Welcome to your Local 39 Newsletter for January 2018. A new look for the new year. A year that, we hope, will be a vast improvement on 2017's decidedly mixed bag. Our first opportunity to start down that path comes as early as next month. So stay warm, read up, and make some plans for how to make 2018 a great year
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New Year's Resolution: Vote at
every opportunity
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Our first opportunity comes in February
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You may have heard by now: 2018 is an election year! The stakes for our state are incredibly high this year. Labor and workers have several opportunities to start shifting the state away from the anti-worker policies of the last several years.
In fact, if you live in northwestern Wisconsin, your first chance to vote is in
a special election Tuesday! For the rest of us, our first opportunity comes in
February with the Supreme Court Primary. A general election for that seat happens in
April (more below). A primary election for the Gubernatorial race happens in
August and the
November general election will see that race decided as well as a Senate race, not to mention all the usual local, state, and federal races.
There's a lot to keep track of, so bookmark this page.
The race for governor is going to be a hotly contested one even before the first ballot is cast in the August primary. As of this writing, there are
seventeen candidates on the Democratic side challenging Scott Walker. Can such a large field of candidates be a good thing? "Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairwoman Martha Laning said the large field is an indicator that voters are fed up with Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature."
There are several ways to distinguish these candidates in these early days: do they have paid staff? What kind of social media presence do they have? Any endorsements? We all have the ability at this time to shape the race, by looking in to candidates
now before the election -- when they are eager to engage -- and discover which ones have a message that is supportive of workers and Unions and then sending them money. "The first major indicator of viability will come later this month when the campaigns report their 2017 fundraising totals," said Joe Zepecki in the article linked above.
Another huge race that will have a huge impact on workers is the Senate race.
Tammy Baldwin, long a supporter of workers and families, is already being targeted by the GOP. She is a target in a
$1.6 million dollar ad buy from the Koch brothers because of
her vote against the GOP tax bill that is a huge giveaway to people like the Koch brothers. Her win 6 years ago was a close one and with the massive voter suppression tactics that the GOP has put in place since taking over all parts of the state government will make getting out the vote even more important. Another senator like the GOP darling Ron Johnson will mean further destruction of Wisconsin's working class.
The 2018 elections are pivotal, for both the state and the nation. We have the opportunity to end the anti-worker policies of the Walker administration and to put a stop to further depredations of our nation's wealth through actions like the massive tax scam just signed by President Trump. To do that, consider these New Year's Resolutions for 2018:
- Register to vote or make sure your registration is up to date. Do it soon to be ready for February.
- Help someone else get registered.
- Make sure you have all necessary forms of ID.
- Research candidates.
- Vote. EVERY SINGLE TIME
Following those resolutions will mean a much healthier and happier future for Labor and the state.
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There are three candidates vying for the two spots moving forward to the general election in April. While judicial races are supposed to be non-partisan, what we've seen over the last decade has been anything but. One candidate is being honest about his desire to bring a progressive view back to the court: Madison lawyer
Tim Burns. Candidate
Rebecca Dallet has 23 years of experience as a prosecutor and a judge. She remains non-partisan in her campaigning and her record shows her to be independent.
The same can't be said for Sauk County judge Michael Screnock. He's "a
judicial appointee of Gov. Scott Walker who once worked on a team of lawyers to defend Walker’s collective bargaining law, Act 10, against lawsuits" which, since it's signing, has caused
more than half of teachers in the state to lose their Union voices.
Get your New Year's resolution off to a good start.
Vote in the Supreme Court primary February 20th.
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PS - Membership Meeting in February
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The Union succeeds through everyone's efforts. Please Join us Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30PM.
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Are you coming to the Membership meeting?
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LOCATION
Union Offices, 701 Watson Ave, Madison WI 53713
DATE AND TIME
02/21/18
5:30pm -
02/21/18
6:30pm
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Upcoming Membership Meetings
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Membership meetings are held the third Wednesday of the second month of the quarter, at 5:30PM at the Union Office.
February 21, 2018
May 16, 2018
August 15, 2018
November 15, 2018
This is
your Union. Your participation gives us the strength to face the continued opposition of both politicians and companies.
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Know Your Weingarten Rights!
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The US Supreme Court has ruled that the National Labor Relations Act gives workers the right to request union representation during investigatory interviews by supervisors, security personal, and other managerial staff. These are called Weingarten Rights.
An investigatory interview occurs if 1) management questions you to obtain information; and 2) you have reasonable apprehension that your answers could be used as a basis for discipline or other adverse action.
You must ask for union representation either before or during an investigatory interview. Management does not have to remind you of this right. If your request is refused and Management continues asking questions, you may refuse to answer. Your employer is guilty of an unfair labor practice and charges may be filed. If you are questioned in a situation where Weingarten may apply, read or present this statement:
"If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative, officer, or steward be present at this meeting. Until my representative arrives, I choose not to participate in this discussion."
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It's a fact: people don't mind scrolling to read an email, as long as it's relevant and interesting. Make sure your message follows through on the promise in your subject line, and use several short paragraphs if you have a lot to say. When in doubt, challenge yourself to write less and add links that support your topic.
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If you have any news you would like to share with other Members, please let us know! You can contact us via
email or our Facebook page.
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