What kids see in Laborfest The universal language of juggling at the children’s stage (above). The entire parade from daddy’s shoulders (top left). A new T-shirt pledging to to be a future troublemaker for worker rights (bottom left). A ride on mommy’s lap in a Teamsters truck (top right). Being awed by the range of banners and flags (bottom right). Or just bundled snugly against the rain in an OPEIU shirt (above). There was no homework at the family Laborfest, just one big party where thousands of adults respect and celebrate each other’s work, and have fun doing it. But that’s a pretty big lesson for kids right there. More photos Pages 5-8 and other photos online at www.milwaukeelabor.org.

Vol. 66, No. 9 Thursday, September 28, 2006 How wise politicians end a family fight By Dominique Paul Noth Reality is hard after emotion- Editor, Labor Press al commitment to a candidate. eg Lautenschlager joined a But reality also emphasizes that unity rally Sept. 16 and Falk and Lautenschlager have worked on the same issues and mZuri Ppledged support to the Democratic ticket and to share an understanding of the Kathleen Falk who beat her in civic and criminal law functions MCLC imports the close attorney general pri- of the Department of Justice. inspiring drama mary four days earlier. Falk worked as an assistant But even before that rally AG for 14 years ahead of her 10 t’s perfect timing for this arranged by Sen. , years managing large government national touring show, given labor groups that had backed as Dane County executive. So she Ithe continuing controversy Lautenschlager (including the has miles more experience than Combining United Way’s labor kick-off party with a preview of a around voting machines, accura- state AFL-CIO and the MCLC) the GOP opponent, J.B. Van cy and access to the polls. A dra- new center to prepare hundreds of residents for good-paying jobs Hollen, who is trying to make the brought government and business together with unions Sept. 14. had escalated their consulting matic work of song, prose and process and switched endorse- race a narrowly focused law and Left to right: MCLC Secretary-Treasurer Sheila D. Cochran, Roberta real-life heroine of the Voting ments to urge support for Falk. order message about terrorists Gassman, secretary of the Department of Workforce Rights Act will be brought to Realistically, the shift was a and “criminal aliens” hiding Development, and Frances Huntley-Cooper, administrator for the Oct. 29 by the foregone conclusion. under every kitchen table. Milwaukee County Labor state’s worker compensation division. FULL STORY PAGE 10 Both women are progres- His tone means this will not Council, AFL-CIO. sives who have enjoyed union be an easy race. It’s a low road It is a one-woman show put support in the past and both share that regularly tempts politicians together by an internationally rec- Labor cause becomes much the same philosophy and in races bearing any law-enforce- ognized singer and actress known concerns for working families, ment label. Expect constant cater- as mZuri, born in New Jersey but centrist campaign push the environment, and balanced ing to crime fears, “CSI” trained in Paris and Rome. She advocacy in an overly partisan simplicities and “lock them all really came home in the 1990s. By Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Labor Press state. up” rhetoric to dominate Van She was driven to create this n a development with historic dimensions, a central issue for Agreeing to work hard for Hollen’s attack. piece by the life of a Mississippi labor unions has been elevated into a central campaign issue for Falk came with a measure of dis- That’s why, despite Falk’s sharecropper shot at, abused and Iall voters nationwide in the November midterm elections. appointment, pain, surprise -- and superior knowledge of the DOJ nearly beaten to death by police- The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) - the influential mid- even some anger as the vote num- and her winning personality, men in her efforts simply to vote dle of the road power of the Democratic Party - has embraced the bers suggested that Lauten- some observers now worry that during the civil rights struggle of Employee Free Choice Act and made it a major platform in its politi- schlager had lost largely because this race will actually be harder the 1960s. cal activities for the candidates it influences and works for. of a hard-hearted response to her for her to win than it would have Her name was Fannie Lou The announcement was made in Washington, D.C., by Iowa Gov. one alcohol-induced drift off the been for Lautenschlager. It’s a Hamer, and her testimony at the Tom Vilsack, new chairman of the DLC and frequently mentioned as road on the way home from view that defies the popular Democratic National Convention a 2008 presidential candidate. Vilsack, who has been meeting with Madison to Fond du Lac two “we’re home free” logic of in 1964 has been widely credited years ago. with touching an entire nation union leaders since spring, has promised to bring new partners, key Politics continued Page 3 and helping lead a year later to issues and a more accessible embrace of all sides to the DLC, which passage of the voting rights act. has often been criticized by unions as too moderate, too cautious and The reasonably priced event too swayed by corporate interests. takes place Sunday afternoon, As a signal of this new unity around a crucial issue, standing with October 29, at 3:30 p.m. at Amer- Vilsack at the Sept. 6 press conference were John Sweeney, national ican Serb Hall, Hall of the Presi- AFL-CIO president, and Anna Burger, chair of the Change to Win dents, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. federation. Also joining leaders and founders of the DLC (which was mZuri continued Page 3 Democrats continued Page 9 Page 2 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org How to stir up