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Working America, community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, is a powerful force for working people. We combine the strength of 10 million union men and women and millions of workers without the benefit of a workplace union who share common challenges and goals to fight in communities, states and nationally for what really matters--good jobs, affordable health care, world-class education, secure retirements, real homeland security and more.
We work against wrong-headed priorities favoring the rich and corporate special interests over America's well-being.
Working America uses professional research, communication, education, canvassing, lobbying and community organizing to demand that politicians address the priorities that matter most to working people--not just wealthy special interests. Make a difference for your community, for America and for your working family.
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Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2012 State Summit this week -- we hope you found the panels helpful. We look forward to an exciting 2012 and welcome any suggestions you might have to make the next State Summit even better!
Summit is Almost Here!
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UPDATED: Right-to-work fight in Indiana hits a roadblock
The fight over right-to-work legislation in Indiana has become increasingly complicated for unions and other supporters of labor as their attempts to protest the passing of this legislation is now more difficult in light of new capacity restrictions in the Statehouse. “The fire marshal determined the Statehouse could safely hold 3,000 people at one time. With about 1,700 state employees and lawmakers in the building every day, that leaves room for up to 1,300 more people,” according to the Indiana Economic Digest.
On top of those limitations, special groups are being allowed access to the Statehouse through e-mailed waivers, further limiting the amount of people allowed to have their voices heard while speaking up against the right-to-work legislation. A prayer group was granted special access to the Statehouse through an e-mail that instructs members of the group to avoid the crowds of protesters by coming in through a side entrance and showing security guards a print-out of the email. By actions such as this, the state now can pick and choose who to allow into a building that is supposed to be for the citizens of Indiana.
**UPDATE** On Wednesday, Governor Mitch Daniels rescinded the crowd limit for the Statehouse that critics say was aimed at protesters. Daniels said "Democrats and media coverage of the change influenced the decision to change the policy back." The Governor also said he is dedicated to keeping the crowd at safe levels, but is not looking to limit public access.
A Great Day in New Hampshire
Labor and progressive partners scored a huge victory in New Hampshire today, as the state House voted to uphold Governor Lynch's veto of the Right to Work bill. America Votes congratulates Labor, who worked so hard for months on this bill - and we thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped in this important effort.
The AV office in Concord became an impromptu campaign headquarters this morning, as volunteers streamed in once they got word that today might be the day the Speaker would call for a vote. More than 200 volunteers arrived at 7:00 am from labor unions and community allies. Volunteers created a strong, positive presence for legislators that are standing with us - lining the hallways, packing the gallery, greeting and thanking the Reps.
There was a whip team assigned to and track legislators to make sure they were there and in their seats. There was a boiler room used to run data for the whip team so we know where all of our legislators were and that the full whip team had all the info they needed. And there was a lobby team which was a group of lobbyist that have been working with the Reps since the beginning who were there for support if they are approached by the speaker and to answer questions.
Obviously, the fight continues, as Republicans in New Hampshire have vowed to bring the issue up again next year. But, for today at least, we congratulate you all and the folks in New Hampshire for a big win.
New Hampshire State Director Josiette White manning the First Aid station during today's day of action.
Voting to Repeal SB5 Begins in Ohio
Voting in Ohio began on October 4th, but this was the first weekend that voters were able to cast their vote in Issue 2; voting down Issue 2 would mean the repeal of SB5, a bill that severely limits collective bargaining rights for public employees in Ohio. To this point, Ohians are voting at a much higher than normal rate for an off-year election.
From the Columbus Dispatch story:
"With more than two weeks to Election Day, 65,046 Franklin County voters have requested absentee
ballots, and 2,057 have voted early in person, according to the board.
Those numbers already surpass early voting in the last two off-year elections. In 2009, more
than 47,000 people voted early, either in person or by absentee ballot, and nearly 29,000 did in
2007.
In last year’s gubernatorial election, nearly 170,000 voted early.
“This is more like a gubernatorial election,” said William A. Anthony Jr. director of the Board
of Elections
“It’s clearly the issues. They’ve created a lot of excitement.”
Anthony said many Downtown workers have come to vote during their lunch hours. On Friday, 192
voted, slightly more than the same day in last year’s gubernatorial election and more than three
times as many as in the last off-year election in 2009.
“I tell people if they want to avoid lines, vote early,” Anthony said."
SB5 Heats Up In Ohio
Today, We Are Ohio announced the campaign will begin airing its first television advertisement today in major media markets and cable all across Ohio. The announcement was made in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown, Dayton and Marietta by local first responders who will vote NO on Issue 2 to reject Senate Bill 5, the unfair and unsafe bill that will hurt their local communities.
