Economics
Unions: The Real Homeland Security
Americans are obsessed with national security. Over half of the national budget is spent on defense. The Department of Homeland Security has brought us the biggest bureaucracy in the history of human kind. But for most of us real security is a job with a future, a family supporting wage, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, and a secure retirement.
Family supporting jobs are on the decline. Average workers are being paid less when adjusted for inflation. Homelessness is on the rise. Workers in their 20's are especially insecure with high costs of schooling, ...
Political Candidates and Middle Wisconsin Members Supporting the Fast Food Workers Strike
From left to right: Paul DeMain - State Senate Candidate 29th District, Joyce Luedke - MW Member, Randy Radtke - President of Marathon County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Nancy Stencil - State Candidate 86th Assembly, Dave Svetlik - MW Member, Dorothy Miller - Chairwoman Marathon County Democratic Party, Rita Pachal - MW Member and Head of Wausau area Move to Amend, Kelly Westlund - US Assembly candidate Wisconsin 7th Congressional District.
A Wealthy Capitalist on Why Money Doesn’t Trickle Down
Nick Hanauer, venture capitalist and self-described "plutocrat," says a healthy economy and an effective democracy depend on a thriving middle class of workers.
The fundamental law of capitalism is: When workers have more money, businesses have more customers. Which makes middle-class consumers—not rich businesspeople—the true job creators. A thriving middle class isn’t a consequence of growth—which is what the trickle-down advocates would tell you. A thriving middle class is the source of growth and prosperity in capitalist economies.
Our economy has ...
The Senate Just Voted to Keep Big Money in Politics. Three Reasons to Celebrate Anyway
The fact that the issue reached the Senate floor is a huge victory for the American people, who overwhelmingly say they want something done about corporate influence in elections.
It was no surprise that the Senate’s proposed “Democracy for All” amendment to the constitution did not pass Thursday. It takes 67 votes to pass an amendment in the Senate. So Thursday’s vote of 54 in favor and 42 against spelled defeat.
Senators who voted against the amendment will need to explain their actions to their constituents.
But the vote represents a giant leap on the ...
Republican Mayor Opens Public Gas Station
Gas stations aren’t great for the climate, but the move is a step toward local control over economic decisions—a model that holds great potential for developing renewable energy in the long term.
Earlier this month, the small city of Somerset, Kentucky, drew national attention when it opened a municipally owned and operated fuel center in an effort to drive down gas prices for local residents. As a result of its proximity to Lake Cumberland, a popular tourist destination, the city of 11,000 residents has long struggled with high fuel prices—especially during the ...
Supporting Public and Private Sector Workers
Wisconsin communities benefit from the crucial work done by Wisconsin's public employees and private sector employees. Our neighbors, families, and friends work together to build thriving, caring communities.
One of my grandsons lists public school personnel as his friends: the ladies in the lunch room, the playground supervisors, and the school secretary. He knows these people care about him.
Public school teachers work more than 50 hours a week teaching and preparing lessons to meet the diverse needs of our children while maintaining high quality public schools. ...
Dean Einerson’s Speech to Wisconsin Jobs Now Workers Before the Strike
Wausau, WI Labor Temple
September 4, 2014
It is really good to be here in Wausau again. It is good to be here because it is always good to be around brave people. It is good to be here because the brave workers in Wausau are showing the rest of the North Woods what all of us need to do to get ahead. It is good to be here because there are workers in 130 cities and 35 countries on strike today for $15 and a union and that is very, very good.
In the fall of 2012 there were a couple of hundred workers on strike. Last May there were strikes in over 100 cities, over 20 ...
Randy Radtke’s Speech to Wisconsin Jobs Now Workers Following the Strike
Wausau WI Labor Temple
September 4, 2014
Let's give a round of applause for the workers going out on strike today, they are the real heroes. It shows that if we unite together, change will happen. There are many cities that have raised the minimum wage already because of this movement. Our own Jessy West recently won a judgment against Lee’s Famous Recipe as a result of the Wausau Fast Food Workers Strike back in May.
Governor Scott Walker keeps talking about how anyone who needs a job can get a job. The problem with this is that workers often hold three – and ...
Why I Am A Retired Union Member
Unions serve a number of useful purposes for working people. They give workers a voice in the workplace. They provide protection from arbitrary treatment by an employer with workplace rules and grievance procedures. They negotiate better pay and benefits.
But a retired worker no longer has an employer. So why would a retired person join a retiree union? There are many reasons why I joined my retiree local.
Unions give you a collective voice even in retirement. That voice can continue to protect your economic interests. Through lobbying, policy research, and political ...
Mary Burke Speaks at Wausau Women’s Network
Mary Burke spoke at a meet-and-greet with the Wausau Women’s Network on Thursday, September 4, at the home of Dr. Bart and Lila Hobson. Donna Seidel asked Burke several pointed questions regarding the gubernatorial candidate’s standpoint on such areas as job creation, education, women’s rights, healthcare reform, and more.
While she addressed each of Donna's questions in detail, Burke also stressed that the platform she’s running on is built on 3 overarching themes:
Putting the needs of the PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN over the needs of SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS...
