Continue reading »]]> Scott Walker and the GOP have made drastic changes to Wisconsin in the past 14 months.  The list is long and the information is telling of their agenda, which appears to be straight out of the ALEC / Corporate Favoritism playbook.  Who is really running your state?  Here are some issues to consider when discussing the election with your family, friends and colleagues.

Education and Public Schools
Equal Pay for Women
Taxes
Jobs
The Wisconsin Retirement System
Health Care: Collective Bargaining
Health Care: Family Care
Health Care: Women’s Health Care
Health Care: Badger Care (Medicaid)
Workers’ Rights
Cuts to University of Wisconsin System
Limiting Access to Higher Education
Cuts to Technical College System
Voter ID
Child Labor
Sick Leave

On Education

Scott Walker claims that school districts were able to balance their budgets while improving education quality because of his reforms.

Fact: By law, school districts have always had to balance their budgets—this is nothing new.

Scott Walker is responsible for cutting $1.6 billion from our public schools and then claims the action is intended to improve quality. All across Wisconsin, school districts are in a fiscal crisis and children are losing opportunities like art, foreign language, music and vocational training.   

In a recent statewide survey of school superintendents:

• 71% of districts cut in at least one core area
• 59% of districts increased class size
• 46% of districts made cuts in art, music and phys ed
• 45% of districts made cuts in career and tech ed
• 28% of districts made cuts in special education

(Source: Department Public Instruction).

Several school district administrators have gone on record acknowledging that the tools aren’t working. Here’s a recent example, taken from the River Falls Journal: Tools are not working

PolitiFact rates as “true” Kathleen Falk’s statement that Governor Scott Walker enacted “the biggest cuts to education in our state’s history.” PolitiFact concludes: “Falk claimed Walker’s cuts in state support to local schools, tech colleges and public universities amount to the largest in state history. We found previous cuts in those areas, but not in all three in the same year, and not nearly as deep when you roll them all together as has Falk. We rate her statement True.”

Scott Walker asserts that school districts were able to hire more staff thanks to his reforms.

In reality, 4,000 education jobs were lost this year as a result of budget cuts.  Nine out of 10 Wisconsin students attend a district that had staff reductions.

The Walker Administration often compares new hires only to the number of staff let go—it ignores entirely the historic number of staff that retired.   When total leavers and new hires are tallied up, thousands fewer are employed. (Sources: Cap Times; Department Public Instruction).

PolitiFact rates the Walker administration’s jobs claims that “the overwhelming number of school districts reported their staff stayed the same or grew after the 2011-’13 state budget “false.”  Read the full assessment.

Scott Walker argues that if school districts would not have extended their contracts with the union, they wouldn’t have to reduce staff.

That’s simply not the case. Even with the pension and health care concessions offered by educators, districts all across the state have had to make further cuts.

Consider the following news stories (and these are just a few – you can find examples all across the state):

Appleton Post Crescent
Menasha faces $2million school deficit

Beloit Daily News
Outlook for schools: more cuts

Madison Area / Channel 3000
Lodi school districts considers more cuts
Parkview School Board Votes To Close 2 Rural Schools to cover budget shortfall

Chippewa Herald
Lake Holcombe to cut 6 staff members

Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Eau Claire faces $4.2 million shortfall

La Crosse Tribune
La Crosse School District Facing $2.8 million cut in 2012-13
Walker’s reforms accomplished absolutely zero
Saving money, but budget repair bill doesn’t offset state cuts

Oshkosh Northwestern
Oshkosh schools face $17.8 million deficit, new financial forecast shows

Superior Telegram
Superior schools deal with brutal budget cuts, more to come

Tomah Journal
Education cuts real, and more to come

WUWM
Different opinions on how budget affects schools

For more perspective on this important topic, join the discussion on Facebook at Speak Out For Wisconsin Public Schools. Learn about the fiscal crisis affecting school districts across the state and here what parents, educators and community members are saying about the current state of public education.

Governor Walker claims his cuts are improving education:

“This year we saw better class sizes, fewer teacher layoffs, property taxes were kept in check, and educational opportunities for students were the best they have been in a decade.”

A continuation of unfounded claims

1. Fifty-nine percent of districts reported class size increases, which mean the majority of districts experienced worse class sizes.  Moreover, unlike prior years, districts had federal stimulus monies to use and imposed significant pay cuts on staff.  Even still, a significant gap between funding and costs remained, and the majority of districts were forced to increase class sizes.

