "What Republicans are now seeking in Wisconsin and ass and they had to have damn good facts on their side. But exploits those feelings of "Why should I pay someone else elsewhere has nothing to do with helping put America back they also knew I was concerned about service. for what I don't have and richly deserve?" to work. It is really all about politics."

Happy Holidays to I’d like to get the All of Our Union Friends AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press YES! Please start my one year subscription with the next issue. National Investment Services, Inc. A Titanium Asset Management Company Enclosed is a $12.00 check or money order payable to Milwaukee Labor Press. We are proud to provide investment Name______management services for Jointly Trusteed Union Funds Address______

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Mail to: Milwaukee Labor Press YES!633 S. Hawley Road, #110, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Page 7 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Kathleen Falk on why this recall is right, legit of them children, will lose access ating jobs, but since Walker took divisive manner imaginable. to their current health care. office, we are losing jobs at rates There are serious problems Walker said he would maintain not seen in decades, and his own before us - health care, educa- the state's commitment to fund administration recently admitted tion, the environment and jobs - education that keeps our schools that he won't fulfill his promise that require leaders who bring us strong but then proposed the to create 250,000 new jobs. together to move us forward in largest cuts to education in alker - by what he's tough times. Wisconsin history. done and how he's Our elected officials should He said after Republicans Wdone it - has pitted be recalled when they violate lost two seats in the state Senate family member against family their fundamental duty to their that Wisconsinites want more member, neighbor against neigh- constituents. Walker's failure to bipartisanship on the very same bor. be honest about his agenda vio- day he signed into law the most He has grabbed power to lates that trust, and he should be partisan redistricting law that enact an extreme agenda that sat- recalled. anyone can recall. isfies his richest far-right donors. The author is the former He said he is focused on cre- And he has done so in the most Dane County Executive.

Falk dropped by AFSCME 48’s holiday party Dec. 8 and chat- ted with executive director Richard Abelson. Happy Holidays By Kathleen Falk what he was going to do." Special to Labor Press "Walker never campaigned from the e are in uncharted on disenfranchising public- waters here in employee unions," the Journal Wisconsin. For the Sentinel editorial board noted. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO W “If he had, he would not have first time that anyone can recall, we have a governor who did not been elected. He got a spare 52% tell the truth about what he was of the vote - hardly a mandate Phillip L. Neuenfeldt planning to do as governor. for what he is trying to do." President And Scott Walker would not f a deception that was key to have been elected if he had been an election is not a recallable truthful about his intentions. Ioffense, then what is? Stephanie Bloomingdale Walker's deception isn't Walker did not need to Secretary-Treasurer about politics or policy. This is throw away 50 years of workers' about more than a politician rights to balance the budget. In making promises as a candidate describing his attack on collec- 6333 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53213 (414) 771-0700 that he cannot fulfill as an elect- tive bargaining as the only way wisaflcio.org . wisaflcio.typepad.com . facebook.com/wisaflcio . twitter.com/wisaflcio ed official. to fix the budget, he ignored the Walker's deception is of a concessions on pensions and fundamental kind: Truthfulness health insurance agreed to by the is a fundamental duty of our unions, he concealed his wholly elected officials. partisan motivation and he I was born in Milwaukee, knowingly misled Wisconsinites. later raised in Waukesha County. Walker used a big deception The moral compass instilled in to get elected. Once elected, he me by my Irish and German has continued to try to mask his families made telling the truth a extreme agenda by saying one real clear and basic measure of thing but doing another. character. He said during the campaign One of the most frequent that he didn't intend to cut kids comments I hear as I travel the off health care, but he has. The state is: "I never would have nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal voted for him if I had known Bureau noted that Walker's cuts will mean 65,000 people, 29,000

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JOHN R. EIDEN GRANT WITHERS President Secretary - Treasurer International Vice President

2001 N. Mayfair Road Representing members Milwaukee, WI 53226 in the State of Wisconsin (414) 476-1444 and Michigan’s Upper HOLIDAY (800) 472-1660 Peninsula (414) 476-1039 fax www.ufcw1473.org

