(ISSN 0023-6667) Obama uses recess to appoint two to NLRB NLRB now has a pro-labor Obama’s “recess appoint- which workers are “employ- quorum with the only ees” -- announced March 27 ees” who can unionize, and Republican done in August while the Senate is out of ses- which are not, (PAI)--Disgusted with sion for the Passover-Easter Union leaders hailed Senate GOP obstructionism break -- can hold their seats Obama’s decision. Communi- that left 217 key jobs unfilled, without confirmation until the cations Workers President President Obama used consti- end of this congressional ses- Larry Cohen, who urged his tutional powers to appoint sion. Both men are Democrats. members to call the White Craig Becker and Mark Pearce “The Senate has the respon- House and demand the recess An Injury to One is an Injury to All! to fill two vacant seats on the sibility to approve or disap- appointments, said, “These National Labor Relations prove of my nominees. But if, appointments are critical for WEDNESDAY VOL. 115 Board. He also named 13 other in the interest of scoring politi- workers to get justice I the APRIL 7, 2010 NO. 19 interim appointees to agencies. cal points, Republicans in the workplace.” Senate refuse to exercise that Teachers President Randi responsibility, I must act in the Weingarten praised Obama’s interest of the American people “bold stand to restore function- and exercise my authority to ing and balance” to the board, fill these positions on an inter- countering “obstructionists im basis,” Obama said. “Most who put business interests and of the men and women whose partisan politics above the appointments I am announcing needs of American workers.” today were approved by Senate Appointment of Becker and committees months ago, yet Pearce guarantees a quorum for still await a vote of the Senate.” the 5-member NLRB, so it can The Senate Labor Com- again make key rulings without mittee approved Pearce unani- legal challenge. The board has mously and Becker, a Chicago had only two members -- attorney, law professor and Democrat Wilma Liebman, the associate counsel for the AFL- chair, and Republican Peter CIO and SEIU, by a party-line Schaumber -- since the last day vote earlier in 2010. The GOP, of 2007. Their subsequent 2-0 denouncing his past writings as rulings have been challenged in Judge Robert F. Wagner allowed his golfing buddy, Bank of America CEO Thomas a professor, successfully fili- court, in a case the U.S. Montag, to be sworn in with his bible, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, when Wall Street went bustered against Becker. Supreme Court heard on on trial in Duluth March 26. Montag got a slap on the wrist from the judge but was later Pearce, of Buffalo, and a third March 23. victimized by a citizen’s arrest for his crimes. nominee, a Republican, have The appointments also not come up. Obama’s solve a problem that landed the Duluth puts Wall St. on trial for meltdown appointments did not include NLRB’s 2-0 rulings in legal Area trade unionists joined The Duluth skit highlighted increase aid to state and local the Republican. limbo: The need for three their counterparts nationwide the role that big banks such as governments to save critical Appointment of Becker and NLRB members for a quorum. in putting Wall Street on trial Citigroup, Chase Morgan, and services and jobs; increase Pearce is important because the Even when Schaumber’s term March 26. Bank of America have played funding for neglected commu- full board rules on such issues expires Aug. 27, Liebman plus in the financial meltdown. nities to match people who as labor law-breaking, which the two recess appointees will “Wall Street banks are com- need jobs with work that needs unions represent workers in be a quorum. plicit in the destruction of the to be done; and use TARP jurisdictional disputes and economy, then took billions in money to get credit flowing to bailouts,” Chad McKenna, small businesses for job cre- Field Coordinator for the North ation. East Area Labor Council and “They played Russian skit magician said. “Then they roulette with our economy, and went right back to business as while Wall Street cashed in, usual, paying executives exor- they left Main Street holding bitant salaries – roughly $145 the bag,” Richard L. Trumka, billion last year alone. The the AFL‐CIO’s president, said American people are tired of at a rally in Philadelphia. seeing Wall Street executives “They gorge themselves in a rake in billions and fight trough of taxpayers’ dollars, Bank of America CEO Mon- against reforms that will pre- while we struggle to make ends tag (aka IBEW 31’s Dick vent these types of financial meet.” Sackett) and his wife, Bunny, meltdowns.” In Duluth and Philadelphia (aka Workers United 99’s During the skit, a CEO of a working people are making Emily Flesch), walk to court. major Bank (AKA IBEW 31’s three strong demands of Bank Dick Sackett) was prosecuted of America, Citigroup, for “crimes against working Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan families.” A jury of Duluth cit- Chase, Morgan Stanley and izens rendered a verdict. Wells Fargo/Wachovia: Stop The skit was one of 200 refusing to pay your fair share nationwide, part of “Good Jobs to restore the jobs you Now: Make Wall Street Pay” destroyed, stop fighting finan- events by the AFL‐CIO that cial reform and start lending to took place across the country. your communities, small busi- The AFL‐CIO is calling on nesses and others starved for the big Wall Street banks to pay credit. for a major jobs plan to extend For more information on the unemployment insurance and “Good Jobs Now: Make Wall health benefits; rebuild our Street Pay” campaign visit: crumbling infrastructure; www.aflcio.org/createjobs. NEALC elections Monday, May 3 in Cloquet Wisconsinites, protect wages! The North East Area Labor dates for the NEALC’s 6 geo- bers on which it paid per capita The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is asking residents to contact Council (NEALC), the umbrel- graphic representatives on the tax to the NEALC for the 12 their state representatives to pass Senate Bill 2, Wage Protection la organization for all the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s General months prior to the month of Act. When a business fails in Wisconsin there is a $3,000 prior- unions in seven counties of NE Board. These 6 representatives the election. ity cap on any unpaid wages and benefits that a worker can try Minnesota, will be conducting will be elected at the state fed- Per Article VII of the to collect. After that, banks and other creditors swoop in to claim elections on Monday, May 3, at eration’s convention in NEALC Constitution, all affili- whatever assets are left. $3,000 doesn't go very far if you have a 5 pm at the Cloquet Labor September. ates are hereby notified of the mortgage to pay, kids to feed and have just lost a job. SB 2 would Temple, 1403 Avenue C. The seven counties under availability of a list containing increase that amount to $10,950, but it is stalled in the State Elections for the officers of the NEALC’s jurisdiction are the following information: Assembly. It is strongly opposed by corporate banking lobbyists. the NEALC (president, execu- Carlton, Cook, Itasca, (i) the name and address of Call or e-mail your State Assembly Representative today! tive vice-president, and finan- Koochiching, Lake, Pine and each of the Area Labor Tell them to put the needs of working families above the special cial-recording secretary) will St. Louis. Council’s elected officers interests of banks by voting for SB 2. The Legislative Hotline take place at that time. The total votes a union may (including Executive Board can identify your Assembly Rep and give their toll-free office In addition, the NEALC cast in the election is based on members); number or e-mail address: Legislative Hotline: 1-800-362-9472 will nominate a slate of candi- the average number of mem- (ii) the name and mailing Sending an e-mail is easy: rep.