Vol. 72 , No. 4 Thursday, April 26, 2012 Meet a Moderne risk-taker

Rick Barrett and his 30-story Moderne are rising symbols of the Sp e c i a l Sa l u t e style and panorama of ’s downtown living -- and are also months ahead of schedule thanks to all-union construc- Bu i l d i n g & tion. But 14 months ago his concept, placement, financing and Co n s t r u c t i o n workforce caused snickers. See why no one is laughing now. Tr a d e s Rick Barrett’s journey and the Moderne Pages 8 and 9 -- Photos and story by Dominique Paul Noth for Labor Press McCarthyism creeps back in By Dominique Paul Noth deeds when all the downsizing spread dismissal of the very idea signing recalls are within Editor, Labor Press should have made it clear that Comment that recalls are legitimate 160,000 of all the votes Walker ore than 60 years ago, distaste is more correctly aimed expressed in editorials -- you got back in 2010 - and within Milwaukee's major at management. ance and highest ethical stan- suspect greater care should be 50,000 of the votes his newspaper won inter- The top editors and execu- dards are promulgated, and per- taken to not let that cynicism Democratic opponent, Tom M tive masters have more control haps today's pressures necessitate color the ongoing news attitude Barrett, got in a close race. In national acclaim and accolades from far-flung colleagues for these days - and hence should more genuine avenues of com- about the move to oust the gov- 2010, Walker took office with standing up to McCarthyism, for have more responsibility to be plaint and correction -- more ernor. the votes of about 20% of the speaking out against the domi- careful -- because they have a far than a public relations ploy. nstead that editorial opinion Wisconsin electorate yet immedi- nant (often) Catholic opinion, the smaller staff at Journal Sentinel Sadly, much of the public no lon- wrapped in false objectivity ately acted like this was a man- political and business climate and less news hole to work with. ger feels listened to. More sense Ihas bled over into news cov- date to sweep his most extreme that often controlled their adver- Plus the hard walls of separa- no remedy. erage. News stories are manu- ideas through (or the ALEC con- tising, to report, analyze and tions between money-computing owhere is this clearer factured over what legal people, servative wing's ideas) without excoriate the one side most and news-gathering departments than in the issue of recall officials, secretaries at TV sta- discussion. engaged in distorted and even have long blurred. Ncoverage, political bal- tions, spouses of candidates, etc., It is that behavior that left demagogic excess. Economics weigh more ance and mainly the issue of signed recalls and maybe (usual- the recall as the only recourse The leaders of the heavily as journalists are expect- constitutional petitions. ly off bounds) how truthful they available under democratic tradi- McCarthy-devoted John Birch ed to either help bring in money If you look at the validated can be to their citizenship oaths tions. Blame more citizens for Society must be wondering why or address costs (another round signatures in the recall Walker and how they will vote. not turning out in an off-year the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel of buyouts shrinking all JS staff- effort - approaching one million Start with a simple largely election. Blame them for being ing has just been announced). - and then consider the wide- unreported fact. The numbers editors of today couldn't have Media continued Page 7 been around back then. That makes it hard from the A lot of political coverage of outside to accurately place blame late has stirred such thinking. -- line journalists, if nothing else, As a veteran who departed want to get published, know the main Milwaukee newspaper what the editors want and know in the mid 1990s and still knows how to sell it, so some tilting is and respects several who work part of the game. there (I even had a role in hiring But the difficulty of accu- and positioning), I sometimes rately placing blame doesn't have blamed reporters for mis- mandate a free pass to how bal-

Sebelius speaks What’s the Grim Reaper doing Park statue speaks healthy truths to leading a noon hour stroll for today’s troubled Milwaukee seniors through Downtown? postal colleagues. Page 3 Page 8 Page 6 Page 2 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Drama, forum will re-ignite Bay View Tragedy event Noted historian John Gurda Wisconsin history when the state Superior St. and E. Russell Ave., and intermingled puppets and militia with permission of a gov- on Milwaukee's lakefront. It human actors in a dramatic re- ernor fearful of organized labor commemorates the tragedy of enactment will highlight the opened fire on workers marching May 5, 1886, when the militia 126th anniversary of the Bay for an eight hour day. shot into some 1,500 workers View Tragedy, that historic event The annual commemoration marching in an 8-hour-day rally that speaks volumes to today's of the Bay View Tragedy will be and killed seven in front of the workers. held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 6, at old Bay View Rolling Mills, then It has long been called the the Bay View Rolling Mills State Milwaukee's largest manufactur- bloodiest labor moment in Historical marker site at S. ing plant. Building on last year's suc- cess, which drew 400 people, the program will again include a re- enactment featuring actors read- HAWKS QUINDEL, S.C. ing from speeches of the period, accompanied by volunteers and Actors and puppets will again get together to resurrect the Bay players of the Milwaukee Public View Tragedy as they first did last year. Attorneys At LAw Theatre dressed in period cos- songs including his own, "Ghosts Wisconsin Labor History tumes supported by larger-than- of Bay View." Members of the Society, the Bay View Historical Proudly Representing Labor Unions life-sized puppets. family of the late Frank P. Society and others have been The free outdoor ceremony Zeidler will participate in the holding this celebration to and Members for Over 30 Years. will be followed by a discussion ceremony, which includes the memorialize the tragedy. forum about 4 p.m. led by placing of a wreath honoring the Sponsored by the Wisconsin Labor and Employment Law Gurda, who will open the session workers who were killed. Labor History Society, this year with remarks and then look for Zeidler, Milwaukee mayor from the occasion is funded in part by Workers Compensation comments from a panel of histo- 1948 to 1960, died at age 93 in a grant from the Wisconsin rians and worker activists, as 2006 and was a regular speaker Humanities Council through the Wage and Overtime Claims well as the audience. The forum at the event. National Endowment for the will be held nearby at the Club Since 1986, members of the Humanities. Family Law - Divorce, Custody, Support Garibaldi, 2501 S. Superior St. The outdoor event will be Social Security Disability Law similar to the ceremonies that Bowling have been held annually for the last 26 years. Featured speaker MALC MIXED IND. HIGH GAME OVER 175 will be Wisconsin State AFL- SENIOR BOWLING DEL GROSS 234 414-271-8650 BOB WAGNER 220 CIO Secretary-Treasurer mARCH RESULTS WALLY GEISE 210 Stephanie Bloomingdale. or TEAM WINS LOSSES DON WIEDMANN 202 A fixture at this event, Larry 8 BALLS 113 GREG MARTIN 196 Penn, folksinger and retired 90 DAN KNIPPEL 191 800-236-3348 Teamster, will perform several PIN PALS 108 95 STEVE LINK 187 GUTTER RATS 104 99 DEL GROSS 186 ONE BOARD OVER 97 106 IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 450 SLAMMERS 94 109 RAE MATOWSKI 542 CRAZY 8'S 93 110 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 524 IND. HIGH SERIES OVER 500 PHYLLIS NAVARRETEI 478 DAN LAACK 655 JOYCE KNIPPEL 466 BOB WAGNER 559 IND. HIGH GAME OVER 155 WALLY GEISE 548 RAE MATOWSKI 190 STEVE LINK 544 EILEEN WESTERFIELD 190 DAN KNIPPEL 532 PHYLLIS NAVARRETE 173 DON WIEDMANN 525 OYCE KNIPPEL 169 MARLENE CORTEZ 159 GREG MARTIN 519 DEL GROSS 515

Milwaukee area labor council, aFl-cio

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

Secretary-Treasurer ...... Sheila D. Cochran President ...... Willie D. Ellis Vice-President ...... Annie Wacker Ernestine O’Bee J.C. Frazier Administrative Assistant...... Robin Lundgren 1907-2007 Funeral Director Editor, Communications Director ...... Dominique Paul Noth Editorial Assistant, Advertising & Circulation. . Lynnda Guyton EXECUTIVE BOARD - Richard Abelson, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 48, Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Ike Edwards, United “We are Setting New Standards for Funeral Services in our Community” Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473; Nacarci Feaster, Laborers Local 113; Dan Large, International 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, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Scott Parr, International Association Let us remember in our prayers the families of: of Machinists Lodge 2110; Anthony Rainey, United Auto Workers Local 469 (CBTU representative); Scott J. Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Joy Roberts, Communications Workers of America Local 4603; 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; Mrs. Debra Turner – Froedtert Memorial Hospital 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 Mrs. Frances Starms – Milwaukee Public Schools 2-232. AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press Mr. Roosevelt Savage – A. O. Smith Editorial and Business Office 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Mrs. Elmira Collins-Williams – Miller Brewery 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 Mrs. Carrie Carter – Milwaukee Public Schools Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription for $12 a year. Periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. Mr. Earnest Whiters – Milwaukee Public Schools 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. Mr. Lucius Powell – A. O. Smith 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). www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 3 Sebelius provides seniors a healthy dose of reality n paper, the second most had two big messages. increasing," she said. "Another powerful federal official One is generally known - myth." behind President Obama how much of the act is already Her other big point is that O doing for seniors, with millions the Affordable Health Care is is Vice President Joe Biden. But you could make a quiet case for in savings, free wellness and "never mentioned as the largest the busiest and by current legis- checkups, closing the prescrip- anti-fraud measure in federal lation one of the most central tion "donut" hole - "50% already government history, already players in the national debate on and the rest step by step." returning $5 billion to the tax- health care - US Health and Asked about the GOP Ryan payers. I wish the media would Human Services Secretary plan, she crisply tore it apart as report it," she said. She described Kathleen Sebelius. "the worst thing I can think of the deep team of investigators By law and by process what- for seniors, gambling that future and the department focus on tar- ever the fate in the US courts of coupons will protect you." She geting the unscrupulous health the far-reaching Affordable also noted with gentle humor providers who had been using Health Care Act, Sebelius is that as bad as it was for seniors, Medicare and Medicaid to dupe mandated with a large profes- and how vague about future rev- the public "and we are attacking sional staff to be what Bush once enues or tax increases, the Ryan at every quarter." called “the decider.” She plan had already incorporated the Understand. Sebelius in per- approves the standards of care of savings of Obamacare in its sell- son is quite friendly and person- national health, the cooperative Leon Burzynski and US Health and Human Services Secretary ing points. able, but when she talks like this, rules with states, the elimination Kathleen Sebelius led a panel talking turkey about the afford- "Do you keep hearing we one senior leaned over to tell me, "She would scare me into behav- of waste, the colloquies with able health care act for a crowd of Milwaukee seniors. are taking $500 billion in 10 years away?" she noted. "Not a ing." medical professionals and a Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the clear to share and a no-nonsense style Also on the Wednesday penny in benefits." That amount range of technical and pragmatic Democratic choice. that insiders say reflect her prep- morning panel along with Stein solutions. Sebelius is also a former aration, capability and growing is the savings from better man- and Burzynski were County Her job is the definition of governor (Kansas) and also a national importance. agement, attacking corruptions Executive Chris Abele, citizens intense complexities and frankly former insurance commissioner While there were several and "ending the overhead private with personal stories of how the a far cry from the seat of the and her trip to Milwaukee was speakers to address aging, phar- companies built in to their profits Act helped and local medical pants "what should we fund part of a whirlwind sales job on maceuticals and new levels of from Medicare Advantage, while leaders. Advantage enrollment keeps next?" days of Tommy the health care bill and how it is local cooperation, the secretary -- Dominique Paul Noth Thompson, the former governor helping thousands already with and HH secretary fighting other more on the way. Republicans for a chance to he was part of a panel climb back into the political ring April 11 at the crowded in the US senate race against US Scounty Washington Park Senior Center - trust these orga- Ayers dies suddenly nizers, Stephanie Sue Stein, ark Ayers, president of the director of the county's depart- MBuilding and Construction ment of aging, and Leon Trades Department (BCTD) and Burzynski, president of an AFL-CIO vice president, Wisconsin Alliance for Retired passed away on Easter in Americans, to round up a crowd. Washington. His sudden collapse But with Sebelius’ reputation and traced to natural causes at age the topic, not much push was 63 shocked and saddened friends, who recalled his work needed to draw several hundred for labor-corporate peace -- and plus media. his ability to reach across natural Lean and specific, Sebelius lines of had vivid soundbites, hard facts division. Ayers, the son of a miner from St. David, Ill,, a small town in the Drive safely. But if you are state's southern in an accident, put years of Mark Ayers coal coun- try, was a longtime leader of the legal experience on your side. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 34 in Peoria, Ill., before ascending to Accidents can happen to even the best drivers. Fortunately, the national union office. Prior to Previant Law Firm has a well-earned reputation for assisting people his election to BCTD leadership in 2007, Ayers served as the involved in auto accidents. Receive the settlement you deserve. If you director of the Construction and have been in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, call for a free consultation. Maintenance Department of the IBEW. A US Navy veteran (an aviator), he also chaired the Car, truck & motorcycle accidents. Call 414-271-4500. AFL-CIO Union Veterans. Among the legions of mourners was US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who com- mented, "Ayers was a quintes- sential 'builder' of coalitions, consensus and a great movement for workplace fairness. He built on the dreams of his members - 1555 N. RiverCenter Drive, Suite 202, Milwaukee, WI laborers, electricians, plumbers 414-271-4500 • 800-841-5232 • www.previant.com and other construction workers - to make the BCTD a strong and articulate voice for working fam- ilies." Page 4 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Who’s on first May 8? And who cares? By Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Labor Press e're not choosing Walker's opponent," said a union leader at Serb Hall - and turning to "Wthe Democratic Party official standing next to him he smiled and added, "And neither are you." What events are making clear - if only the media would cover them fairly - is how no backroom biggies control this state of the state. Not Scott Walker's myth of outside union goons and coffers. Not the GOP fantasy of government workers Pied Pipering the ratty lower class around the Capitol. Not the journalistic fabrication that the nearly mil- lion people who signed recall petitions are bleating sheep misled by wacko radicals. Parents, students, neighborhood groups, middle class workers, modest ecologists and vehement environmental- ists, organic and nonorganic shoppers, rich and poor devel- opers of green communities, farmers, moderates, Latinos, independents and growing numbers of traditional Republicans who feel abandoned by the extremists in their Tom Barrett spoke to the packed Serb Hall while mod- once grand party. All are showing up at grassroots events erator Jennifer Epps-Addison surveyed the crowd. and defying the usual factions that decide these things. and prepare for Instead, Barrett tucked and trimmed to avoid layoffs. All the establishment figure can do is lend organiza- the first candidate debate. Unions here still feel he was too willing to trim and also tion, money and influence to a runaway express. It super- which of the strong candidates win. That came through gave a pass to fire and police workers who supported sedes party labels, Act 10 anger, union membership. It even April 5 in an event set up to favor Kathleen Falk but reveal- Walker, were spared Act 10, spared higher health and pen- ignores the tyrannical pressure of GOP secrecy, the Tea ing far more. At the first gathering of all the real Democrats sion costs and then had the audacity to demand raises Party determination to expose every petition signer or pun- who want to replace Walker, interest filled the 750 chairs denied regular workers. ish every Republican who speaks out against Walker. set up in Serb Hall and then brought 200 more to line the Still, Barrett was clearly in the direct eye of the Walker t is all somewhat naïve and Capra-esque, given modern walls plus scores of media hoping to record some sort of storm while Falk was not, and he uses that to explain how political sensibilities, but Wisconsin is looking much bitter squabble. The media left early and in vain (though she could be more openly supportive of unions and their Ilike the climactic frame of the 1938 "Boys Town" two days later they concocted "Democrats in disarray" sto- ideas faster. A debate remains of degree - those who think when screen after screen of motivated youth behind a deter- ries to sell newspapers and radio/TV shows). Barrett was just being shrewd and those who think he waf- mined priest marched to rid the community of gangsters. Citizen Action relied on a simple device. Those who fled too readily. Many we spoke to inside and outside unions don't care liked what was being said raised their hands and wiggled But here's the surprise. their fingers and those who didn't turned their backs. Some ather than flame-throwing mad at Walker, all his SUPPORTING THOSE of the most prominent hand-wavers were candidates listen- opponents speak sadly about how he destroyed the ing to each other (something few in the media reported). basic fair play of the state, and then accurately and WHO SUPPORT JOBS Even the most unlikely at age 71, Secretary of State evenR derisively dissect his policies. Doug La Follette, unleashed some zingers as well as sport- Even more amazing given what you hear on television ing impressive credentials (and a famous relationship to and in print, union bargaining rights are not center stage for "Fighting Bob" La Follette) of surviving elections even dur- these candidates. ing Republican tsunamis. He was indeed the centurion at The litany against Walker starts and ends with his prov- the bridge blocking Walker's bargaining rights bill as long en poor record on the economy and jobs and the even poor- as legally permissible. er defense his side offers that eventually all his stubborn- But he's also an astute observer of state politics, a ness will make things better (most economists know the wicked analyzer of legislative excess and a firm believer general national recovery plays the biggest part). (without mapping the lineage) in his late great cousin's call The Democrats do have strategic disagreements but not for fair play and lively open debate - the Wisconsin ideal about reversing the signatures of Walker's legislative fail- that Walker kicked into the swamp. ures on public education, government revenue, job poli- f Doug has the La Follette name, cies, cronyism and, first off, bargaining rights. The dis- had the La Follette style -- square-jawed, honest, elo- pute is how. Iquent and straight from the heartland. The state senator Falk won unions over by insisting that eliminating Act who fled to Illinois to delay Walker is also a veteran dairy 10 was Condition One of any fiscal budget bill. farmer and college professor who keeps peeling voters Barrett wants an immediate special session instead to away from Barrett and Falk whenever she talks. end Act 10. Again and again at Serb Hall, she landed candid punch- Falk fears the legislators will dodge that session, while es, flashing her knowledge of