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G:\WORKERS\GROUPS\__CAG coordinator\News Media-Print Ads\_Milw Labor Press\2011\2011 Dec issue.doc Page 9 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Nice talk won’t keep manufacturing from flying away By Michael Rosen bonuses. Enrollments in nursing said, "The No.1 reason why Special to Labor Press programs soared, technical col- employers are having trouble Analysis leges invested in nursing educa- filling these positions is they're isconsin's manufactur- tion and students flocked to not offering pay that the candi- ers are facing a skilled strategic assets they are. Offering occupations that promised dates are demanding." labor shortage of W security will attract students to employment security and decent I applaud the M-7's decision machinists, operators, craft skilled manufacturing careers. compensation. to focus on advanced manufac- workers, distributors and techni- • Revive apprenticeship pro- t's ironic that the area's busi- turing. But it will take more than cians. In response, the grams eliminated or downsized ness leaders, who are among glossy brochures and television Milwaukee 7, southeastern in the 1980s under the illusion the fiercest proponents of ads to persuade the next-genera- Wisconsin's regional develop- I that automation would result in market solutions to most prob- tion workforce that becoming a ment of business and community workerless factories. lems, are reluctant to use pricing skilled manufacturing worker is leaders, has announced a public • Insist that state govern- to solve the skilled worker short- a stable and secure career path. relations campaign. ment restore the 30% slashed age. Any Econ 101 student Michael Rosen, an econom- News flash: It will take a lot Economist Michael Rosen from Wisconsin's technical col- knows that pricing efficiently ics professor at Milwaukee Area more than branding to solve leges in the last budget. allocates resources. Technical College, is also presi- these labor shortages. recession. The state continued to Technical colleges train the very As Melanie Holmes, a vice dent of the institution's teachers Another news flash -- lose manufacturing jobs for sev- skilled and technical workers president at Manpower Group, union, AFT Local 212. President Obama clearly knows eral months even after the reces- manufacturers need. Yet, over that as he created a national sion ended. By September 2010, 20 years, their state funding has Office of Manufacturing Policy Wisconsin had lost 69,800 manu- been cut by more than 50%. Dec. 12 in the Department of facturing jobs, 14% of its total. • Support public school Commerce. The occupational programs investments in reviving technical Any solution must start with at MATC most popular with education and participate in the FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING defining the scope of the prob- waiting lists are culinary arts, state's youth apprenticeship pro- lem. Why is there a shortage of automotive, heating and air-con- gram. the kind of skilled workers that ditioning, physical therapy, bar- • End free trade deals that for decades made Milwaukee a ber and cosmetology, occupa- do not have or enforce labor and destination for manufacturers? tional therapy and nursing. environmental laws, an unfair Outsourcing is a huge part What do they all have in advantage over responsible of the answer. One day after the common? These are jobs that American manufacturers. M-7's announcement, Dana cannot be offshored. olving labor shortages Corp. announced it was closing ur working-class stu- requires more than public its Milwaukee operations and dents are voting with Srelations. moving more than 150 jobs to Otheir feet by choosing Henry Ford recognized this low-wage Kentucky. careers that provide more secure when he doubled his hourly Limited Stock of Union Made Similarly, the Thermo Fisher employment. They'll continue workers wages to $5 a day. Carhartt FR Still Available! Scientifica in Two Rivers, which until manufacturers offer the Ford's 400% turnover rate and already had moved hundreds of same level of security as other 10% absentee rate vanished and jobs to a Reynosa, Mexico, plant, occupations or sufficient com- at the same time created a mar- Carhartt Clothing • Union Embroidery • Union Made Promotional Items announced it may shut down pensation to justify the insecurity ket for his cars when his workers Union Silkscreening • Union Made Carhartt • Union & USA Made Clothing entirely. that has characterized manufac- finally could afford them. No access from Capitol The list of companies that turing employment. Wisconsin had a similar Must use Gumina Road UMA UMA Specialties have offshored or outsourced What can be done to address experience in the 1990s when Gumina Rd 21100 Capitol Drive production reads like a who's this? Manufacturers need to: hospitals were facing acute nurs- Barker Rd Pewaukee, WI 53072 who of Wisconsin's manufactur- • Abandon human resource ing shortages. In response, they Capitol Dr 262.373.0777 Springdale Rd ing: Briggs & Stratton Corp., strategies that treat employees increased nurses pay and institut- umaspecialties.com A.O. Smith, Rockwell, Badger like variable costs instead of the ed incentives such as signing Meter - and many more. he loss of manufacturing jobs has been going on Tsince the early 1980s. Milwaukee's working families have had their lives turned upside down by plant closings, Drive safely. But if you are downsizings, outsourcings and offshoring -- meaning job loss, declining wages and benefits and in an accident, put years of economic insecurity. My former student, John, legal experience on your side. did everything we ask young workers to do, earning two jour- neyman cards while working and Accidents can happen to even the best drivers. Fortunately, the attending MATC full time. John left Briggs when it began mov- Previant Law Firm has a well-earned reputation for assisting people ing jobs to low-wage states and involved in auto accidents. Receive the settlement you deserve. If you Mexico. But his new employer, Rockwell, began outsourcing to have been in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, call for a free consultation. nonunion, low-wage plants even before it eliminated all hourly workers last year. So John started Car, truck & motorcycle accidents. Call 414-271-4500. over again at Harley-Davidson. But, a year and a half ago, Harley laid John off. John's experience is unfortu- nately not unique. Almost everyone with roots in this community knows family that experienced the instability. Nationally, manufacturers shed 2 million jobs dur- 1555 N. RiverCenter Drive, Suite 202, Milwaukee, WI ing the Great Recession. Wisconsin lost 58,300 manufac- 414-271-4500 • 800-841-5232 • www.previant.com turing jobs, 11.6% of its total, between December 2007 and June 2009, the official end of the Page 10 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Only those state antics make redistricting a dirty word By Dominique Paul Noth the seat being abandoned by Holloway, Labor Press Editor cheerfully entering a race against six other he best known national story about candidates. And with his entry and experi- redistricting occurred quite naturally ence, he's already a leading contender. Tin Massachusetts, where the popula- Such is the inevitable if sometimes tion shifts and growths in the US Census wounding side of natural redistricting. For changed almost half the area served by 71 the nasty side we have to turn to state poli- year old Barney Frank in the US House. tics, and this one is a doozie. Frank is one of the Democrats' pro- stensibly, when the state legislature gressive lions who survived his own scan- adjusts its own and US House dis- dals decades ago to emerge as a noted wit, Otrict maps, it is for balance, to pro- acerbic moral touchstone and fiscal expert. tect minority rights and ideally to encour- But he also takes seriously that citizens age natural boundaries and competitiveness. deserve to know their incumbent and vice Most often it's partisan opportunity. versa, so he looked hard at whether he Everyone understands that and looks away could do a good job for a district that after - unless the results are too warped, fabricat- the 2010 census included 325,000 people ed and blatantly politicized. who never before had a chance to know A would-be third county supervisor, Peter Blewett at right, posed at the That happened when the GOP majority him or vote for him. AFSCME 48 holiday party with Theo Lipscomb and Marina Dimitrijevic. jammed through new maps for November Frank was openly analytical. He hates 2012 elections - and now, faced with recalls to other members of the Common Council and other Latino groups that support her re- raising money and he would need a lot. He of several GOP state senators, wants the about "politics" and this month to lay a lot election. (It is the worst kept secret in loves to talk, but he would have to cam- new districts put in place immediately to of money into three-fold brochures and Milwaukee politics that she is aiming not paign hard among newbies. So he protect themselves. door-drops to beef up his re-election cam- just for re-election but also for her peers to announced his departure, noting that at least Even Republican observers know the paign -- because this time he is facing some pick her as the new County Board chair- in retirement "I don't have to pretend to be maps are extreme, only they tend to chuck- articulate opponents and has to defend a man, now that Lee Holloway has nice to people I don't like." There were le gleefully at the legal snookery executed pretty lame track record. announced his retirement.) salutes all around for his service and for by their side. But here come the judges To the south of his borders, there was a Last summer there was another enthu- accepting change without rancor. with some pointed questions about the two different reaction - enthusiasm and wel- siastic even if career-destructive embrace ack in the city of Milwaukee, con- federal lawsuits and other maneuvers in come. County of Milwaukee Supervisor of the growth of Hispanic citizens at the sider in contrast the reaction of Ald. state courts. Putting lawyerly niceties aside, Marina Dimitrijevic even introduced the Milwaukee school board, led by a cry of Bob Donovan when the census the key questions may well be: “Were B resolution that would make her a minority "Si Si pueda!" from longtime school board added a mighty growth of Latinos to his these insiders instructed to arrange the white candidate in a majority Hispanic dis- member Peter Blewett when the first pre- local district and took away some low- results so Democratic could never regain trict. dominantly Hispanic district was redrawn hanging fruit of conservative households. control?” High time to recognize change, said to match the new population information. His first reaction was to fret and fight Quite naturally, the judges want to ask Dimitrijevic, whose politics and issues But that was District 6, where Blewett some of the obvious change, then to fume the people who did the maps. The dovetail with those of Voces de La Frontera has served on the school board for a Republicans scrambled mightily with every decade. And the new map moves his house legal trick they could muster to keep them out of his district into that of fellow board INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOTIVE, AEROSPACE, AND from being deposed.

