Jan/Feb 2017 Council Updates

Transitions in the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO

As we have been preparing to reluctantly say goodbye to our amazing leader, COO and Secretary-Treasurer, Sheila Cochran; the Staff, Board and Executive Officers have been diligently preparing the organization for transition.

At the January meeting, the Delegates reviewed with the Board and Executive Officers, and approved such changes to the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO constitution that would assist in the operations during this transitional status of the council. In as such, the new formation of the Executive Office now stands as: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The former position of Secretary-Treasurer has been split into 2: Secretary and Treasurer. The COO position is gone, and there will only be one remaining full-time staff member: Robin Lundgren, at the office. Emily Mueller will continue serving as the AFL-CIO Service Area Organizer, and Rozsa Keller as Communications Director.

During this time, we ask that all members reflect upon their delegates and their status of participation, as only a percentage portion of delegates regularly attend the monthly meetings. In addition to musing on the wise, old adage, "A union is what you make it," there are immediate practical reasons for this review; for instance: An accurate re-assessment of participation would help greatly in our analysis of the room/building rental size and cost, which could benefit all members in possible future cost savings. Thank you for your consideration!

Nominations for Executive Board & Executive Office: Wednesday, February 1 at Delegate Meeting in Yatchak Hall

This week's Delegate Meeting will be held at an alternate location: the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO offices in Yatchak Hall at 633 S. Hawley Rd, Milwaukee. Nominations will be accepted for the Board of Directors and Executive Officers at that time. Nominees must be present. Do you know someone who would be a great representative on the Executive Board? Let them know!

View 2015-2017 Elected Board of Directors

View 2015-2017 Elected Officers

Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Stay in the Loop!

Communications: Sign up for any and all listed below.

School for Workers: Get Wise, Get Organized!

Register for March 25 Steward Training in Milwaukee and learn essential topics of labor law, dispute resolution, interpreting the contract, writing grievances and courted activity.

All are welcome!  Register by March 4.


Statement of Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council on Senate Bill 3/ Assembly Bill 24 ——

that would prohibit the state and all local governments from implementing a Project Labor Agreement or Community Workforce Agreement on public works projects
MILWAUKEE – Dan Bukiewicz, president of Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC) and Oak Creek Alderman, released the following statement on the new bill that restricts local governments’ ability to require project labor agreements.

The use of a Project Labor Agreement can provide structure and stability to large construction projects. PLAs also help ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, equal employment opportunity and labor and employment standards. The coordination reached through PLAs can significantly enhance the economy and efficiency of construction projects.

"Project Labor Agreements are a win-win; they benefit businesses, workers and taxpayers. I've seen the track record in cities like Milwaukee – high quality work on projects done on time, on budget and good job and training opportunities that strengthen our communities." Dan Bukiewicz, president of MBCTC and Oak Creek Alderman said. “Passing this legislation takes local control away from local communities.”

PLAs standardize labor conditions on projects, and provide construction users with access to a pool of highly trained trades people. In turn, they guarantee decent wages, benefits and safer working conditions for American construction trades workers. PLAs include hiring preferences of construction workers residing in the community where the project is occurring, as well as for veterans via Helmets to Hardhats.

PLAs have been used successfully on private and public projects. The benefits of PLAs are clear, hundreds of private and public projects completed on time and on budget.

Some of the most respected institutions and businesses in Wisconsin have chosen to use PLAs: The Buck’s arena, Miller Park, Northwestern Mutual, Lambeau Field and Oak Creek Powerhouse with WE Energies. They use PLAs for one simple reason – they work.

“This legislation would deny local communities the ability to enter into PLAs and achieve the same benefits as private sector construction users. PLAs have demonstrated and economic benefit to both private and public projects. Local municipalities should be able to utilize them if they deem them appropriate for their needs, and should not have the State over govern and take that option away. Local official are better aware of the needs of its community than State officials in Madison.”

– Dan Bukiewicz, president of MBCTC and Oak Creek Alderman

A public hearing was held for Assembly Bill 24 on January 24. A public hearing was held for Senate Bill 3 on January 25.

Hurry! It's the end of the annual Blanket Drive!

AFL-CIO Community Services of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council and United Way
of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County are collecting new and gently used blankets to be distributed to homeless shelters and community agencies throughout the area.

Drop-off Locations:

Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 633 South Hawley Road, Suite 110 Milwaukee, WI

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (Main Office) 225 West Vine Street
Milwaukee, WI

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (Waukesha Office) 1717 Paramount Drive, Waukesha, WI

Any City of Milwaukee Firehouse

NOTE: Used blankets must be washed before being dropped off.

For more information contact: Jay Reinke at 414.771.7070 ext. 16 or jay@milwaukeelabor.org.

High School Essay Contest: Labor History! Deadline Feb. 15

The Wisconsin Labor History Society announces its Essay Contest for the 2016-2017 School Year for
Wisconsin high school students (Grades 9-12). Win cash prizes up to $500. Write essays of about 750 words on the topic:

“Unions have been important to my family and my community because . . .”

Students are urged to interview family members, neighbors, friends or others for their stories about
work and unions. Teachers are urged to assist students in their efforts. Up to eight students could win cash prizes: First place, $500; second place $300; third place: $200; honorable mention (up to five) $100.