the state budget and how the Barrett fears the still GOP Assembly will dodge her fiscal money "was always there - it was Walker's priorities that budget insistence or balk to keep Walker's horrible budget went awry." She should know - she was in harness fighting. in place. Her companions on the dais could only agree with her pas- Vinehout was not alone in wanting her alternate budget sionate points just as she was in agreement with many of with bargaining rights immediately adopted and La theirs. Follette probably spoke the truth at Serb Hall more quietly, Falk had a third of the crowd in her pocket going in that Walker has left such a legal mess that it might not be but won more over with her laments about what Walker had fixed until 2013. done to public education, which she called the key to job But note that all these debates are about strategy. They growth. are not about goal. Reversal is the order of the day. Many expected Tom Barrett to be the most under For philosophical differences you had to look at side attack. Large state unions made it clear he was not their issues, like paid sick days, which Barrett infamously first pick, while many veteran Democrats put him first, per- opposed when nearly 70% of city voters supported an ordi- haps believing that not having unions in his pocket works in nance. He defends the principle but told Serb Hall he want- his favor. ed a national law first. That caused many to turn their backs But it was union members at Serb Hall most upset at to him even though Falk and La Follette confessed they did how a misleadingly edited video from a Charlie Sykes radio not know enough about the issue to form an opinion. show was sent to AFSCME workers to make Barrett look It was Vinehout who slyly pointed out that states doing like a closet supporter of Walker's attack on bargaining better than the federal government in social and economic rights. AFSCME later disowned the video, but some dam- policies are often the hallmarks of genuine change and once age had been done. Like unions Barrett supported paying something Wisconsin prided itself on - until Walker came more for benefits but from the start opposed taping union along. mouths shut, which Walker did while adding such nasties ere the crowd got a better sense of the issue of dar- as the now unconstitutional elimination of union paycheck ing and chance taking that is the real May 8 choice. dues and forced annual recertification outside his selected None of these Democrats are wild-eyed idealists. "public safety" pets. H None are extremists against the extremist Walker. The citi- Barrett is good at these forums explaining how he zens want him gone, but what level of firebrand will they avoided the Walker trap of hitting Milwaukee hardest with go for? It's a matter of taste, since nothing chosen is likely state aid cuts to force the mayor to fire public workers. to dampen this fire. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 5 Media, GOP eager to concoct a Dem squabble By Dominique Paul Noth around. In fact, ask a lot of missed some horrible attack. It Editor, Labor Press Comment disgruntled Republican was a speech ludicrous in its he powers that be want an effectiveness of her ad campaign communities. fabrications and preening. enormous turnout May 8 simply talking to the camera or But no one except the The ad blitz left Falk in to end once and for the letting real citizens - not actors - headline writers have yet said the particular highly amused since T unions want to renege on what both business and labor had GOP canard that Walker is a speak about what Walker has they agreed to freely before shoo-in and Wisconsin doesn't done to them. That's left them praised her leadership of Dane Walker dropped his pants - but want to dump him. But they fuming, forced to attack and County to spur record economic they sure should have the right to don't want to lose main focus on demean, call her the "union growth by retaining high services. talk about it, shouldn’t they? the June 5 recall, So they have to candidate" despite how unions Admittedly she had a strong UW n Walker's ads there is accept that many are undecided have splintered. and legislative employee base to barely a mention of any despite the insider pressures and The GOP is still acting start, but the steady addition of Walker achievement or at best guesses - and the heart attack that confident that money and a I tech companies, corporate vague references to much debated gives the candidates. It's not boilerplate marketing ploy will Vinehout enlivening debates headquarters and better standards data. Even Walker's own camp quite "anyone but Walker" but it allow it to talk old school politics is also the result of her policy. public activism. The odds have avoids any reference to his is creating its own life. to old school voters. "You have to chuckle," she changed from underdog to likely. abysmal track record on jobs -- Now consider how all the But there are no salient said about the ads, "because erhaps that's why so much the worst in the nation! -- or how media reports throughout April details in the ads, just generic under my watch for 14 years the ink inventing he has raided government funds are trying to play up dissension in blame and questionably broad Madison area grew more jobs "disagreements" among the targeted for other purposes such the Democratic ranks, turning and misleading statistics blaming P than any other part of the state." Democrats running May 8 to as foreclosures (taking away one what used to be regarded as Democrats for everything that arrett must be equally replace Walker. Frankly, a lot of of his campaign charges against democratic debate about strategy went wrong with the country. amused. By picking on folks have their favorites in this his predecessor), or how he has into something nasty. So who is his is what pundits call the him, unintentionally the race because they want to assure actually raised taxes (though on B really being nasty and why? ad machine has helped "I'm rubber you're glue" the strongest candidate to oust the lowest incomes and bottom of While Scott Walker is clearly GOP strategy, blaming the re-establish his credentials among the recall prize June 5 for T Walker. The "disagreements' are the middle class rankings who liberals, who have complained Democrats for stuff the all about tactics to reverse course probably weren't voting for him Democrats, the Republican Republicans instituted and want that as Milwaukee mayor he has Governors Association - a third for Wisconsin and undo Act 10. in the first place). been too supportive of the to return to destroy us again. Pay attention to the recent party political funding machine Sure, Barrett sounds happy business community and refused So far all that unlimited Walker ads and note their not to be mistaken for the public with the level of benefits giving to go progressive enough in tax money hasn't made a dent in the backwards time machine service governors group - was agreed to by the unions (and that and service policies to notably public passion, according to polls. approach. You get the feeling that unsure in March whether Walker's could be a bone of caution) and reduce the 45% black male Walker spending is simply it's neither Barrett nor Falk he big opposition would be then Falk is emphasizing how unemployment entrenched during bouncing off a wall of hostility. wants. Walker still feels cheated unannounced Milwaukee Mayor restoring full bargaining rights the Reagan-Bush-Clinton-Bush But money sure preoccupies the that he never got to run against Tom Barrett or already hard- would open even those for national manufacturing downturn. mainstream media - as well it Doyle. In fact, he may have charging former Dane County negotiation. Of course! But maybe it's smart politics should. The local media makes squeaked by in 2010 by Executive Kathleen Falk. But the unions gave that over to bank on how much of the GOP the most money from Walker's pretending it was Doyle not So RGA attacked BOTH freely. I suspect that they would and NRA faith is like the Las side and prays nightly the Barrett. Barrett and Falk in a statewide want to talk about it again since Vegas gambler betting "on the national unions step in with even alker even went to the come." TV ad blaming them for policies you could argue that more in more ads to help their bottom National Rife Someday, Walker keeps before the current recovery. Then health give-backs and less in line. Association April 12 saying, astringency for the they split into second echoing ads The journalists and pensions would be better for the W working class and rewards for the to seek money and describe economy. It is also painfully against both. And then, when anchorites still underplay the himself as holding back a tide of wealthy, the stuff that never Barrett did announce just before truly remarkably story. That's clear that Walker's Act 10 is alien liberal hordes coming to moved the economic needle up in his April 3 re-election as mayor, how, from being dismissed in the costing the taxpayers money not take their guns. Wisconsinites the past, will come through. the Walker campaign came out press as a longshot effort a few saving any because it ties the immediately turned on the news When you don't have the for choice. No kidding. They months ago, recall Walker fever hands of unions and governments channels and wondered if, like beef or the grill, Madison Avenue created both a Falk ad and a now controls the highway of to make money-saving deals. Ask War of the Worlds, they had tells us, just sell the sizzle. Barrett ad, first using the Barrett one when a lot of insider Democrats (Obey, Moore, Lawton, Kagen, Kohl) strongly endorsed him. Who knows what ad they will use next? isconsin is clearly confusing the WRepublicans. They could hardly waste all that Save the Date extensive opposition research from the 2010 campaign when Barrett was the Democratic Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO candidate for governor --- or rd ignore internal polls that mark 3 Annual him still better known statewide than Falk. Yet they can't ignore the interest in Falk nor the Fundraiser & Awards Dinner Saturday Evening, June 2, 2012 Hilton Milwaukee City Centre 509 W. Wisconsin Avenue – Empire Ballroom Over 30 years experience For more information please call or e-mail No attorney fees unless the case is successful Lynnda Guyton at the MALC office,414-771-7070 Call now for your no obligation consultation or [email protected] Page 6 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org It’s postal theft -- but by Congress! here's a little triangular tion in a national Day of Action lousy business practice that park at Plankinton and April 12 against a so-called Congress