(insert last name)@legis.wis address of each of the organiza- consin.gov or: http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/rd601C51aBwD. “Matewan” to be LMN feature tions affiliated with the Area Be sure to include your mailing address in an e-mail so a legis- The classic “Matewan” will be the Thursday, April 22 pres- Labor Council; lator knows that you are a constituent. entation for Labor Movie Night beginning at 6:00 p.m. in (iii) the name of each of the No one wins in a business bankruptcy. Banks are structured Wellstone Hall of the Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Road affiliated organization’s princi- to handle financial risk, to the tune of billions of dollars; work- (enter via South St. facing Lake Superior). Written and directed pal officers; ing families are not. And when banks fail to accurately calculate by John Sayles, it was released in 1987. (iv) each organization’s pro- their risk, the government uses taxes collected from working The story line is a labor union organizer arriving in an embat- jected per capita voting people to bail them out. Meanwhile, workers and their families tled Appalachian mining community brutally and violently dom- strength and delegate entitle- rely on every single paycheck. inated and harassed by the mining company. ment at the election; and, For more detailed information about SB 2, visit the Matewan, West Virginia was the scene of a coal miners strike (v) to the extent available, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog at: in 1920. When miners strike Black and Italian miners are the names and mailing address- http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/r7601C51aBwK/ brought in as scabs, and an effort begins to unionize them against es of the delegates. fierce opposition by local power brokers, including an anti-union For questions regarding the minister played by Sayles. The story has “Reds,” company spies, election, contact the NEALC I.U.O.E. Local 70 detective agency provocateurs, the Hatfields versus the via email: [email protected] or McCoys, and taglines like “It takes more than guns to kill a man” phone: 218-728-1257 Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting and “I wouldn’t pee on him if his heart was on fire.” Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, 5:00 P.M. The movie has the blessing of everyone who has ever USW 11-63 Duluth Labor Center, Hall B reviewed it for its writing, directing, acting, and cinematography. And it has Hazel Dickens singing. makes 18,329 Dave Monsour, Business Manager, (651) 646-4566 This issue of the Labor World will be mailed to 18,329 Support your local pharmacy union homes and offices, Tell your union, health fund, and employer thanks to United Steelworkers Local 11-63 coming aboard you want local pharmacy services with over 400 members employed at the SAPPI paper It’s Better...Keep It Local! mill in Cloquet. “We were looking for ways Your Local vs Mail Order to give our members something White Drug Pharmacy Pharmacies else back for the dues they pay 3Personal service Service only by phone/computer and a subscription to the Labor World is an inexpensive way to 3Consulting at the pharmacy No personal contact. How do do just that,” said President you get questions answered? Brady Nelson. 3Questions answered reliably, Allegations of re-dispensing Also as of April 1, USW accurately product that has been returned Local 1028, which represents 315 minute service on No ability to customize orders workers at ME Global, the new prescriptions foundry in Gary, has reaffiliat- 3Ready RefillTM (Automated Two week delivery, often LATE ed with the Duluth AFL-CIO Refills) authorizations Central Labor Body and the 3Free in town prescription Do you want your meds sitting in North East Area Labor a 110 degree mailbox? Council. delivery “We got our finances in 3We contact doctors for refills Some require you to get your order and we need to be part of own refill authorizations 3Monthly health screenings the labor movement that has Why trust your health & safety to been so supportive,” said 3Free blood pressure checks a nameless, faceless person? President Larry Libra. President Dan O’Neill of Your local White Drug Pharmacy is more reliable the Central Body said, “This is than mail order. We are always available to answer great, we’re building an army!” your questions face to face with a local pharmacist. Ironworker Retirees For a listing of locations visit www.thriftywhite.com Pinetree Plaza Monthly Breakfast Inside Super One Foods Thursday, April 15 Cloquet, MN 9:00 a.m. 218-879-6768 • 1-800-967-3421 Duluth Grill Store hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm • Sat 9am - 5:30pm • Sun 11am - 5pm PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 Tell us how health “no” votes hurt constituents, and Pawlenty’s theft of fire/EMS funds too Editor, Here are things I learned at Thank you for pointing out the real number impact the health Falsani U (Falsani, Balmer, care “yes” vote will have on the northland. As a corollary, would Peterson, Quinn & Beyer law you also please include the numbers of individuals and house- firm’s free workers’ compensa- holds that would have been negatively impacted, in their respec- tion seminar) this year and you tive districts, if the “no” votes of Reps. Kline, Paulsen, might find interesting: Bachmann, and Peterson had prevailed. • Don’t get hurt at work, or Also, will you please follow-up on the impact to every home- be a pain in the ass, and don’t owner in the state by Gov. Pawlenty’s theft of $10 million from get fired, even if you think the Fire/EMS training fund. These are funds that are badly need- you’re a member of a federally ed and earmarked for a specific purpose. They impact everyone protected class, like an old guy whether you own a mansion on Lake Minnetonka or trailer in (it’s over 40, how does that Zim. When crews are called out they respond. The farthest make you feel?). No matter thing from their minds is your political affiliation, religion, sta- how bad things are at work, the tion in life, or whether you are labor or management. This money legal system will have you just a block of time you can get forget about working for the should be used for what it is intended, provide funds for training wishing for the pissy bad old off work without being fired, same company all our lives so for the volunteer Fire/EMS crews throughout Minnesota. days at work; but you could still be fired. you’d better improve your skill These funds were never (and should never be) intended to be • Think of it like this, said Your employer can also make set with education if you’re used to pad the budget of a governor who is so narrow minded Sean Quinn: If you had a life you use FMLA in a comp case. looking for a job. LSC is and short sighted that he can only focus on his own political trips insurance policy, died, and Your union and your collective geared to helping workers two months into the future. bargaining agreement (CBA) return to school and matching friends held a spaghetti dinner Thomas Parish, International Falls, MN fundraiser to help your family, are the gold standard so go job skill sets with the local the policy wouldn’t be reduced. through that process to the end work market. (Editor’s note: See page 4 for an AFSCME release on the Not the same in a comp case before going legal. She said • Andy Pierce said a work- number of constituents and small businesses in their districts which require a lawyer. Public you need to know you are not ers’ comp settlement is consid- MN congressional reps Bachmann, Kline, Paulsen, and Peterson employees can really take a hit; obligated to volunteer any ered marital property in a voted against with their failed “no” votes on health care reform. • Stephanie Balmer said the medical information whatsoev- divorce case. If you’re paying On Pawlenty’s theft of Fire/EMS training funds, Erik Family Medical Leave Act is er to a prospective employer child support make sure you Simonson, President of Fire Fighters Local 101, and Nyle until after they offer you a file for modifications of the Zikmund, Fire Chief of the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds job–preferably in writing: decree as soon as you’re View Fire Department and a legislative guru for Fire Fighters, ~NOTICE~ • Jim Balmer, her Dad, said injured. Don’t lose your driv- provided the Labor World with the following information: Next issues of Labor World: you can be fired if you have a ers’ license or end