America’s women o help explain Stirring the Pot, an AFL-CIO campaign Oct. 10 aimed at non-union as well Tas union women, let’s take you to a union event, the Labor Kick-Off for United Way Sept. 14. Our executive guide is the vice president and gener- al counsel of Harley-Davidson, Gail Lione. In preparing for the labor event, Lione told the assemblage, she looked up the first contract Harley signed with a union back in the 1930s. It spelled out a wage for men of 60 cents an hour – that in itself a comment on changing economic times. But the contract also spelled out a wage for women employees – not a glass ceiling but a cash ceiling of 50 cents an hour, deliberately less than men. There was amusement from the union women in the audience – but not disbelief. Even today, a recent Gail Lione at the Kick-Off event (see Page 10). Labor in the Pulpits flooded more than 100 churches with AFL-CIO survey revealed, there is pay inequity, individualistic speakers the weekend before Labor Day, some though hardly so blatant. Today it would be illegal to It offers Oct. 10 as a national day for potluck speaking for a few minutes, some for a half hour as they took spell it out in a contract. gatherings, or discussions over coffee, or over drinks, their own road to the theme of “Jobs, Justice and Poverty.” The overwhelming majority of the 26,000 or after a sports event, for women to take the lead on For Journal Sentinel reporter Meg Kissinger, here being thanked a general discussion of issues of concern. The new women surveyed did see continued imbalance even after her talk in the emptying St. John’s Cathedral, her recent website, stirringthepot.org, offers tips on how to as two-income households have become a norm in articles on the county’s treatment of the mentally ill became the organize such a get-together. society for getting by. But their central shared con- doorway to the central subject. The timing and purpose of such individually- cerns were beyond money, particularly regarding organized gatherings are cheerfully transparent. Non- such issues as health care and quality of life. union participants get to hear how similar their goals A veteran labor activist The women also faulted corporate America for are to union women, and the issues in common could hurting them and the larger community by not striv- also provide a long-needed gathering around crucial ing to balance worklife and family life (including issues at the polls. joins MCLC liaison team parenting life) in their policies. An offshoot of Working America, a 1.5 million ay Reinke -- who has Realizing that women share basic goals – and strong initiative for non-union workers, Stirring the hosted civil rights may not know it – the AFL-CIO is urging home- Pot seeks to encourage that shared knowledge. Jevents for the United grown get-togethers in large cities and small, neigh- Women who work are a basis of American soci- Auto Workers, volunteers borhood by neighborhood, block by block — not ety, whether the work is in the home or outside it. It for community access tele- just among co-workers but among female friends and does seem high time, the AFL-CIO says, for women vision, served as a loaned even families. to work together for change. representative to United Way, and worked for more than a decade on joint train- ing and human resources with Delphi for UAW Local 438 -- has reason to think he is well known in the labor community. He ain’t seen nothin’ Jay Reinke yet. On Sept. 18, Reinke joined the field mobilization staff for the AFCL-CIO Community Services, working as a liaison for United Way efforts and also to help all unions that need expertise in disputes and mobilization. He was chosen out of a field of candidates by MCLC Secretary- Treasurer Sheila Cochran, who runs the liaison staff. Reinke replaces Doug Curler who was asked to return full time to his secretary-treasurer duties because of the membership growth of IAMAW Lodge 66. Reinke is quickly familiarizing himself with the range of unions, companies and causes he will now regularly support. He was also head- ing to La Crosse Sept. 25-27 to meet more state union leaders at the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Convention. He joins Annie Wacker and Mike Balistriere as one of the full- time field mobilizers. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 — Page 3 Politics From Page 1 Democrats who sincerely believed that Lautenschlager’s infamous DWI moment would be an insurmountable obstacle. But Lautenschlager did have the criminal prosecution creden- tials to neutralize Van Hollen’s tactics (both served as US attor- ney for western Wisconsin). emocrats feel vindicated that the DWI issue Kathleen Falk at a recent Dhelped Falk win. fund-raiser in Milwaukee’s (Where Falk ran her TV ad Hispanic community. deriding Lautenschlager’s alco- holic night, she got the majority What Wisconsin did see, though, was a striking contrast in of votes.) But that included how families settle fights. Republican crossovers who The Republicans proved dys- won’t be there in November. functional kin when Van Hollen Lautenschlager handily won won big over Waukesha DA Paul Falk’s home turf of Dane Bucher, who couldn’t dominate County, where the ad didn’t run. even his own county stronghold. You can’t translate to a gen- Immediately in comments and eral election what happens in a behavior, Bucher proved a living Democratic primary. This was a definition of sullen sore loser. family fight of people with like On the Democratic side, all Tim Buban (left) was among the many union and community leaders crowded around John Chisholm philosophies, so the DWI men- the principals - Gov. Doyle, Sen. at his victory party Sept. 12 as the TV cameras prepared to take aim. Buban is secretary-treasurer tion gained traction coming from Kohl, Falk, Lautenschlager and of Teamsters Local 200. MORE POLITICS PAGES 4-5. common allies on the larger the Democratic