2. Earlier statements by the Governor on education jobs were proven incorrect by survey data and ranked false by PolitiFact.  He now repeats that misinformation.  The recent DPI survey asked about layoffs, retirees and non-renewals to determine a total loss in staff; Walker only talks about layoffs.

3. The revenue control survey never asked about property taxes, so this comment is just political posturing masquerading as research.

4. No data are presented in the governor’s press release to support his final claim. When one cuts more classes for children, there are fewer opportunities, not more.  The idea that more students have opportunities today because fewer classes were cut this year than last year is a logical fallacy and a misstatement of fact.  

For example, if there were 5 cuts last year and 3 this year, students experienced 3 additional cuts for a total of 8 and are not better off today than they were before.  In just this school year:

• 46% of districts made cuts or increased class size in core academic subjects
• 20% cut sections outright in technical education
• 19% cut sections outright in art
• 18% cut sections outright in business
• 17% cut sections outright in music  

(source:  DPI survey)

For more history on the Governor’s misstatements on education, go here.

On Equal Pay for Women

Governor Walker signed into law legislation overturning the Equal Pay Enforcement Act, a statute that allowed employees to collect punitive damages from employers for sexual, age and other forms of discrimination on the job.

Women earn 77 cents for every dollar that men make nationally. In Wisconsin, it’s 75 cents, according to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health (WAWH), which also estimates that families in the state “lose more than $4,000 per year due to unequal pay.”

Democratic Chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said on CNN about Walker signing the legislation just before Easter break: “He tried to quietly repeal the Equal Pay Act. Women aren’t going to stand for that. . . . The focus of the Republican Party on turning back the clock for women really is something that’s unacceptable.”

Regarding Republican legislative actions affecting women, and this act in particular, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus dismissed attacks by Democrats, comparing their concerns to a “war on caterpillars”—suggesting, perhaps, he believes the issue is of little significance.

On Taxes

Property owners saw a decrease in their bills, and schools’ portion of the property tax levy was down 1% across the state.

This is really a discussion about priorities.

Consider the consequences when you cut public education – kids and classrooms are hurt.

Instead of cutting our schools for tax relief, corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes so Wisconsin can keep our schools strong and taxes low.

We also need to acknowledge the fact that

Wisconsin’s school funding system is outdated – and we need a better way to fund our schools.

Scott Walker claims he is looking out for Wisconsin taxpayers.

Governor Walker enacted a number of tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy totaling $2.1 billion this decade.  Many of his personal campaign supporters benefitted while Wisconsin was deprived of resources it needs to thrive.   

Health care, education and other vital programs are being cut.

At the same time, Governor Walker turned tax fairness on its head by enacting tax increases on low-income working families and homeowners by tens of millions of dollars, making it more difficult for seniors and others to stay in their homes.

(Source: Wisconsin State Journal).

On Jobs

Scott Walker claims Wisconsin is adding jobs.

Wisconsin leads the nation in total job losses.  The Federal Reserve reports that in the three month period August-October 2011, Wisconsin lost more jobs than any other state.

• Wisconsin lost more public sector jobs than any other state last year, experiencing a 10% loss of 8,000 jobs (MJS).
• Wisconsin lost 14,600 jobs in November, the largest single month drop in the nation and the fifth month in a row of job losses (CT).
• The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future documents how cuts and reduced spending can lead to the loss of 18,000 full-time private sector jobs (IWF).
• In fact, numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics January 23, 2012 show that Wisconsin is the only state in the country to have lost jobs for the past six months straight, (WSJ).

PolitiFact rates as a “Pants on Fire” lie Scott Walker’s assertion that the CAPCO program – which spent $247,000 on each job it created – was approved by former Gov. Jim Doyle. PoltiFact concludes: “”In the wake of a story about poor jobs results of a state-sponsored program, Walker sought to pin the blame on his predecessor, Jim Doyle. But he was off by five years, two governors — Thompson and successor Scott McCallum — and one political party. As governor, Doyle didn’t have anything to do with approving the CAPCO bill. But as an Assembly member, Scott Walker did. Pants on Fire.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

State posts largest percentage job loss in U.S. over the last year

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Under Scott Walker, Wisconsin has lost more jobs than any other state

WEAC.org:

State loses another 4,500 jobs in March under Walker

On the Wisconsin Retirement System

The state should study changes to the WRS, including an “opt-out” option for employees and converting the system to a 401(k) style plan.