Watch the add below:
Also, check out this great video from We Are Ohio of their parade from the the day they delivered the signatures to repeal SB5:
Success in the process to repeal Ohio's SB 5
Yesterday, opponents of Ohio Governor John Kasich’s anti-union bill, SB 5, that was signed into law this past march, achieved another victory in their attempts to repeal the law on the November ballot. This victory came by way of the state Ballot Board voting for a clear “yes” to support the law, and “no” to vote against it verbiage for the ballot this November.
Supporters of the law were trying to make the repeal efforts more confusing by submitting wording that would mean a “yes” vote translated into voting for the repeal of the law. It has been proven that voters who are skeptical or confused by an issue tend to vote no, therefore supporting the opponents of the law. With 13.7% of the population of Ohio as union members, higher than the U.S. average rate of 11.9%, this law is clearly an important issue to the people, and this new ballot wording will help their efforts to repeal it come November.
Digging a little deeper into Labor Day
With the summer starting to wind down, that final weekend of parades and picnics celebrating Labor Day is around the corner. NPR posted an interesting interview with Jeff Cowie, an Associate Professor of Labor History at Cornell University, in which he discusses the history of the labor movement and what changes it has seen since the first time Labor Day was celebrated in 1882. Listen to the interview and view the transcript here.
Florida Educators fight back against Scott
It’s shaping up to be the week of class action lawsuits, as the Florida Education Association has followed the women of Wal-Mart’s lead in filing a suit against Governor Rick Scott for now requiring 3% of public workers income to go into retirement funds. The FEA is arguing that Scott’s new law is unlawful and unconstitutional as it disregards the conditions that people who signed up to work for the state government agreed on when it came to their retirement funds. Mandatory contributions from public employees’ salaries have not been a requirement in Florida, but are now being seen as necessary to compensate for budget shortfalls.
There are currently two other lawsuits on the table for Scott in regard to his controversial election reforms and the executive order to randomly drug test state employees. This class action suit will not likely be the last that Governor Scott will have to deal with in the wake of the current reforms and cuts he's making. Read more here.
Women fighting Wal-Mart shut down by Supreme Court
Yesterday the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco dismissing a case of sex-discrimination against women workers at Wal-Mart. The case Wal-Mart vs. Dukes was a class action suit seeking to battle discriminatory pay and a flawed promotion policy that promoted men before women despite performance evaluations.
The Supreme Court decision on this case was a huge victory for big businesses like Wal-Mart but it was also a "devastating defeat" for people fighting for equality in the workplace. Justice Antonin Scalia, leading the majority opinion in a 5-4 vote, said that there was not enough convincing proof of "companywide discriminatory pay and promotion policy" and that there were just too many women holding jobs at Wal-Mart to wrap it all into one lawsuit. The examples of segregating departments, for instance, with women working in the baby departments and men working with the electronics and pay disparity between those departments and low management promotion rates among women in spite of performance was apparently not enough support for the case against Wal-Mart.
Further analysis of the majority opinion leads to the precedent being set that discrimination will only be prosecuted if it appears in tangible policy or bylaws. Large companies will no longer have to worry about being held accountable for discrimination in the workplace, as this decision is "stripping away important legal protections, the Supreme Court has sent a loud-and-clear message to the American people: you're out of luck and on your own," according to American Association for Justice President Gibson Vance.
Wisconsin Supreme Court signs off on Walker's Collective Bargaining Law
Despite numerous protests and 14 Democratic senators leaving the state for three weeks, the Wisconsin Supreme Court signed off on Gov. Scott Walker's law that eliminates collective bargaining rights for public employees. The law will now take effect on June 29, leaving public employees without any rights to collective bargaining.
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat, sued to block the law from taking effect on the ground that the open meeting policy was not observed and the meeting in which the law was passed was not announced 24 hours in advance. A Circuit Court judge, Maryann Sumi, agreed and passed a permanent injunction on the law on May 27th, preventing it from taking effect. The Supreme Court decided that her action "usurped the legislative power which the Wisconsin Constitution grants exclusively to the legislature." Now it is only a matter of a few weeks and waiting for the ruling to be reviewed before public workers start to feel the effect of these restrictions on collective bargaining.
Unionized mines make for safer work environments
A recently released study has determined that in unionized mines there are 18-33% less traumatic injuries annually. This study was performed in the wake of the largest mine explosion in four decades that killed 29 men at a non-unionized mine last year.
Unionization allows for further attention from labor safety councils to mines and it also protects the workers' rights to voice their opinions when they feel there are problems or safety issues that need to be addressed. Overall, the number of injuries in mines annually is on the decline, but further unionization would help perpetuate this trend and continue to provide safer working conditions. Read more here.
Stand Up For Workers; Union Plus Will Donate On Your Behalf!