member Annie Woodward, leaving the

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA, U.A.W. The federal court is now demanding choice in 2013 to run against her in a heav-

the key figures testify, which moves the ily African American area. cases from longshots -- since the courts He could have fought rather than lead tend to defer to the people's elected repre- the change charge, but "I'm imagining 10 sentatives, the legislature, on such issues -- years down the road," Blewett explained.

to better than even money. tp://ll1916.goiam.org ht "I'd rather be an example of what elected

"Three months ago I wouldn't have officials should do." given the federal challenges more than a nly a few months ago, the veteran REGION 4 UAW 30% chance," one lawyer told me. "Now I Illinois – Iowa - Minnesota - Montana liberal activist was unsure of a think it's likely the federal court will hear it Nebraska - North & South Dakota future path, but by December he Wisconsin - Wyoming O through." had decided, announcing his candidacy for But even the threat of this GOP redis- a county supervisory district that neatly RONALD D. MCINROY, DIRECTOR tricting has affected the April nonpartisan meshes with the eastern half of his old

BRAD DUTCHER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR election and colored next November.

school board district. Yes, he's running for

See article opposite page. shing you Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year Wi AND STAFF

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ARRY NUNLEY – President L UnionIn Made America. In America.

EITH SMITH – Business Representative

K HappyHappy Holidays Holidays from ROM

F President Mike Bink From President Anthony Rainey

and the Executive Board of ASON’S GREETINGS TO OUR MEMBERS

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UAW Local 469 SEASON’S GREETING S TO OUR MEMBERS UAW Local 469

SEASON’S GREETINGS Representing the Workers

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Wishing you Happy htHtolp:/i/dllay1916.s angoid aam P.orr osg perous New Year http://ll1916.goiam.org

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Page 11 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Election board pieces and properties are shuffling n a few months as supervisor, communities dominating his Fabulous 14 praised because of And they are only two of the moment when Carpenter and Sass firebrand Eyon Biddle has region - his 13th Assembly their flight to Illinois to prevent a four well known candidates fight- bumped into each other in the Istirred up the pace and tem- District would extend way into financially-need quorum. ing for the seat opened up by the cold outside Serb Hall Dec. 7, perature of the County Board. On Waukesha County. While some They are also deskmates in retirement of Wayne Whittow. seeking nomination signatures Dec. 12, he announced intentions doubt the blatant redistricting will Madison with districts that proba- The others are socialist Rick from the Recall Walker town hall. to attempt the same at the city, go through, Cullen is clearly not bly would stay in Democratic Kissell, a tireless and frequent Change is in the air, and you taking on Ald. Willie Hines (actu- waiting. hands if they left. And they now campaigner who first ran for trea- can learn a lot about people ally Common Council president He is already collecting sig- are competing against each other surer in 1988, and former state watching the wheels go round. and long rumored to be weighing natures to run for County for the better paying job of city of treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. That -- Dominique Paul Noth other positions). Supervisor District 15 against Milwaukee treasurer. brought an amusing but friendly The news is just part of the mainly Dan Cody, a fellow ferment that always exists in poli- Democrat and Parks People presi- tics but seems on steroids this dent who has been working for season. Many factors are creating years, doing doors and position- Monopoly board games. ing himself to take over for retir- In some cases, you can add ing Lynne de Bruin in this non- fear to opportunity. If you look at partisan (on paper) contest. the redistricting maps the GOP ther maneuvers may be majority wants to push through - influenced by the see Page 10 --- they eliminate ODemocrats moving from some Democrats' entire bases of the majority to the minority. But support. It doesn’t happen until mainly they seem about change November 2012 if current court and fresh circumstance. rulings hold up, but it already is Not under threat of recall or churning up April, where results challenge next November, two could affect what several state Milwaukee area state senators are legislators do next. It already has. seeking to move their political Democratic Rep. David base close to home. Tim Carpenter Cullen envisions Republican and Spencer Coggs are two of the