The WRS is one of the most secure, best run and fully funded retirements systems in the nation.  There is absolutely no need to reform it.

The motives of Governor Walker and allies are questionable – especially when it comes to public pensions. They favor 401(k) plans that provide less security for working men and women, but give big financial service companies control of billions in worker’s pensions.   

• The WRS serves 572,000 participants statewide. 
• 90% of annuitants remain in the state.
• More than $3billion annually is contributed to local communities.
• The investment board invests hundreds of millions in Wisconsin companies.

(Source:  Employee Trust Funds)

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) created model legislation that calls for “replacing” secure retirement programs like WRS, which is what this study is preparing to do.   ALEC is funded by many of the same right-wing groups that support Governor Walker

(Source: mediamattersaction.org).

La Crosse Tribune commentary: Two former Wisconsin retirement officials say the state retirement plan is a model for the private sector

On Health Care and Collective Bargaining

Scott Walker claims that collective bargaining agreements made it impossible for districts to save money and switch health insurance carriers.

He alleges that changes he made mean school districts can now take competitive bids. 

School districts have ALWAYS been able to get competitive bids and negotiate changes in insurance through the collective bargaining process—that is what bargaining is all about. See Examples.

Educators have long made changes to their health care plans to save money. For instance:

• 99% percent of educators moved to 3-tiered drug cards, which increased out-of-pocket expenditures, and
• 81% of educators changed plans to more cost effective coverage – even before Act 10 was imposed.
• Many more significant changes were enacted prior to Act 10.

Attacks like these are just another example of what Governor Walker is doing to pit Wisconsinites against each other rather than move forward for the betterment of everyone. That’s why we need to reclaim Wisconsin.      

On Health Care: Family Care

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million.

The Walker Administration froze enrollment in the Family Care program, which keeps the disabled and frail elderly in their homes by providing medical assistance.  Without it, many would be forced to live in more costly nursing facilities.  The program serves about 40,000 statewide in 53 counties.  Walker’s enrollment cap kept 6,700 disabled and elderly on the waiting list through February 2012.

In December, Walker suggested he was removing the cap out of the goodness of his heart, but it later came out that the federal government ordered him to make the change because it violated regulations.  Family Care receives about 60 percent of its funding from the federal government

Since that time, the administration proposed new restrictions and cuts to the program totaling $73 million.  In reaction, Milwaukee county supervisors testified that the changes are “making it so hard” that “people don’t qualify anymore.”  They also suggested the proposed changes were a stretch “both morally and legally.”

On Health Care: Women’s Health Care

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million.

Governor Walker proposed eliminating all funding  for family planning, potentially undermining a provider network of 52 health care centers around the state.  Although the legislature restored 90 percent of the funding, state aid to women’s healthcare centers affiliated with Planned Parenthood was eliminated.   

According to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, more than 30,000 mostly uninsured women in small communities across the state receive preventive health care from these centers, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, patient education, pregnancy help, and counseling.  

Governor Walker also terminated the state’s 16-year contract to run the Wisconsin Well Woman Program, affecting Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie and Sheboygan counties.  Today, as a result of cuts in a combination of programs, eight counties have lost funding for primary providers of health services for moderate income women.

In related actions, Walker enacted into law his proposal to ban men from obtaining family planning coverage, and he also recommended eliminating the requirement that health insurance policies provide coverage for contraceptives prescribed by a health care provider or outpatient medical services.  This last proposal was reversed in the budget.    

On Health Care: Badger Care (Medicaid)

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million

Some 780,000 Wisconsinites rely on Badger Care for their health coverage.  Nearly two-thirds of the Medicaid budget covers health care for the elderly and disabled, with the balance serving low income families unable to find coverage elsewhere. 

The Republican legislature gave Walker sweeping authority to cut approximately $554 million from these programs with no opportunity for public input.  By ceding its power to a political appointee, the legislature not only thwarted the democratic process, it washed its hands of the proposed cuts. 

