(ISSN 0023-6667) It’s Franken v. Coleman for Senate When Al Franken came to endorsement process. with Jack.” the Duluth Labor Temple on Franken had been endorsed Duluth was a good town to short notice Feb. 16, 2007, to by the Minnesota AFL-CIO on make that statement in as many announce he was running for April 3. DFL delegates from here actu- the U.S. Senate, well over 800 Surrounded by members of ally favored Nelson-Pallmeyer people turned up in Wellstone the Minnesota Legislature and over Franken. Nelson- Hall, the largest gathering that Duluth City Council June 9, Pallmeyer had appeared with room has ever seen. Franken said he was honored to Franken earlier in the day in the Franken returned to Well- compete for the endorsement Twin Cities but did not make An Injury to One is an Injury to All! stone Hall to a much smaller with Nelson-Pallmeyer. the Duluth trip because he was WEDNESDAY VOL. 114 gathering in the middle of the “I was asked this morning attending his daughter’s high JUNE 25, 2008 NO. 1 afternoon June 9th but the why I was I Democrat,” Frank- school graduation. stakes were raised. He was on a en related about an earlier stop Duluth City Council Presi- “Unity Tour” after securing the in the Twin Cities. “I said dent Roger Reinert said their Democratic Farmer Labor because only the DFL would contest showed why the DFL is Party’s endorsement two days have someone like Jack more vibrant than the earlier at their convention in Nelson-Pallmeyer, someone Republican Party. Rochester. Franken secured 62 with that heart, compassion, “It’s more dynamic and percent of the delegates on the wisdom, strength, and energy.” maybe ‘messier’ but we put out first ballot, and his opponent, Franken said he and a better product,” he said. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, with- Nelson-Pallmeyer remained In a letter read on his behalf, drew and threw his support to friends throughout the “hotly Congressman Jim Oberstar Franken. Both candidates had contested” campaign and that said, “We stand united with Al promised to abide by the he was “honored to compete Franken...He understands the issues, and knows that we need Obama gains unions quickly to invest in the future of (PAI)--Barack Obama finally got Hillary Clinton to say America. He will fight for the “uncle” in their fight for the Democratic endorsement for presi- needs of working families; he dent, and unions have quickly jumped on his campaign wagon. will invest in good paying jobs, Even some who supported Clinton and spent big money deni- universal health care, afford- grating Obama in advertising. able education, and he will sup- AFSCME’s pro-Clinton campaign included criticism of port our troops by bringing Obama’s health care plans as incomplete and of Obama as inex- them home with the honor they perienced. But Gerald McEntee, AFSCME’s President and deserve.” Chair of the AFL-CIO’s Committee On Political Education, said Franken visited those issues the labor federation may endorse Obama within two weeks. in Wellstone Hall. “We need McEntee said conditions changed and that union leaders were an economy that works for Al Franken, the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s endorsed candidate particularly satisfied by intensive meetings on June 17-18 with everyone, that will rebuild the for U.S. Senate, celebrated his June 7 DFL endorsement in Obama, where they quizzed him and exchanged views on edu- middle class, that will rebuild the Duluth Labor Temple’s Wellstone Hall, June 9. cation, trade, health care and other issues. the labor movement in this Minnesota Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon, was one of “He said we’ve got to be tough and hard in negotiating” country,” he said. “It’s great to many DFL politicians at the “Unity Rally.” trade treaties “and that labor rights are the key to endorsement of be here again in your Labor any of them,” McEntee quoted Obama as saying. “Same thing Temple. I have to thank my City workers disappointed in with environmental standards; he wants to toughen those up.” friends in labor who have Change to Win has been behind Obama all along. helped me through.” He said there is a lot of Ness budget cut decisions work to be done to defeat While Mayor Don Ness is trying to say all the right things Per cap increase on agenda Norm Coleman, who he said about his plans to tackle the City of Duluth’s $4.4 million budg- At the Thursday, July 10 Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor has sold people out to get et deficit, union workers employed by the city aren’t buying it. Body