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Merry Christmas!! Page 12 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Took effort to print voucher truth but city taxpayers now mailed facts t's hard to get government to reveal truth, but a distinctive moment of transparency in the face of bureaucratic roadblocks was cele- Ibrated by school, city and state officials Dec. 12 at City Hall. The real victor was the city property tax payer, finding out in mailed bills that over $50 million they thought was going to MPS was going to pay private school tuition in the voucher program -- a 22% increase! Like the vouchers or not, the taxpayer has never before told its huge cost, assuming the state was picking up the tab. No indeed, homeowner. The 22,000 children in the misnomer Parental Choice school district are also excluded from the public school aid formula. "I am glad taxpayers will finally see the effect the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program has on their property tax bills," said Rep. Fred Kessler, who has fought for years to get the state to own up to the citizens. "Milwaukee taxpayers are forced to pay for public, private and parochial school programs. Public schools are the only ones required to educate students with special needs, not just when it's con- venient. Because of this, MPS is left educating a disproportionate number of special needs students at significantly higher costs." "This simple change will clarify to what extent public schools have been bailing out their private and religious counterparts," said. Rep. Christine Sinicki. The MPS had to pay $5,000 to create the mailed insert after PUSHING FOR RECALL bureaucrats argued that it might cost much more. (The same Dec. 12, Displaying the special street the city revealed it had goofed up another part of the mailing, com- newspaper created by the paring and mislabeling this year's tax levy to two years ago.) Seasons Greetings council, Secretary-Treasurer Speakers agreed more transparency should be in the works and From The Sheila Cochran took over the necessary so taxpayers no longer play dodgeball. -- D.P.N. Dec. 7 town hall to outline the Executive Board do’s and don’ts of petition And Members Of signing and gathering in the Recall Walker campaign. A. Philip Randolph A. Philip Randolph Aside from instructing those “In every truth, the Institute attending, those already in the Beneficiaries of a system know brought thousands of sig- cannot be expected to Milwaukee Chapter natures to the Serb Hall event, destroy it.” which replaced the usual monthly delegate meeting.

Orthopedic Institute of Wisconsin Thomas J. Perlewitz, MD Attendees at the Dec. 12 City Hall press conference included (not Orthopedic Surgeon pictured) Common Council's Nik Kovac and Milele Coggs, keys to city action, and (from left) Rep. Chris Sinicki, school board mem- Spine Specialist ber Terry Falk , Rep. Fred Kessler, Sen. Spencer Coggs -- one of Fellowship Trained the candidates for treasurer, see Page 11 -- MPS board’s Larry Miller who ran the event and Sen. Chris Larson. 2901 Kinnickinnic River Parkway Suite 102 Milwaukee, WI 53215 414-384-6700 2323 N. Mayfair Road Suite 310 Milwaukee, WI 53226 414-771-5080

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Medical Education Fellowship – Orthopedic Medical College of Wisconsin Spine Surgery Milwaukee, WI Harvard Medical School Boston, MA Residency Board Certified Medical College of Wisconsin American Board of Milwaukee, WI Orthopedic Surgery For more information or scheduling, please call 414-384-6700. w w w. T h e O r t h o I n s t i t u t e . c o m Page 13 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Kleefisch recall: Why her 15 minutes of fame are up By Dominique Paul Noth gone. Labor Press Editor Kleefisch's "no-there-there" nquestionably the recall Comment reputation may be an advan- of Gov. Scott Walker ness to the world or even her tage right now since everyone roars ahead, but ticking U running mate until after she had is so focused on getting rid of more slowly along with it is won her GOP primary -- at Walker and can't even think of Rebecca why? which point she also slammed the consequences of her hang- This is the under-the radar Obama's affordable care act. ing around. But the conse- state recall campaign -- to the (Which is easy to do when you quences are pretty bizarre if the shock of both sides. can afford it.) Several of her recall petitions fail to force her Her invisibility to the public primary opponents were quietly to face a Democratic challenger is not just embarrassing to Lt. disturbed that she never told (or prevent Walker from replac- Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, it voters of her health issue even ing her on the ticket with a less emphasizes how even back in when she had a tumor removed flawed GOP candidate). 2010 everyone was focused on two days before the primary, Other than pending consti- the Humpty Dumpty atop the but none wisely made an issue tutional madness, imagine hav- wall. of it. She assures the public that ing this kind of mindset in a How disappointing for the after chemo the colon cancer is position of power. perky brunet, arch-conservative, Credit politics for getting Wisconsin’s creative juices flowing as self-described Palin-like Grizzly unsolicited recall art floods into newspapers and onto the Internet. Mamma, former morning TV All this has rendered her and rabid intentions as Walker anchor with the deer-in-headlight both an electoral curiosity and an was. Her high energy social stare who popped up with Scott after-thought. It seems hardly norms were actually starting to Walker in 2010 campaign ads anyone voted for her conscious- cost him votes until he gently and boasted in her own commer- ly. They were simply elected cast her aside on the 2010 cam- cial that the state didn't need fed- together and she isn't even paign trail. eral health care or $810 million named in the historic wire ser- leefisch briefly side- in rail money ("I'm a mom, I've vice election returns. tracked the Walker band- got a minivan"). But all this has revealed how Kwagon in October 2010 ersonally, I thought the fair-minded Wisconsinites are. with her extremist opinions in a public would laugh so They keep asking petition dis- radio interview when she com- Phard at that one that they tributors, "What's she done?" pared gays to a clock or chair. would have to remember her. (Not much, alas). And "Why a No kidding. Direct quote, which Turns out not. None of her separate petition?" For that, she later claimed was taken out media strutting apparently lit up blame GOP Atty. Gen. J.B. Van of context: "At what point are we the state's memory bank, judging Hollen. He ruled that while the going to okay marrying inani- from door to door responses. duo was elected together (you mate objects? Can I marry this Citizens are quick to sign up could sign one box and get 'em table, or this - you know, clock? to recall Gov. Scott Walker - they both), separate petitions are now Can we marry dogs?" fall all over themselves, they required. A constitutional night- Out of context, eh? bury shivering clipboard holders mare looms if the state recalls Her other claim to fame was with thousands of sign-ups in a him and leaves a Democratic cancer. She now says she beat it, six-block walk, they even leave governor with a lame duck for which voters of all stripes are signed petitions in the neighbor- Republican heir no one can grateful. No one would make hood bar (which obviously voids remember. political hay over disease, would them). So let's remember a little. they? I mean, leaving aside But when it comes to Despite her TV credentials, Republicans and Obama's health Kleefisch - who would step in if Kleefisch was nowhere as good plan. the governor dies -- they keep at glossing over her real agenda But she didn't reveal her ill- asking, huh? Even Barbara Lawton didn't go through this -- most knew she was Doyle's running mate, but maybe because she spoke up for women and did polite battle with the governor to express her views, she was quite memorable. Liberals liked her and conservatives openly spit. Kleefisch on the other hand can't seem to defer often enough to Walker and has clearly been instructed to stay quiet and nigh invisible, except to occasionally push a “business friendly” agenda or write an op-ed gushing how well Mein Scott is doing. Page 14 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011