candidates in the issues. We’ll never know now, 8th Senate District race won by but all that could have defused or physician Steve Kagen - heeded Chisholm poised to become new DA even backlashed as just one more Feingold’s call to that unity rally he satisfying primary victory for organized several controversial speculations that thinned her of those overblown GOP vs. in Green Bay. labor - and for the community -- was John reputation from a decade ago. Chisholm held firm Democrat negative ads. They came together on the TChisholm, a protégé of DA E. Michael to his ideas and convincingly threaded the anger on However you analyze the simple principle that the issues McCann who won handily Sept. 12. He faces token the streets about police behavior. He stuck with a primary, it’s inescapable that were too important to be charred opposition in the Nov. 7 election before becoming message of change and modernity without personal- Democrats will have to push very by primary heat. It will take such Milwaukee County’s new district attorney. ly criticizing his boss and friend. hard for Falk. principled unity to win. The candidate he buried with 65% of the vote On election night, Chisholm said he was deter- was former alderwoman Larraine McNamara- mined to bring about change. But he also vowed McGraw, who had enjoyed union support in the that the office would never lose what everyone con- mZuri past. But not this time. Chisholm is a veteran assis- ceded was true about McCann - “a legacy of From Page 1 tant DA who has been pushing for prosecutors to get integrity.” As union leaders and the legal communi- Prices are $5 for students, $10 for out in the streets and into the precincts and has ty crowded close to cheer him at the Kelly’s individuals. strong ideas about how to improve the service and Bleachers victory party, one person avoided the mZuri, who was backup results. media spotlight. McCann just hung in the back- singer for the likes of Linda Ron- In the campaign, McNamara-McGraw dropped ground, quietly beaming. stadt and Aaron Neville before The actress transforming breaking out with this one- herself into Fannie Lou Hamer. woman dramatization and her own concert act, pours freedom It is an uplifting, pointed tale songs, gospel, poetry and prose suitable for the family, with some into “Fannie Lou Hamer: the surprises as it unfolds through Woman, the Legend, and Her music and re-enactment. There Songs on a Rugged Road To will be those of an older genera- Freedom.” The work has been tion who recall hearing Hamer’s performed off-Broadway and message firsthand. But it espe- around the country, as well as on cially reminds African Americans Ivy League campuses and at the why so many regard the vote not CBTU convention. The woman just as important but as an almost who inspired the story died in sacred right paid for with blood 1977. and pain. Page 4 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org Election math didn’t add up -- and not just for Bobot he election embarrassment confident ward watchers? be angry and to expect well-run of the city of Milwaukee, Could be, but in an inter- elections. Teven explained and recti- view with Labor Press, Bobot Edman, a former police offi- fied in three days, was what revealed his campaign had hard cer, vowed that “we will not most of the local TV and press polls that didn’t match the final allow this to happen again.” talked about. results. ut hold the tough cop Sue Edman, new head of the Did a few thousand avowals for a moment. City Election Commission, took Republicans take the bait offered BEdman and the aldermen the blame. Home-grown pro- by conservative radio? The talk should read some other newspa- gramming to save money, she shows asked listeners to do what pers. If they did, they’d know says, built in an error that did not Clarke does and pretend to be a no local official can make so affect results in actual races but Democrat. The numbers suggest absolute a promise. double or triple counted the that many did, at least for a day. The state’s new mandated number of actual ballots cast. ut that was anticipated. master election database was It was a whopper of a glitch The real key seemed to outsourced to a private company - more than 33,000 ballots that Bbe the central city, where and remains plagued with delays. were later described as phan- there was a rancorous airwaves That turns our Nov. 7 into a toms. split among black leaders about gigantic field test. Two things immediately Clarke’s gamesmanship leader- In other states, the federal happened. First, the city of ship -- and also a familiar but HAVA law demanding new Milwaukee fell back to earth, or troubling rationale for supporting machines and regulations has rather back to a 15.5% turnout him, echoed on call-in shows: “I been manipulated by partisans. Huddled in a corner counting during his election night party like the rest of the state, not the want my children to grow up This month Princeton computer were Vincent Bobot (center) and his brain trust. They weren’t misreporting of 27% turnout. seeing a black man in charge.” experts showed how easy it is to just disappointed in his numbers in the sheriff’s race, they And the loser of the closest Even with all that, Bobot’s hack the newest Diebold couldn’t make sense of them. race, Vincent Bobot, formally supporters found the final num- machines and infect a system asked for a hand-recount that he bers strange early in the night -- for sheriff on Nov. 7. for a while and befuddled both without notice. would pay for. and then learned of the 33,000 The day after Bobot’s poll workers and voters with And let’s not even talk about You sure can’t blame Bobot, mistake. And then collected request, Edman was taken to the breakdowns and fouled ballots. the funding lags by both local who waited until Sept. 17 to reports (passed along to authori- woodshed by aldermen who cor- Similar “hiccups” (but aren’t hic- and