up in jail. A bill to assess a 0.065% fee on every homeowner policy was April 21; May 5, 19; work injury or not, and don’t • Dr. Hal Heyer, Lake signed by Governor Pawlenty in 2006. It has resulted in $13 June 2, 23; July 7, 21; expect a comp claim to provide Superior Pain Clinic, spoke million being collected. These dollars are used to: Aug. 4, 18; Sept. 1, 22; for a loss of quality of life for about pain management and 1. Help fund the State Fire Marshal's Division. you or your spouse because made our complaints seem triv- 2. Reimburse training dollars to all fire departments across Oct. 6, 27; Nov. 10, 23; ial. He addressed reflex sympa- the state (volunteer and paid). Dec. 15. only wage loss and medical bills are covered. Pain and suf- thetic dystrophy syndrome 3. Fund statewide hazardous materials emergency response LABOR WORLD fering, however, can be the (RSDS), also known as com- teams. Duluth Fire does maintain a Chemical Assessment Team (ISSN#0023-6667) is published largest part of a claim; plex regional pain syndrome, that covers the majority of the NE quarter of Minnesota. semi-monthly except one issue in • Andrew Pierce said to and the various procedures to The House restored $1 million, the Senate $4.4 million, and December (23 issues). their conference committee settled on $3 million but Pawlenty The known office of publication is make sure you understand counter it. All are expensive, Labor World, 2002 London Road, everything about any “no com- none are good, including, per- rejected it. It ended up at $2 million so Pawlenty ends up taking Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. pete” clauses in your retire- haps, 30 injections in your $8 million from the fire safety account. Periodicals postage is paid at ment plans before you start neck. But for people, 4 to 1 are The monies collected from insurance companies do not go Duluth MN 55806. receiving a disability retire- women, average age is 40 to directly into the "fund" for disbursement. The legislature must POSTMASTER: 60, with the problem help is "appropriate" the collected funds during the annual session. Send address changes to: ment; • Eric Beyer addressed needed. Hand and ankle Money left over from last year’s collections (never appropriated) Labor World, 2002 London Rd., and future monies will be used by Pawlenty to fund other pro- Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 “Why Politics Matter to the injuries, surgery and casts can be causes, pain can move any- grams. As part of the Governor's budget proposal, he recom- 6 7 Injured Worker” saying that may offend some people but if where and be beyond the scope mended raiding the entire account for two years; using the logic (218) 728-4469 you view politics as the study of the injury, which leads too that those dollars would be better spent somewhere else within FAX: (218) 724-1413 of power you’ll understand. often to a “malingerer” tag, or "public safety.” [email protected] Companies need to make a there may not be a cause to www.laborworld.org ~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ profit, stay ahead of inflation, point to for RSDS. Try to take grow, and satisfy shareholders. that to court. Take pictures of This Day In History INTERSTATE Owned by Unions affiliated with the www.workdayminnesota.org Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body Laws have a lot to do with the swelling and have written doc- SPUR Subscriptions: $22 Annually proper climate for companies, umentation. April 7, 1947 Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager and the political football of Opiates, more surgery, The National Federation of Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper workers’ comp law was handed injections, implanted morphine Telephone Workers conduct- Board of Directors off by Minnesota legislators to pumps, induced comas, or my ed the first-ever nationwide Pres./Treas. Mikael Sundin, a Workers Compensation favorite, mirroring, where the strike against AT&T and the Painters & Allied Trades 106; Advisory Council made up of person stands in front of a mir- Bell System. At its peak, an V.P. Paul Iversen, BMWED four business and four labor ror and moves their good limb, estimated 300,000 telephone 1710; Sec. Larry Anderson, members who can’t get any- which tricks the brain by workers walked off their Laborers 1091; Al LaFrenier, thing done to change laws. appearing as the bad limb in the jobs. By May 18, all but two 2700 W. Michigan St. Workers’ United Midwest Bd; Maybe we should just go back mirror’s reversed image, are all of the 39 member unions GAS - DIESEL Mike Kuitu, Operating Engi- to the good old days of fist- ways to fight RSDS. If you’ve had won new contracts with neers 49; Rick McDonald, got the money–your insurance GROCERIES IBEW 31; Jayme McKenna, fights to resolve issues so substantial wage increases. A You’ll really like AFSCME 66; Dan O’Neill, workers could get a fair shake. company doesn’t–go for it. month later, the NFTW Plumbers & Steamfitters 11; • Steve Wagner of Lake Another sad note: Dr. Heyer became the Communications our car wash! Steve Risacher, Carpenters 361 Superior College said we can See Ditchview, MN...page 4 Workers of America. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 PAGE 3 Bachmann, Kline, Paulsen, Peterson voted no to many constituents on health By voting against the health “Minnesota residents, small that Reps. Bachmann, Kline, Small Businesses unaffordable health care costs care reform legislation, business owners, doctors and Paulsen and Peterson voted •Allow 16,100 small busi- in Rep. Bachmann’s district; Minnesota U.S. Reps. Michele seniors are outraged that these for,” said Steve Preble, nesses to obtain affordable 1,200 families in Rep. Kline’s Bachmann, John Kline, Erik members of Congress sided Executive Director of health care coverage in Rep. district; 900 families in Rep. Paulsen, all Republicans, and with insurance companies over AFSCME Council 65. “Make Bachmann’s district; 16,300 Paulsen’s district; and 700 fam- Democrat Collin Peterson the rest of us,” said Eliot Seide, no mistake about it—on small businesses in Rep. ilies in Rep. Peterson’s district. chose to side with insurance Executive Director of Sunday, these members of Kline’s district; 18,400 small Reps. Bachmann, Kline, companies over countless AFSCME Council 5. “The Congress voted to stand with businesses in Rep. Paulsen’s Paulsen and Peterson voted to Minnesota families, small busi- health care reform legislation insurance companies over doc- district; and 17,200 small busi- deny these benefits to nesses, doctors and seniors means lower insurance costs, tors, lower prescription drug nesses in Rep. Peterson’s dis- Minnesotans to curry favor who will see huge benefits help for providers and small prices, and much-needed assis- trict. with the insurance industry, from the reforms. businesses and an end to the so- tance to working families and Provider Reimbursement which pulled out every stop to The callous move shows called “donut hole” in seniors’ small businesses.” •Reduce the cost of uncom- kill the bill in the name of prof- that Reps. Bachmann, Kline, prescription drug coverage. According to an analysis by pensated care for doctors and its. Paulsen and Peterson are more We’ll never forget where these the U.S. House of Represen- hospitals by $35 million in “Why anyone would interested in protecting insur- members of Congress stood on tatives Energy and Commerce Rep. Bachmann’s district; $43 oppose such important and ance industry greed than in this historic day—with the Committee (http://energy million in Rep. Kline’s district; meaningful benefits to the peo- making health care more insurance companies.” commerce.house.gov), the $12 million in Rep. Paulsen’s ple of Minnesota is beyond affordable for working fami- “Double digit insurance rate health care reform bill district; and $167 million in me,” said Seide. “Minnesotans lies, lowering prescription drug hikes, arbitrarily denying approved by Congress over the Rep. Peterson’s district. are struggling enough as it is costs, and providing aid for patients with life-threatening weekend will have the follow- Medical Related right now, it’s despicable that doctors and small businesses. illnesses – that’s the status quo ing impact on the districts of Bankruptcies someone would say ‘no’ at a Reps. Bachmann, Kline, •Protect up to 1,400 fami- time like this.” 4 new mesothelioma cases Paulsen and Peterson: lies from bankruptcy due to It may not seem like much unless you’re one of the unfortu- Affordability nate that was diagnosed but four new cases of mesothelioma •Provide credits to help pay Ditchview, MN...from page 3 for coverage for up to 134,000 have been added to a University of Minnesota study funded to said 10% of stroke patients get RSDS, which adds pain to find out if taconite mining on the Iron Range is linked to the families in Rep. Bachmann’s district; 117,000 households in their disability. deadly cancer. Interestingly, Dr. Heyer said if you’re injured seeing a chiro- The cases bring the number of former miners diagnosed with Rep. Kline’s district; 108,000 families in Rep. Paulsen’s dis- practor first, then injections, his speciality, and surgery last, mesothelioma to 63, according to the Minnesota Department of should be your sequence options. Pain meds will be every- Health. The cases finally spurred the University of Minnesota trict; and 177,000 families in Rep. Peterson’s district. where, as will physical therapy. study after Iron Range legislators and union officials said peo- • Jim Peterson addressed Minnesota v. Wisconsin comp law ple there had suffered enough. The study includes respiratory Medicare •Improve Medicare for and started by saying “You don’t want to get injured in North diseases and diseases associated with silica and asbestos expo- Dakota.” Don’t get injured anywhere. sure. 80,000 seniors by closing the prescription drug donut hole in With the common border and employers crossing it for work, Mesothelioma is a rare, fatal form of cancer almost always make sure you file any claim in the best, proper state. Did we linked to asbestos exposure. It can take as long as 40 to 50 years Rep. Bachmann’s district; 75,000 in Rep. Kline’s district; mention getting an attorney is important? Wisconsin can pay to develop the disease after exposure. better on an injury claim, depending on actual body parts, but It’s not just iron ore miners that should be screened. Their 87,000 seniors in Rep. Paulsen’s district; and 115,000 Wisconsin’s system can also leavy you high, dry and hurting family members may become afflicted by materials brought more easily. Retraining is even tougher to come by in Wisconsin home on clothes. Building Trades workers and vendors that seniors in Rep. Peterson’s dis- trict. than Minnesota. work at the mines can also suffer from being exposed. Be careful at work, your negligence will be item #1 on the company’s chart. Don’t you dare file a fraudulent claim, that’s what makes it so tough for workers that really get injured to get help. If you do get hurt, tell your boss, and start your documentation immedi- ately. Call your union hall, and call an attorney. U.S.U.S. bankruptcy bankruptcy judges judges have sethave over set $30 over billion $30 dollarsbillion todollars pay to to present pay to and I rest my case, and my homework. presentfuture and asbestos future claimants. asbestos claimants. In order to In qualify order claimants to qualify must claimants have been must Next issue we’ll cheer you up with Workers’ Memorial Day. havediagnosed been diagnosed with mesothelioma, with mesothelioma, a lung cancer a lung or lung cancer disease or lungafter disease 1997*. . Jeff Daveau If you’ve worked with asbestos or taconite and you’ve developed a lung Re-Elect condition,If you’ve you worked may qualify with asbestos for financial or taconite compensation. and you’ve If you developed would like a tolung see if Business Manager/Financial Secretary you qualifycondition, for asbestos you may compensation, qualify for give financial us a call compensation. for a free, confidential Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11 If you would like to see if youconsultation. qualify for asbestos compensation, I will continue to expand on our accomplishments as we make give us a call for a free, confidential consultation. *Good till only 1/2010, for example specifically Babcock & Wilcox, improvements to the services the Union Hall provides to our under Bankruptcy Court rules. members. I got into office just before some of the worst economic times we’ve seen since the early 1980s and still managed to keep Cascino Vaughan Law Offices, Ltd. our local in the black financially during my first term. I have “Representing asbestos victims since 1986” strived to make sure someone is available in the office from 7 am to 4:30 pm, including during lunchtime, to answer questions or Toll Free: 1-800-783-0082 to help with your issues. I know moving forward during these Local: 414-226-0241 hard economic times will take someone that is willing to go the www.dairylandlaw.com extra mile and put forth a strong presence in the labor movement. I vow to do that. Please support me in my bid for Allen D. Vaughan, Esq., Michael P. Cascino, Esq. re-election because honesty, transparency, and hard work is what 1110 N Old World Third Street Suite 405 I bring to the table. Please mark and mail your ballot for “Jeff Milwaukee, WI 53203 Daveau” this month. THANK YOU! PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 Sorry, but it’s a wimpy health care reform bill given the American people By Rose Ann DeMoro behemoth. subsidies to states, those expire –Permission for individual plans to attract healthier cus- Executive Director, Nation- When all the boasts fade, in 2016, leaving the program a states -- though weakened from tomers, and many enrollees al Nurses United, AFL-CIO comparing the bill to Social top target to budget cutting the version by Rep. Dennis will likely find the federal and California Nurses Assn. Security and Medicare, proba- governors and legislatures. Kucinich -- to waive some fed- guarantees do not protect them and a member of the AFL-CIO bly intended to mollify liberal –Increased funding for eral regulations to adopt inno- for medical treatments they Executive Council supporters following repeated community health centers, vative state programs like an actually need. Passage of President concessions to the healthcare thanks to an amendment by expanded Medicare. –No meaningful restrictions Obama's healthcare bill proves industry and conservative Sen. Bernie Sanders, will open All of these reforms could, on claims denials insurers don't that Congress can enact com- Democrats, a sobering reality their doors to nearly double and should, have been enacted want to pay for. Proponents cite prehensive social legislation in will probably set in. their current patient volume. on their own without poison a review process on denials, pills that accompanied them. the face of virulent rightwing What the bill does provide –Reducing but not eliminat- but the "internal review opposition. Now that we have –Expansion of government- ing the infamous "donut hole" Where the bill falls short process" remains in the hands an insurance bill, can we move funded Medicaid to cover 16 gap in prescription drug cover- –The mandate forcing peo- of the insurers, and the "exter- on to healthcare reform? million additional low income age for which Medicare ple without coverage to buy nal" review will be up to the As an organization of regis- people, though the program enrollees have to pay the costs insurance. Coupled with the states, many of which have sys- tered nurses, we have an obli- remains significantly under fully out of pocket. subsidies for other moderate tems now in place that are gation to provide an honest dominated by the insurance funded. This limits access to its –Insurance regulations cov- income working people not eli- assessment, as nurses must do enrollees as its reimbursement gible for Medicare or Medi- industry with little enforcement every hour of every day. The ering members' dependent chil- mechanism. rates are lower than either dren until age 26, and new caid, the result is a gift worth legislation fails to deliver on Medicare or private insurance, hundreds of billions of dollars –Significant loopholes in the promise of a single stan- restrictions on limits on annual with the result some providers and lifetime on lifetime