• Proposed cut to drop 29,000 children from Badger Care Plus
• Proposed cuts of $72 million for Family Care, that helps the elderly and disabled
• Reduced coverage for 200,000 people who will be shifted to a higher cost plan with fewer benefits.

An analysis by the nonpartisan state Legislative Fiscal Bureau reports that 65, 000 people – nearly half of them children – would lose coverage if the savings plan is approved as currently written. 

Changes are currently pending (2/29/12).    

On Workers’ Rights

Scott Walker asserts that changes in the bargaining law were an economic necessity forcing him to cut the budget.

Both statements are incorrect.   

And we cannot lose sight of the obvious here: Walker’s extreme, uncompromising approach ignored our democratic process and tradition of open government and left the state deeply divided and unable to move forward.

Through all of this, public employees have been unfairly blamed for the state’s budget problems.

When he says changes to the bargaining law were an economic necessity, that’s simply not true. The right to bargain is unrelated to balancing the state budget. In fact, all Wisconsin governors have had to balance the budget—it’s in the constitution.

Governor Walker’s true intent wasn’t to cut spending, and it sure wasn’t to work together as a state to balance the budget. By shunning compromise, he exposed his true intent which is to limit the economic rights of men and women everywhere. And the result has divided the people of this state like never before

Cuts to University of Wisconsin System

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million.

Badgers have long embraced the Wisconsin Idea—that education should serve all quarters of the state. From agricultural extension programs, to the nation’s first business school, to the establishment of one of the world’s top research universities, Wisconsin has a proud tradition in higher education.

Governor Walker threatens this tradition when he cut funding not once but twice for the famed UW.

In the budget, state aid to the University of Wisconsin System was reduced by $250 million, resulting in a tuition increase of 5.5 percent in each of the next two years.  The UW system also suffered from a recent budget “lapse” of $46 million, the result of renewed budget shortfalls, bringing total cuts to nearly $300 million. 

The UW was affected more by Walker’s recent budget lapse than any other state program.  Due to course reductions, it will now be harder for some students to graduate on time, increasing the financial burden on families trying to secure a good education for their children.    

Limiting Access to Higher Education

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million.

Wisconsin Covenant Program, which helped successful, moderate-income students get to college.  Walker also froze Higher Education Grants, preventing students from getting needs-based grants to attend technical colleges and higher education.  Finally, he denied the children of immigrants, who meet specific conditions including Wisconsin residency, in-state tuition to attend the UW System or a technical college.  The program cost taxpayers virtually nothing.    

All told, Governor Walker enacted three changes that deny children access to higher education and technical college training.  Students from middle class families are being squeezed out of higher education. 

Education is one of the best tools we have to spur long-term economic growth and development.  Governor Walker is moving the state in the wrong direction, hurting the ability of families to help their children get ahead.  

Cuts to Technical College System

Governor Walker claims he had to cut this program because the state is broke.

At the same time, Walker enacted $2.3 billion in tax cuts over the next 10 years for corporations, and increased spending on new highway construction by $420 million.

With the economic downturn, Wisconsin’s technical colleges are experiencing historic levels of demand for training and education. 

The 2011-13 state budget cut $71.6 million from technical colleges, a deep 30 percent reduction in funding that harms this vital and respected system, now serving 375,000 Wisconsinites.  The economy gets a boost from highly skilled workers, and that job-seeking individuals also are helped with such training. 

Governor Walker cut state funding, and froze local funding, for these essential colleges that help people on an individual basis while spurring overall economic development.       

On Voter ID

Prohibitive Voter ID restrictions

Voter fraud is non-existent in Wisconsin.  A major study by the Brennan Center for Justice found virtually no evidence of fraud.   Instead, the new voted ID law, called one of the strictest in the nation, is intended to restrict the rights of certain individuals to vote.  

A study by UW-Milwaukee found that “177,399 Wisconsin residents 65 and older do not have a driver’s license or state photo ID — 23 percent of that population.”  Additionally, “another 98,247 residents ages 35 through 64 lack IDs . . .  [a lack] especially pronounced among racial minorities.”

Those without a valid picture ID are forced to pay a de facto poll tax to acquire documentation required to get a voter ID.  Poll taxes are illegal and Wisconsin’s law is being challenged. 

Students, low-income residents, legal immigrants, and the elderly  are groups most adversely affected by the new law.

