Wisconsin Indianhead Federation of Teachers
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Judge Sumi Blocks bill Round 2
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 5:14 PM Sumi blocks further implementation of collective bargaining bill Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued an order this afternoon blocking further implementation of the collective bargaining bill.Sumi stopped short of signing off on a proposed declaration that publication by the Legislative Reference Bureau does not make the law take effect. But she made clear during her ruling that "further implementation of the act is enjoined."The judge reiterated that lawmakers could easily implement the law through another, properly noticed committee hearing and legislative vote, commenting that "when taxpayers are paying the bill, that needs to be part of the discussion" of continuing litigation.Sumi also warned that those who act "in willful defiance of a court order" not only may subject themselves to sanctions, but endanger the financial and governmental health of the state.Dane Co. DA Ishmael Ozanne requested that the order include the declaration that the law was not in effect, saying, "We believe there's a strong public interest in people knowing today ... what the status is."Sumi struck that portion of the order, saying that testimony on that issue has not concluded. The case is set to resume Friday.Assistant AG Steven Means said after the ruling that the state's position remains that the budget repair bill is the law of the land following publication by LRB.-- By Andy Szal http://budget.wispolitics.com/
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Nice endorsement of Dem Senators
Subject: Open letter to the people of Wisconsin
Kelly Vinehout and Douglas Smith: Open letter to the people of Wisconsin3/14/2011 To the People of Wisconsin: There are times when life happens so powerfully and unexpectedly that all you can do is embrace it fully and play the role you are given to the best of your ability. Sometimes that role is to lead, sometimes to support or protect, and sometimes that role is as a witness. Way past bedtime on a Thursday night, February 17, 2011, we found ourselves unexpectedly sitting at a table in a fast-food restaurant with a group of people who had sacrificed their own comfort so that the people of Wisconsin would have a chance to learn the contents of the Governor’s “Budget Repair” bill. They had no extra clothes, no food, only the small amount of cash they typically carried with them, and no place to go. Some did not even have essential medication with them. Despite this, their conversation focused on remaining in contact with their constituents and being able to negotiate with their Republican colleagues. The comment “Why don’t you come to my house?” was spontaneous, genuine, and one we would repeat. That night and the next day, we escorted Wisconsin Democratic Senators to our home where they slept, ate, and constantly worked for the next week, before moving on to another “undisclosed location.” It was a pleasure to host this group of dedicated and loyal people. We were repeatedly amazed at how hard they worked. They were awake by 4:30 or 5:00 AM and kept working until well past midnight. Each of them made many personal sacrifices and agonized that they were missing events at home, such as birthdays of their children and spouses, children’s school events, funerals, family reunions planned long ago, wedding anniversaries, and many other days that we cherish as families. Their spouses scrambled to take out loans to pay bills at home when their paychecks were withheld. They risked debt and sacrificed time with their own families so that they could represent those they were elected to serve. They spent endless hours returning telephone calls to the people in their districts. Contrary to the contents of some of the newspaper articles we have since read, they attempted daily to negotiate with their Republican colleagues and their Governor, and spent endless hours attempting to contact these legislators. We watched them write these letters at our kitchen table. We watched their disappointment as their pleas for negotiation were steadfastly refused. We, common citizens who previously knew very little about politics, were then amazed to read news releases stating it was the Democratic Senators who were refusing to negotiate. Although we are very private people, we decided to write this letter because, just as you had a right to learn the contents of your Governor’s proposed bill, you have a right to know the truth of what happened during the three weeks your Senators worked in Illinois. We witnessed first-hand how these Senators never stopped working from the moment they made the heart-breaking decision to leave the state they love. They made many personal sacrifices because every week they received tens of thousands of messages from their constituents pleading with them to not return. We thank the great state of Wisconsin for the honor of participating in your effort to ensure a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” We are proud to be your neighbors as you move forward in the long days ahead, using the democratic process to ensure justice for all. -- Kelly Vinehout and Douglas Smith Woodstock, Illinois
Kelly Vinehout and Douglas Smith: Open letter to the people of Wisconsin3/14/2011 To the People of Wisconsin: There are times when life happens so powerfully and unexpectedly that all you can do is embrace it fully and play the role you are given to the best of your ability. Sometimes that role is to lead, sometimes to support or protect, and sometimes that role is as a witness. Way past bedtime on a Thursday night, February 17, 2011, we found ourselves unexpectedly sitting at a table in a fast-food restaurant with a group of people who had sacrificed their own comfort so that the people of Wisconsin would have a chance to learn the contents of the Governor’s “Budget Repair” bill. They had no extra clothes, no food, only the small amount of cash they typically carried with them, and no place to go. Some did not even have essential medication with them. Despite this, their conversation focused on remaining in contact with their constituents and being able to negotiate with their Republican colleagues. The