The unemployed members of United Steelworkers Local 2-209 -- hundreds of laid-off Harley-Davidson workers - learned by letter from the USW how their union brothers and sis- Some veterans from six major conflicts arrived in the third floor audito- ters have not forgotten. “Many rium from the spinal repair unit. Others came from other medical wards at the are our younger workers, last in Zablocki Veterans Center and seniority with lots of kids who hospital. Families and friends need to feel the holiday spirit,” joined the 23rd annual holiday local leaders told me. If the show. Old, young, in wheel- company can't give them work chairs, with walkers or under right now, at least the union can their own steam, Milwaukee's give them Christmas. Hundreds of the laid-off workers who registered received a military veterans were in the frozen turkey and a $25 Pick n Save gift certificate and separate $15 Target gift spotlight of a caring community. certificates for each dependent under 18. The recipients and the USW helpers Shouts of "Welcome!" and crowded into "Merry Christmas, sir!" echoed Iron Workers after them in the hallways, Hall all day where the two-dozen Trinity Irish December 10, dancers were practicing their with food and steps and staff was wheeling in drink and color- more pies and feasts of food. ing tables for Hundreds of veterans streamed in (photo at right). Gifts were supplied by a com- the kids (left) munity of givers with as USW mem- a raffle awarding some nifty prizes. bers helped tote The helpers came from the staff, merchants and community but primarily from out the turkeys union veterans themselves, who posed in top photo for the Labor Press camera. from a waiting Note the guy at the end on the right, top photo. Jeff (Doc) Dentice, the truck (photo at famous [email protected], came up with the idea for the annual event and the top). remains its tireless organizer.

Best Wishes for Peace and Joy this Christmas Season And a New Year of Health, Happiness and Prosperity

STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 601 GCC/IBT Locals 577M and 23N Graphic Communications Conference International Brotherhood of Teamsters District Council 1 633 S. Hawley Rd, #100, Milwaukee, WI 53214 email: [email protected]