insur- to reward the very insurance the touted insurance reforms: dard of excellence in care for find it impossible to partici- industry that created the pres- 1. Provisions permitting all and instead makes piece- ance coverage, and exclusion pate. Though the federal gov- of policies for children with ent crisis through price goug- insurers and companies to meal adjustments to the current ernment will provide additional ing, denials, and other abuses. more than double charges to privatized, for-profit healthcare pre-existing conditions. –Inadequate healthcare cost employees who fail "wellness" controls for individuals and programs because they have families. diabetes, high blood pressure, 1. Insurance premiums will high cholesterol readings, or continue to climb. Proponents other medical conditions. touted a "robust" public option 2. Permitting insurers to sell to keep the insurers "honest," policies "across state lines", but that proposal was scuttled. exempting patient protections After Anthem Blue Cross of passed in other states. Insurers California announced 39 per- will likely set up in the least cent premium hikes, the regulated states in a race to the administration promised to bottom threatening public pro- crack down with a federal rate tections won by consumers in insurance authority, an idea various states. also dropped from the bill. 3. Allowing insurers to 2. There is no standard ben- charge three times more based Laidoff Ironworker 512 apprentices Amos IBEW 31’s Jeff Paulus of Minnesota Power efits package, only a circum- on age plus more for certain Granmoe and Scott Hall, under the watchful and IBEW 242’s Walt Trader of Electric spect reference that benefits conditions, and continue to use eye of instructor Russ Whitehouse, volun- Builders were able to get work at the Labor should be "comparable to" cur- marketing techniques to cher- teered to set the electrical tower for the Temple, where they pay their union dues, by rent employer provided plans. ry-pick healthier, less costly Labor Temple’s new central air system. installing the new electrical panels. 3. An illusory limit on out- enrollees. of-pocket medical expenses. 4. Insurers may continue to But even in the regulated state rescind policies,drop coverage, 733-0100 exchanges, insurers remain in for "fraud or intentional mis- KOLAR control of what they offer and representation" -- the main pre- what will be a covered service. text insurance companies use. Insurers are likely to design See It’s a wimpy...page 6 A U T O M O T I V E G R O U P www.kolarnet.com Murrays in MPLS boycotted Famous as the “home of the silver butter knife steak,” When Others Won’t...KOLAR Will Murray’s restaurant in downtown Minneapolis — long a union house — has stabbed its employees in the back with one of those knives reports Steve Share, Editor of the Minneapolis Labor 4781 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth, MN Review. Murray’s wrote to employees in February that they would impose a contract in the wake of two votes by UNITE HERE Local 17 members to reject contract offers. The scenario is similar to that at the Pickwick in Duluth. A pending sale agreement has not been completed yet there. When you travel to the Twin Cities don’t patronize Murray’s. They are also one of low rates. free hat with a the concessionaires at the new fast approvals. recreational loan Minnesota Twins Target Field, but vendors will be represent- Next door to the no hassle ed by Unite Here 17. Write the restaurant to con- Labor Temple! lending. demn their union-busting: Murray’s, 26 S. 6th St., Wade Smith 218-729-7733 • Hermantownfcu.org Minneapolis, MN 55402- (218) 724-4507 Member eligibility required. Member NCUA. 1501. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 PAGE 5 T r a d e U n i o n D i r e c t o r y It’s a wimpy health bill...from page 5 for "fraud or intentional misrepresentation" -- the main pre- “The world is run by those who show up!” text insurance companies now use. AFSCME COUNCIL 5— President Mike CEMENT MASONS, PLASTERERS & NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER –Taxing health benefits for the first time. Though modified, Buesing, Local 1011; VP Judy Wahlberg, SHOPHANDS LOCAL 633—Duluth & Iron CARRIERS, BRANCH 114 MERGED— the tax on benefits remains, a 40 percent tax on plans whose Local 66; Treas. Clifford Poehler, Local Range Area Office: Mike Syversrud, 2002 Meets 2nd Mondays, 7 p.m., Labor Temple 2938; Sec. Mary Falk, Local 4001; Director London Road, Room 112, Duluth 55812; Hall B, Pres. Tatyana Vahkrusheva-Wiita, value exceeds $10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for families. Eliot Seide; Area office, 211 West 2nd St., 218-724-2323; Meetings to be announced 727-4327 (office), P.O. Box 16583, Duluth With no real checks on premium hikes, many plans will reach Duluth, MN 55802; 722-0577 55816; VP Scott Dulas; Recording Secretary DULUTH AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR Sheila Fawcett; Financial Secretary Donnie that amount by the start date, 2018, rapidly. The result will be AFSCME Co. 5—LOCAL 66—Meets 1st BODY —Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m., Well- Leshovsky; Treasurer Karl Pettersen Tues. at 7:00 p.m. in the AFSCME Hall, stone Hall, 2002 London Rd., (218) 724- more cost shifting from employers to workers and more people Arrowhead Place, 211 W. 2nd St. 1413, President Dan O’Neill, Plumbers & NATIONAL CONF. FIREMEN & OILERS switching to skeletal plans that leave them vulnerable to finan- Pres. Alan Netland; VP Judy Wahlberg; Steamfitters 11; VP Alan Netland, AFSCME SEIU 956—Meets 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m. Treas. Deb Strohm, Rec. Sec. Sue Urness. 66; Rec. Sec. Terri Newman, CWA 7214; Meetings held at Central High School. cial ruin. Union office, 211 W. 2nd St., Duluth, MN Treas. Sheldon Christopherson, Operating Pres. Jerome DeRosier, 315 W. 5th St. 55802, 722-0577 Eng. 70; Reading Clerk Larry Sillanpa, MN Duluth, MN 55806; Treas. Dennis –Erosion of women's reproductive rights, with a new execu- News Guild/Typos 37002 McDonald, 7208 Ogden Ave., Superior, WI tive order from the President enshrining a deal to get the votes of AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1123—City of Two 54880, 628-4863; Sec. Steve Lundberg, Harbors workers. Meets 1st Wed. of each DULUTH BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 8304 Grand Ave, Duluth 55807, 624-0915 anti-abortion Democrats and a burdensome segregation of funds, month at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall, Two Har- TRADES COUNCIL—Meets 3rd Tuesday, bors. Pres. Brad Jones, 723-15th Ave., Two 3:00 p.m., Freeman Hall, Labor Temple. NORTH EAST AREA LABOR COUNCIL, that in practice will likely mean few insurers will cover abortion Harbors 55616; Sec. Karrie Seeber; Pres. Craig Olson, Painters & Allied Trades AFL-CIO-President Alan Netland, Field Co- and perhaps other reproductive medical services. Treas. Paul J. Johnson 106, 724-6466; VP Darrell Godbout, Iron- ordinator Chad McKenna, 218-310-8412, workers 512; Treas. Jim Brown, IBEW 242; [email protected] 2002 London –A windfall for pharmaceutical giants. Through a deal with AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 1934— Rec. Sec. Dan Olson, Laborers 1091 Road, Room 99, Duluth, MN 55812 St. Louis Co. Essential Jail Employees. the White House, the administration blocked provisions to give Meets 3rd Wed., 3:15 at Foster’s Bar & Grill. DULUTH MAILERS UNION LOCAL ML-62 NORTHERN WISCONSIN BUILDING & the government more power to negotiate drug prices and gave Pres. Dan Marchetti, 726-2345, Meets 3rd Monday, Duluth Labor Temple, CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL— VP Glen Peterson, Sec. Larry Van Why, 2002 London Rd., Pres. Oscar Steinhilb: Meets the 3rd Wednesdays, Old Towne Bar. the name brand drug makers 12 years of marketing monopoly Treas. Heather Ninefeldt Sec. Keith Delfosse, 218-628-3017 President Norm Voorhees, (218) 724-5073, against competition from generic competition on biologic drugs, 2002 London Rd., Duluth, MN 55812; AFSCME Co. 5 - LOCAL 3558 - Non-profit IBEW LOCAL 31 (UTILITY WORKERS)— V-P Dan Westlund Jr., Sec.-Treas. including cancer treatments. employees. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.. Rm.105, Duluth Labor Temple, 728-4248. Bill Cox (218) 728-5151 AFSCME Hall, 211 W. 2nd St. Pres. Pres. Tim Ryan; VP Paul Makowski; Most critically, the bill strengthens the economic and political Michelle Fremling ; VP Phil Beecroft; Sec. Rec. Sec. Bob Fonger; Treas. Dan Leslie; OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49 — power of a private insurance-based system based on profit rather Brendan Hanschen; Treas. Stephanie Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Mark Glazier, Meets 2nd Tues. of month at 7:30 p.m., Pessenda Ass’t. Bus. Mgr. Dick Sackett Hall B, Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London than patient need. Monthly Meetings: Duluth: 1st Wednes- Rd., Bus. Rep. Brent Pykkonen, 724-3840, As former Labor Secretary Robert Reich wrote after the vote AFSCME LOCAL 695 - Meets 4th Tuesday days, 7:00 pm, Labor Temple; Room. 112, Duluth Labor Temple. of even numbered months at Council 5 Iron Range: Gilbert VFW, 2nd Tuesdays, All members attend each meeting "don't believe anyone who says Obama's healthcare legislation Duluth offices and odd numbered months 7:15 pm; Grand Rapids Blandin Workers at Gampers in Moose Lake. Hall, 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm; OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 70— marks a swing of the pendulum back toward the Great Society President John McGovern, 393-5718 Western Area: 3rd Wednesdays, all at 7:00 Union office, 2417 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. and the New Deal. Obama's health bill is a very conservative Paul, MN 55113, 651-646-4566. Bus. Mgr. AFSCME LOCAL 3801 - Representing pm: Jan., Brainerd Legion; Feb., Park Rapids Legion; March, Nisswa Tasty Pizza Dave Monsour. Meets 2nd Tues. at 5 p.m. in piece of legislation, building on a Republican (a private market UMD Clerical & Technical employees, Room the Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd. 106 Kirby Student Center. Meets 4th Th. @ North; April, Little Falls Legion; May, Ironton approach) rather than a New Deal foundation. The New Deal 4:45 pm, Room 490 Humanities; Legion; June, Brainerd Legion; July, Park PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES LOCAL foundation would have offered Medicare to all Americans or, at President Denise Osterholm, 726-6312 Rapids Legion; Aug., Little Falls Legion; 106 Meets 1st Wed., 6:00 p.m., Duluth Sept., Jenkins VFW; Oct. Brainerd Legion; Labor Temple. President Lee Carlson; VP the very least, featured a public insurance option." AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION Nov., Nisswa Tasty Pizza N.; Dec., Wadena Ron Folkestad; Rec. Sec. Mikael Sundin; AFL-CIO Greater Northland Area Local— Superior: Shamrock Pizza, 4th Tues, 7 pm Fin. Sec. Brian Coyle; Treas. Bryce Sjoquist Unlike Social Security and Medicare which expanded a pub- P.O. Box 16321, Duluth, MN 55816. Quarterly Meetings: 3rd Mons. Jan., April, Bus. Rep. Craig Olson, Duluth Labor lic safety net, this bill requires people -- in the midst of the mass Membership meetings held monthly in July, Oct. at Schroeder Town Hall, 6 pm Locations Temple, Room 106, 2002 London Rd. Duluth, bi-monthly on Iron Range (in odd Duluth, MN 55812, 724-6466 unemployment and the worse economic downturn since the numbered months), 218-722-3350 Duluth-Labor Temple-2002 London Road Brainerd-American Legion, 708 Front St. PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS Great Depression -- to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to BRlCKLAYERS & ALLIED Crosby/Ironton-Ironton American Legion LOCAL 11, U.A.— Meets 1st Thursdays at big private companies for a product that may or may not provide CRAFTWORKERS LOCAL NO. 1—Chap- Gilbert-Gilbert VFW, 224 N. Broadway union hall, 4402 Airpark Blvd. (218) 727- ter #3, Duluth & Hibbing meetings are listed Grand Rapids-Blandin Papermill Workers 2199; President Dan O’Neill; VP Scott health coverage in return. in the quarterly update newsletter. Chair- Hall, 1005 NW 4th St. Randall; Rec. Sec. Butch Liebaert; Too many people will remain uninsured, individual and fam- man/Field Rep. Jim Stebe, 218-724-8374 Jenkins-VFW, 3341 Veterans St. Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Jeff Daveau, Recording Secretary Stan Paczynski, Little Falls-American Legion, 108 1st St NE Ass’t Bus. Mgr. Dave Carlson ily healthcare costs will continue to rise largely unabated and pri- Sergeant at Arms Jerry Lund Nisswa-Tasty Pizza North, Hwy 371S, Pequot Lakes SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 10— vate insurers will still be able to deny claims with little recourse BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL Park Rapids-Lori Lea Lanes, 1400-1st. St E Duluth-Superior area meets 2nd Mondays for patients. AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS Schroeder-Town Hall, 124 Cramer Rd. at 5:00 p.m. in Wellstone Hall, Duluth Labor LOCAL 512—Northern MN office/training Superior-Shamrock Pizza, 5825 Tower Ave Temple, 2002 London Rd. If, as the President and his supporters insist, the bill is just a center, 3752 Midway Road, Hermantown Wadena-Pizza Ranch, 106 Jefferson St. S. Iron Range meets 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. start, let's hold them to that promise. Let's see the same resolve MN 55810, (218) 724-5073, Pres. Kevin Regency Inn, Beltline/Howard, Hibbing. Kowalski, B.M./F.S.-T. Charlie Witt, IBEW LOCAL 242 (CONST., R.T.V., MFG., Bemidji area meets 3rd Thursday Jan., and mobilization from legislators and constituency groups who B.A. Darrell Godbout, Rec. Sec. Bill Gerl MAINT.)—Rm.111, Labor Temple, 728-6895. April, July & Oct., 6:00 pm, Carpenters Hall Pres. Jesse Wick; Rec. Sec. Don Smith; Bus. Mgr. Craig Sandberg, 1681 E Cope pushed through this bill to go farther, and achieve a permanent, BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF Treas. Stan Nordwall; Bus Mgr./Fin. Sec. WAY EMPLOYES DIVISION LODGE Ave., St Paul, MN 55109, 612-770-2388-89. lasting solution to our healthcare crisis with universal, guaran- Jim Brown. Meetings 4th Wed. of every Duluth-Superior-lron Range area. Bus. Rep. 1710—Meets 1st Mon. of each month at 7 month at Duluth Labor Temple. teed healthcare by expanding and improving Medicare to cover p.m., Pit Stop, Boundary Ave.; Gen. Dennis Marchetti, 2002 London Rd., Duluth Unit meetings - Brainerd, American 55812, 724-6873 Chair/Sec. Treas. Mike Nagle, 6049 Seville Legion, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wed. each month everyone. Rd. Duluth, MN 55811, 729-9786; SUPERIOR FEDERATION OF LABOR — Leaders of the National Nurses United have raised many of Pres. Bart Berglund; 1st Vice Chair Alan INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL Meets 1st Weds, 6:30 p.m., Public Library, Hansen; 2nd Vice Chair Jim Sonneson WORKERS, LOCAL 294 - Meets 4th Thurs- Pres. Janice Terry, 394-2896, Treas. Mar- these concerns about the legislation for months. But, sadly, as the day, 7:30 p.m., Local 294 Building located at BUILDING & GENERAL LABORERS lene Case, 399-8152, Sec. Cindy Lee, 395- healthcare bill moved closer to final passage, the space for gen- 503 E. 16th St., Hibbing, MN. Business 1853, PO Box 1246, Superior, WI 54880 LOCAL 1091—Meets 3rd Thursdays, 7 pm Management Scott Weappa, (218) 263- uine debate and critique of the bill's very real limitations was Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall. 6895, Hibbing. I.B.E.W. Local 294 Unit Be- UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 241 — President Larry Anderson, V.P. Brad Buko- midji, meets 3rd Thursdays of the month at Meets Ist Tues. of the month, 5:30 p.m., Du- largely squeezed out. vich, Rec. Sec. Bill Cox, Bus.Mgr./Fin.Sec./ 7 p.m. in Carpenters Hall luth Labor Temple, 2002 London Rd., P. Del Much of the fault lies with the far right, from the streets to the Treas. Dan Olson; (218) 728-5151 Soiney, 591-5184; Fin. Officer Steve Wisne- INTL. BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL ski, 306 E St., Superior, WI 54880 airwaves to some legislators that steadily escalated from deliber- CARLTON COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR WORKERS, LOCAL 366—(Electrical, Sig- BODY—Meets 1st Monday of month except nal & Communication Workers of