comment “Why don’t you come to my house?” was spontaneous, genuine, and one we would repeat. That night and the next day, we escorted Wisconsin Democratic Senators to our home where they slept, ate, and constantly worked for the next week, before moving on to another “undisclosed location.” It was a pleasure to host this group of dedicated and loyal people. We were repeatedly amazed at how hard they worked. They were awake by 4:30 or 5:00 AM and kept working until well past midnight. Each of them made many personal sacrifices and agonized that they were missing events at home, such as birthdays of their children and spouses, children’s school events, funerals, family reunions planned long ago, wedding anniversaries, and many other days that we cherish as families. Their spouses scrambled to take out loans to pay bills at home when their paychecks were withheld. They risked debt and sacrificed time with their own families so that they could represent those they were elected to serve. They spent endless hours returning telephone calls to the people in their districts. Contrary to the contents of some of the newspaper articles we have since read, they attempted daily to negotiate with their Republican colleagues and their Governor, and spent endless hours attempting to contact these legislators. We watched them write these letters at our kitchen table. We watched their disappointment as their pleas for negotiation were steadfastly refused. We, common citizens who previously knew very little about politics, were then amazed to read news releases stating it was the Democratic Senators who were refusing to negotiate. Although we are very private people, we decided to write this letter because, just as you had a right to learn the contents of your Governor’s proposed bill, you have a right to know the truth of what happened during the three weeks your Senators worked in Illinois. We witnessed first-hand how these Senators never stopped working from the moment they made the heart-breaking decision to leave the state they love. They made many personal sacrifices because every week they received tens of thousands of messages from their constituents pleading with them to not return. We thank the great state of Wisconsin for the honor of participating in your effort to ensure a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” We are proud to be your neighbors as you move forward in the long days ahead, using the democratic process to ensure justice for all. -- Kelly Vinehout and Douglas Smith Woodstock, Illinois
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Scott Walkers Brown Bag movement redux
Scott Walker's New Brown Bag Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zweh0hRz4pk
Scott Walker made a video called "Taking Our Government Back" during his campaign. We felt the context of the audio was poignant considering the new movement now Governor Walker has created. We took the audio and made this new version. We like to call it "Taking Our Government Forward."
This was posted on the WEAC Facebook site
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zweh0hRz4pk
Scott Walker made a video called "Taking Our Government Back" during his campaign. We felt the context of the audio was poignant considering the new movement now Governor Walker has created. We took the audio and made this new version. We like to call it "Taking Our Government Forward."
This was posted on the WEAC Facebook site
Russ Feingolds new organization Progressives United
If you are interested in fighting back against the plan to strip away our collective bargaining rights, check out this website. One of our union members has sent me information about this group and they are doing some great things. It is another way to get involved.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
UPDATE: From Todd
Dear Local 395 members,
I have heard from many members in the past 2 days in regards to the proposal to the WITC Board of Trustees, asking to extend our current collective bargaining agreement. There have been many questions, so I hope this will clarify some of the concerns. I understand your concerns and recognize that the financial impact will be huge for you and many of our members and their families. You are correct in the fact, that paying 12% of our health insurance costs, which is in the bill, does not apply to us, under our current contract. However, on July 1st, our contract becomes null and void unless we are granted an extension by WITC. They do not have to give us an extension. If we do not get an extension after July 1, under Walkers Bill there will be no right to bargain anything other than a wage increase which will be tied to the CPI which was 1.5% this year. Bargaining on any other issues will be illegal. No bargaining about benefits, working conditions, hours, class sizes, all gone! Will the College do that? I wish I knew for sure.
All current contracts that are in effect when his bill becomes law will be allowed to continue operating as is until they expire. That is why this is happening so very quickly and why we are asking the Board again to reconsider our proposal from February 24th, which they denied. The Board of Trustees are holding their monthly meeting on Monday morning in Shell Lake. The law can go into effect next Saturday 3/26/11 at 12:01 am. That does not leave much time to try to make things happen. If the Board says they are interested in our proposal, we would have to work out the language, and then have the membership, YOU, vote on the proposal. You have to approve/not approve the proposal for it to take effect.
Many school districts around the state have signed contract extensions giving the same concessions that we offered. We feel the value of having a contract, even with substantial cuts, outweighs not having a contract. The College and all of the school districts are going to be experiencing very severe cuts to their operating budgets and will have to make cuts. Does that include layoffs? Quite possibly. If we can help the College save some money by offering to pay some of these costs, it may save some jobs. Bob’s earlier email explained the potential cuts to WITC, and with just the property tax freeze, that means over $1,000,000 less dollars to WITC. That does not figure in reduced state aid or other cuts.