federal officials -- except to make his request. A 33,000 error ties) of “discrepancies” or mis- rectly pointed out that every mis- cups hard to get rid of?) affected point out that Milwaukee is not in computerized counting! chief inside polling places. take in Milwaukee is seized upon a number of counties. alone in being understaffed and ut even the night of the “It just didn’t seem right,” by partisan foes as another doubt dman was given her job relying on volunteers (in a time Sept. 12 election, as Bobot said, “but at least about the integrity of the urban after snafus in the 2004 when the national median age for Breported in our next-day Wisconsin keeps the paper trail, vote and another reason to cry Eelection. This year’s a poll worker is 72). analysis at www.milwaukeela- so we can go back and find out.” “Fraud!” and push for mandatory events suggest that the aldermen The Washington Post, point- bor.org, the Bobot camp was not If Bobot’s request for a photo IDs. and the media owe some meas- ing out that a third of the just disappointed but mystified recount is approved and complet- The only difference this year ure of apology to the ousted nation’s polling places will face that 3,700 votes separated him ed by the time you read this, the is that no one can point fingers. election boss, Lisa Artison. new technology for the first from incumbent Sheriff David issue may be settled. If not, Worse things happened else- Not reporting the program- time, warns that the primary Clarke. Bobot said he was exploring the where. Waukesha County’s com- ming error (which Edman said blunders in two dozen states may Were they taken in by over- viability of a write-in campaign puters called the wrong winner the staff knew of but never be just a light prelude to Nov. 7. thought would get out of hand) bipartisan national policy may actually have been Edman’s commission says bluntly biggest mistake. That made the Athat every municipality Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the had better have a backup plan. first to notice and headline the The main solution, the huge discrepancy in ballots experts say, is well-trained poll reported and votes made. workers and watchful eyes. Inflated and overblown, And the more people voting, some called those stories. But the more eyes we’ll have. frankly, the public had a right to -- Dominique Paul Noth

Published Monthly by the Milwaukee County Labor Council AFL-CIO www.milwaukeelabor.org Secretary-Treasurer ...... Sheila D. Cochran President ...... Willie D. Ellis Vice-President ...... Annie Wacker Communications Director and Editor ...... Dominique Paul Noth Advertising & Editorial Assistant ...... Lynnda Guyton EXECUTIVE BOARD - Mary Jo Avery, Communications Workers of America Local 4603; Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Carolyn P. Castore, Office & Professional Employees International Union Local 9; William F. Christianson, International Association of Machinists Lodge 1845; Paula Dorsey, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 426; Douglas Drake, (USW, for- merly United Steelworkers of America Local 1527); Nacarci Feaster, Laborers Local 113; James K. Fields, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Stanthia Grier, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150; Brandon W. Jensen, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998; Candice Owley, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals; Sam Purdy, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494; Scott J. Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Patrick R. Weyer, Brewery Workers 9, United Auto Workers; Ross M. Winklbauer Sr., Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical & Energy Workers (USW, formerly PACE) Local 7-0232.

AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press Editorial and Business Office 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 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 County Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription for $12 a year. Non-profit periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the 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 County 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, September 28, 2006 — Page 5 Celebrities on (Labor Day) parade

Doyle’s running mate, Lt. Gov. After restoring Michael Rosen (right) to the state tech college Barbara Lawton, joined US Rep. board, Gov. Doyle congratulates the AFT Local 212 president (left) in welcoming as he shakes hands at Zeidler Park. The governor then headed some 12,000 to Laborfest. off to Labor Day events in Janesville and Madison. Doyle slaps back at GOP secrecy n Sept. 1, a downtime the Republican playbook. cern was voiced that by not stand- when the Senate GOP This, after all, came from ing up and defending the ration- Ocaucus could create no GOP legislators who routinely ale, the behavior sent a chill over mischief in Madison, Gov. Jim attack teacher unions and push any citizen contemplating public Doyle reappointed Michael cheaper construction standards service, “that you can be voted off Rosen to the Wisconsin sought by non-union companies. because someone doesn’t like Technical College System Board, It is no secret that moderate you,” as one legislator put it. continuous to May of 2011. Republicans have felt squeezed Doyle’s reappointment of Rosen, who has taught eco- out by hard-line conservatives. Rosen brought universal applause nomics at the Milwaukee Area All this seemed to play out in the from Milwaukee area Democratic Technical College since 1987 and Rosen case. legislators, who also took the holds a Ph. D. in urban issues, While a frequent speaker on occasion to underline Doyle’s had served ably on the board for a economics respected by manage- point: year after Doyle’s original ment as well as educators, while “Their (GOP) refusal to appointment in September 2005. helpful to businesses in