SHAME!

AFSCME Fight for Working Families Update

Dear Jef, After making history in Madison with a week of rallies — including Saturday's that brought 100,000 to the Capitol — citizens who are opposed to Gov. Walker's attacks on the middle class are promising that this Thursday will be largest day of demonstrations outside of Madison in state history. Time and again, public employees have made it clear that we are willing to accept cuts to balance the budget, but we will not give up our rights. Governor Walker refuses to end his attacks on the middle class and our rights, so we will intensify our efforts on lawmakers in the legislature who hold the key to moving our state forward. Though we will remain vigilant in Madison, Thursday will see the largest demonstrations outside of Madison in Wisconsin¹s history. Click here for a list of activities nearest you. Activities will continue around the state on Wednesday and again on Friday, but if you have to pick one day to come out and have your voice heard, Thursday is the day. AFSCME will resume running a statewide schedule of buses on Saturday. For now, shuttle buses are running from Madison's east and west sides to bring supporters to the Capitol. You can always check our website for the latest schedules. And please keep the pressure on until lawmakers start listening. Keep e-mailing and calling your senator and representative at 877-753-5578. If you have a Republican senator or representative, ask them to stand with working families and oppose Gov. Walker's bill. If you have a Democratic senator or representative, thank them for standing up for working families. We know that Wisconsin, outside of the Capitol walls, is with us. On Tuesday we learned that 74 percent of Wisconsinites oppose Scott Walker's — and the Republicans' — bill to take away rights from struggling middle class Wisconsinites. It's time for lawmakers to work across party lines, come to the table, and get Wisconsin moving forward again. In solidarity, Jim Garity, President AFSCME Council 40 Bob McLinn, President AFSCME Council 24 Brian Stafford, President AFSCME Council 48 Rick Badger, Executive Director AFSCME Council 40 Marty Beil, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24 Rich Abelson, Executive Director AFSCME Council 48 size=2 width="100%" align=center> Click here to unsubscribe

Winnebago GOP: Still begging for local support

Friends of Working Families:

See below, the Winnebago GOP is admitting that they have no support on this bill.

"Our delegation reports to me that the call-ins against the Budget Repair Bill have been overwhelming."

They are begging their members to call in.

Let's do the same - use the numbers they provide to let them know to fight for Winnebago County's Working Families.


From: Winnebago GOP <chairman@winnebagogop.org>
Date: Feb 22, 2011 10:32 AM
Subject: Representative Contact Information
To: XXXXXX

Dear WCRP Members and Friends,

Union organizations have been very effective in mobilizing against the Republican effort in Madison.  Our delegation reports to me that the call-ins against the Budget Repair Bill have been overwhelming.  While we know that the silent majority, the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin, support Governor Walker, it might not appear that way to every politician who has had to field protest calls, death threats, and constant intimidation since this legislation was announced.

We need to step up our efforts.  If you have not contacted your Representative and your Senator, you NEED to do so.  If you have already done so, you NEED to do so AGAIN.  These are the current positions of the Winnebago delegation:

Senator Ellis has publicly said he will vote for the bill but that he would have preferred to vote for a different version.
Senator Hopper has publicly supported the bill.
Representative Litjens has publicly supported bill.
Representative Kaufert has said he is undecided.
Representative Spanbauer has said "You will know how I'm going to vote when I vote."
Representative Hintz has publicly opposed the bill.

Contact Information is below:

Senator Mike Ellis                        608-266-0718    Sen.Ellis@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Randy Hopper                608-266-5300    Sen.Hopper@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Michelle Litjens    608-266-7500    Rep.Litjens@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Dean Kaufert        608-266-5719    Rep.Kaufert@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Dick Spanbauer    608-267-7990    Rep.Spanbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Gordon Hintz        608-266-2254    Rep.Hintz@legis.wisconsin.gov

Please tell them in no uncertain terms that we need them to support this bill and the Republican Agenda.  With the exception of Gordon Hintz, every one of them was elected by Republicans, as a Republican, to support the Republican Agenda.  The free market, and competition in the labor market, is part of that agenda, and it is not negotiable.

Key points to address are:

1.  While the monetary concessions requested of unions are a great starting point, they are not enough.  The elimination of collective bargaining is neccessary to give local governments and school boards the power to control their own budgets.  With labor costs making up the overwhelming majority of some of these budgets, it is imperative to give local government the power to create balanced budgets as well.
2.  Nobody is being denied the right of association.  Workers are still allowed to be in a union, they simply must opt to do so.  The difference is, workers will no longer have union dues _automatically_ deducted from their paychecks.
3.  Remind them that the GOP supports Freedom of Speech, Free Expression of Ideas, Free Market Capitalism, and the Free Movement of Labor.  It does not support Government Censorship, Socialism, Corporate Price Fixing, or Labor Unions that articificially inflate the cost of labor beyond what the market will bear.

With your assistance, we will continue to present a united GOP front on this and pass Governor Walker's Budget Repair Bill, whenever the Democratic Senators ultimately decide to return to Madison and do their jobs.

Sincerely,

Todd L. Peters
WCRP Chairman

Authorized and paid for by the Winnebago County Republican Party, John Wieland - Treasurer.