Kevin La Mere, Business Manager • Joel Zielke, Financial Secretary-Treasurer Jim O’Brien, Business Agent • Doug Edwards, Business Agent • Gary Cox, Business Agent Dale Poweleit, President • John McGrath, Vice-President • Walter C. Kunde, Recording Sec. Stephen Braley, Executive Board • Jim Stone, Executive Board John Strom, Executive Board • Brian Toutant, Executive Board Page 15 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 A lesson for children about being stomped on By a Regular Reader little kids, mothers, fathers, aunts state have been forced to hire hurting because of Walker's who wants to stay anonymous and uncles watching at home fewer teachers and fewer staff. actions and everybody in touch Special to Labor Press saw it. Comment These are the facts -- a recent with reality knows it n Thanksgiving Day, as Even league officials saw it, survey of school districts provid- What Mr. Suh and Mr. suspending him without pay for Walker have in common is that much of Wisconsin and Wisconsin's public schools and ed irrefutable evidence. two games on Nov. 29. they are learning that facts are much of the country then pretended that he hadn't Incredibly, Mr. Walker sticks O It was obvious what hap- indeed stubborn things. watched the Green Bay Packers done anything wrong. In fact, he to his denials and even claimed pened, the replays showed it. here they differ is that take on the Detroit Lions before made the incredible claim that he that the majority of districts After the game (one that he under the weight of digging into turkey and stuffing, was merely balancing a budget -- hired more staff. Schools are the had been kicked out of, by the the evidence even the an outrageous thing happened. even though funding in other same or better, he's said. W way) Mr. Suh denied that he did snarling Mr. Suh finally saw the Ndamukong Suh, the huge areas was increased. But according to a anything wrong and tried to flip light and apologized for his defensive tackle for the Lions, The problem for Mr. Walker PoliticFact piece in the reality on its head by claiming actions. stomped on a Green Bay Packers is that people in Wisconsin can Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the that he was merely trying to keep We're still waiting to hear lineman as he lay on the ground see what is happening for them- governor's "fuzzy math turns his balance. from Mr. Walker. and then pretended it didn't hap- selves. School districts across the reality on its head." Schools are pen. nfortunately, The problem for Suh was Wisconsinites have seen that everybody saw what he did. Uthis kind of behavior Other players saw it, the refs before. This past spring Scott saw it, the announcers saw it and Walker slashed $1.6 billion in education funding from Page 16 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 bargaining law back to common sense and full bargaining has been strengthened statewide, not weakened as rights for all unions. Walker intended. But burrowing from inside Act 10 has In or Out? he unions staying outside Act 10 also upset the some advantages, those burrowing unions say. One is mass media, since they refuse to share their strate- learning how to fight another day. From Page 1 Tgies in the press. Politicians drop press releases like The nature of their workforces or situation allows doo-doo at the birdhouse. But unions learned at the orga- them some time to treat Walker as a temporary annoy- quietly working out their own strategies to maintain rela- nizers' knees to negotiate and counsel in private. The sniffs ance (the teachers' various unions have proven hyper tionship with the state's hundreds of governmental units. of disapproval from media types are outweighed by keep- successful in gathering recall signatures). Some unions abor experts, even some associated with the state ing plans under warps, the media guessing and just pound- see Act 10's restrictions as a way to work on the com- agency overseeing the process, the Wisconsin ing home the awareness of how Walker never campaigned munity at large to join the resistance. Employment Relations Commission (WERC), con- L on these excesses. cede that staying outside of Act 10 gives these unions Inside and outside Act 10, the concept of unionizing In or Out? continued next page, Page 17 some startling power to maneuver. One unspoken power. Workers who don't stay within the union lose the right to have that representation on their from poor management or careless supervision as much side when managers treat them like at-will employees or Even some in GOP if not more than worker failings. target them without cause for replacement. If they leave a Many of these leaders - the conservative ones union and stop paying dues because Walker has forbidden are getting ticked refusing to be quoted on the record - fear what will now more than a sliver of union bargaining, they may quickly ne thing conservative communities under- come to pass under Act 10: Fewer workers daring to discover the real limits of such rugged individualism. It is stand is cost. Another is lost quality. In take responsibility and more managerial naiveté and slowly dawning on some workers that it is self-protection November a detailed respected analysis excess. "I don't want docile workers afraid to speak up to stick with the union as well as belief in solidarity. Ofrom administrators found the state's public and fix things," one city administrator told me. "I need "We've always had two kinds of union members," said schools employing 3,368 fewer people (1,655 fewer their knowledge. Besides, I'll be buried in lawsuits." an outspoken, colorful, newly energized union member. teachers, 765 fewer aides, 776 fewer support staff and One leader of a public works department described "There's one who believes that all workers are brothers and 172 fewer administrators) than in the previous school it to me - "new office staff feeling their oats or playing sisters and must stand up for each other. The other is the year, which dovetails with a Department of Workforce up to an elected official, green about how work is done 'I'm all right Jack, I got my own' kind that only supports Development report -- yes, Walker's own appointees -- and pushing untested ideas. It's reinventing the wheel." the union if the dues mean immediate rewards. of 4,000 public school jobs lost within a year. Many of these comments are not coming from "Thank to Walker, I hope the Jack side is on its way That sure saves costs, but what does it reveal about Milwaukee and Madison where unions represent voting out." values and quality? blocs. Even elected officials in conservative communi- nother power? Many public officials want to main- An even more chilling statistic -- 16,785 govern- ties confess they want to maintain good relations with tain good relationships with their workers and rely ment workers had filed retirement applications in the workers they hire and are struggling to find ways to Aon union expertise on all sorts of work rules and Wisconsin as of Oct. 31, while in all of 2010, 11,750 do so without breaking Walker's "version of the law," as connections. Whatever Walker might say, even conserva- workers did so. "It's about fear," Jim Palmer, executive one put it. Whatever the ideology, many are realists tive officials don't want to throw that overboard and are director of the Wisconsin Professional Police about how work gets done and how workers expect to seeking ways to consult with "employee representative Association, told the New York Times. "A lot of people be treated. The conversations with Labor Press over the groups." are seeing this war on public employees and saying, last months are a potent signal of what is happening in Here's yet another. Walker thought he would splinter let's get out." the state. the union movement by creating special "protected class- When Walker goes on TV to speak about scams, Even Republicans who voted for Walker didn't es" of workers, exempting select fire and police from loss laziness, tricks with sick days and similar abuses he expect this attack on what turned out to be their own of collective bargaining. He did create pockets of resent- races through his insults against unions to make the neighbors. "We're going to drowned in debt if we can't ment, but it is against government managers and officials work goof-offs seem particularly onerous if not just keep our best workers satisfied and our communication taking unfair advantage of Walker's new rules, bowing to weird, one union leader told me -- until you remember with their unions open," one community leader told me, the pressure to save some money short-term without mea- how both sides agreed and how managers sometimes adding "I've voted Republican all my life and I am not suring the long-term dissatisfaction caused among nonpro- have reasons other than union contracts not to change. a fan of your unions in the first place. But I don't like tected employees. "He never explains the management role in report- shifting the blame or the facts. People expect to be You can argue that these officials would be excoriated ing abuse or how often the union moves in to correct treated like people." no matter which way they swing, taxpayers on one side things. He never explains how some things aren't fail- "We've done the math," another manager told me. demanding every penny of savings and workers on the ures and real failure exists on both sides -- and since By cutting education and community aids so drastically, other saying equal treatment for all should be the goal. But work rules were mutually agreed to, both sides have a he believes, Walker has "negated the gains" in worker how they do it has become an issue. responsibility to clean things up. He's not in the real givebacks he keeps harping on. "It's one thing to stay within the law," one public world, is he?" "There's no reason to cost the taxpayers money by worker told me. "It's quite another to enjoy the dancing." Yet there are many elected leaders and public man- throwing out the good rules because the governor says But even these special categories produced a result agers around the state who have to live in the realities. we can't negotiate across the table. It's more important Walker never expected. With rare exceptions around the They know how it often takes years of bargaining and to maintain long-term harmony and respect." state, many police and fire unions completely agree that explanation across a table to work out efficient opera- -- Dominique Paul Noth Walker was unfair and are working shoulder to shoulder tions and effect savings and how many deviations come with other unions to both get rid of him and change the SEASON GREETINGS SEASON GREETINGS

ASCASC Administrators & Supervisors Council AdministratorsAdministrators && Supervisors Council Council 811 N. Hawley Rd Suite 110 811811 N. N. Hawley Hawley RdRd Suite Suite 110 110 Milwaukee,Milwaukee, WIWI 53213 53213 Milwaukee, WI 53213

