Wisconsin Knows The Importance Of Unions In Our Life And Are Fighting For All Of Us!-Mem

So much going on with Wisconsin and other things in my life that I haven't had a chance to post about it but I think that it is important that we thank Wisconsin's courageous state senators who have joined with protesters to block the Republican attack on public employees.-Mem

Amazing. Inspiring. This is what people power can do.

When Republican Governor Scott Walker attacked state workers and threatened to call out the National Guard if they protested, it sparked a popular uprising in Wisconsin. And now the extreme proposal to take collective bargaining rights away from public employees is temporarily blocked as a result of mass protests.

Tens of thousands of people -- including members of CREDO Action -- have been out in the streets and in the Rotunda in Madison, Wisconsin. Students and citizens are protesting in solidarity with nurses, teachers and workers.

And the people are not alone. Instead of caving to the opposition, their elected representatives are fighting with them. In fact, Democratic state senators boldly left the state in order to deny Republicans the quorum they need to pass Governor Walker's radical anti-worker, anti-union bill. As long as every Democratic state senator refuses to go to the capitol, a vote cannot be held.

Thank the Wisconsin 14 -- the Democratic state senators who have fled Wisconsin to block Gov. Walker's attack on workers.

Wisconsin state Senator Chris Larson, who is one of the senators in hiding, laid out the stakes in an open letter and asked for our support:

The ability to organize and get fair treatment are qualities that built our country... If this bill moves forward in Wisconsin, rights in all America we have grown to take for granted will no longer be so reliable... If this passes here, it will pass in your state... It is an unprecedented attack on workers, their communities and our tradition of working with labor to move our state forward... I am seeking your support for the fight ahead of us.

Larson, and his fellow Democratic senators, are literally working to evade capture by state police in order to prevent this radical attack on public workers. He's asked for our support.

Let's show the Wisconsin 14 that we wholeheartedly support their actions and offer our profound thanks for their leadership in this fight.

Too often our elected representatives refuse to lead. But Wisconsin is proving that big things can happen when our elected officials work together with committed activists and fight back.

All 14 Democratic state senators are holed up outside the reach of the State Troopers who are working on orders of the Governor to forcibly return them to the capitol. If even one Democratic state senator is returned to the capitol, Republicans will be able to pass Gov. Walker's bill. Not only that, but Republicans are organizing recall efforts to throw them out of office. The Wisconsin 14 need to hear encouragement from progressives nationwide. Let's show them resounding support for their actions.

Thank Wisconsin's 14 Democratic state senators and tell them they have your support.

Please share this with everyone you know and let's stand behind Wisconsin's and their state senators as they fight for the right of all US citizens!  To get more insight on what's really going on in WI I have added the links and some of the stories below!   I have also provided a list of some of the things that Unions do for us in case many  of you don't know.  I will also say that I was born and raised in a Union town, by a Union father and have been a Union Member most of my adult life. -Mem 

ThinkProgress » How John Birch Society Extremism Never Dies: The Fortune Behind Scott Walke

thinkprogress.orgOver 68,000 people have mobilized in Madison and progressive organizers are planning solidarity efforts across the country to denounce Gov. Scott Walker’s (R-WI) radical attempt to bust Wisconsin’s public sector unions. So far, Walker has refused to compromise, even though Wisconsin labor leaders....

Koch Industries Orchestrating Wisconsin Anti-Teacher Protest | LA Progressive

In response to the growing protests in Madison, Koch fronts are busing in Tea Party protesters to support Wisconsin Gov. Walker and his union-busting campaign.

Koch brothers quietly open lobbying office in downtown Madison

The billionaire brothers whose political action committee gave Gov. Scott Walker 43,000 and helped fund a multi-million dollar attack ad campaign against his opponent during the 2010 gubernatorial election have quietly opened a lobbying office in Madison just off the Capitol Square. Charle…

May 1933: Hitler Abolishes Unions-Amazing how much the republican/teaparty fall in line with Hitlers madness!  Americans better wake up!!-Mem


Latest Update: 2-23-2011

Gov. Walker Informed That Bill Targeting Unions May Cost State $46 Million In Federal Funds

WASHINGTON -- Budget referees and transportation officials in Wisconsin have informed Gov. Scott Walker (R) that if he were to pass his controversial anti-union legislation into law, he could be forfeiting tens of millions of dollars in federal funds for transportation.

Unions are an essential part of a strong democracy and play a crucial role in America’s public and community life. Not only do they give workers a voice on the job and help negotiate fair benefits and wages for their members, but they also use their political and economic resources to raise the floor for everyone who works for a living.

Unions, by fighting for higher standards for workers, businesses, families, the environment, and public health and safety, have helped to build the middle class and make sure the economy works for everyone. 

Unions benefit all of America’s workers and strengthen our communities. Unions today:

Reinforce the middle class and lift up America’s communities. States with higher rates of unionization have lower rates of poverty, crime, and failing schools.¹

Benefit local economic development. In partnerships with employers, community organizations, and local governments, unions have helped revitalize local economies by saving and expanding family-supporting jobs.

Raise wages for all workers. Studies show that a large union presence in an industry or region can raise wages even for non-union workers.²

Fight for all workers’ health and safety. In 2008 the AFL-CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers sued to get employers to provide personal protective equipment. Now, workers in hazardous jobs which require safety gear—like hard hats or protective glasses—must be provided this equipment, instead of being asked to buy it themselves.

Advocate for increases in the minimum wage and push for living wage ordinances. Unions have been instrumental in efforts to increase the federal minimum wage, state minimum wages and in the successful living wage movement which has already resulted in over 150 local living wage laws nationwide.

Reduce wage inequality. Unions raise wages the most for low- and middle-wage workers and workers without college degrees.³

Invest worker pension funds to rebuild communities  In June 2006, the AFL-CIO launched the Gulf Coast Revitalization Program, a $1 billion housing and economic development program to create low- and moderate-income housing, a low-cost mortgage program, health facilities, job training services, and thousands of high-wage union jobs throughout the region. The Gulf Coast program builds on the success of similar AFL-CIO investment strategies to develop affordable housing in Chicago and to help New York City recover from the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11th. Union pension funds invested $750 million in post-9/11 New York.⁴

Are crucial in passing legislation benefiting all workers, including:

• Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, providing an increase in the federal minimum wage.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, a comprehensive federal law ensuring safety in the workplace.
• Workers' compensation laws, giving workers injured on the job medical coverage and compensation for lost time.
• Mine safety laws strengthening mine safety standards and protecting the rights of mine workers.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, creating the 40-hour work week and the first minimum wage.
• The Social Security Act of 1935, providing benefits to unemployed and retired workers. 

Union members:

Earn higher wages. Union members earn 30% more than non-union workers.

Have more training. Union workers are more likely to have access to formal, on-the-job training, making employees more skilled and adding to productivity.⁵

Have safer workplaces. Union workers are often better trained on health and safety rules and union workplaces are more likely to enforce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.⁶

Are more likely to receive workers’ compensation. Union members also get their benefits faster, and return to work more quickly.⁷ When workers are injured, unions help workers through the often complicated process of filing for workers’ compensation and protect workers from employer retaliation.

Have health insurance. Nearly 80% of unionized workers receive employer-provided health insurance, compared with 49% of non-union workers. Union members are also more likely to have short-term disability and life insurance coverage.