Union Plus has issued a challenge to the supporters of labor. They will give $25 for every new Facebook fan and $25 for every Tweet using the #UnionPlus hashtag up to $100,000 to help America Votes fight back against the recent attacks on the labor movement.
Please help us spread the word! There are a few different ways to help:
1. Promote this challenge on your Facebook page! Ask fans to join the Union Plus Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UnionPlus: For every new Facebook fan, Union Plus will donate $25 to the fund.
2. Tweet using the hashtag: #UnionPlus and include @UnionPlus - Union Plus will donate $25 for every new tweet with this hashtag.eg. "Stand UP for Workers: @UnionPlus just donated $25 to the State Battles Fund on my behalf just by tweeting this hashtag: #UnionPlus |#1u"
Union Plus supports the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain for fair wages, a safe work environment, and to have a strong voice in the workplace - and we're proud to back up our stance with a $100,000 donation to the America Votes State Battles Fund. The money will go toward opposing state legislation, ballot measures, and executive orders that attack the labor movement.
Please help us make this a success by kindly spreading this message to your supporters, family and friends on Facebook and Twitter!
ALERT: NH "Right to Work For Less" Up for Full State Senate Vote on April 20th
As expected, NH HB 474 - Right to Work for Less - passed the Senate committee on a party line vote (4 to 1). We expect the full senate will vote on Wed April 20th. We need your help to continue to oppose this extreme anti-worker agenda.
Continue reading to see how you can help in New Hampshire!
Here's how you can help:
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR: The senators are telling us that they need to hear from us! Take a minute between now and Tuesday to call and email your senator. You can find your senator's contact information here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp.
Key Message points:
• Include your name and address
• Ask the senator to vote NO on HB 474
• Tell them what type of work you do
• Include any of the following:
- Right to Work for Less is opposed by employers across the state. This isn't something employers are asking for and it isn't something employers want.
- Right to Work for Less doesn't create jobs - it isn't about rights and it's not about work.
- States with similar Right to Work for Less laws have higher rates of poverty, higher rates of unemployment and lower wages.
- Right to Work for Less is being pushed by out-of-state special interests. Right to Work for Less isn't right for New Hampshire
If you need help with your message, please contact us at protectnhfamilies@gmail.com.
JOIN A CANVASS: We are canvassing this weekend! We'll be out talking to voters about what is happening at the state house and asking them to contact their senator. These canvasses have been going great so far with a positive response from voters. Help us keep the momentum going!
Weekend Details
NASHUA: Join us on Saturday April 16th from 10 to 2pm or Sunday April 17th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. We'll meet at the AFT hall at 7c Taggart Drive in Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
CLAREMONT: Join us on Saturday April 16th from 10 to 2 pm. We'll meet at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 120 Broad Street in Claremont. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
JOIN A PHONEBANK: Phone banks are up every day this week. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
STATUS OF THE NH BILLS
HB 474 - Right to Work for Less legislation - passed out of the senate committee on a party line vote 4 to 1. The Senate committee stripped the damaging amendment added in the house. The full senate is expected to vote on a traditional Right to Work for Less bill on Wed. View the bill status report here.
HB 2 - part 2 of the state budget bill - was amended in committee to eliminate the right to collective bargaining. This budget bill as currently written is devastating for New Hampshire families, communities and tax payers and includes an underhanded assault on New Hampshire workers. The full house passed the budget (HB 1 and HB 2) Follow HB 1 here and HB 2 here. You can view a comparison of the Governor's budget and the house budget here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 16th Nashua Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 10:00 - 2:00 and we'll meet at the AFT Hall at 7 C Taggart Drive, Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
APRIL 16th Claremont Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 10:00 - 2:00 and we'll meet at the Trinity Episcopal Church 120 Broad St Claremont. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
APRIL 17th Nashua Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 12:00 - 4:00 and we'll meet at the AFT Hall at 7 C Taggart Drive, Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
ON GOING: You can join the interfaith voices for a humane budget at the state house. Regular vigils are taking place at the State House. Learn more here.
SAVE THE DATE: The full senate is expected to vote on HB 474 on Wednesday April 20th. More details coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE: The full senate is expected to hold a hearing on the budget on April 21st. More details coming soon.
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Letters to the Editor: We are working to inform voters and influence legislators with letters to the editor. We need your help to get the word out! Contact kehrenberg@aflcio.org for more information, templates or to let us know you sent a letter.