his tech- approve Doyle nominees has left Such appointments require state nical board service, Rosen is best Prof. Rosen and many others in Senate approval to become per- known as a tenacious bargainer limbo about the validity and manent, normally a routine proce- and defender of unions as presi- future of their roles on critical dure since both parties generally dent of AFT Local 212 (the state boards, and has impaired the acknowledge a governor’s right MATC faculty). efficient functioning of these to appoint qualified citizens. is initial appointment by boards as well. These include the But, as recounted in May’s Doyle had brought a State Dentistry Board, the Veter- Labor Press, the GOP decided in Hwhisper campaign to ans’ Board, and the University of a secret caucus on the last formal derail Senate approval of the Wisconsin Board of Regents.” day of sessions in May to reject nomination and even some hard- Several union leaders Rosen. ly veiled comments at Senate remarked that the Rosen case, It’s not as if his vote count Nov. 7 is in jeopardy (he rolled up The move mystified Democ- hearings about whether union along with the others, was a 85% in the Sept. 12 primary). But Sen. asked to and rats (as well as Republicans who leaders should even serve on potent reminder to voters right then quietly walked the entire Labor Day parade, at a pace did not attend). The mystification state boards, to heck with quali- before the November elections: almost too fast for the photographers. turned to outrage when the GOP fications. The only way to change the hos- refused to say why. But by refusing to offer a tility to unions reflected by the Doyle labeled it a partisan reason for resistance, the GOP GOP secret vote was to change stunt. Pointing out that the suffered a considerable backlash. the party power balance in the Republicans had stalled cabinet From both sides of the aisle, con- Senate. and DNR appointments and even a Republican for the board of regents, and recalling how the GOP used to accuse Democrat Chuck Chvala of such shenani- gans, he said the Republicans had “brought the politics of obstruc- tionism to levels never seen before.” Union leaders saw something further – a resistance to union voice that had long been a part of

At Zeidler Park before the parade, Mayor Tom Barrett (left) trad- ed handshakes and humor with MCLC President Willie D. Ellis. Maurice Pulley (center) of AFSCME Local 1654 joined in. Page 6 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 — Page 7

Two different slideshows plus a news story on the event are available at www.milwaukeelabor.org

The AFL-CIO’s LCLAA greeted the immigrant workers and flowed along with them across the Milwaukee River on Wisconsin Avenue. Top and right: Operating Engineers Local 139 provided a ride for the children of members and a flatbed so that the MASH coalition of entertainment unions could float music down the avenue.

Above: President Lyle Balistreri carried the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council banner -- and his son, Vinnie -- the length of the parade. Left: Carrying a tune in beautiful harmony was the pleasure of the Men of Gospel, part of the Hansberry- Sands opening at the Miller Stage

Left, top to bottom: Troubles at Delphi didn’t keep UAW Local 438 from proudly celebrating. IBEW marchers (Stanthia Grier in red) threw candy to the crowd. AFT Local 212 made its feelings clear about Wisconsin Top to bottom: The sheetmetal families marched together, the talking about gay marriage Ironworkers Local 8 provided a smooth ride for children and rather than health care. friends, and the Graphics Communications Conference workers Right: AFSCME families sported deep purple as the backdrop for American flags. hitched a ride on the street cleaners in the parade. Below: A toddler, encountering Debra Davis at Zeidler Park, couldn’t understand how Top to bottom: Units from UFCW adults could grow THAT big. and UNITE HERE. Right: Thank ATU Local 998 for providing the bus drivers shut- tling people back and forth and then for adding a trolley. During the parade, of course, ATU also showed it could clown around. Left: Voces marchers filled sever- al blocks as they concluded the parade with enthusiasm. Below: The Steelworkers USW locals marched together.

On all our pages, primary Laborfest photos were taken by Dominique Paul Noth of the Labor Press and Sue Ruggles of AFT Local 212, with additional photos from Lynnda Guyton of the MCLC staff, Eleazar Galaviz, Ken Greening and Laurie Onasch. More photos can be viewed at www.milwaukeelabor.org Page 8 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org Fest sponsors: Meet the winners Thank you! aborfest was an attendance winner but also a material winner for a Llot of Milwaukeeans. AFSCME District Council 48 The Harley bike was won by Lew Gross, who believes he bought AFSCME Local 645 the ticket at the union booth at State Fair. Winners and amounts of the Allied Construction Employers cash prizes were: Association, Inc. Associated General Contractors $500 prize: Audrey Wyman of Greater Milwaukee $100 prize each: Mitch Halstead, Lisa Trap, Susie Johnson, David AT&T Lessard, Ray Kulka, Mike Casey, Maria Garcia and Mary Brooks. ATU Local 998 Laborfest Free Raffles Bechtel Power Corp Children: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Milwaukee Sportservice Inc. - Autographed (Prince Fielder) Wisconsin Baseball. Carpenters Local 344 Winner: Samanthia Syta CWA 4603 Three Wagons seating two. Dental Associates, LTD Winners: Ralph Wahl, Alesha Wilson, Nicolette Scoffidi GCC Local 577M Three Wagons. Harley-Davidson Motor Company Winners: Hailey Onasch-Shaw, Danielle Rodames, Marcus Scaffidi Hailey Onasch-Shaw (left) and friend Bella Rodaner were super Heat & Frost Insulators Local 19 face-painted up when Hailey won a wagon in the children’s raf- IAMAW (Spring City Lodge) Adults: fle. Her mom is from OPEIU Local 277 (American Income Life). 