could easily solve with TWells with a city statue “compromise” in Congress. a good bill - yet they keep trying honoring the letter carriers. The Postal workers and letter to beat the workers down with statue was draped with a banner carriers are fighting to save thou- deceptions like a halfway house. signaling the complaints of the sands of centers and almost Senate 1789 trades cash carriers and the challenges to the 200,000 jobs because of an infusion for jobs and service public to save its postal institu- impossible financial mandate and losses, once again avoiding the simple corrective action needed. It will take community opposi- tion to expose the truth and stop the destructive bill, which is the purpose of events near US Senate offices to pressure elected officials. In Milwaukee the gath- ering was organized by the letter carriers with key leader Scott Letter carriers union state leader Scott Van Derven steered his Van Derven wielding the bull- workers and passersby during the Downtown protest April 12. horn and passersby and officials such as Sen. lend- Actually, the pension funds by intensive television commer- ing support. at the US postal service are cials on national networks. On a Thursday afternoon, already decades ahead in cover- Full rescue would be a busi- however, it became clear how ing workers and the postal ser- ness solution as opposed to sim- few people realize what is about vice continues to cost the tax ply cutting - which would serve to slam down on them and why. payer zero dollars (that's right, only to drive people away from usiness leaders ought to nada). The $5 billion yearly the Postal Service, reduce reve- be the first in line when hardship just makes it impossi- nues, and ultimately destroy one Bthey understand the dam- ble to function effectively, yet an of America's oldest and most age looming in the massive and imposition so devastating could important agencies, which by needless shutdowns. In the Bush easily be solved instead of clos- law must operate on a break- years, the US Postal Service was ing services and firing workers. even basis. subjected to a rule no business Why isn't that on the table? he USPS affects every could survive, to pay all its pen- Because the aim is really to resident and business. The sion costs 75 years ahead in a 10 make the US postal service look loss of Saturday delivery, year window. That meant putting T bad and open the door to privati- door-to-door delivery and the aside $5 billion a year just to pay zation and profits for nongovern- radical downsizing of the USPS this cost and cover the retirement mental companies to make a kill- contemplated in this bill would of workers not yet born. ing by stepping in with higher- dismantle a beloved institution priced mail service. The solution that has served the nation for - dumping the old bill and letting more than 235 years and that Orthopedic Institute the postal service expand its ser- remains our only universal deliv- vices - has to be debated. ery network. It would push of Wisconsin But while Congress prevari- away from modernizing technol- cates, employees are intervening ogy while laying down for prof- Thomas J. Perlewitz, MD on behalf of the American people it-minded companies. Orthopedic Surgeon to protect the USPS and to "Postal reform is needed, Spine Specialist assure that the services provided but the solution is not Senate Fellowship Trained to the public aren't degraded. 1789," said Van Derven. The Day of Action is supported -- Dominique Paul Noth 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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But don't deny them the and sometimes willful hires, that ism displayed by Wisconsin rom the start, those who constitutionally provided ability a secret network existed within Justices Prosser, Gableman and signed petitions feel under to correct. feet of his desk and involved Zeigler at our highest court, more threat from the There are sometimes reasons consultations on tactics, funding, undermining any call for fair- F media than those who didn't to use an eraser. policy, gossip, bickering about ness). sign, making that the price But if the recalls are already whom he favored and on and on, But when the media ques- they're willing to pay for citizen close to what Walker treated as a with details still unfolding. tions the signing of a petition to involvement. Should the media mandate, the Journal Sentinel is rom all evidence these the point of scorn, that raises an even be doing that unless there is editorially on record as opposing operations were more issue of fabricated outrage. McCarthy then compared some sort of obvious conflict -- the concept of recalls about poli- akin to Mafia cutouts and ou would expect journal- to Wisconsin now F and what is an obvious conflict cy, holding out for corruption or the operational methods of ter- ists to be as aggressive and what is a manufactured one? malfeasance in office. to be on Walker's side) that the rorist cells. Yet these clandestine in pointing out which Y In editorials journalists still ell, obviously, we are media needs to stay alive. tendencies dovetail with what we public officials DIDN'T sign the give lip service criticism to getting close to that, Beyond that, the citizens are know of Walker as governor -- recall when asked and whether "vindictive acts aimed at discour- and the journalists at defying the media resistance to the secretive stubborn refusal to fear of reprisal by right-wing W recalls. Just look at what they discuss and compromise, the reli- voters was behind that refusal. aging political dissent" but acts JS and elsewhere must acknowl- of omission or avoidance are not edge that many in the public who are feeling, signing and promot- ance on aides to flesh out details, After all, from the start, only criticized - perhaps because it is watched Walker at work over the ing in neighborhoods across the the leanings, legal or question- the Tea Party and the GOP - and mainly the media so engaged. It years were connectively ahead of state. And how little of that is able, of tacticians and financial the journalists! -- are going is exactly this fear of reprisal, their plodding investigation. reported compared to a few loud insiders and outsiders. around taking names of those that freed McCarthy to mislead Recalls also have a bad rep- voices with deep pockets. Yet even while the journal- who signed or threatening them, for so long. utation for often being used by And it is not just in the ists are circling in, they seem to deliberately or not, with loss of The choice of who to identi- right-wing extremists angry at impact of Walker's policies (we be asking the public not to use support or even opposition for fy for signing a petition, who not tax policy, so some sense of can argue about the outcome of his behavior through the only public office. these still green graftings). It is recourse left them - petitions for You might expect a few sto- to and who never to identify for applying brakes is understand- turning the idea down has all also the growing evidence that redress and elections for recall ries pointing out that not signing able. It is also good to be objec- become quite ludicrous. More corruption should be a natural in public may have been based tive in reporting both sides. -- though it is the public that is coercion is favoring the GOP But let's not fall into that part of the recall discussion as suffering the consequences of on fear of being excommunicat- side over the opposition side, tired journalistic equivalency the John Doe and other probes lost ethics and failed openness. ed by your party. All that could though neither is blameless. game that if both sides are circle in on Walker, who has I agree that judges who be quite different from what the But why through April was attacking you, you must be doing already been required to talk to know they will be forced to citizens intend to do in the secre- the public watchdog only bark- something right. That can also be the prosecutors and who avoided judge Walker's involvement in cy of the voting booth (and sev- ing up one tree? a sign you are doing something proper procedures in hiring peo- deeply wrong. ple under investigation. The selectivity in what edi- This can't be dismissed as a tors and executives report and partisan witch-hunt, not given the encourage staff to report has over care, professionalism and the evi- months added force to the doubt dence involved. A dozen of his and hostility toward the media. advisers and aides were at the Management's resistance smacks very least engaged in secretive of an obduracy similar to campaign and public policy inter- Walker's, or of playing up to mingling. How the prison time the corporate dollars (suspected falls out is still in the future, but

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City______State______Zip______Mail to: Milwaukee Labor Press YES!633 S. Hawley Road, #110, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Page 8 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Rising high over the cynics:

Workers offer Rick Barrett a familiar welcome as he pointing most of his 1-2-3- bedroom units at that apartment starts a tour of the Moderne and later ride up and market. Put the politics and the economy together and most down the cage as they move floor to floor. of Milwaukee was frankly scared. he sun was shining and no clouds were in sight 14 months later when I met Barrett on Brewers home Topening day to clamber through the almost-done Moderne. I was fearful that most of the union workers would have skipped to Miller Park. Not so. The full crew scheduled was on hand -- about 112 of the 250 union work- ers still involved. They kept the outside cage elevator hum- ming with platoons and material dropped floor to floor, By Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Labor Press barely moving their bulky bodies over for the familiar cre- ome 14 months ago I walked into murmurings of ator and the nosy guy with the camera. doom and dismay never previously experienced at a "Put on those hardhats before OSHA sees you." The posh upbeat wine and fete launching a massive foreman was smiling but he was still barking at us. S The construction log for the main contractor, J.H. downtown project. Without exaggeration that was the attitude at the Findorff & Son, indicated I was visiting on a slow day - that County Historical Society among Milwaukee's elite regard- jobs were proving an empty Madison promise (the euphoria the real beehive would not explode until closer to the finish less of political persuasion Feb. 24, 2011, gathered to min- was always around the corner - still is) contrasted with what line. This was busy enough - caulk was being laid, the out- gle around