meeting that begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Duluth Labor ahead. “We know we have a lot Ness says citizens will feel only minimal impacts from his Temple’s Wellstone Hall, a second reading of a motion to of work to do,” Franken said. long list of cuts, and he says staff reductions won’t result in lay- increase per capita tax payment from the Central Body to the “We have to get up early, stay offs but workers still feel like they’re in the crosshairs. Labor World will be read and possibly voted on. Currently the up late, canvas until our feet “On July 1 we’ll lose one rig and the number of fire fighters per capita tax is 52 cents. The motion at the June 12 meeting was hurt, then pick up the phone.” on duty will go from 36 to 34,” said Fire Fighters Local 101 to increase it to 58 cents. “A View from the Ditch” on page 3 Franken has received criti- President Erik Simonson. “By January 1 he wants another gives more information on that situation. cism for things he has done in $600,000 dropped out of our budget, which is one station. He his distant and recent past such told the Chief (John Strongitharm) to pick one and have an WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE? as late tax payments and bawdy answer by July 25.” writings for Playboy magazine. That shouldn’t bother any citizens that don’t have a fire. Barton Sutter’s play get labor sponsorship....page 2 “I’m not a perfect person,” Simonson said Fire Fighters are disappointed with Ness. Letter: Carol Valentini shows true colors....page 3 he said referencing those “We know the budget needs a solution, but we need to be a Rukavina praises start of mesothelioma study....page 5 charges. “I don’t pretend to part of talking about any solution, and he hasn’t been receptive,” TRADE Act shows great promise....page 6 have all the answers, but I will said Simonson. City councilors have a different view of public Taiwan uses Medicare as single payer model....page 8 tell the truth, I will keep my safety and the role of fire fighters and Local 101 members say spine, I will work for you, and they know why. Every year the union and department puts on National Conf. for Media Reform growing....page 12 I will be a senator you can be Fire Ops 101, a full day of fire fighting training for elected offi- Study shows media ignores workers....page 13 proud of.” cials and the media to learn what fire fighters go through in their Mondale Drive dedicated....page 14 work. Anti-union ABC loves McCain....page 18 “We’ve offered it to Don Ness three times and he’s never par- ticipated so he hasn’t learned what we do, how we do it, and Cal. neutrality law overturned by Supremes....page 19 what we’re up against,” said Simonson. “The majority of city Trades, IBEW 31 name scholars....pages 20, 21 councilors have taken Fire Ops and you can see the difference in Corporations can be socially responsible....page 22 how they view our jobs.” Kucera wraps up legislative session....page 23 See City workers...page 4 Gas price protests popular....page 24 1896--OUR 112th YEAR!--2008 Labor jumps in as first sponsors of Barton Sutter’s play “Bushed” Barton Sutter, who recently The Duluth AFL-CIO Cen- formances in October. the-vote campaign. It’s hoped Wellstone Hall. Over 120 peo- ended his “term” as Duluth’s tral Labor Body committed “We still have to iron out a more labor unions will make ple attended that event. first Poet Laureate, has written $500 to the production at their few small details, but it’s hap- donations to sponsor the play. Matuszak is also a huge part a stage play about President June 12 meeting. A motion for pening in October, in large part If you would like to help of the Twin Ports art scene. He George W. Bush and those another $500 will be made at to labor’s early support,” said sponsor the play or hear more received a Bachelor in Fine around him. He got Brian the July 10 meeting. Matuszak. about it contact Rubber Arts from UWS in 1987, and a Matuszak interested in staging The Duluth Building & In discussions at the Central Chicken Theater at 213-2780, Masters of Arts in 1997. In Bushed as the first major effort Construction Trades Council Body meeting it was brought [email protected]. 1991 Matuszak co-founded of his new Rubber Chicken also passed a motion to help up that the play’s content aligns “I am extremely proud to be Renegade Comedy Theater. Theater. Then came the hard sponsor the play with $500 at perfectly with Labor 2008, the working with Bart on his first Over 16 years he wrote, direct- part of figuring out how to fund its June 17 meeting.