Page 17 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 favor of the union." said one member, Chip Brown, training specialist and member at the Wisconsin Historical In or Out? Society. The head count and union activism also dominates Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), but From Page 16 with some minor difficulties given how small some of the thers just had confidence in their own head counts. units are - under two dozen in one case - and how elusive Six state unions in November went through the getting full turnout can be. (Remember, if an employee Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission O fails to call in for an election, that is a vote against, a legal election process. General counsel Peter Davis confirmed standard that would prevent every politician in the legisla- that all six recertified the unions with remarkable ease. In ture from being elected). one case, with a scattered union of 655 employees around Already because of Act 10, WEAC has been forced to the state, the State Professional Education and Information radically cut its support staff - a problem hitting most pub- Council No. 1 saw 82% of its members participate in the lic unions in or out of Act 10 participation. Many WEAC November WERC vote. 98% of those who showed up locals don't have to commit to recertification votes since voted to stay within the union. The 18% of members who two-thirds have existing union contracts that supersede the didn't show were automatically counted as a no under provision. But a third did. On December 8, 206 of these Walker's edict, but that still gave the union an official small education workforces around the state completed the No, they don’t always talk collective bargaining poli- 80-20 win ratio. WERC election process and Davis quickly reported the tics. Old friends Phil Neuenfeldt, state AFL-CIO presi- "Had the governor decided to use fair rules for the results as again strongly in favor of the unions. But not dent, and Marty Beil, AFSCME leader of state work- election, the result would have been even more lopsided in for 29 of the smallest and often most distant units, which ers, kicked back and shared a laugh at AFSCME found too many of its members failing to answer the bell District 48’s holiday party Dec. 8 in Milwaukee Greed trumped ideology (phone voting), thus succumbing to the Byzantine election outside Act 10 and WEAC supports that approach as well. rules. Each case is different, says WEAC spokesperson in Walker’s decisions In one case the Christina Brey. Pay-to-vote restriction and tight schedul- alker has now undercut his own character- vote was 31 to 1 in ing requirements "could understandably cause some local ization of noble ideological concern in why favor of the union but unions to opt out of the process." In some cases there are Whe let police and fire unions continue as the union lost because also influential ties to local school boards that encourage before in bargaining rights, claiming it was all about the unit had 64 mem- stepping away. So while WEAC President Mary Bell has vital safety and protecting the public. He was amaz- bers and 32 failed to said she sees "value in recertification" for many of her ingly selective about it all, somehow not missing a sin- pick up the election locals, she has expressed respect for those who don't. gle such union that supported him for governor and call. ther unions resisting Act 10 recertification are skipping several law enforcement entities that didn't. The cost of the often much larger and convinced that the tiny Hence AFSCME's corrections officers were thrown recertification election prize isn't worth the big price. is not that high for O out with the rest of AFSMCE workers with hints of First this is an unbelievably high hurdle for many sending protective officers into the prisons, a nasty small units. Plus the unions with scattered and even transient workforces or implication with no evidence that they might skip out teachers are sticking special circumstances. They may well make the 51% of all on their duties. It was yet another effort to suggest with the process workers but why risk getting thousand of workers to the some public workers were "lesser" than others. because win or lose WEAC’s president who helped set the union’s policy, Mary Bell. polls at your own expense, only for a skimpy sliver of real But then Walker showed his true colors - in this they can confront the bargaining? Only for the danger of losing on a gross tech- case green as in money. He belatedly realized that his local public with some nicality? law would immediately cost revenue because the feder- horrifying results. Once community leaders realize how lit- Whether fully in the Act 10, or legally insisting on al government would not underwrite transit workers tle teachers can bargain for the community's children (they staying a union but not submitting to Walker’s interpreta- whose working conditions changed. Walker may pre- share the same work conditions), once the taxpayers real- tion, let’s not pretend the loss of full collective bargaining tend to hate federal money, but politically there are ize they must now absorb the human resource and griev- rights hasn’t hurt, as well as being so obviously unfair and limits to how much taxpayers would tolerate in letting ance costs the unions once ran interference for, outrage is divisive. Making workers pay directly, not on their pay- actual hard cash slip away. expected to wipe away any pretense of savings. checks, to support union activity isn’t going to be easy. Suddenly, Walker's legislature scrambled to change (Walker tries to counter the reality facing schools in But while conservatives are confident that time is on their the bargaining law, clumsily defining a "transit worker" an ad blitz with easily debunked claims that it's all work- side, they apparently don’t remember recent American his- as merely one who might be paid with federal dollars. ing. But the savings he cites in Kaukauna schools as one tory and an old union saying: Not all are. So now only those so defined have had full example come largely from increasing class sizes and “One day longer, one day stronger.” collective bargaining rights restored, though everyone making elementary school teachers provide six, not five, That was the perseverance that changed the country. is hard-pressed to explain how they are protecting pub- hours a day of class instruction, cutting into planning and There were those back then who thought that harsh rules lic safety when nurses aren’t. This change revealed the lesson preparation. A new ad tried to paint Monona Grove would make the workers cave. Instead they became more mercenary slime rather than principle that really moti- schools as saving money and was immediately slammed determined. Today’s workers never thought they would vates the governor. -- D.P.N. by the officials in charge.) have to go back and do it all again. But they will if they Note, too, that WEAC has other units that are stepping must. And Act 10 constitutes a must.

SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 18 2201 Springdale Rd.,Waukesha 262-798-1818 Page 18 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Come to the stables for this union’s amazing 125 years