Voter ID legislation, proposed by the conservative group ALEC, has been enacted in more than 30 states to varying degrees.   Critics suggest ALEC is attempting to restrict votes in an effort to sway national presidential elections as well as state results.

On Child Labor

Expanding hours of child labor

Wisconsin had some of the strongest child labor laws in the nation, protecting the health of children and their ability to study and do well in school.  By limiting the number of hours a child can work, more opportunities also become available for adults seeking entry positions into the workforce.

The state budget (p.  828) repealed these protections.  The budget struck most protective limits on the hours of work per day, days of work per week, and time of day protections for minors 16 years of age, except when they are in school. 

Essentially minors 16 years of age or older are now treated as adults, and work hours for children younger than 16 were expanded as well.  

On Sick Leave

Denying employees sick leave

About 44 million Americans receive no sick leave from their employers.  Most affected are those in service industries, like restaurants. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation in the world not mandating some paid time off for workers.

Nationally, a movement sprang up to pass local ordinances mandating sick leave for employees.  Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington D.C, and Milwaukee all passed such ordinances.  Milwaukee’s ordinance, initiated by the women’s business group 9 to 5, passed with 69 percent of the popular vote.

Research shows that sick leave promotes employee retention, and of course the health of patrons benefits as well.  

The Walker-dominated legislature passed a senate bill overturning Milwaukee’s ordinance and prevented all municipalities in the state from enacting local ordinances to protect workers.

According to Think Progress, Wisconsin’s legislation mirrored legislation drafted by the conservative legislative group ALEC, at the behest of major fast food industries that oppose such measures.  Whatever the origin, the new law overturned a popularly supported, common sense protection for working men and women

Continue reading »]]> All Hands on Deck – 5/12 – 5/18

The table is set, Tom Barrett is ready to Recall Scott Walker, are you?

Voter Turnout is the Key
Are you registered to vote?  – Check the Wisconsin Voter Search Site!

Individual Calendar Sign-up Sheet, or
Electronic Signup – Google Doc. Form.

Recall Calendar of Volunteer Events

Over 800,000 Wisconsin voters stayed home in the 2010 gubernatorial election compared to the 2008 presidential race (over 60,000 in Dane County). Scott Walker was elected by just over 124,000 votes and then he and his Republican allies “dropped the bomb” to take away your voice and your right to negotiate fair pay, benefits and working conditions.

This recall election is about your rights, your contract and being able to have a voice in decisions affecting you and your students.  It is about the future of public education, how we take care of our neediest citizens and about ensuring that the working families of this state have access to health care and living wages.

Are you concerned that you will experience additional pay cuts, have your benefits changed, or have your workload increased?  Without collective bargaining rights or a binding contract, your working conditions are dependent upon your employer’s willingness to grant them (or not).  The financial pressure to continue making cuts will only intensify if Scott Walker remains in power.

This is an election unlike any other in the history of Wisconsin.  It will decide the future for you and for generations to come.  Please take a step outside of your comfort zone and knock on doors, make phone calls, write postcards, or “letters to the editor” in an effort to increase voter turnout.  Organize a recall event as a staff or bring a friend with you!

This will all be decided by the time the school year is through and it is fast approaching.  Do one thing each week to increase voter turnout!  Contact us if you have questions or need additional resources.

Recall Related Events:  May 12 – May 18
Quick Links (click the link for more info.):

We Are Wisconsin Solidarity Kick Off – Labor Temple, Sat. May 12, 12:00 PM

Increase voter turnout!
Try the MTI Relational Voter Program
Talk to friends, family and neighbors about voting June 5
Sign up to canvass in Dane County. Visit friendly households; petition signers, union members and infrequent voters!
Phone Calls for the Recalls – MTI Wednesdays at the Labor Temple
Voter Registration drive on campus – Register Students!

Have some fun and get your politics on!
Stand up Wisconsin – Sat. May 19, 8:00 PM
Comedy with a purpose – United Wisconsin fundraiser

Other ways to help!
Donate
Data Entry
Voter Registration Information – including info. for college students

Continue to check the MTI Website and Facebook page for updates.

Solidarity and General Election Kick-off
Sponsored by We Are Wisconsin!
Saturday, May 12 – 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Madison Labor Temple – 1602 S. Park Street
Click here to RSVP on Facebook!