1377 American Serb Hall - Gift Certificate - $20 certificates. IAMAW Lodge 66 LEFT: Christine Neumann-Ortiz IAMAW Lodge 78 Winners: Valerie Taylor, Carol Yahn joined the Miller Stage festivi- IBEW Local 2150 Hilton - Milwaukee City Center - one-night stay with deluxe ties to thank the unions for IBEW Local 715 accommodations and water-park privileges. their open welcome and exam- IUOE Local 139 Winner: Marlena Anderson ple for her marchers from IUOE Local 317 Hilton - Milwaukee City Center - $50 certificate for the Milwaukee Voces de la Frontera. Labor Community @ Work Chop House. BELOW: Every year, UWM JoMann & Associates Winner: Shirley Robinson prof Bryan Kennedy carries son JP Cullen & Sons, Inc. Pfister Hotel - gift certificates for a champagne brunch for two at Noah in the Laborfest parade. Walter F. Kelly, S.C. Café Rouge. Which may be easier than his Kenny Construction Company always uphill battle in the 5th Winners: Steve Turzinski, Catherine Palmer MetLife Bank Congressional District. But one Karl Ratzsch’s Restaurant - $40 gift certificate. Miller Brewing Company of these days, maybe Nov. 7, Winner: Jerry Zwolinski Milwaukee County Transit voters will come to their MTEA Benefit Services Group, Inc. - four Brewers baseball tickets, includ- senses and help him oust ing parking pass and four guest passes for the .300 Club. NALC Pioneer Branch 2 Rep. . OPEIU Local 9 Winner: Pam Kowalski Painters Local 781 Four Points Hotel Milwaukee Airport - overnight stay. Postal Workers Winner: Johnnie Little Previant Goldberg Uelmen et al Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 Stage Employees Local 18 Steamfitters Local 601 Teamsters Local 200 UAW Local 469 UAW Local 9 - Brewery Workers UAW Southeastern WI CAP Council UE Local 1111 UFCW Local 1473 USW Local 1343 Waukesha County Labor Council WE Power LLC WFNHP Wisconsin Health Fund Wisconsin Vision, Inc. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 — Page 9 the chairman of the Democratic Church features Cochran for Women’s Day Democrats Party. The DLC has been forced From Page 1 to change with the frustrating he public is invited to her talk at the church, which is Women’s Day Sunday at located at the corner of 2nd St. once headed by and is still influ- times while remaining a power- 10:45 a.m. Oct. 8 at Mt. and Garfield Ave. enced by Bill Clinton) were ful policy-shaping arm for the T Zion Missionary Baptist Church USW International President Leo party. where the featured speaker is Gerard and AFSCME President till, eyebrows went up Sheila D. Cochran, chief operat- Gerald McEntee, who touched when Vilsack, elected ing officer and secretary-treasurer on the historic importance: Stwice in Iowa through of the Milwaukee County Labor “Those of us who’ve been strong labor support, took on the Council, AFL-CIO. around for some time I’m not DLC chairmanship. Cochran’s union credentials sure ever thought that we’d see One of the first things he and other community services -- this day.” did, however, was sit down with such as board president at Even the Washington Post the split labor federations and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack Wisconsin Citizen Action -- are described as “surprising” this ask how everyone could work well known and generate media new alliance. National unions a union if it weren’t so hard. together. Given the strong but attention. that separated last year and the Under EFCA, employers are hardly publicized support across But there has not been much center-focused DLC have now required to recognize unions the Democratic Party spectrum publicity about her lifelong roots Cochran was also head honcho joined around the free choice when the majority of workers for the Employee Free Choice and service to her faith. for Laborfest, which put her on legislation -- known as EFCA -- request representation through a Act, the legislative effort became That sense of community radio throughout the day (here which ensures workers the right card-check procedure. EFCA a natural campaign issue. and mission will be the focus of with WMCS at Zeidler Park). to union representation without also provides mediation and arbi- As Vilsack noted, “(Labor being subjected to intimidation tration of first-contract disputes and the Democratic Party) have or lengthy battles. (which currently can take years always talked about working nderlying the depth of to settle), plus stronger penalties families. My humble suggestion the partnership was the when workers are prevented is we start talking about worried Uparticipation of founder from forming unions. families because there is a great and CEO of the DLC, Al From, a he National Labor deal of anxiety in America combative presence who some- Relations Board would today.” times prevented Democratic poli- Tstill investigate to make Pundits call this a marriage cy getting too close to union sure a true majority of a work- of “mind and muscle,” since the causes. place wanted a union. The differ- DLC is noted for its ability to But From was outspoken in ence from today’s procedures is shape the political agenda while praising the EFCA, perhaps that an employer, faced with a unions are best known for their because it already has quiet but majority wanting a union, can grassroots ability to drive voters broad Democratic support. demand a secret ballot election, to the polls. Senate originator Ted Kennedy go after the now-exposed union But there is also a longer (D-Mass.) now has 43 votes in supporters and pursue a range of historical perspective. Time and the Senate and Rep. George intimidating and stalling tactics. again, initiatives pushed by labor Miller (D-Calif.) has lined up Said USW’s Gerard, “The were viewed as extreme or even 218 co-sponsors in the House. freedom to join unions will derided, and yet over decades Should a shift in congres- change America’s direction for became such standard expecta- sional