the groundbreaking for a 30 story landmark idea skilled workers angrily realized - the new governor rejected side was being painted, electricians, carpenters, floorers, called the Moderne. thousands of train-related construction jobs. masons, sprinkler teams were unloading floor after floor Even within the feints and faint praise for the nearby What a time to invest in Milwaukee! What a time to even as granite was delivered, equipment was moved in and signage at 3rd and Juneau (the hidden end at that time of try to lure young couples and empty nesters to a high-rise the chemical lab was raised a floor to be closer to the spray the long praised but long fallow Park East and its 14,000 downtown! teams. acres exposed by a demolished freeway), there was mutter- et it was in this atmosphere that Barrett insisted on The lead contractors hadn't even mentioned the four ings under the speeches from aldermen, financiers, con- full-prevailing-wage union construction, a return to internal elevators were being inspected and now working - struction veterans and government insiders - mutterings like Ya neglected 1930s architectural school, wrap-around and "they're fast and quiet," the Findorff manager told the this: vistas with windows that actually open up to the summer owner. "Money down the drain." breeze on the top floors (unheard of in skyscrapers), state of 'Hear that?" said Barrett, and then, "Why didn't anyone "All union? The last of that!" the art efficiencies in tight spaces, floors of parking, wi-fi, tell me?" He remembered how this crew had worked "The final biggie for downtown." marbled-counter kitchens - and even a fancy ground-floor through the blueprints and built the elevator shafts "within a "Insane risk." restaurant with an imported prestige chef. quarter of an inch of specifications - isn't that something?" he goat they were talking about, or the visionary I never asked and have no idea of Rick Barrett's politi- Barrett led me up and down through several floors of depending on your viewpoint, was a largely cal leanings, but this was a case of a developer with a nearly finished and barely framed quarters. In one I could unknown young developer everyone said they liked dream flying in the face of everyone's advice to play it safe. see operational washers and dryers and on a higher level I T He persevered throughout 2010, building painful finan- could literally look across undone condominiums in one even as they questioned his mental capacity. He had con- structed a few unsung buildings along a street named cial bridges with the city fathers and businesses, cajoling gaze to City Hall on one side and Time Warner headquarters Commerce and was starting a major skyscraper (30 stories and leaning hard for some $9 million in TIFs and other Continued Next Page is major in Milwaukee). He had persuasive salesmanship - easements. He spent big on design and promotion. He talk- and former ballplayer Rick Barrett accidentally shared the ed the nationally prestigious $4 billion AFL-CIO Housing same last name as the mayor. Investment Trust Fund and similar investors into putting up But 14 months ago his timing looked horrible to those more than $42 million with a HUD loan guaranty as part of insiders. Because politics had just exploded, the GOP had the fund's nationwide push to foster good-paying jobs and won by proclaiming Wisconsin broke and in need of innovative urban projects. enforced starvation, Some 90 miles away, Scott Walker Such financial acumen hardly silenced the doubters - dropped the nuclear bomb on the state, eviscerating public it made several ultra-skeptical of how Barrett was taking a worker bargaining rights, drifting over into shrinkage of pri- chance on the unsung unbuilt north edge of the deserted vate union jobs, and about to squeeze money out of munici- Park East on a site hidden by tired buildings and parking palities (Milwaukee first) and out of state aid to education structures. in the name of "balance." Only union pension funds seemed to be taking a chance What little life was left in major construction dropped on big construction projects because banks were sitting on their, assets - and aren't banks supposed to know best? Exterior caulking seems to whip by as you ride up the dead. Unemployment and lack of credit were already devas- Moderne’s outside cage. Inside the high apartments, tating (30% job emptiness for just the skilled trades). More Their experts spoke more fondly of houses and condos and derisively about the lowly apartment, yet Barrett was windows roll open to let the north breeze in . . . or out.

Anthony Neira Richard Pusa Business Manager President/Business Representative 6310 W. Appleton Ave. 414-873-4520 www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 9 Barrett, Moderne and unions

Modern kitchens and counters were being installed as From some apartments the Milwaukee River seems Barrett took a visitor through Moderne apartments. close enough to jump into while from others (right) you can watch the river wend far away. 've built with a lot of non-union companies, but From Page 8 they didn't hold a candle. These unions are the best the older buildings in the area but also a modernized signal - they take charge, they move ahead, are organized, on the other. "I to the developing ones. they are fast, they save me money because they know what It turns out the big condo on the north had just been On the eighth floor where apartment units begin just they're doing. leased for two years to the CEO of a major corporation. above parking, an insulated half floor ("So soundproof you "We are way ahead of schedule. We weren't going to I went down hallways with electrical wires still hang- can't hear anything!") is actually a mechanized house for all open until September, but now the first residents will move ing and plywood waiting, skipped around carpet installers manner of HVAC -- calibrating gauges, hot water pipes, in August. I can add stuff to the plans. I'm now talking with (alternate floor decorating schemes, black and cream), steam conduits, air conditioning as residents desire. "We've a chef from Chicago and we could open his place when the inspected high-tech outlets, examined working counters and got builders coming in from all over to see how we do this," building opens. I am totally confident in the work." faucets - even an apartment designed for the disabled with said the proud developer. "It saves money. When this build- "You know, whenever I bump into these guys, the first lower controls in the kitchen. Common spaces for tenants ing is up and running, it will only take eight workers" to thing they ask me is, 'What are we doing next? were right now storage for trades equipment. serve more than 200 units. Barrett continues to build - in Chicago for one place - Barrett let me sit in some of the outdoor high nooks in o one jests about Barrett’s Folly now as he heads to and has other projects afoot including some in Milwaukee select apartments and work the beveled windows that let the a vacation in Mexico. Not with 97% apartment he can't yet speak about. But he shared a little bit about wind in for those who still want nature high up. The Mod- occupancy downtown. Not while home buying still what it takes to be a "job creator," perhaps not realizing erne's mixed use of curved windows at the corners and N the phrase is hot and heavy in political news of late. suffers and condos built along the lake convert to apart- squared stretches and panes provided changing exterior ments. Not while Commerce St. where Barrett started is "First there were people with money who believed and views on very side in every unit. now so packed that traffic can't get through. took a chance," he said. "I'd sure like the AFL-CIO Fund to To the west you can look down and see the hills and Not when other major projects are forming downtown, come back here and do more. We need people who intersections of new roads and infrastructure. On the other such as the new Potowatomi Hotel and even more Park East believe." side, the Milwaukee River rolls and loops and the higher up activity and interest. (For the Moderne, figure $1340 a "Then there's appreciating what quality workers can do you go even the lake glistens. It all feels almost in your lap. month at the bottom but going up as apartments get bigger, for you -- how they earn what they ask. There's teamwork, On the south, look out on Milwaukee's attractive down- the bedrooms increase and ceilings get two feet higher.) there's planning, but there's also looking at all the angles town, quite different than it was even a few years ago. The biggest criticism also has turned into a sure winner. and knowing how to talk to people." ven the once-scoffed positioning of the Moderne is Union workers. It becomes clear as you traverse the building I suspect there's also forgetting the negative vibes of 14 proving an advantage. On the north side residents that Barrett knows not just his onions but also his unions. He months ago. will be the envy of City's sidewalk super- E knows these workers even to their first names, bantering with intendents because they will have a literal window into many and asking what's next. And they know him. massive expansion of the downtown landscape. "They love him," said Lyle Balistreri, president of the Congratulations You can look far into Riverwest, or at empty adjacent Milwaukee Construction and Building Trades Council, lots or older buildings about to disappear - such as Sydney ConstruCtion AFL-CIO, who clearly heard the pessimism that greeted HiH, just across the street and scheduled for demolition. Barrett's plunge into downtown 14 months ago - and proba- Moderne residents are now perfectly positioned to gawk at Workers! bly still hears jokes about "costly" unionized workers. He multiple major construction if other developers take grips about "self-destructing" developers who haven't Barrett's lead - and many apparently are or will. absorbed as Barrett has the savings of speed and efficiency. This was the land where the county and city tried to "My workers are still suffering the economic down- lure hundreds of Kohl's office workers. You can see the turn," said Balistreri. "There are still people building in modernized Juneau Bridge going up. Whatever happens Milwaukee who don't get it and politicians who get it even you will see Milwaukee's future unfolding. LocaL 9 less. I get so angry about them I have to bite my tongue. The views may be the selling point (already more than But here's a guy and a project as good as any I've been 70 of the 200 units are spoken for), but Barrett is most involved with." proud of the hidden interior fine points. Unsolicited, Barrett says similar stuff. "In Milwaukee you will often have people on one side of the building cool as you go up and others dealing with A carpentry supervisor the heat of the sun," he noted, "so we've invested in both works through the plans steam heat and air-conditioning so that each floor can have in the Findorff basement either - back and forth as needed." nerve center at the The gambler in him is also smart, he argued, discussing Moderne. the common floor plans on the top five floors that allow him BELOW: In a special to move from condos to apartments or back depending on eighth floor room a jum- Need electricians? market demand. 