Let’s Take Back Our House!

Participate in the MTI Relational Voter Program
You identify and agree to encourage five to ten eligible voters in your life to get to the polls and vote on June 5 to recall the governor.

Details and resources are available here.

The quick version is here: My Voters Template

This program has been gaining strength among grass roots organizations because it is easy and you can do it at your own pace.  Talk to people about why they should vote on June 5.  This is not just another election.

Canvass Programs:

Canvasses in Dane County
This program is geared toward face-to-face conversations with recall petition signers and likely Democratic voters that vote infrequently. We will also be checking to see if our supporters are registered to vote and provide general information about how to do so.  This population is critical to the success of the Recall! 

Grab a friend or three and get some exercise on the Recall Walker trail!  Pick up your map and literature.
Sign up hereor just show up:

Saturdays & Sundays until the Recall is over!
Shifts start at 9 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM
210 North Bassett Street
Weekday Canvasses until the Recall is over!
Mondays – Thursdays
4PM – 7PM
210 North Bassett Street

We Are Wisconsin, AFL-CIO Canvass Program
7 Days a week! 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Pick up a walk list and hit the streets!
Labor Temple (1602 S. Park St.)
Stop in or contact Greg Neil (gneil@wisaflcio.com)

Phone Calls for the Recalls! 
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO and SCFL are asking local Unions to sponsor phone bank nights for the recall effort.  Make phone calls to union households in Dane County and the Senate recall districts reminding folks to vote in the June 5 election.

MTI nights are Wednesdays 4-8 PM through June 5. Room 104 of the Labor Temple (1602 S. Park St.)

Sign up for a shift at the next “MTI Night” by clicking the “Sign up here!”  link below.

There are only three Wednesday shifts left before the June 5 election: 
Sign up here! or e-mail Jeff Knight

This program is also running every weeknight from 5-8 PM.  If you want to volunteer for other nights, contact Greg Neil at 608.556.9521 or e-mail gneil@wisaflcio.com to volunteer for a shift.  You can also just show up and Greg will put you to work.

Register voters on UW Campus
Volunteer to help register and educate eligible voters on UW campus during finals week.

Special Registration Deputy status is helpful but not required.  To volunteer for this activity, please contact Sam Gehler (sgehler@ofawi.com) or
Visit 222 State Street at 5:30 PM Monday, May 14 or Tuesday, May 15.  Open registration ends 5/16.

Other ways to help:

Call Recall Petition Signers
Contact recall petition signers and likely Democratic voters that did not vote in 2010 or are not registered to vote. We will also be checking to see if our supporters are registered to vote for the recall elections.  You can RSVP or stop by anytime during one of the shifts listed below!

This phone program is located at 210 North Bassett Street in downtown Madison.

Weekend Hours (Fridays – Saturdays)
12:00 PM  – 6:00 PM
Sundays – Thursdays
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Get Out the Vote at the Labor Temple
Join up for a good old fashioned ‘boots on the ground’ campaign to reach those who are undecided, apathetic or unaware.

Help with volunteer recruitment and training, canvassing, phone banking and more.  Just show up!

Mondays – Fridays:10 am to 8 pm
Saturdays: 10 am to 6 pm
Sundays: Noon to 6 pm

Madison Labor Temple
 • 1602 S Park St. • Madison
Contact Greg Neil at: gneil@wisaflcio.org, (608) 556-9521.

Canvass for Lori Compas in Watertown!  GTFO (Get The Fitz Out!)!
Anyone willing to help should call: (920)261-0270 or (920)285-4798.
The Field Office is at 408 E. Main St., Watertown
They really need boots on the ground in Watertown, the largest city in the 13th Senate District

Donate
These organizations are working hard to get the message out about the recall and to protect the integrity of your vote!
We Are Wisconsin
United Wisconsin
League of Women Voters

Data Entry for the Relational Voter Program
Hours are 10 AM – 8 PM Monday through Friday at the Labor Temple (We Are Wisconsin Office, 2nd Floor)

Bring a laptop if you can and stop by anytime during the open hours to plug away.  This program helps identify infrequent voters for the RVP program.

Additional opportunities will be made available to help each week.  If you have opportunities you’d like to share with MTI, e-mail me or call 257-0491.

