U.S. Supremes Have 3 Critical Labor Cases by Mark Gruenberg Are Trying to Get the U.S
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(ISSN 0023-6667) U.S. Supremes have 3 critical labor cases By Mark Gruenberg are trying to get the U.S. on their opening day, Oct. 2, in PAI Staff Writer Supreme Court to rig the sys- a decision that will impact 1-Janus v. AFSCME tem even more in favor of workers nationwide. those already at the top,” says Lawyer Daniel Ortiz told The state and local workers AFSCME Council 31, which union, the target of the right the court that 55% of employ- represents some 40,000 gov- ment contracts covering non- wing’s pro-free rider case, said ernment workers in Illinois. the right “aims to take away the union workers force individu- The Supreme Court decided als to take disputes to arbitra- freedom of working people to Sept. 27 to hear Janus v join together in strong unions tion and 23% of those pacts AFSCME Council 31, but set ban class actions. That means An Injury to One is an Injury to All! to speak up for themselves and no date for the hearing. The WEDNESDAY VOL. 124 their communities.” 60 million workers who have National Right to Work Com- individual disputes with their OCTOBER 11, 2017 NO. 8 2-Mandatory Arbitration mittee found dissident union- bosses have mandatory arbitra- When a company forces a represented worker Mark Janus tion as their only avenue. 25 worker into mandatory arbitra- to be its front man. They had to million of them can’t even sue tion of everything from unsafe bring Janus in after lower as class members Ortiz told conditions to unpaid overtime, courts ruled that anti-worker Chief Justice John Roberts and does that trump worker’s rights GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner was Justice Anthony Kennedy, the under federal labor law? And not personally hurt by the law court’s “swing vote.” how about a group of workers? that lets AFSCME collect The three cases involving 3-Gerrymandering and “agency fees,” which are less arbitration and labor law, called Voters’ Rights than union dues, from non- the Murphy Oil case are impor- Since the early 1800s, member workers it represents. tant to workers for two reasons. politicians have practiced ger- The fees cover the costs of col- One is workers are more rymandering, the dishonorable lective bargaining and contract likely to win class action suits – practice of drawing crazily enforcement, but that’s all. and get higher damages – than shaped legislative districts to The right-to-work crowd in arbitration. The other is if the entrench their party in power. argue the fees violate dissident court says the 1925 Federal Since the mid-1900s, the workers’ rights of free speech. See Court decisions...page 6 Supreme Court has ducked the If the court rules for Janus, all issue unless it was racially seven million state and local motivated. The Wisconsin case workers nationwide would now won’t let it. become “free riders” and wouldn’t have to pay one red Whenever AFSCME Council 5 holds a state convention 1-Janus v. AFSCME cent to unions representing they have an action to give back to a community. In Duluth “The billionaires and corpo- them – even though federal law Saturday Deb Strom (Local 66) and Chris St. Germaine rate special interests funding bars unions from not doing so. (Local 1092) were among the 700 delegates that raised close this case view unions as a AFSCME Local 2081’s to $12,000 and truckloads of supplies for Safe Haven. threat to their power, so they Stephen Mittons is arguing the case for the fees. “This court AFSCME delegates donate to Safe Haven case is yet another political AFSCME Council 5 dele- domestic abuse, often with no ly and worldwide. Resources attack on the freedom of my gates at their state convention personal belongings. were created to aid victims of colleagues and I to speak up to Duluth in Duluth last week continued Niki Whittet, an AFSCME domestic abuse and provide ensure we can safely and ade- City Council their great tradition of taking Local 3558 member who assistance to legally protect quately manage our caseloads, action to support a local effort. works as a youth program them from their assailants. Safe which reflects our commitment At-Large This year they chose Safe coordinator at Haven has been just that for to safety and public service to Zack Filipovich Haven to honor Domestic Safe Haven, said thousands of women and chil- our communities.” Barb Russ Violence Awareness Month. the 39 beds at the dren ever since. Council 31 Executive Di- Opening in 1978 it was one of shelter are almost Besides the shelter Safe rector Roberta Lynch said, District 4 America’s first shelters for always full. Haven has a 24-hour crisis hot- “The forces behind this case Renee Van Nett women and children who have “We’re on the line, community education, know that by joining