Unions


Standing With Healthcare Professionals

After three calendar years on the frontlines of the pandemic and over 8 months of bargaining in good faith with Aspirus Health, healthcare workers are joining together with their neighbors to demand a fair contract from Aspirus, who received millions in federal relief money while the frontlines remain in a staffing crisis. Together, we can win better wages and working conditions and create a better environment for our patients! A fair contract can keep nurses at the bedside where patients need them, but unfortunately, Aspirus refuses to listen. On Monday, June 27 we ...

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Union Busting is Disgusting

Union busting is not only disgusting, but also illegal. You have the right to organize in your workplace. Today several of us from the Marathon County Central Labor Council found ourselves at Starbucks in Plover. What brought us there was the illegal dismissal of a 21-year-old employee, Kolton. The reason for his termination was that he’d broken company rules by being in the back of the store while he was off the clock and being present in April after the store closed when he was off the clock. Kolton admits to this but also states the store policies are selecti...

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Workers’ Memorial Day

Workers Memorial Day April 28 Mourn for the Dead and Fight for the Living On April 28, Unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to organize the fight for safer workplaces. We all come together to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness, and death. We stand United to strengthen workers’ rights and protections, and demand resources and actions needed for job safety enforcement. We fight for the fundamental right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is ...

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Unions Brought You Holidays

“Unions, the folks that brought you the weekend” Bumper sticker "Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost." President Ronald Reagan “Every advance in this half-century--Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education, one after another--came with the support and leadership of American Labor.” President Jimmy Carter Holidays exist because of labor unions. Like weekends, paid vacations, and retirement programs they exist because of union negotiated work agreements with employers. These agreements set ...

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BUY WISCONSIN PRODUCTS

BUY WISCONSIN PRODUCTS by Wisconsin AFL-CIO The As the holiday shopping season ramps up, remember to use your purchasing power to support good, local jobs by prioritizing union-made, Wisconsin-made and American-made gifts for friends and family. Together, we can harness the power of working families to support Wisconsiln workers and create a virtuous cycle of upward growth to boost local economies and support good jobs across the state. In Wisconsin, we make an array of great union-made gifts for every budget – from warm socks to top-notch pots and pans, ...

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UNION PLAYS CRITICAL ROLE IN FAMILY’S LIFE

As a Latino growing up in Shorewood, Wisconsin, I’ve seen unions play a critical role in the life of my family and community. As a result of inflammatory words spoken against Mexicans and those of Muslim faith in the recent presidential campaign, many immigrants face the future in fear. Unions have helped by continuing to support them in their union jobs and even, in some cases, reaching out to them to offer advice and other assistance. My father is an immigrant who came to this country from Guatemala, a nation where people have been jailed or even killed for union ...

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JOIN THE PARADE AND CELEBRATE LABOR DAY

On Labor Day, we recognize and honor the achievements of all of America’s working people. As we enjoy the fellowship of our loved ones at a barbecue, parade or other community event, it also is important to reflect on the best ways working people can come together to build an economy that works for all of us. This Labor Day, we stand together for the freedom to collectively bargain together with your coworkers as a team for a better life. Celebrate with your union brothers and sisters and community members around the state as we honor all who labor. On Labor Day, ...

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Economic Justice and the Wisconsin Uprising

Since the uprising in February 2011, Wisconsin’s legislature has implemented a raft of legislation that denies basic rights for all working people, not just unions. The agenda advances corporate power over the interests of average families, including corporate takeover of public resources such as education. The real occupy movement today is found in state houses across this great land where big money interests aided by faux journalistic outfits, think tanks, and lurid amounts of campaign funding run roughshod over the rights of working men and women. Ultimately, many ...

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STOP THE PENSION THEFT


WHAT UNIONS HAVE DONE FOR ALL WORKERS

WHAT UNIONS HAVE DONE FOR ALL WORKERS By John Spiegelhoff (Editor’s Note: John lost his life in a motorcycle accident in southwestern Minnesota. John was the Staff Representative for AFSCME Council 65. He also was the county chairman for Nobles County DFL. We re-print this article to remember John and to thank him for his dedicated work.) Most of us who reside in Minnesota are pretty humble people.  We do not like to brag or boast.  When we take care of each other and do good things for one another, we do not make a big deal of it.  It is just part of who we ...

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