Voter Registration in information
Check your registration status
If you are not registered, you can register, in person, at your municipal clerk’s office up to Friday before Election Day or at the polls.  Detailed information here!
Find your polling location
College Student Voting for the Recall – Where and how to vote if you are a college student

Continue reading »]]> Let’s pull together MTI!  Now it’s all about recalling Scott Walker in 27 days.  Please get involved, talk about the election with your friends, family and neighbors and help get people to the polls! Tom Barrett gives a fired up victory speech:

In related news, congratulations also to Lt. Governor Candidate for the Democratic Party, Mahlon Mitchell and to the four “Real” Democratic challengers in the recall Senate Districts who all easily defeated the “Fake Dems” put up against them by the Republican Party. 

Lori Compas (D) -      SD-13   (Scott Fitzgerald (R))
John Lehman (D) -    SD-21   (Van Waangard- I (R))
Kristen Dexter (D) -  SD-23   (Terry Moulton-I (R))
Donna Seidel (D) -     SD-29   (Vacated by Pam Galloway)

Full results here.

Continue reading »]]> …Could a “Cost-of-living” Increase Equal a Substantial Pay Cut

Chicken Little wasn’t kidding.  While Governor Walker’s Act 10 stripped public employees of the right to bargain over virtually all wages, benefits and working conditions, the remaining “token” item, which unions theoretically had the continuing right to bargain, was the “total base wages”.  Walker’s Act 10, however, limited said increase to no more than the consumer price index (CPI) over the prior 12 months (a higher amount would be subject to referendum).  Now that the Walker-appointed Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) has issued Administrative Rules as to the implementation of Walker’s Act 10 calculation of “base wages”, rather than providing a cost-of-living increase for teachers, it COULD ACTUALLY RESULT IN A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN PAY. The following helps explain this apparently ludicrous rule.

For example, a Madison teacher with a Master’s degree is at Track 4, Level 16 (approximately 12 years of experience) of the current salary schedule is paid $54,985 per year.  Assuming a 3% increase in the CPI, this teacher would need a salary increase to $56,635 to maintain the same standard of living.  However, the new WERC rule defines the “base pay” not as the current salary ($54,985), but the salary this teacher would have received without the pay additive recognizing the achievement of additional educational credits (Walker’s Law would calculate this teacher’s CPI increase pay at Track 1 [BA], Level  16, or $51,497).  The WERC’s defined “Base Pay” for this teacher is $3,488 LESS than the teacher’s current pay.  Applying a 3% CPI increase to the Walker’s Law base of $51,497 yields a salary of only $53,042. Therefore, under the WERC’s new rules, this teacher’s “cost-of-living increase” could actually result in a pay cut of $1,943 per year.  Rather than a 3% increase in pay, Walker’s Law could produce a 3.5% decrease in pay. The greater the educational attainment (e.g. PhD at Track 8), the greater the potential cut.  One publicized example from Monticello School District shows a scenario where a teacher there could take a $14,000 pay cut.

The impact of the WERC Administrative Rule is beyond belief.  Calculations illustrate that using this means to calculate wage increases for Madison’s teachers will actually produce only about 90% of the revenue to fund the wages now on the salary schedule - that’s right!  Chicken Little wasn’t kidding!  This does not necessarily mean that teachers will receive a pay cut after bargaining Walker’s “cost-of-living” increase.  School districts could, and should, continue to provide salary schedules which encourage teachers’ continued education and reward them for same.  Doing so will be to the advantage of each child enrolled in the district.  But, as with all other wages, hours and working conditions under Walker’s Law, such is entirely at the district’s discretion.  Walker’s Law even makes it a violation of law for school districts to negotiate over wages, other than the increase in the CPI.  Should the employer utilize such discretion, salaries would not have to be cut and increases could occur.  But, it’s a fallacy to think that Walker’s Law allows Unions to truly bargain cost-of-living increases for all of their members. While that may be true for employee groups without compensation plans connected to educational credits, such as MTI’s EA, SEE, SSA and USO units, under Walker’s WERC rules, it is certainly not the case for teachers.

JUST ONE MORE REASON TO RECALL WALKER!

Continue reading »]]> MTI’s Political Action Committee, MTI VOTERS, interviewed candidates on April 18 for Governor, Lt. Governor and Senate District 13.  MTI Bylaws mandate that the members who participate in the Union’s political action program determine which candidates MTI will endorse, after receiving the Committee’s recommendation.