power occur in the all working Americans.” tions of American life that many November election, even moder- McEntee’s comment people forgot that it was unions ate Republicans might see the touched on the general wariness that first promoted them. EFCA as a good election issue between the DLC, which pushed You don’t have to go all the in a troubled economy. A majori- free trade deals and a move to way back to the 8-hour workday, ty vote and even a veto-proof the middle by the Democrats, the 40-hour week, the weekend, vote (given President Bush’s and unions that early on saw the the creation of Labor Day or the resistance to unions and the weakness in the trade agreements elimination of child labor. Add opposition of such Bush money and are generally associated - at worker’s comp, unemployment bags as the US Chamber of least by the media -- with the insurance, company health plans Commerce) could then be in most liberal members of the and pensions, workplace safety reach. party. standards, Social Security and on EFCA is a legislative solu- When Howard Dean deliv- and on. tion to the shift away from the ered the amusing line during his any of these concepts original intended balance presidential race (“I represent the moved from being between labor and management Democratic wing of the Mregarded as radical, or of the National Labor Relations Democratic Party”), many insid- even Commie-leaning, or un- Act, created in the 1930s. ers believed he was referring to American, to self-evident, mid- Diluted in the late 1940s by the DLC, which often sought dle of the road acceptance and the Taft-Hartley Act and further candidates to straddle the middle even expected defining elements affected by court interpretations of the road to refute Republican of our society. and bureaucratic tactics, the cur- sneers about liberalism. Sometimes it has taken rent crippled US labor law has But today, most Democrats decades. But the DLC endorse- also generated a major corporate concede that the unions were ment assures EFCA can no industry in union busting, mak- right about the lack of teeth in longer be demonized, that the ing it difficult for some 50 mil- trade deals and the failure to help middle of America is being lion workers (according to polls) either workers here or those in asked to take up this mantle of to do what they’d like -- choose other countries. Today, Dean is change. Page 10 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org United Way party centers on ‘good jobs’ site xcellence abounded – but about building and maintain- director, Earl Buford, was busy More photos next page Community Services Committee. from the quality of the ing families. at the rally showing visitors the A model of active involve- Ecatered food to the hand- Good-paying jobs with eco- diagrams for future classrooms ment for all union members was some display of the historic nomic security is the mission of and offices, which will allow also honored at the event with architecture, from the dynamic this Center of Excellence, which several trade unions to provide the most prestigious award the mix of union, management and is also heavily concerned with an ongoing presence. AFL-CIO community services government speakers, even to the improving circumstances in In 2005, with limited facili- group annually offers. Of course, way the union balloons were Milwaukee’s central city, where ties, the Center of Excellence’s if he had know in advance he placed by the helpers from AFL- it is now closely located as it counseling, connections and was being honored, Ken CIO Community Services led by shuts its office on Capitol Drive. classes (many taught by experts Greening would have ducked Annie Wacker. he nonprofit Center is part from organized labor) landed out. But since he didn’t know, he It was fitting care, since this of a unique combination 348 jobs for Milwaukee resi- showed up first to help get things United Way Labor Kick-Off Tof businesses, unions, dents. It is on target for 500 ready, just as he typically does. Rally arranged by the MCLC government and philanthropies, additions to the workforce in reening was the 23rd was also a spit-and-polish peek all of which operate under the 2006 and it will continue to BIG STEP’s Earl Buford recipient of the Werner J. at the new home of the Center of United Way umbrella in grow, said Phil Neuenfeldt, co- explains the future. GSchaefer award given by Excellence. Milwaukee. The umbrella is the chair of the WRTP board and the United Way and the labor It came a week before class- Wisconsin Regional Training secretary-treasurer of the state ment sources provide nearly half community. This was the second es actually began in what used to Partnership (WRTP). AFL-CIO. the $2 million a year funding for honor in two months to over- be the Advance factory and When it started in the 1990s “We not only will succeed, WRTP; the rest comes from phi- whelm Greening – in August, the offices at 3841 W. Wisconsin WRTP was focused on renewing we have to succeed,” said lanthropies and a growing slice Faith Community for Worker Ave. and a month or two before the industrial base, but it has Neuenfeldt, citing the challenges from the private sector.) Justice presented him with the the formal opening. expanded mightily since then. of poverty facing the community. Speakers and guests offered St. Vincent Ferrer award that had No waiting here. The Center BIG STEP, one of its best is belief in what the com- another reason for such wide- previously been accepted by will begin operations with just known programs, prepares its bined power of govern- spread support for the Center. Archbishop Timothy Dolan. two floors open while it refur- students for apprentice training Hment, businesses, educa- It is not about the morally Greening was the first and bishes and enhances the remain- in the construction and manufac- tion and unionism can do was corrupt choice from other entities