C/N) - UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL ate misrepresentations to fear mongering to racial epithets to Sept. which meets last Monday in August. Meets 3rd Thursdays, Proctor American Le- WORKERS LOCAL 1116—Duluth Labor hints of threatened violence against bill supporters. Meeting 7:00 pm 2nd floor of Labor Temple, gion. President/Local Chairman Larre Cole, Temple, 2002 London Rd., Rm. 211, P.O. 1403 Ave C, Cloquet 55720; President Mike 3309 Kolstad Av., Duluth MN 55803; Box 16388, Duluth 55816-0388. President For its part, the administration and its major supporters shut Kuitu, 391-6367, VP Tim Ryan, Treas Dan Fin. Sec. David Ostby, 303 Park Ave. Clo- Gary Morgan; Sec. Treas. Joyce Berglund, out advocates of more far reaching reform, while vilifying crit- Swanson, Sec. Patty Harper quet, MN 55720, 879-0941; Rec. Sec. Steve 218-728-5174. CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 361— Jonland; Treas. Kurt Shaw Retirees' Club meets 2nd Monday, 1:30 ics on the left. p.m., Duluth Labor Temple, Wellstone Hall Meets 2nd Tues. of the month at 6:30 p.m. INTL. ASSOCIATION OF HEAT & FROST Both trends are troubling for democracy, as is the pervasive at Training Center, 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy., INSULATORS & ALLIED WORKERS UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1028 - corruption of corporate lobbying that so clearly influenced the 724-3297. President Steve Risacher, LOCAL NO. 49—Meets 2nd Fridays, 7 p.m. Meets 2nd Tues., Room 212, 2002 London VP Susan Erkkila, Rec. Sec. Chris Hill, Fin. Duluth Labor Temple. Business Manager Rd., Duluth 55812, 728-9534. Pres. Larry language of the bill. Insurers, drug companies, and other corpo- Sec. Larry Nesgoda; Treas. Chuck Aspoas, Dick Webber, 2002 London Rd., Room 210, Libra, VP Mike Connolly, Treas. Lee Field Reps. Steve Risacher, Chris Hill Duluth 55812, 724-3223; Pres Wade Lee; Popovich, Fin. Sec. Jeff Westad, rate lobbyists shattered all records for federal influence peddling VP Garth Lee; Rec Sec Randy Neumann; Rec. Sec. Dave Lubbesmeyer and were rewarded with a bill that largely protected their inter- Fin Sec/Treas. Mark Lindholm UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1028 ests, along with a Supreme Court ruling that will allow corpora- RETIREES ASSOCIATION—Meets 3rd Weds (except Jan, Feb) Evergreen Center, tions, including the health care industry, to spend unlimited sums 5830 Grand Ave 3 p.m. All USWA 1028 re- in federal elections. tirees welcome. Pres. John Stojevich, Treas. Mary S. Petrich, Sec. Ted Krakovac Rightwing opponents fought as hard to block this legislation WORKERS UNITED LOCAL 99—Ex Board as they would have against a Medicare for all plan. As more meetings 2nd Mon. of month: 1:30 p.m. in Americans recognize the bill does not resemble the distortions Mar., June, Oct., & Dec., 9:30 a.m. all others Quarterly membership meetings held 2nd peddled by the right, and become disappointed by their rising Mon. Mar., June, Oct., & Dec. at 2:30 p.m. medical bills and ongoing fights with insurers for needed care, Office, 350 Garfield Ave., Suite 2, Duluth, MN 55802; Pres. Todd Erickson, 728-6861 there will be new opportunity to press the case for real reform. Next time, let's get it done right. PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 40 years ago Letter Carriers struck US Postal Service Keep Saturday By Mark Gruenberg line leader charged the strikers ing vital things like paychecks pension plan, and arbitration to mail says NALC Press Associates Staff Writer “were incited by the SDS,” and bills – the Nixon adminis- solve future disputes. Postmaster General John Imagine your faithful Letter referring to the radical Students tration negotiated a settlement “And not one striker was for a Democratic Society. with the strikers: A 14% raise, a fired,” Burrus pointed out. Potter’s proposal to eliminate Carrier, braving “rain, snow, Saturday mail isn’t sitting well sleet, hail and gloom of night” “But we really started to take off when the leadership of with Letter Carriers. But on – to quote the old Post Office Carriers picketed in Duluth March 24 the Postal Service motto – for so little pay that he, our branch didn’t show up” at a Ardy Stabs started with the U.S. Postal Service in Duluth in meeting the workers called, Board of Governors approved and it was almost always a December 1965 and pulled his last shift on New Year’s Eve his request to cut most Satur- “he,” could draw welfare and Sombrotto told the standing- 1999. He was a Letter Carrier for three years in 1970 when his room-only crowd, which day deliveries, then on March apply for food stamps. union brothers on the East Coast went out on a wildcat strike. 30 filed for an advisory opinion It was low pay like that, and included several other veterans “We had a meeting at the Woodmen Hall and our president, of the struggle besides Burrus with the Postal Regulatory impossible working conditions Charlie MacDonald, said ‘what do we have to lose,’” Stabs Commission. Any delivery to boot, that led the nation’s and himself. A non-partisan recalled. “We were making about $4 an hour. The vote to strike ballot-counting group ran the change would require congres- post office workers, then mem- was almost unanimous.” The new main post office in the West sional approval. bers of nine unions, to stage strike vote, and the tally was End was just about to open at the same time. 1,550-1,005 to walk out, he The National Association of their first and only nationwide “We had good relations with Postmaster Frank Blatnik Letter Carriers says the propos- strike in late March 1970. said. Eventually, some 200,000 (brother of Congressman John Blatnik) who asked if we would workers, including clerks and al is not the solution to USPS That protest, which began hold off on our strike so the Teamsters could finish hauling mate- financial problems, saying it as a walkout in New York City, carriers, did. rials from the old main in the Civic Center,” Stabs said. “So we The ball really started to roll has hidden financial strengths, quickly spread across the U.S., went out at midnight on a Saturday instead of 10 p.m.” with fully funded pension plans said retired Letter Carriers “when leaders of Branch 36, Stabs said his union, now called National Association of who were meeting across the and, if the accounting is done President Vincent Sombrotto – Letter Carriers Zenith Branch 114 Merged, was out three days. properly, fully funded retiree a leader in the uprising – and street” heard about the vote and “We had a rally at the new main office with postal inspectors pledged their support, as did health benefits. current Postal Workers taking pictures of us,” said Stabs. “I did my picketing at the old NALC says Saturday deliv- President Bill Burrus. And its the rest of organized labor. Hunters Park station.” “We’re a labor union. We ery is the USPS’s key advan- success led to wide-ranging Stabs said supervisors were going around town taping mail- tage over its private competi- changes in the workers’ lives, belong to the AFL-CIO. We boxes shut so no mail could be deposited. won’t cross a picket line. That’s tors, UPS, which is unionized, and even to the creation of the “When the East Coast went out we didn’t have hardly any and FedEx, which is non union. Postal Service as a quasi-inde- good enough for me,” one mail here anyway–they strangled the whole system,” he said. other leader said, Sombrotto Slower service—Friday pendent U.S. agency, with the “Smaller areas didn’t even need to go out on strike because they nights letters would not be aim of turning a profit. recalled. didn’t have any mail. On the East Coast they tried to keep the “Our members were in front picked up until Monday—and But the win didn’t come mail moving with the National Guard.” less frequent delivery is likely easily, the two union leaders of our leaders, who were NALC President James H. Rademacher had not wanted a nowhere to be found,” said to accelerate the shift to elec- said at a March 20 symposium strike and told Letter Carriers nationwide if they’d go back to tronic invoicing and electronic at the Postal Museum in Burrus, who was a Cleveland work he’d get a better contract for them. sorting clerk in mid-career. bill paying. Booming business- Washington to commemorate “He tried to get everyone to calm down because he was afraid es like mail order prescriptions the 40th anniversary of the “But we would not return until of firings,” Stab said. “Back then everything that had to do with we were satisfied and our would be threatened. strike. Indeed, there wasn’t the Postal Service went through Congress.” If the Postal Service doesn’t even unanimity within unions needs and those of our families As the adjoining story states the NALC got a 14% raise, a were met.” deliver on Saturdays, other at the start of the struggle, pension plan, and arbitration to solve future disputes. companies will step in to fill Sombrotto admitted. One old- They were. After nine days “We were close to a strike once or twice after 1970, but we of the mail piling up – includ- the void. never went on strike again,” said Stabs. The NALC asks where will cut delivery days stop once the bad precedent of 6-day delivery LOOK UP AND LIVE. is repealed. OPTICAL