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For more information, please call 414-327-5202 or visit www.ibew494.com. Barrett cautions careful stepping through an unfin- ished high-rise (the Moderne opens in three months). Page 10 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org SEIU janitors mourn loss of a dozen jobs he Grim Reaper joined ed as some 30 circled the build- building service jobs that were downtown janitors on ing front under the watchful killed December 1st by develop- Friday the 13th at high cameras of Milwaukee police, er/building owner Stewart T who had two vans and a squad Wangard," aid the organizers as noon to mourn the loss of good jobs by a building owner that car parked in the neighborhood they and community supporters abandoned benefits for low-pay and were able to film from the marched to and then at 875 E. workers and refused to consider private steps denied to public Wisconsin Avenue. SEIU for the job. media photographers. A Wangard-led investment Drums beat, cymbals What was this about? It was group owns the commercial crashed and slogans were chant- "in memory of 12 decent paying offices in a building that union janitors had cleaned since it opened ten years ago. The union janitors - represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 - were paid $11 an hour with health General Orthopedics/Joint Replacement insurance benefits. They were While the rally in front of the downtown office building at its Joint Reconstruction/Arthroscopic Surgery replaced by part-time, non-union peak drew 30 peaceful but loud SEIU marchers, it drew two Back and Neck Surgery janitors paid $8.50 an hour and police vans, a patrol car and an officer with a video camera Foot, Ankle, Hand and Wrist Surgery no affordable health benefits, the shooting every minute. Our tax dollars at work. Hip Resurfacing and Fracture Repair local's leaders reported. Shoulder and Knee Surgery Nearly all major office Health and Hygiene Drive Sports Medicine/Work Related Injuries buildings downtown are cleaned struggles to help homeless shelters by companies that recognize Jeffrey Butler, MD Thomas Perlewitz, MD ven as economic times force average families to look inward, Local 1 and work with the union James Stone, MD Eric Pifel, MD shelters for Milwaukee’s growing homeless ask ordinary people to to maintain a business environ- E Daniel Guehlstorf, MD Joshua Neubauer, MD continue to look outward at a desperate and growing need. The 23rd ment that is clean, comfortable Steven Trinkl, MD Christopher Evanich, MD annual Health and Hygiene Drive is being counted on more than ever William Pennington, MD Brian McCarty, MD and safe, noted Pete Hanrahan, by some two dozen shelters relying on donations and purchases of Jamie Edwards, MD Bindu Bamrah, MD Wisconsin director of SEIU paper products, toiletries and other items of everyday basic health and Amin Afsari, DO Local 1. grooming. "Wangard is one of the very It is essential not just for self-worth but to relieve the stressed bud- few irresponsible building own- To schedule an appointment, gets of these shelters. Fire Department stations, United Way and the ers downtown who has failed to Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 633 S. Hawley Rd., are accepting call 414-384-6700 understand the importance of gathered products, donations or cash till about the time Wisconsin Milwaukee Wauwatosa decent jobs that keep workers off 2901 W. KK River Pkwy. 2323 N. Mayfair Rd. recalls a governor. Contact AFL-CIO field liaison Jay Reinke at (414) of public assistance in our recov- Suite 102 Suite 310 771-9828 or [email protected]. ering economy." Franklin Brookfield The council is talking up the drive among its members and the 3111 W. Rawson Ave. 17000 W. North Ave. Local 1 represents over Suite 200 Suite 201 East community, recognizing that this year represents a hard slog because of 1,000 janitors and other service what both average families and these neglected homeless are going www.TheOrthoInstitute.com workers, mostly working in through. Time is short and the need is great. Downtown Milwaukee.

We Salute All Construction Workers! Celebrating the 47th Annual Observance in Milwaukee! Blane Tom Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Marvin Cartwright President Gerard Maciejewski Vice President Rick Wilson Recording Secretary Patrick McMahon Trustee Chair Joseph Garfield Trustee Mitchell Olejniczak Trustee John Lemerand Inspector www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 11 Even right wingers get Rachel’s “Drift’ By Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Labor Press patients and misplaced hundreds of confused American col- lege students. he right-wing's main devil praises Rachel Maddow! Book Review But even here she looks underneath and beyond In a nifty bit of counter-programming, the back of how death-inflicting drones from Pakistan are made possi- Reagan to explain why citizens were so eager to throw our the "Drift" cover jacket features a "must read" blurb T ble by rich sheik devotion to falconry. But mainly she dis- principled democratic baby into the ashcan. She does not from the heavyweight guru of FOX News, Roger Ailes, sects the American psyche from the inside. spare Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton or Al Gore, particularly though even he can't avoid harrumphing that MSNBC's e hate war, but we love warriors. We can aban- over the trend to bloated and corrupt privatization. Even most popular radical leftie "never makes the case that war don our reluctance over bloodshed when our today citizens look the other way at Croatian and Afghan might be necessary." bloodlust is triggered and fears are ignited. We ditch-diggers and meal providers. Privatization almost by What? Did he even read it? The entire point of "Drift" W believe in the leader on the white horse when he's brandish- definition means we are paying someone big money to do is American citizens no longer have to wrestle with that ing a gun. While we agree intellectually that people should dirty things in our name, yet American taxpayers still don't basic question. find it horrible to kill, we grab for any trick to buy our way grasp the waste in treasure, reputation and soul in sparing While the Founding Fathers set up an elaborate system out of trouble, much as abolitionists were happy to pay "real Americans" from supply lines and mess-hall KP. to curb the executive war fever, to make war difficult and their way out of Civil War service. Wait! Is Maddow saying we have lost our way but can subject to excruciatingly hard thinking, the US can now go Some of this sounds obvious when a reviewer sets its still restore the real America, and the solutions have little to ballistic without interrupting any of our multiple entertain- down, but Maddow earns these do with the partisan ferocity that keeps her and cable news ment channels. conclusions with her analysis flourishing? Frankly, yes. Congress can't stop it, citizens don't have to ask as they of history, producing much t is the lingering paradox. We still don't know how easi- did in WWII "Why We Fight?" because there's no why, and ironic laughter - and "oh, Lord" ly we have shredded the safeguards, the checks and bal- millions screaming on the street fail to dent the drift. moments -- along the way. It's ances, we still don't fathom the hidden price of neglect Maddow's book, subtitled "The Unmooring of "Pogo" revised, putting life I and indifference. Gently, humorously and surgically, she's American Military Power," brought her to a Milwaukee behind cartoonist Walt Kelly's trying to wake us up - and it's much deeper than reducing talkback April 21. It exposes how neither left nor right famous observation that "We our defense budget. planned this, how we got to this state with the best of inten- have met the enemy and they is "Drift" right now is going through all the suspicious tions, flying concerned flags about our families, our econo- us." promotional huzzahs of our celebrity age - New York Times my and even our values. One disturbing suggestion is how Without giving up her lib- best seller devotion, praise from Leno and other talking love of toddlers fostered privatization and a paid army of eral tone and credentials, heads, endless publicity tours, all the stuff that gains media mercenaries to shift us further away from a time when citi- Maddow plays it honest to both attention while raising skepticism about temporal flighti- zens had to leave work and hearth to go fight. Now we Rachel Maddow sides as she watches us drift ness. don't have to leave the sofa. Talk about mission creep! into adventurism from our The book is better than that. It is not a quick read to Deftly Maddow lifts the curtain on what led society to founding to Vietnam to the Persian Gulf to today. You can't forget, like a pop song flourish or a Donald Trump abandon built-in protections. Flashing the wit, asides and pretend that her disbelief and dismay aren't the most full punchline. It's bright, requires mulling, moments to put it intellectual style that make her sentences dense but shrewd, blown exploding the Reagan era with its bizarre secrecy, down and think. There are chapters to revisit that transcend her Oxfordian commentaries the most surprisingly popular "unitary" warping of presidential powers and mainly our current partisan cable wars and jingoism (hear that, element of her news shows, Maddow shows both a breadth Keystone Kops excesses - such as Grenada where our Roger?). Keep it handy. of analysis and a relish of history. She pauses to explain mighty military couldn't handle a compass, killed mental SteamfitterS LocaL 601 the officers & members of Steamfitters Local 601 Salutes milwaukee’s 47th annual construction Week

Kevin La mere Dale Poweleit Joel Zielke James o’Brien Business Manager President Financial Sec./Treas. Business Agent Doug edwards Gary cox John mcGrath Walter c. Kunde Business Agent Business Agent Vice President Recording Secretary We Salute Our James Stone John Strom Stephen Braley Brian toutant Executive Board Executive Board Executive Board Executive Board Teamster Construction Workers Chartered in 1935 Celebrating 77 Years as a Local!

