This is the portal for searching and browsing the archives of Union Labor News, the official monthly publication of the South Central Federation of Labor, for the years 2000-2011. For local labor news from 2012 to present, return to the main site and use the search and browse tools available there.
Union Labor News: January 2011
- Politicians Chart Course in Race to the Bottom
By Jim Cavanaugh, SCFL President Well, the wild ride has already begun and Scott Walker hasn’t even been sworn in yet. Playing on anti-Madison, anti-Milwaukee bias in other parts of the state, one of Walker’s campaign promises was to kill the proposed Madison-Milwaukee high speed rail project, even though work had already begun on it. Walker’s excuse was that thi... [More]
- State Employees Demand Contract Approval
On December 14, members of a dozen state employee unions met at the Capitol to demand that the Legislature convene and approve tentative contracts. At press time, the Legislature still has not acted, but the issues remain relevant, whether the current contracts are approved or not. “Of course, state employees didn’t cause the budget problems facing Wisconsin and the nation,&r... [More]
- Contrary to Gov.-Elect Walker’s View, Real Facts About State Employees
In the face of continuing attacks on Wisconsin public employees by Governor-elect Scott Walker, it is imperative that myths and mistruths be countered with facts. The following are research-based facts about state employees and public employees in Wisconsin. FACT 1: State employees are already shouldering the burden to help the state balance its budget. • State employees have... [More]
- What Scott Walker Can, Can’t & Might Do To Unionized State Employees
By Ron Blascoe Since the November elections, Governor-elect Scott Walker has been talking to the press about his plans to bash state employees and their unions. His threats include everything from rejecting recently negotiated contracts, cutting wages, increasing furlough days, dramatically increasing employees’ health insurance and pension contributions to “decertifying&rdqu... [More]
- Solidarity Is Essential, Now More than Ever
By Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO Before signing the Declaration of Independence, Ben Franklin immortalized one of my favorite quotes: “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” I don’t think that’s too melodramatic a statement for union members to consider today. We know we’re in a political bulls-eye and... [More]
- Wisconsin Labor History Society Brings History to Life
By Carmen Clark “Ten thousand times has the labor movement stumbled and bruised itself. We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned upon in public opinion, and deceived by politician... [More]
- April 2 ‘Troublemakers' School Prepares for Assault on Labor
Union busting, concession demands, layoffs, threats to Social Security and pensions, increased health insurance costs, contracting out, furloughs, wage freezes, free trade deals, tax giveaways to the rich, tuition increases, wars, charter schools, sustained high unemployment, runaway shops, Right to Work...did we leave anything out? Working people are under assault and the assault will c... [More]
- Here's a Tax Break for Working Class Families
Make sure you get your Earned Income Tax Credit this year. The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a special tax benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. The purpose of the credit is to reduce the tax burden on these workers and, in effect, supplement wages. And studies show that it is the single most important program for raising children out of poverty in this country... [More]