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DIAL 811Damage Prevention Center 'XOXWK‡6XSHULRU‡$XURUD‡7ZR+DUERUV' **UDQG5DSLGV‡&ORTXHW‡0RRVH/DNHUDQG5DSLGV‡&ORTXHW‡0RRVH/DNH A SAFETY MESSAGE FROM MINNESOTA POWER. ZZZZYLVLRQSURRSWLFDOFRPZZYLVLRQSURRSWLFDOFRP *See*See ststoreore foforr ddetails.etails. LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010 PAGE 7 Bi-partisan plan in MN Legislature could create up to 20,000 new jobs The Minnesota Senate last jobs, both of which are critical is focused on attracting unemployment rates. Credit from 5% to 10% tax week wrapped up the first half for long-term economic suc- investors in high-technology, “The historic structure tax credit for investments up to of their session by passing two cess. Both of these bills passed bioscience, and green manu- credit is modeled after a similar $2.5 million. bills that will spur the state’s with bipartisan support and the facturing businesses that are federal tax credit, which offers Two other credits in the bill economic recovery, said State support of the Governor. I am trying to get a leg up. incentives for improving our are designed to spur Mall of Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon. still dissatisfied with the level Sen. Prettner Solon said the aging historic buildings,” she America expansion and create Legislation passed March 30 of cuts made to local govern- state’s Department of Employ- said. “This not only will help a Create Automotive Recovery will stimulate the state’s econo- ment aid, but the Senate ment and Economic Develop- preserve some of Minnesota’s Zone as an incentive for some- my by reducing state spending worked hard to compromise on ment estimates this credit will finest buildings, it also will cre- one to improve or retrofit the and investing in new jobs that these bills to be sure incentives create up to 6,300 new jobs ate new jobs for the building Ford Plant site in St. Paul. will put people back to work. for new jobs and business can averaging $49,000 annually. trades and architecture sec- “The Governor has indicat- The bill also contains an take effect as soon as possible.” The Historic Structure tor–both industries that have ed he will sign this bill, which extension of the JOBZ program A major component of the Rehabilitation Credit provision faced unemployment rates as is a very positive sign for the to provide incentives for a bill that will directly benefit the is expected to create up to high as 50% in recent years.” thousands of Minnesotans wind turbine company to locate Duluth area provides a five- 1,500 new Minnesota jobs in A boost was put in the looking for work right now,” in or near Duluth, Prettner year extension to the current sectors facing particularly high Research and Development Sen. Prettner Solon said. Solon noted. JOBZ sunset date of 2015. The “In the past four weeks, extension will help attract a 1,968 Minnesotans received foreign wind-turbine manufac- their last unemployment check, turing company looking to and the state’s unemployment establish a North American rate still hovers around 7.5 per- headquarters in Minnesota. cent,” Sen. Prettner Solon said. “The plan for the extension “We knew we needed to move incentive was made after our forward quickly to put friends at Area Partnership for Minnesotans back to work. I’m Economic Expansion (APEX) very pleased to say the bills we in Duluth approached me to passed this week will help ask what the state might be able accomplish that goal by creat- to do to attract the wind gener- ing new Minnesota jobs and ator company,” Sen. Prettner reducing the state’s budget to Solon said. APEX has been ensure improved, long-term working the past year to bring economic stability.” the company to the Duluth and The spending-cuts bill that Iron Range area. passed this week reduces the “Landing this contract state’s budget deficit by $312 would mean 1,350 jobs with an million through state govern- $80 million payroll for Duluth ment streamlining. The bond- and the Iron Range, so I imme- ing bill passed earlier in March, diately introduced legislation combined with the jobs pack- to extend the JOBZ program age, has the potential to create for our area. We are one of two over 20,000 new jobs to states still under consideration, Minnesota’s economy. and we have confidence this (Left-to-right) Firm partners, Sean Quinn and Jim Peterson, receive award from Al Netland “With the bills passed this incentive will provide week, the Legislature proved Minnesota the competitive its commitment to evaluating edge it needs.” According to the AFL-CIO Central Labor Body's the state’s priorities to spur Also included in the jobs economic recovery and package is an Angel Investor Community Services Program, here's why: growth,” Prettner Solon said. Tax Credit, which 29 other “We responsibly reduced state states, including Wisconsin, “Falsani, Balmer, Peterson, Quinn & Beyer has a long history of spending while still investing successfully use to lure invest- supporting the United Way of Greater Duluth, DADs Golf Tournament, in the important policies that ments in small, start-up compa- will create new Minnesota nies. In Minnesota, the credit the Duluth AFL-CIO Annual Labor Day Picnic (they not only pay Unemployment stuck at 9.7% for the sweet corn, the lawyers attend the picnic and serve the corn GOP refuses extending UI benefits, COBRA to the picnic goers); they sponsor a free Worker's Compensation (PAI)--Unemployment remained at 9.7% in March, the third Seminar every year, as well as, many other labor-related projects. straight month it was unchanged, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. A separate survey of businesses -- not workers -- showed Individuals at the firm also donate their time and talents firms claimed to add 162,000 positions last month. But many of to our community, helping in many ways: those, including 48,000 U.S. census-takers, were temps. The report said there are still 15.005 million people unemployed. • The Homeless Connect Program • Safe Haven Women’s Shelter The flat jobless rate and business’ claim they created new • The Women’s Expo • Lawyers-On-Line jobs concealed two larger problems: Long-term joblessness, and • Youth Coaching the fact that millions are either unemployed or underemployed. • Pro Bono Work Some 17.5% of the workforce are those who have stopped hunt- And Much, Much More ing because they believe they won’t find a job -- the unemployed and those forced to toil part-time when they want full-time work. There is not enough room on this page to put into words the true extent that

44.1% (6.55 million) have been out of work more than 6 months.

Meanwhile, Congress quit for its 2-week Passover-Easter FBPQ&B and its employees give back to their community. Therefore, let it recess on March 26 without extending jobless benefits again. be said that the FBPQ&B Law Firm truly embodies the Spirit of Community“ Senate GOP delaying tactics marooned the benefits extension bill, which would have also extended COBRA coverage for and knows the true meaning of Community Service. thousands of jobless workers. Emergency unemployment aid ran out on April 3, four days after COBRA benefits expired. PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010