Contact the Senate: We need your help letting the NH Senate know that HB 474 is bad policy and bad for New Hampshire. Please ask your members and supporters to contact their senators and ask them to stand up for the middle class and oppose HB 474. Then let us know how they respond! If you need an action alert template or more information, please contact us at protectnhfamilies@gmail.com
BUILDING THE CAMPAIGN
We need your help bringing more allies to the table! We are looking to engage small business and employers, community organizations, and religious organizations across the state. You can help by talking to the businesses and organizations in your area. Materials to help you get the conversation started are attached. Please contact Josiette with any questions or suggestions to help us build the campaign at 603-545-4772 or jwhite@americavotes.org.
We are also looking to take the message out to your organizations. Schedule a presentation or request presentation materials by contacting Josiette at jwhite@americavotes.org or call 603-545-4772.
SPOTLIGHT ON RECENT NEWS AND LETTERS
Over 11,000 people have joined the campaign to Protect New Hampshire Families! Sign-on today and invite your neighbors, families and friends! Sign-up today by joining our Protect New Hampshire Families facebook page!
As always, you can donate to the fight across all of the states here.
Joan Fitz-Gerald Speaks at State Battles Fund Event
Yesterday, working men and women across the country came together in solidarity with those fightings for their rights in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire and Indiana. Last night, progressives gathered for a State Battles event in Washington, D.C. to raise money to help fight the injustices taking place in these states and others. Below are some pictures of America Votes President Joan Fitz-Gerald speaking at the event. Thank you for all who helped make the event a success. For more information on the State Battles Fund, visit our State Battles 2011 page here.
"We Are One" Day of Solidarity
America Votes and its partners across the country will take part in a number of events today and continuing throughout the week to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s trip to Memphis, Tennessee, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life. The workers were trying to form a union with AFSCME. On that trip, Dr. King was assassinated. The pictures below are from today's rally in Washington, D.C.:
America Votes-CO Canvass 10/23
America Votes-CO volunteers joined with our partners to send hundreds out to knock on doors for progressive candidates.
America Votes President Joan Fitz-Gerald joined AV-CO staff and volunteers for a great day of door knocking!
Volunteers met at six staging locations in Denver and Fort Collins for breakfast and training then hit the doors, talking to Coloradoans about the importance of getting out the vote!
Early Vote opened in Colorado on October 18, so voters can cast their ballot now! For more information on where and when to vote in Colorado, visit the website for the CO Secretary of State.
We'd like to thank the partners who helped make this day possible: AFL-CIO, Clean Water Action, Colorado Progressive Action, Environment Colorado, NARAL, New Era Colorado, Justice for All, Planned Parenthood, Progressive Future, Rocky Mountain Voter Outreach, and Working America.
AV Partners Sprinting to the Finish
We're only two weeks away from Election Day, and campaigns across the country are in their final sprint to the finish. Not only are candidates making their final pitches to voters, but so are many of our partners.
We've talked about how the path to victory for Democrats is through a strong ground game
this year, and unions are coming through. Kevin Bogardus at The Hill
is reporting that labor unions are making their final campaign pushes to get out the vote on November 2nd, if not before then. The SEIU has spent $200,000 in the last week on billboards, direct mail, and radio ads, upping their spending total to $1.3 million since mid-September. The spending was in support of several house candidates including Reps. John Boccieri, Mark Schauer, Betty Sutton, and Dina Titus.
"This election is a clear choice," said Teddy Davis, a SEIU spokesman. "One side wants to strengthen the middle class and put people back to work. The other side wants to turn Social Security over to Wall Street, end Medicare as we know it and abolish the minimum wage."
Bogardus also reports that AFSCME has spent $5.2 million in support of Democrats thus far. They've supported not only Boccieri, Schauer, and Titus, by Reps. Kathy Dahlkemper and Steve Kagen as well. The American Federation of Teachers has spent over $430,000 on canvassing for Democrats in New Hampshire, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile the AFL-CIO and Working America have spent over half a million dollars on canvassing and report that over 5,000 canvassers have knocked on over 100,000 doors, distributed 17.5 million fliers and sent 14.5 millions pieces of direct mail.
What are the results of this late push? We won't know for sure until Election Day, but early polling seems promising. AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman told the Wall Street Journal that in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak has increased his lead among union members from 45-39% on Labor Day to a current 55-29% edge. This comes on the heels of a PPP poll released this week that shows Sestak leading Pat Toomey 46-45%.
Finally, Darren Goode reports for The Hill that the League of Conservation purchased $250,000 in ad buys supporting House members who voted for the contentious "cap-and-trade" climate bill last year. Goode reports that the LCV's recent ad buys push its independent expenditures up to $3 million for the cycle, nearly eclipsing the $3.3 million it spent during the 2008 election. This cycle, the LCV has been especially supportive of several candidates including, Schauer, Boccieri, Titus, and Sen. Michael Bennet. Furthermore, the LCV partnered with Vote Vets to make a $250,000 ad buy in support of Sestak's Senate bid.