Union Labor News Archives, 2000-2011

Union Labor News: April 2011

• Walker Awakens a Sleeping Giant
  Scott Walker has achieved what many thought was impossible. He has sparked the creation of a new and powerful working class movement in Wisconsin, a movement that is spreading across the country. Over the past month, we have seen a coming together of widely diverse groups, all united in their opposition to Walker and his policies. It started with the “Budget Repair Bil... [More]
• Does Scott Walker Have God’s Private Number?
  Q: So, Al, I read here in The Progressive that Governor Scott Walker says he makes his political decisions based on direction from God. Is God antiunion? A: Good question. We certainly don’t want to wind up on the wrong side of God in these things. We could be inviting pestilence, war, famine and death. And, that’s all on top of the Budget Repair Bill. T... [More]
• Wisconsin Workers Enlisting in New Class War
  The following is a speech by SCFL President Jim Cavanaugh at the Capitol rally on Sunday, March 6. Good afternoon Brothers & Sisters, and welcome to what has become a typical Sunday afternoon in Madison, Wisconsin. My name is Jim Cavanaugh. I’m President of the South Central Federation of Labor. SCFL is the umbrella organization for all the labor unions in... [More]
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: ‘There Is No Stopping Point Short of Victory’
  Forty-three years ago, in Memphis, a long struggle for human rights and human dignity ended in the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it brought economic justice and the respect that all people deserve. In February 1968, 1,300 city sanitation workers, all African-Americans, decided the city’s mistreatment and racism had to end. For two months, they walked t... [More]
• Walker Budget: Cuts for Working Families, Tax Cuts for the Rich
  On March 1, Governor Scott Walker introduced his proposed 2011-13 Biennial State Budget, promising that it would usher in an era of “shared sacrifice.” A preliminary analysis of the lengthy documents reveals a lot of sacrifice, to be sure. But there is very little sharing. As we’ve come to expect from Walker, the Budget proposal would result in huge cuts in... [More]
• Despite Walker’s Best Efforts State Employee Unions Not Dead in Wisconsin
  By Ron Blascoe To paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of the death of state employee unions in Wisconsin have been greatly exaggerated. To be sure, passage of Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill will cause serious problems for state employee unions, including affiliates of AFSCME, AFT, SEIU and the Building Trades. But, the unions will continue to exist and operate. O... [More]
• Palm Trees in Madison and Other Media Lies
  By now we’ve all seen YouTube clips of labor thugs fighting cops in the streets of Madison, with the palm trees blowing gently in the breeze over the Capitol Square. Fox News got caught doing it again. They often use phony footage to illustrate their largely fabricated stories. Like the Tea Party rallies with apparently thousands of attendees—who turn out to be filmed fro... [More]
• General Strikes Challenge Power... and Win
  Delegates to the South Central Federation of Labor voted to initiate a campaign to educate members about general strikes. Following is based on a recent article by labor historian Peter Rachleff and IBEW Local 2304 President David Poklinkoski. Professor Rachleff will be one of the presenters at the Madison Troublemakers School on April 2. Although you may not have heard about them, g... [More]
• Michael Moore at Capitol: America Ain’t Broke!
  Following is a slightly shortened version of a speech by Michael Moore at the Capitol on March 5. America is not broke. Contrary to what those in power would like you to believe so that you'll give up your pension, cut your wages, and settle for the life your great-grandparents had, America is not broke. Not by a long shot. The country is awash in wealth and cash. I... [More]
• Knowledgeable, Experienced Workforce a Casualty of Walker's War
  As a result of the recent unprecedented attacks on Wisconsin public employees, thousands of workers will be taking early retirement in the coming months. And, as they walk out the door, they will be taking with them years of experience and knowledge in the service of the people of Wisconsin. Jean will be retiring this month, earlier that she expected, after 33 years with the UW. &ldq... [More]