To expedite the balloting process, given the rapidly approaching Recall Election, balloting will be administered electronically.  All eligible voters in each of MTI’s bargaining units, for whom we have a personal (non-MMSD) email address, will receive an email link to the ballot (this link is similar to the MTI Member Engagement Survey link).

Click here to complete the survey (ONLY for those MTI Voters who did not receive the survey from MTI via their personal email address).

Click here for candidates’ responses to MTI’s questionnaire.

Balloting Deadline – Monday, April 30, 5:00 p.m.

Continue reading »]]> DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT.

That is one message that should be evident with all that has happened in the last year.  A functioning democracy requires an informed and engaged citizenry. Such is as true with union democracy as it is in a political democracy. MTI is a union of 4,700 members in five bargaining units, each with Bylaws enabling democratic governance to ensure the union reflects the will of its members. Each MTI unit elects its leadership – every member has a vote and is free to seek office.

Also, Collective Bargaining Agreements are subject to member ratification, with every member having a vote. Similarly, the MTI Budget is enacted only after approval by the MTI Finance Committee and by approval by the MTI Joint Fiscal Group, which is comprised of representatives, proportionate to the membership of each of the five bargaining units. But, just like the right of suffrage cannot ensure voter participation, neither can union Bylaws ensure member participation in the union. Only you can.

YOU ARE THE UNION.

In the coming months, your union will be engaging in a number of initiatives to further engage individuals in discussion about your union, what we have achieved together, what is at risk, and where we can go from the terrible situation created by Governor Walker’s Act 10. This Membership Engagement Survey is the first step. Please take ten minutes to complete this on-line survey and share your thoughts.

Make your voice heard! Take the MTI Member Engagement Survey by FRIDAY, APRIL 27.

Continue reading »]]> The League of Women Voters is seeking 200 election observers to monitor polling places on June 5 in what is expected to be a contentious and high-turnout election. The League will provide nonpartisan online training and a packet of materials. You don’t have to be a League member to participate!  Volunteers from past election report that this is an interesting and rewarding experience.  Sign up using this simple online form.

Continue reading »]]> Be a part of the excitement on Badger Football game day!  The University of Wisconsin – Madison, Food & Beverage Services is currently seeking individuals to assist with serving our premium clientele during home football games.   Duties include working with new and existing staff members, set up before and clean up after the game along with service throughout to create a game day experience that exceeds the expectations of our guests.  Candidates should to be available for all home football games!  Prior serving experience is a plus but not required.  Successful candidates will possess an attention to detail, be team oriented and focused on customer service.  The University of Wisconsin – Madison offers an excellent starting wage.

Please direct questions to Tim Taggart at trt@athletics.wisc.edu.  Applications can be found at the link below:

Food and Beverage Application

Thank you,

UW Athletic Food & Beverage Services

Continue reading »]]>  ***Important Reminder***

The District has issued individual teacher contracts for the 2012-13 school year.  MTI strongly recommends that teachers return their signed contracts, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, to the District Office of Human Resources in person to assure that it is received on time.  Take your copy with you and ask that it be stamped “received”. Failure to return a signed contract by April 16 may result in the District accepting such as one’s resignation.

Continue reading »]]> Welcome back from Spring Break and congratulations on a hard fought round of elections on April 3rd.  Congratulations to both Arlene Silveira and Michal Flores for running spirited school board campaigns.

Thanks to all the MTI members who voted, donated their time and energy and kept the public informed about what’s at stake in these elections.  Arlene Silveira will remain on the board to continue fighting for our kids and for District employees to have a voice at the table.  Although MTI Endorsed candidate Michael Flores did not prevail, we learned that he’s a true fighter for education and will continue to remain active in the School community.

The other races for several judicial seats and Dane County Supervisor seats in Dane County were very successful in promoting progressive candidates, by reversing some seats long held by more conservative candidates and holding progressive seats to achieve a super majority for progressive candidates on the Dane County Board.  Congratulations MTI and Dane County!

Full vote tallies available at this link:  2012 Spring Election Results – Dane County

More about the Dane County Board Results

Up next, the Recall of Governor Scott Walker and the taking of the State Senate on June 5, 2012!