Congratulations to all TeamsTers LocaL 200 miLwaukee/Fond du Lac Page 12 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Gains amid a shadow April 3 By Dominique Paul Noth Ecstatic supporters crushed new Ald. Perez election night Editor, Labor Press or nonpartisan local offi- cials and judges, April 3 Fdetermined the next four years of their public lives - a big deal. The national media con- centrated on a small deal, the obvious clown sideshow known as the GOP presidential primary where Mitt Romney edged Rick Santorum about 43-38% in a weak turnout race that probably won't be remembered by anyone come May. But there was a shadow At the end of the March delegate meeting, a crowd of election win- hanging over the entire process ners (David Bowen), losers (Eyon Biddle) and supporters stunned that affected many results and Sheila Cochran with thank-you bouquets, honoring her“tireless sup- put the national GOP figures in a Peggy Romo-West sailed to vic- Newcomer Tracey Corder's loss port of young African Americans trying to change things.” strange shade. They all supported tory with nearly 57% of the vote made a curious choice, Deanna won handily. Over at the city, The media tried to make this the threatened governor in words though outspent four to one by Alexander, the new supervisor that comptroller job was won by a pro or anti Walker race and but avoided physically posing her opponent. but will not overall slow the the longtime assistant to retired Stark indeed had said she did with him out of fear of the future In districts where Latinos board's move to a more progres- Wally Morics -- Martin Matson. not want to be associated with (imagine what a photo op for the have not yet grown to a majority, sive mix of incumbents and fresh The position of city treasurer "Walker's values," by being press that would be!). Agreeing change was not in the air for the activists. was contested by two known appointed by him to the bench. with Scott Walker at arm's length reform and corrective minded. The labor council had stayed Democratic state senators, Tim But it was the electorate more can win sympathetic GOP voters, Educator Benjamin Juarez - part- out of County District 15, Carpenter and Spencer Coggs. than the candidate who made a but the game was avoiding the ly because of a poor campaign because two similar Democrats Coggs won - though don't expect big issue at the polls about distaste looming in the May 8 strategy that assailed the incum- were competing. Rep. David him to leave the senate at long as Walker's involvement, aided in primary, the June 5 recall elec- bent with last minute attacks on Cullern, fearing redistricting there is a 16-16 tie - and is no small measure by JS publicity tion, the John Doe corruption his shady past rather than simply would cost him his state seat, expected to become an influen- about her statement. probe and the court declarations repeating his recent extremist leaped into the county race tial figure in ongoing Milwaukee So her win was one of sev- of his unconstitutional tactics. preenings - failed to unseat vet- against Dan Cody, a parks and politics from his office at City eral clues as to how the voters ll that left everyone eran District 8 Ald. Bob transit champion who had been Hall. feel about the upcoming recall. examining April 3 for Donovan, the Common Council's working for years on replacing n judicial contests, labor sup- But it's not a clean message. The Apredictive signs - and most disruptive member. retiring Lynne de Bruin. Cullen's ported Mark Sanders was low turnout in this election sug- both sides saw portents. For ne progressive failure better-known name in a region unopposed and hence sailed gests it still takes a lot to moti- instance, Wisconsin's fastest I was not a surprise in an overlapping his Assembly district to victory. In the Branch 23 race vate the public to believe that growing minority, Latino citi- African American dis- won him the seat by some 1,400 for the Milwaukee Circuit Court, elections change things. zens, also successful in challeng- O trict. Eyon Biddle, who had votes, but the contest among nor- there were two highly regarded The distinct lack of involve- es to the voter ID law and the given up a safe seat on the coun- mal colleagues caused quiet hos- candidates, but the labor coun- ment of the black minority com- GOP redistricting maps, are now ty board, was an outspent under- tility among voters. cil's choice, Hannah Dugan, lost munity, judging by the voting the most energetic and progres- dog in his city District 15 fight County Executive Chris to Lindsey Grady. numbers in too many inner city sive faction in the electorate and against a perennially smooth, Abele was re-elected unopposed At the same time labor's districts, suggests organizers proved it April 3. amiable and well-financed Willie (largely because no one dared choice for Branch 17, Carolina who think their engagement in Yet in Milwaukee, the larg- Hines, the second most powerful take on his wealth and no one Stark, surprised the field with the recall is essential to defeating est entrenched minority, most person in city government as can quite figure his intentions). 13,000 votes more than the Walker - well, they have their suffering from lack of jobs and president of the Common ut the County Board is Walker appointee to the bench, work cut out for them. poverty, African Americans, Council. now absent its self- Nelson Phillips. seemed the most complacent It would have taken amazing absorbed chairman Lee using the ballot box. Maybe insight and galvanization of the B Holloway (whose seat was won because it didn't solve things injured and neglected district cit- by the council backed Russell before. That indifference had to izens to change things, and there Stamper II) and is likely to prove be a disappointment to the union was little turnout at the polls. an even more coordinated force organizers who worked hard to Similarly, there was hope for change and opposition to the improve their lot. but not massive grassroots efforts exec if he tries to bully his way. (As one longtime Democrat behind Ray Harmon's attempt to This became apparent April told me, his party's establishment unseat do-little incumbent Ald. 16 when labor backed Marina concern about traditional sources Robert Puentes in the predomi- Dimitrijevic, who had sailed to of money and influence "could nantly black District 9, but while re-election, was chosen the new be our Achilles heel because he led early in the count, chairman of the board. more and more involved young Harmon succumbed by some 500 Also elected were newcomer citizens are tired of our caution votes. David Bowen (District 10) and and moving way ahead of us.") Both Biddle and Harmon incumbent Theo Lipscomb, labor That is certainly one reading had been endorsed by the backed and a challenger for the of the Milwaukee election Milwaukee Area Labor Council, board chair. Returning are a num- results, where the Common as had another progressive candi- ber of well-regarded incumbents Council became more progres- date who lost in a low turnout (Gerry Broderick, Nikiya Harris sive and dynamic when Latino African American area, open and Jason Haas, all unopposed). activist Jose Perez, a veteran County Board District 18. On the Common Council, developer and MICAH organizer, labor backed incumbents Milele surprised the establishment by Coggs, Michael Murphy and defeating long established and Tony Zielinksk were re-elected strongly financed veteran James (while a number of other incum- Witkowiak, first elected in 1992. bents were unopposed). Perez won by 90 to 200 votes Labor's choice for the elect- depending on how you count ed county comptroller, a position these moving results. imposed by the Madison GOP District 12 is a Hispanic legislators that may now have majority region that coalesced boomeranged on their effort to around Perez, Turnout in Latino control the county, is actually an neighborhoods is still somewhat experienced independent expert low, but growing. In Latino on county fiscal practices, the majority County District 12, veteran and long appointed incumbent Latino Supervisor Carolina Stark comptroller, Scott Manske, who www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 13 Threads to labor in PBS preview By Dominique Paul Noth Editor, Labor Press TV Review n visual and intellectual qual- ity it is the best hour on who learned from an illegal national television. In educa- immigrant father, also a weaver, I she hid as a child and invests tional kits and human insight into what makes the nation's border insights into barbed wire visionaries tick, this Peabody and safety pins threading. honored series has deep influ- All these brilliant surprising ence over our schools and heri- people are the lead-in to Agnew's tage. In Nielsen ratings com- lightning quick connections of pared to "American Idol," it today's society and nature's dete- doesn't raise a blister. rioration. Her artistic levels and Agnew and the film crew shiv- But the next PBS "Craft in intuitive gifts dovetail with theirs ered at Zeidler Park while America" entitled "Threads' puts as does her refusal to fulfill mod- Sheila Cochran (above) acted a Wisconsin artist in remarkable ern instant gratification and