Menasha Rally in Support of Working Families

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205014686179360

Time
Tuesday, February 22 · 8:30pm - 11:30pm

Location
440 1st St
Menasha, WI


Thank you rally for our public servants.
440 1st St. Menasha
Please bring a sign with a thank you theme for our public servants; Library staff, firefighters, snow plow drivers, nurses, police, teachers, school staff (custodians and such), etc…..

In solidarity,
Greg Hinds
WI AFL-CIO
NE ALF Service Organizer
Cell: (920) 540-2309
GHinds@wisaflcio.org

Here's a good reason to give to the Senate Dems: 'On the Run for Our Rights'

According to WisPolitics.com they are holding pay.

Go here to Support the WI Senate Democrats' Fight for Working Families

Senate GOP leaders requiring missing Dems to pick up checks in person

In their latest attempt to force Dems back to the Senate, GOP leaders have voted to require their missing counterparts to pick up their paychecks, per diems or any expense check in person on the chamber floor.

Senate Org voted by paper ballot today 3-2 along party lines to impose the requirement on any senator absent without leave for two or more days.

The ballot also suspends direct deposit for any lawmaker absent and specifies the majority leader will only provide the checks to the missing senators and only on the Senate floor during a session day.

-- By JR Ro

Packer Charles Woodson Opposes GOP, Scott Walker's Power Grab

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 CONTACT: Graeme Zielinski, WisDems Communications Director (414) 364-1077, graemez@wisdems.org Charles Woodson Opposes GOP, Scott Walker's Power Grab MADISON-Scott Walker claims to be a Packers fan, but it doesn't look like the actual World Champion Packers are fans of his. In a statement released today, Charles Woodson, the NFL's 2009 Defensive MVP, decried Walker's "unprecedented attack" on worker rights, and Woodson affirmed his support for the other Packers who have spoke out against Walker's divisive power grab. Read the story here. View this release online at: http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2011-02-icymi-charles-woodson-opposes-gop-scott-walkers-powe

Authorized and Paid for by The Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Michael J. Tate, Chair

Appleton Silent Protest Against Governor Walker’s Budget Repair Bill

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167923756588322

Haven’t been able to attend the events in Madison?

Don’t worry and feel left out. Join the Outagamie Democratic Party, WEAC and the
AFL-CIO in a silent protest to show how the end of collective bargaining would
silence ALL of our voices.

The Republicans are holding their Lincoln Day Dinner Monday, February 21 at the Paper Valley Hotel.

Join with us for the following:

Silent Protest against Governor Walker’s Budget Repair Bill
Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Paper Valley Hotel on Monday, February 21
We will line the path of dinner attendees with protesters.

Sunday: Come to the WEAC office on 921 West Association Drive in Appleton to help make signs.

Sign-Making at the WEAC Office
12:00 p.m. at noon, Sunday, February 20
Materials will be provided.

Recieved from AFSCME: Saturday update from Madison: 100,000 strong and growing

Dear Jef, We have been making history all week and into the weekend. On Saturday, union members and our many friends turned out all over the state to protest the refusal by key Wisconsin leaders to act like leaders. Until they start paying attention, we need to keep it up. A breathtaking crowd estimated at 100,000 supporters took over Madison's Capitol Square on Saturday. Other demonstrations for worker rights popped up all across the state like wildfire. Union members said — loudly — they are willing to take economic concessions but would not give up their rights. The governor refuses to listen. The Senate Majority Leader says the rights-stripping proposal is not negotiable. Clearly, we've still got work to do. So come to Madison on Sunday. Make noise at Sunday's noon rally. If you possibly can, come back on Monday, and Tuesday, and keep coming. We'll be running buses on Monday and Tuesday. Click here for bus schedules. If you haven't already, download AFSCME's new app to help you locate and call your state legislators. Text the word "app" to 92189. And keep emailing your state senators. It's clear that your actions, your calls, and our massive rallies are making a huge difference. Even if you've already called or emailed your legislators many times, we need you to do so again to keep the pressure on — and now you can do it from AFSCME's new smartphone app. Thank you for all that you've done and will continue to do. You are making a difference. We stopped what some thought was a sure thing from happening. But make no mistake, the threat is still very much alive. In solidarity, Jim Garity, President AFSCME Council 40 Bob McLinn, President AFSCME Council 24 Brian Stafford, President AFSCME Council 48 Rick Badger, Executive Director AFSCME Council 40 Marty Beil, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24 Rich Abelson, Executive Director AFSCME Council 48  P.S. As you know, Monday is a mandatory furlough day for state employees and we will be running buses to the Capitol — click here for details.

Rep. Gordon Hintz Defends Working Families on the Assembly Floor

AFSCME: How you can help this weekend

Dear Jef,

Each day in Madison and around Wisconsin, citizens are speaking up to protect the rights of public employees. The crowds are stunning in size—and deeply moving in the passion and dignity displayed by citizens from all walks of life who are coming together to make a stand.

Because so many have asked, we have been able to round up a few more buses for the weekend. Buses will come to Madison from Milwaukee and also Dodge County. Shuttle buses will bring people to the Capitol from Madison's outskirts. Click here for details.