This is a very serious situation which I, and the other Executive Board members, do not take lightly. We feel this proposal is in the best interest of all members, and not to make light of you or anybody else’s situation, no matter how much we give up in benefits or how large a cut we have to take, it still pays more than unemployment.
This link takes you to a summary of the bill.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ed4823fa-5042-11e0-ba6b-001cc4c03286.html
If you want to read the complete bill, there is a link at the end of the first paragraph of this article. http://profs.wisc.edu/?tag=budget-repair-bill
I hope this helps.
Todd A. Larson
President Local 395
Masonry Instructor
Thursday, March 17, 2011
How Can You Help Recall
United Wisconsin is for Wisconsin residents to sign a pledge to recall Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch. Since we can not distribute the actual petitions until 11/3/11, sign a pledge online for recall as we will only have 60 days to collect 540,206 signatures. The database will be essential for a successful recall.
http://www.UnitedWisconsin.com
http://www.UnitedWisconsin.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Senator Bob Jauch Town Hall Forums
Senator Bob Jauch
608-266-3510
Senator Bob Jauch will hold public forums in both Rice Lake and Ashland to discuss recent events with the citizens of Northern Wisconsin. Senator Jauch will make a presentation at both events and will be available for questions. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
RICE LAKE FORUM
Wednesday, March 16
Rice Lake High School Auditorium UPDATE: Meeting at UW-BC Theater
6-7:30 P.M.
SPOONER FORUM
Thursday, March 17
Buckhorn Tavern
105 Walnut Street
10 – 11:30 A.M.
ASHLAND FORUM
Rep. Bewley will also be attending
Thursday, March 17
Ashland High School Auditorium
3:30 – 5 P.M.
608-266-3510
Senator Bob Jauch will hold public forums in both Rice Lake and Ashland to discuss recent events with the citizens of Northern Wisconsin. Senator Jauch will make a presentation at both events and will be available for questions. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
RICE LAKE FORUM
Wednesday, March 16
6-7:30 P.M.
SPOONER FORUM
Thursday, March 17
Buckhorn Tavern
105 Walnut Street
10 – 11:30 A.M.
ASHLAND FORUM
Rep. Bewley will also be attending
Thursday, March 17
Ashland High School Auditorium
3:30 – 5 P.M.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Nearly halfway to recalling GOP state senators
Almost half of the signatures needed to recall key Republican Wisconsin state senators have been collected by the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Democrats have collected over 56,000 signatures supporting a recall of eight state senators who aligned themselves with Republican Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill, The Washington Post reported.
"This morning citizens from around the state took the first steps by filing recall papers against key Republican Senators who have stood with Scott Walker and pushed his partisan power grab that will strip thousands of middle class teachers, nurses, librarians and other workers of their right to collective bargaining," the Wisconsin Democratic Party said in an email two weeks ago.
Under Wisconsin law, any elected official who has served at least one year of their current term can be recalled from office. Eight Republican and eight Democratic senators are currently eligible to be recalled. Gov. Walker, who was inaugurated last January, will not be eligible for a recall until 2012.
Democrats need to collect 25 percent of the number who voted in the last gubernatorial election within 60 days of filing for recalls.
Protesters learned Sunday that Wisconsin state senator Randy Hopper's wife reportedly intends to sign the recall petition against him.
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) has vowed to defend the state senators and Republicans have launched their own recall campaign against eight Democratic state senators, but have refused to reveal the amount of signatures they’ve collected.
Republicans currently have a 19 to 14 majority in the Wisconsin Senate.
Democrats have collected over 56,000 signatures supporting a recall of eight state senators who aligned themselves with Republican Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill, The Washington Post reported.
"This morning citizens from around the state took the first steps by filing recall papers against key Republican Senators who have stood with Scott Walker and pushed his partisan power grab that will strip thousands of middle class teachers, nurses, librarians and other workers of their right to collective bargaining," the Wisconsin Democratic Party said in an email two weeks ago.
Under Wisconsin law, any elected official who has served at least one year of their current term can be recalled from office. Eight Republican and eight Democratic senators are currently eligible to be recalled. Gov. Walker, who was inaugurated last January, will not be eligible for a recall until 2012.
Democrats need to collect 25 percent of the number who voted in the last gubernatorial election within 60 days of filing for recalls.
Protesters learned Sunday that Wisconsin state senator Randy Hopper's wife reportedly intends to sign the recall petition against him.