last volunteer at this year’s ing sections of the building. turing fields. Many of its gradu- echoed by Roberta Gassman, in the inner city – either low- Laborfest. He has used his own The rally of speeches, video, ates are now at work on the cabinet secretary for the income dead-end jobs or no jobs. money to help Voces de la snacks and schmoozing is annu- Marquette Interchange or have Wisconsin Department of The center’s participants are not Frontera and LCLAA. He is ally designed to propel union been scooped up for other union Workforce Development. necessarily union but they buy active in WisCOSH, the Faith activity in the United Way com- trades jobs. Gassman and several labor into the primary goal – a devo- Community, the Park East coali- munity campaign, which cannot But BIG STEP will be only and community leaders actually tion to developing careers, skill tion, the hygiene drive – in fact, achieve its $40 million goal one dynamic part of the new had a meeting and a tour last sets and family-sustaining you name a labor charity or without dedicated union support Center, which has guaranteed May when the building was still incomes and benefits. cause, and he’s always on the in workplace giving and in treas- participation from companies a vacant hope not a full pur- The need to respect the scene. ury gifts. and job placement organizations chase. If anything, her enthusi- workforce, to reduce crime and Presented the award by But the choice of setting in such fields as the service asm now is even greater and she to believe in Milwaukee was Vince Martin, the retired chair- was apt. It reminded the city that industry and health care. pledged ongoing support from touched on in remarks by Tim man of Jason, Inc., and a past United Way isn’t about handouts BIG STEP’s executive Gov. Doyle. (Currently, govern- Sullivan, CEO of Bucyrus-Erie, chairman of United Way, and by which has announced the need a leader of his own union, Scott for 275 more welders and Redman of Plumbers Local 75 machinists for its modern new (also an MCLC executive board plant in South Milwaukee. member), the shy Greening dou- s a CEO, Sullivan said, bled the length of his thanks “I had an obligation” to from a month ago: Two whole Aconsider moving the sentences. The applause for him Bucyrus-Erie plant elsewhere, lasted 20 times as long. even overseas. “But I’ll say he party was festive – but again, the reason we stayed here the road to the new build- is because of the work ethic of Ting was arduous and the our steelworkers,” he said, salut- full funding is still a coming ing representatives of USW attraction. Neuenfeldt empha- Local 1343 in the crowd. sized both points in his remarks Emcee for the event was and thanked a procession of law, Sheila Cochran, not only secre- real-estate, bank and fund-raising tary-treasurer for MCLC but also experts who made the moment a member of the WRTP and possible. United Way boards. She never To tie people who want let the festivities forget the good jobs and real careers into human element of the city and the range of opportunities, con- pointed out that the enlarged tact WRTP, BIG STEP and the photos of blight in the inner city Center of Excellence at (414) that dotted the rally were taken 906-4204 or visit the emerging by Anthony Rainey, a UAW website at www.wrtp.org. member who chairs the MCLC’s -- Dominique Paul Noth www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 — Page 11 No fair weather friends walking CC aa ll ee nn dd aa rr in Labor 2006 For updated calendar of rapidly changing s pleasant as the weather and new events, visit made it Sept. 16 for vol- www.milwaukeelabor.org Aunteers walking neigh- Saturday, September 30 borhoods to talk to union fami- Excellence in Education Dinner lies about the upcoming elec- Hosted by AFT Local 212 tions, a summery day also meant 6-8 p.m. Radisson North Hotel, that a lot of people weren’t 7065 N. Port Washington Rd home. Tickets $20, call (414) 765-0910 In the debriefings afterward, munching lunch provided by the Wednesday, October 4 state and Milwaukee AFL-CIO Milwaukee County Labor Council labor councils, the volunteers for AFL-CIO Delegates 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. The future site of classrooms and work study looked like a Labor 2006 were amused. Good fancy restaurant thanks to the AFL-CIO Community Services weather made the door to door staff and helpers. Two of those mobilizers, Annie Wacker and trips quite comfortable for them. Saturday, October 7 Labor 2006 Walk Mike Balistriere, chatted below with Tim Sullivan (center), CEO But if you’re serious about talk- Starts 9 a.m., Yatchak Hall of Bucyrus Erie and speaker at the United Way labor event. ing issues and influencing the election, pray for bad weather 633 S. Hawley Rd. and people staying home. We can’t provide a weather forecast for Oct. 7. That’s when the next walk heads out from Yatchak Hall at 633 S. Hawley Rd., starting at 9 a.m. that Saturday. Labor 2006 is a statewide effort by union members to beat back candidates proven to be anti-worker and support capa- ble candidates serious about real issues. The state has been divid- ed into zones, each having a real shot to change the makeup of the state legislature and in some cases the US Congress. The Waukesha and Milwaukee labor councils are cooperating in a state senate race (District 7) to help Democrat Jim Sullivan oust the increasingly weird incumbent, Tom Reynolds. The Zone 1 coordinator, Sue Ledbetter, has also set up phone banks for calls to union house- holds about this race and about re-electing Gov Doyle. Contact Ledbetter, office (414) 476-2896, cell (414) 526- 3781, or [email protected]. Scott Redman of the MCLC board (right) helped present fellow plumber Ken Greening with labor’s highest community service award. See story opposite page. Page 12 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, September 28, 2006 www.milwaukeelabor.org