We are making progress, but the fight is not over. Not by a long shot. The Assembly just attempted to rush through a vote on the bill late Friday afternoon allowing no debate before thinking twice and heading home. This extreme and dangerous anti-union legislation is now edging one step closer to reality. We need your continued support now.

Here are three things you can do to help today:

• Come to Madison on Saturday and Sunday if you possibly can. Rallies will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Saturday.
• Download AFSCME's new app to help you locate and call your state legislators. Text the word "app" to 92189.
• Keep emailing your State Senators.

It’s clear that your actions, your calls, and our massive rallies are making a huge difference.

Even if you've already called or emailed your legislators once, twice, or even 12 times this week, we need you to do so again to keep the pressure on—and now you can do it from AFSCME's new smartphone app. 

It's working: we stopped the vote from happening yesterday as planned, but it could happen any day now—and it's up to AFSCME members like YOU to make sure it doesn’t have the support to pass.

Please note that we are hearing of counter protesters boarding buses in distant locations. We know our side has been a model of peaceful protest day after day and night after night that has moved the nation. We need to make sure that we do not respond to provocations from the other side. We have come too far and accomplished too much to let this slip away.

Thanks for all that you've done and will continue to do.

In solidarity,

Jim Garity, President AFSCME Council 40 Bob McLinn, President AFSCME Council 24 Brian Stafford, President AFSCME Council 48		Rick Badger, Executive Director AFSCME Council 40 Marty Beil, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24 Rich Abelson, Executive Director AFSCME Council 48

P.S. As you know, Monday is a mandatory furlough day for state employees and we plan to run buses to the Capitol for rallies then, as well as Tuesday. Click here for the schedules.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Canvass to Save Wisconsin's Future

Fellow Democrat,

 

For the last few awe-inspiring days, thousands in Madison have organized, rallied, and testified on behalf of the Wisconsin's working families. We are making progress, but the fight isn't over.

 

This weekend we will be launching canvasses statewide. In every corner of Wisconsin we need you, our grassroots leaders in the field, to help us by knocking doors.

Click here to volunteer to canvass and play a role in saving the way of life for Wisconsin's working families.

 

Stand with our Union brothers and sisters by hitting the doors Saturday and Sunday.

 

In Solidarity,

Jake Hajdu

P.S. — Our time is limited — Democratic senators gave us a few days by walking out rather than voting on Scott Walker's bill, which would strip workers of collective bargaining. Please, help us canvass this weekend!

History in Madison: The Right to Peaceably Assemble

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, Feb. 18, 2011 CONTACT: Graeme Zielinski, WisDems Communications Director (414) 364-1077, graemez@wisdems.org History in Madison: The Right to Peaceably Assemble MADISON-Following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate about the coming weekend of historic protest in Madison and throughout the state. "In historic numbers, people in Wisconsin have rallied to their capital and outside the homes of lawmakers to peacefully protest against what they see as a grievous wrong. Only the blindest and most selective eye cannot see that not only have the crowds been peaceful but, in the face of the biggest insult to the middle class in generations, the tone has been boisterous, clamorous, but also proper. Headed into a weekend of more protest, including at the homes of elected officials, I urge those exercising their right to peaceably assemble to continue to honor the best traditions of our First Amendment."  View this release online at: http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2011-02-history-in-madison-the-right-to-peaceably-assemble

Authorized and Paid for by The Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Michael J. Tate, Chair

Oshkosh Weekend of Action!

Oshkosh Weekend of Action!

 

Walker is trying to take away labor member’s right to collective bargaining and we’re not done rallying!

 

 

 

·      Visibility on Friday Feb. 18, 2011

7:30am – 8:30am  Corner of Highway 21 and 41

3:00pm – 4:00pm  Corner of Highway 21 and 41

 

·     5:00pm at the Oshkosh Opera Square, corner of Algoma Ave and Main St

(Please join us at ANY time!)

 

·      Canvass Saturday Feb. 19^th  and Sunday Feb. 20^th  

o  MEET at Winnebago County Labor Temple

                    2211 Oregon St.

o  Canvassing from 9am – 1pm Saturday

o  Canvassing from 12noon – 5pm Sunday

 

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in Madison tomorrow

URGENT:  You are needed in Madison.    In an unprecedented show of solidarity, workers, students, community members, religious group and concerned citizens are flooding the Capitol to tell Gov. Walker to stop the attacks on Wisconsin workers and save Wisconsin’s middle class.  Please join us as we rally for rights tomorrow.

WHAT:  Rally in Defense of Wisconsin union members and our middle class

WHEN:  Friday, February 18th, 2011
  
WHERE:  State Capitol, Madison

TIME:  Noon

SPEAKERS:  Union members and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

We must stop the passage of Gov. Walker’s budget repair sham that strips some 200,000 public employees of their democratic collective bargaining rights.  Public sector union members are under attack today – tomorrow it is clear that it will be all workers. 

P.S.  Call 877-753-5578 toll-free and tell your Representative to stop the attacks on working families and oppose Special Session SB11.