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) has vowed to defend the state senators and Republicans have launched their own recall campaign against eight Democratic state senators, but have refused to reveal the amount of signatures they’ve collected.
Republicans currently have a 19 to 14 majority in the Wisconsin Senate.
Friday, March 11, 2011
UPDATE: Saturday Rally
From: Jim Bakken [Bakken.Jim@aft-wisconsin.org]
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 11:59 AM
To: Jim Bakken
Subject: TAKE BACK WISCONSIN!!!
Folks!
Today Governor Walker signed the bill gutting collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin. Fortunately for us, the governor does not decide whether or not we have a union--WE DO! Join working families from around the country for a rally at the Capitol on Saturday where we will start our fight to TAKE BACK WISCONSIN!
If you or your fellow members are interested in serving as rally marshals, please attend the AFL-CIO's marshal training being held at 9:00 am at the Orpheum Theater on State Street. We are expecting huge crowds tomorrow and so it's very important that we have lots of marshals to help manage the event and direct traffic.
Otherwise, the rally will proceed as follows:
Saturday rally details
We are asking all AFT and AFT-Wisconsin members to join us in a march on the Wisconsin capitol this Saturday, March 12 at 12:00 pm. We will gather on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (100 block) between Doty St and the Capitol Square and then proceed together around the capitol building at noon. We will have signs at the rally site, or bring your own (please keep your signs classy Wisconsin--we have lots of bloggers and media outlets looking for material that they will use to distort the public perception of peaceful protests around a very important issue)!
Please wear your union t-shirt or AFT blue!
Please try to be on site before 12:00 pm so we can get everyone signed in and be ready to march together. The earlier you get there, the easier it will be to get parking. Click here for the bus schedule; click here to ride the bus! If you get cold, AFT Local 243 has arranged a 'warming room' at the Madison Area Technical College Campus (211 North Carroll St, Madison), room D240, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
There is a farm labor tractorcade scheduled at 10:00 am, followed by several hours of music and a program of speakers at 3:00 pm, including one of AFT-Wisconsin's own from Wisconsin Science Professionals. Bring your family and friends and plan to spend the afternoon with other working families from around Wisconsin.
See you Saturday!
Jim Bakken
Organizer
AFT-Wisconsin
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 11:59 AM
To: Jim Bakken
Subject: TAKE BACK WISCONSIN!!!
Folks!
Today Governor Walker signed the bill gutting collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin. Fortunately for us, the governor does not decide whether or not we have a union--WE DO! Join working families from around the country for a rally at the Capitol on Saturday where we will start our fight to TAKE BACK WISCONSIN!
If you or your fellow members are interested in serving as rally marshals, please attend the AFL-CIO's marshal training being held at 9:00 am at the Orpheum Theater on State Street. We are expecting huge crowds tomorrow and so it's very important that we have lots of marshals to help manage the event and direct traffic.
Otherwise, the rally will proceed as follows:
Saturday rally details
We are asking all AFT and AFT-Wisconsin members to join us in a march on the Wisconsin capitol this Saturday, March 12 at 12:00 pm. We will gather on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (100 block) between Doty St and the Capitol Square and then proceed together around the capitol building at noon. We will have signs at the rally site, or bring your own (please keep your signs classy Wisconsin--we have lots of bloggers and media outlets looking for material that they will use to distort the public perception of peaceful protests around a very important issue)!
Please wear your union t-shirt or AFT blue!
Please try to be on site before 12:00 pm so we can get everyone signed in and be ready to march together. The earlier you get there, the easier it will be to get parking. Click here for the bus schedule; click here to ride the bus! If you get cold, AFT Local 243 has arranged a 'warming room' at the Madison Area Technical College Campus (211 North Carroll St, Madison), room D240, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
There is a farm labor tractorcade scheduled at 10:00 am, followed by several hours of music and a program of speakers at 3:00 pm, including one of AFT-Wisconsin's own from Wisconsin Science Professionals. Bring your family and friends and plan to spend the afternoon with other working families from around Wisconsin.
See you Saturday!
Jim Bakken
Organizer
AFT-Wisconsin
Bus Schedule for Protests
All Buses are first come first serve
Please check with your TBA staff for local events
Updated as of 3/10/11 at 12:42 pm
Please check with your TBA staff for local events
Updated as of 3/10/11 at 12:42 pm
Wisconsin's Dark Night
On March 9, the Wisconsin Senate Republicans used the nuclear option to ram through their bill attacking working families. Walker and the Republicans acted in violation of democracy and perhaps state law, and their actions have demonstrated they will do or say anything to pass their extremist agenda that attacks Wisconsin’s working families.
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