Rules: Essays should be approximately 750 words in length. They will be judged on understanding, evidence of original research, writing style and significance. Essays must be typed, double-spaced, on white paper. Two copies must be submitted (One may be a photocopy.) Please be sure to provide the following information on the cover sheet: Your name, address, hometelephone number, your email address, your grade in school, name and address of your school, and, if you were encouraged or assisted by a teacher, the teacher's name. (Also, list your family's union membership, if applicable.) If you have any questions,contact: Harvey J. Kaye (920-465-2355 or kayeh@uwgb.edu.

Submissions must be postmarked Feb. 15, 2017 or before. Send completed essays to:

Prof. Harvey J. Kaye, Center for History and Social Change
University of Wisconsin—Green Bay
Green Bay WI 54311

Print Flier

Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans Help Explain Block Grants

Excerpted : "President Donald Trump’s administration made explicit this weekend its commitment to an old GOP strategy for managing Medicaid, the federal-state insurance plan that covers low-income people — turning control of the program to states and capping what the federal government spends on it each year.

It’s called 'block granting.' Right now, Medicaid, which was expanded under the 2010 health law to insure more people, covers almost 75 million adults and children. Because it is an entitlement, everyone who qualifies is guaranteed coverage and states and the federal government combine funds to cover the costs. Conservatives have long argued the program would be more efficient if states got a lump sum from the federal government and then managed the program as they saw fit. But others say that would mean less funding for the program —eventually translating into greater challenges in getting care for low-income people.

Block granting Medicaid is a centerpiece of health proposals supported by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Rep. Tom Price, Trump’s nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services. This weekend, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway emphasized the strategy as key to the administration’s health policy.

But what would this look like, and why is it so controversial? Let’s break down how this policy could play out, and its implications — both for government spending and for accessing care."

Read More...

Support the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, a voice for retirees and older Americans working to preserve Social Security and Medicare! Participate in the Calendar Raffle by following the directions below. Good luck :)


Upcoming Events

WISCOSH Annual Membership Meeting - Saturday, Feb. 4 at AFSCME District 32. 3427 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI

High School Labor History Essay Contest Deadline - February 15

Spring Primary Election - February 21

School for Workers Steward Training - March 25

Spring Election - April 4

Sheila Cochran Retirement Party and Labor Community @ Work Fundraiser - May 19, Hilton City Center, Milwaukee, WI

Political Action & Awareness


American Federation of Teachers (AFT.org), national affiliate of our members in AFT 212 at MATC, urge your action in opposition to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Health Secretary Tom Price.

Add your name to a Commitment of Student Success with 150,000 other people.

Watch Randi Weingarten's speech at the Press Club in D.C., Jan 9.

Ways Public School Teachers Have Been Mobilizing against DeVos (Forbes)

Communication Workers of America have shared information about the corporate conflicts of interest in the Cabinet Nominees in their "Block the Corporate Cabinet" campaign. Visit Website. Download Flyer.












Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Thousands Rally Nationwide to Save Affordable Care Act

National Nurses United adds:

Related News:

LIUNA- Laborers’ International Union of North America

Republicans and Democrats Alike Should Reject Proposal to Slash Construction Workers’ Wages

Washington, D.C. (January 26, 2017) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today regarding Arizona Senator Jeff Flake’s attempt to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act:

Earlier this week, LIUNA applauded when President Trump and Senate Democrats pledged a massive investment to create good-paying jobs repairing and building America’s ailing infrastructure. Sadly, Arizona Senator Jeff Flake has set out to slash the wages and benefits of the hard-working, blue-collar men and women who will do this critical work. Under the law he wants to repeal, the wage on federally funded construction projects in Arizona is a little more than $15 an hour. Yet, as he drives by in air-conditioned comfort, Senator Flake thinks the working class builders he sees toiling in hundred-degree heat are overpaid for their backbreaking labor. How shameful.

For more than 80 years, the Davis-Bacon Act has successfully ensured not only that all contractors bidding on federal construction projects will pay family-supporting wages, but that these projects will be built to the highest standards by skilled, safe, well-trained construction craftspeople. The projects built under the Davis-Bacon Act have stood the test of time while enabling generations of these craftspeople to build better, stronger lives for themselves and their families.

Far from saving taxpayers money, repealing the Davis-Bacon Act would lower the quality of projects, leading to costly delays, repairs, and even re-dos down the line, leaving taxpayers holding the bag. Lowering these wages also would dry up local and state tax revenue, creating a race to the bottom that benefits no one.

Senator Flake’s proposal is out of step with the President’s pledge to create middle-class jobs, out of step with ordinary Americans who for too long have had to make do with less, and even out of step with many in his own party who support the Davis-Bacon Act.

LIUNA will work with anyone we can to create good jobs repairing, strengthening, and expanding America’s infrastructure. We will fight everyone we must to protect the law that has for generations ensured these jobs pay decent wages.


Wisconsin Politicians Contact Information

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In solidarity,

Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Contact Us:

Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO
633 S. Hawley Rd. Ste 110
Milwaukee, WI 53214

Phone 414 771-7070

Visit Our Website: milwaukeelabor.org

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