fac- unperturbed for her interview. company, revealing why Terese ile creation. speaks of -- thousands cutting Agnew's approach to quilts, col- ocial justice and nature's out clothing labels around the ors, cloths and crafts made her wonder combine without world to give personality and is cool and calm like nothing merce association apologized the finale personality among four beating us over the head recognition to the sweatshop S bothers her, she had to be mad as and sought amends. pioneer crafts masters, three of with politics. Highway maps, unknown of "Portrait of a Textile a wet hen, as well as wet as a The memorial was never earlier generations. All combine mining, parking lots, bombing Worker," much written about wet hen. She and Agnew arrived supposed to interfere with nor- the mundane and the heavenly, sights and pink slips echo in her here and now housed in a New in whipping rain and wind to dis- mal park activity and was care- the human core exposed in old- perspectives and make the York museum. cover downtown holiday frames, fully designed to blend with fashioned hard work handwork, bureaucrat in all of us wake up gnew deserves the high bric-a-brac bulbs and wires nature. Conversations ensued to the highest skills to provoke the and smell the losses. In some placement the series dumped randomly all over restore respect and switch the lasting meanings. ways she is the gentle perceptive gives her, but on the inspiration for Occupy 99% or A Zeidler Union Square Park, leav- holiday display to white not gar- The PBS hour - which will more mundane level of local pol- ing the PBS crew desperate to ish colored lights. air nationally and in Milwaukee Reclaim Wisconsin, proving itics there is quite a Milwaukee find any spot - even an ungouged The artist may not be happy Friday, May 11, at 8 p.m. repeat- again how artists sense linkages tale behind all this. Filming took tree - for a setup. A highly that nothing can be done about ed on Channel 10 at 3 a.m. far ahead of data punchers and place at her farmhouse workshop regarded artist, national film the ugly giant decorative Teddy Saturday May 26 -- starts with politicians. near La Farge, at the Milwaukee crew and labor council were Bear but the new sensibility will the amazing ageless Faith PBS devotes time to Sheila Art Museum, which owns key embarrassed for Milwaukee. return to the county and the labor Ringold, quilter, author, artist Cochran of the Milwaukee Area quilts, and at the Downtown park The upshot came when told council the original vision and who grew up around the corner Labor Council who knows how where Agnew co-designed the about it all was how Milwaukee agreement - a very Agnew-like from Malcolm X , then moves to textile shops have abandoned our Workers Memorial annually cel- County and the downtown com- blend of nature and message. the Massachusetts weaves of shores and skilled workers were ebrated April 28 and where Randall Darwall and his rural reduced to economic digits. She Cochran came for an interview. associates, then to California's and workers here were big parts But while you can't tell on Consuelo Jimenez Underwood of the "label-less" parade Agnew the PBS program, since Cochran

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EmployEEs arE rEprEsEntEd By: Workers United LocaL 122 (414) 271-0290 www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 — Page 15 Keeping track of all the recall action s Fire Fighters President Harold on GOP incumbent Terry Mouton June 5. comer who is hanging him with his own Schaitberger puts it, Mahlon And Walker henchman Scott Fitzgerald record. Lori Compas also went door to door Mitchell is "trying to make the leap has gone from blind confidence since his without outside support winning the signa- A District 13 has long been in GOP hands to tures against him -- and is using May 8 to from the firehouse to the Statehouse." It some apprehension at how the unknown fac- looks like he knows how to jump.. solidify her separation from his Walker tor could upend him. His chief opponent sycophancy. -- Labor Press and PAI Mitchell, the telegenic, fast-talking, despite recruited fakes is a photogenic new- knowledgeable president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, is the most prominent Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor in the state's special recall election June 5 to wipe away Scott Walker sidekick . He is the most likely winner May 8 when voters ignore the fake Dems promoted by the Republican Party to confuse things, reading ‘The House of Labor is on fire,’ says through the muck to uncover the real candi- fire fighter , running for date in all the recall warm-ups. lieutenant governor. A well meaning Marinette novice, porting his own backers. "They came to us Bruce Berman, has signed up for May 8 and and said, 'You can just sit this one out.' We the race is also an effort to recapture the didn't just say, 'No,' we said, 'Hell, No!'" So limelight for the once portly now trim pri- he led Wisconsin Fire Fighters into the mass vate investigator Ira Robins, who made news protests that surrounded and occupied the years before he turned 70 by championing state capitol. the late Lawrencia Bembeneck. For all his exuberance and optimism, But the class of the field is clearly the Mitchell warned unionists nationwide "that exuberant Mitchell, a Madison fire depart- we have some educating to do" about the ment lieutenant and member of IAFF Local "right-wing business agenda." He said 311 whose brother and sister unionists are 39.6% of Wisconsin unionists voted for fire fighters in Atlanta and St. Paul. Mitchell Walker for governor in 2010. Other esti- went to D.C. March 27 to address his mates say it was 45% of unionists. union's legislative-political conference and "That's our problem, and we have to give unionists even more reason to turn out talk about that, to make sure we're protect- the vote in the recall balloting. ing decent American values." emember, these are union workers "Right now, the House of Labor is on Walker tried to curry and sideline by fire nationally, and we're here to put the fire selectively excusing units from his R out." emasculation of public bargaining rights. our GOP state senate seats are also up "These are guys and girls trained to run for recall with the final contests June into burning buildings," one exempted safety 5 and the GOP trying to muddy May officer told me, "so they felt flattered -- until F 8 by throwing Republicans pretending to be they realized he is just the guy to pull the Democrats against the leading challengers. ladder away at the last minute." Confusion may exist in District 29 for "They're trying to destroy and defund Pam Galloway's seat, since she is the us," Mitchell told the D.C. delegates. "They Republican who resigned and created a said we had a $3.6 billion budget deficit, 16-16 tie in the senate. The GOP has that our state is broke, and we need 'shared already recruited a June 5 replacement and sacrifice.' tried to slow May 8. But it's still easy to "But they give two years of tax exemp- figure because the real Democrat is popular tions" to corporations while cutting $1.6 bil- and well known, Rep. Donna Seidel. lion from the schools and in community Similarly, Racine area voters in District ability to support schools, he added. "This 21 will have no difficulty spotting the expe- is an attack on the middle class and on our rienced Democrat, John Lehman, to get him way of life. Shared sacrifice? We sacrifice to recall GOP Sen. Van Wanggaard June 5. It and they share the gains." Thank you for would be returning the favor because Mitchell like many others in law Lehman lost his senate seat in that 2010 a job well done. enforcement thought briefly that Walker was debacle. recognizing their valuable role - until he Clarity should emerge in Chippewa realized how selective his exemptions were Falls/Eau Claire District 23 where known and how deliberately deceptive, mainly sup- Democrat Kristen Dexter is chafing to take On behalf of the Construction Labor Management Council of Southeast Wisconsin and Building Advantage, we thank you for your hard work and dedication to the industry. For more information about Building Advantage, please visit buildingadvantage.org.

A m a j o r n a t i o n a l i n s u r a n c e c o m p a n y that prides itself on its union workforce and calls Gov. Walker's policies "scurrilous" is putting its money where its mouth is, contributing $25,000 to United for Wisconsin and more than $125,000 to state 3303 S. 103rd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53227 organizations engaged in recall efforts. It is also talking up full collective bar- Phone: 262.229.5959 gaining for other companies. American Income Life, which helps many corporate Email: [email protected] and union organizations with insurance programs, recently presented a $10,000 www.buildingadvantage.org check to United for Wisconsin leader Phil Neuenfeldt, who is also president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Participating in the ceremony for American Income Life were Jodi Oleson, Bill Verbeten and Amanda Mlinaz. Page 16 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, April 26, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org