together been victimized by domestic busline, have a legal advocacy, resource and in strong unions, working peo- VOTE “YES” abuse. More than 700 delegates legal advocate, volunteer programs. Their mis- ple have the voice they need to on the Street raised close to $12,000 and and mentoring sion is to provide safety, space level the economic and politi- donated truckloads of blankets, for youth,” to heal, and empowerment for cal playing field. Billionaires Improvement personal hygiene items, linens, Whittet Whittet said. women, children and all sur- like Bruce Rauner are trying to Referendum gift cards, kid’s toys and little Jennifer Storm, a former vivors of domestic abuse. rig the rules to take more power luxuries like cosmetics and client at Safe Haven, said, “We The 24 HOUR CRISIS and influence for themselves. Duluth chocolates. They assembled escaped from LINE is (218) 728-6481, but if Working people joined togeth- School Board “care packages” for women Michigan and you are in danger, call 911. er in unions have a different and children who escape from three months later You can access everything vision: One in which we have At-Large my husband took Safe Haven has to offer at the freedom to form strong Josh Gorham his life but Safe Josh Gorham safehavenshelter.org unions, helping to foster pros- Haven saved perity that’s shared by all, in Sally Trnka ours,” she said of BY THE NUMBERS which public employees are District 1 herself and her able to continue to provide the • 1 in 3 women in Minnesota Rosie Loeffler-Kemp child. “Get out the will be subjected to physical vital services that our commu- door and call the violence, sexual violence or nities rely on, and in which the District 4 police,” she urged Storm stalking by an intimate tax system is truly reformed to Jill Lofald victims, saying “Thanks Safe partner in their lifetime. ensure the wealthy pay their Haven, we have a beautiful life share. This attempt to manipu- here in Duluth.” • Every 15 seconds a woman late the court against working PleasePlease VoteVote In Duluth in the late 1970s a is battered in the U.S. people should be rejected.” in Tuesday, local group created the model • 1,876 victims and 2-Mandatory Arbitration November 7ʼs for responding to domestic vio- survivors were assisted by The Supreme Court wres- lence that is used both national- Safe Haven in 2016. tled with mandatory arbitration General Election Construction apprenticeship open house Apprenticeship grants open Building on the successful Industry to find apprentices ticeships is that workers earn a The state Dept. of Labor & Industry’s Apprenticeship pilot program recently com- from underrepresented sectors living while they are learning Minnesota program has announced $210,000 in grants available pleted by the North Central Re- of the population. the skills for a lifelong career. for the operation of Labor Education Advancement Programs gional Council of Carpenters Attendees will learn about Monday’s sessions are (LEAP). The purpose of LEAP is to help community-based (NCRCC) through Department exciting, rewarding opportuni- sponsored by the Construction organizations increase the participation of women and minorities of Labor grants, another initia- ties in the construction industry Careers Foundation in partner- in registered apprenticeship. There are currently more than tive will be undertaken to help from union, employer, and ship with DLI, McGough 11,000 active apprentices in Minnesota. However, women and people enter construction government perspectives. Construction, Project SOAR, minorities are underrepresented. apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship programs are Duluth Workforce Center, Learn more and apply for a grant at http://www.dli.mn.gov/ Women and minorities are run by joint union and employ- Head of the Lakes United Way ApprGrants.asp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery strongly encouraged to attend er committees and overseen by and Carpenters Local 361. Interested community-based programs that will serve the tar- Construction Information Ses- DLI’s Apprenticeship Program. Participating panelists will geted population must apply by 4:30 p.m. CST, Nov. 13, 2017. sions Monday, Oct.16 at the Apprenticeship programs include members from a num- Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Carpenters Training Center, are always looking for motivat- ber of unions, construction Questions about the program can be submitted via email 5238 Miller Trunk Hwy. A ses- ed people who are interested in companies, and DLI. An through Oct. 23, 2017, to [email protected]. sion will be held from 1:00- highly skilled, high tech overview of construction and Responses to questions will be posted on DLI’s website above. 4:00 p.m., and an evening ses- careers with competitive wage apprenticeships will be fol- sion from 5:00-8:00 p.m.