he 1897 contract was pub- lunch time), only interrupted by people to their cars parked lished in German as well one hour for dinner, shall consti- blocks away. Tas English and stated "No tute one day's labor. " Other unions participated Happy workingman shall be employed Ah, as Newt Gingrich might but this was the local's show - who is not a member of the say, those were the good old and UAW's. The international's National Union of the Brewery days. secretary treasurer, Dennis Holidays Workmen." That old contract, a sort of Williams, posed for a photo (he’s Among the responsibilities it memento of what the brewery far right in photo at left) next to From laid out was $12.70 a week for workers fought for and won back the local's new president, Lance "stable men" but $15 a week for a couple of centuries, was dis- Agbuis. Other regional and inter- Milwaukee Area “route peddlers,” and the con- tributed as a memento for the national UAW leaders attended. Labor Council, AFL-CIO tract established "ten hours in 125th anniversary - a remarkable among them UW regent John succession (including 15 minutes record - of the continuation of Drew (second from left). the old union, Brewery Workers Enjoying the festivities was Local 9, part of the United Auto (photo below) the local’s record- Workers family. ing secretary Marie Britt-Sharpe The local threw a big party and her husband. But then again, Saturday, Dec. 10, appropriately she helped organize the gala. in the Miller Coors Stables on All these UAW leaders obvi- State St. (photo above), though ously have negotiated much bet- those "stables" have gone ter contracts over the years. through quite some changes. Though in fairness, in the 19th Multiple video screens covered century the brewers did agree to the event, strobe lights and digi- something many of today's tal starbeams accompanied the tycoons would balk at, that "dur- dancing, free beer and popcorn ing dull times nobody shall be competed with conversation. discharged . . . and nobody shall More than 160 dressed up people be laid off over one week at a took part and a hired bus took time." -- D.P.N. Page 19 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 Energized and angry teachers propel the recall By Dominique Paul Noth Labor Press Editor t's chaos. For teachers the situation with school boards is all over the map." That's the state map, "Iaccording to Christina Brey, speaking for WEAC, the state teachers union. .Much of her union -- which is scattered in contingents around the state, some sizeable, others tiny -- is sticking with Act 10, going through the recertification process local by local and deliberately pointing out to the public what it is losing, not gaining, in the process. Several locals are not and recent events expose how a tiny handful of the smallest and least organized will be decertified because of those weird rules. Even when a vast majority show up to vote yes, the workers too distracted, lazy, unaware or opposed who don't show up are counted as no votes. Walker lopped $1.6 million in education aid and government flexibility from schools while expanding the unproven voucher school program and also slashing half a billion dollars for Medicaid/Badger Care. If budgets are "a moral document," as so many religious leaders keep insisting, no one can find the morality in that. Brey describes how even with Act 10, teachers and other unions noted for public service and quality are exposing the real loss to the only public that counts - not legislators but parents, school boards, local merchants and civic groups, in other words, the voters. Walker's policies hand- cuff not just teachers but nurses and others who can no longer work through their union to improve classrooms, clin- ics, basic safety, training policies and effective teamwork. Instead of detailed, carefully worked out and bargained mutual contracts, "We have handbook rules being put together by people who have never worked in schools, who All day long December 10, teachers and other community members flocked into the basement of MTEA don't leave any time for lesson plans or any concern about headquarters on Vliet St., to pick up maps and clipboards, get directions, drive all over the county to class sizes or support staffs," said Brey. "When parents find work on recalling Walker (and don’t forget Kleefisch). Helping organize the Saturday effort on their own out they are outraged." time were such We Are Wisconsin volunteers as 9to5’s Dana Schultz and (center) AFT’s Paul Sickel. "We can't pretend that handbooks are any kind of a members. They are energized and see the connection substitute for collective bargaining and we don't. We are director of MTEA. The Milwaukee Teachers Education still a union despite Walker's limitations. Now many of our Association has four units. Three -- education assistants, between classrooms and political activity." members are forcing changes and influencing these rules bookkeepers and related, and substitute teachers - have The contracts MTEA bargained for have put them in by going directly to parents and school boards and getting contracts until June 2012. The fourth and biggest, teachers, the gun sights of the conservative media, which claims them to understand the problems." have a contract until June 2013. A lot can happen before that these were the reasons the Milwaukee public schools ublic school teachers around the state who never MTEA decides in or out with Act 10, which may no longer had to levy slightly higher property taxes and "couldn't were politically active, or even engaged in union exist when you consider the current political turmoil. take full advantage of Walker's tools." Paffairs, are among those feeling most betrayed and hat gives the MTEA room to think, consult with t is an argument that Hatch is happy to take on. working to change their local school boards as well as other unions, with administrators and to work out a "Tools?" he says. "Explain to me how cutting $82 mil- recall the governor. In rallies and meetings from Saukville Tcreative but unpublicized future. Ilion from Milwaukee's schools is any way a tool to to Superior, where political fury among teachers had once Meanwhile, the ramifications of Walker's extremism help education or establish deficit priorities. been unheard of, many of the new speakers and voices that made crystal clear to MTEA members the once elusive "I would say these are clearly the wrong tools. can't be silenced are the once heads-down leaders of the connection between union activism and political involve- Walker has just made it obvious to all what we are fight- local classroom who have been admired from afar by gen- ment. ing for. If you look at what we want, our teaching condi- erations of their students. "Act 10 really woke teachers up," said Hatch. "They tions are the students' learning conditions. It's all connect- A few unions have time to strategize which way to go got it." ed. We are attached at the hip. And while we don't have with the Act 10 election rules, noted Sid Hatch, executive "It mobilized union leaders out of the rank and file the deciding votes in this contest, the public sure does."

ExEcutivE Board Thomas L. miLLonzi Secretary-treaSurer Thomas J. BenneTT PreSident TimoThy B. PinTer Vice PreSident Jeffrey fLayTer recording Secretary DanieL KeiTh James r. WrighT eLLenBecKer hiLgenBerg truStee truStee truStee Page 20 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, December 22, 2011 iven the feistiness of keynote speaker Russ Democrats can read the signs GFeingold's "talking points,” the RECALL lights behind him were appropriate Dec. 11. It was the décor theme at the Italian Community Center as Milwaukee Democrats hon- ored their own at a dinner that bulged with dignitaries and appeals to stir up the state. Feingold, the former US sen- ator now Marquette University law professor, was not only the star but the illuminator. He urged persuasion not flame-throwing. "This is not a power play" or sour A special drop-in guest, retiring Sen. Kohl, chats with Democratic grapes in political terms, he said, activist (and business manager of OPEIU Local 9) Dawn Martin. just the only road left to restore sanity to a great state. (below) buttonholed the crowd Many dashed from watching for nomination signatures, in this a Packers victory to attend Judi- case landing Milwaukee County cial candidate Mark Sanders Clerk Joseph Czarnezki.

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