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(ISSN 0023-6667)
Congress finally extends jobless benefits
WASHINGTON (PAI)-- cuts for the wealthy totaling McCain advisor, Mark Zandi.
After months of stalling caused over $500 billion.” “This is money that pays
by Senate Republican filibus- Oberstar said extending mortgages, buys groceries and
tering, Congress finally extend- unemployment benefits is not puts gas in the car so people
ed jobless benefits for the long- only good for the unemployed; can continue to look for work,”
term unemployed. Democratic it is also one of the best and said Oberstar. “If we can spend
President Barack Obama fastest ways to stimulate the $12 billion a month to fight the
signed the bill July 22. economy according to analysis wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
The Senate approved the from the nonpartisan Congres- we can certainly spend a frac-
An Injury to One is an Injury to All! bill 59-39, overcoming the sional Budget Office. Unem- tion of that to help our own cit-
WEDNESDAY VOL. 116 GOP roadblock. Senators ployment benefits were respon- izens in the U.S.”
Olympia Snowe and Susan sible for creating more than 1 AFL-CIO President
AUGUST 4, 2010 NO. 4 Collins, both Maine Repub- million jobs since the recession Richard Trumka said lawmak-
licans, broke ranks and voted started, and adding almost 2 ers finally are aiding the long-
for it, joining 55 Democrats percent to the gross domestic term unemployed -- and added
and the two independents. product according to the the solons didn’t do enough.
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Economic Policy Institute. In Obama put the number of job-
and the other 38 Republicans fact, every dollar in unemploy- less at 2.5 million. He urged
voted “no.” Sens. Evan Bayh, ment benefits creates $1.61 in passage of aid to states and to
D-Ind., and David Vitter, R- economic activity according to small businesses, too.
La., did not vote. Economist and former John See Jobless benefits..page 2
The House tally was 272-
152 to help those who have not
used up 99 weeks of benefits.
Your vote counts even more
The new payments will be in a low turnout Primary
retroactive to late May. Brothers and Sisters in the Labor Movement,
“It has been frustrating to
watch Republicans block a As we get closer to the Primary Election on Tuesday, August
benefit that helps working fam- 10, the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body along with the
ilies who are out of work North East Area Labor Council wants you all to take a moment
through no fault of their own,” and think about how important this election, even though it’s
said Congressman Jim “just” a Primary, is for the working people of this region.
Oberstar (D-MN 8). “I am We as a working labor community, have always looked at all
greatly disappointed that con- the candidates and screened most, asking the important ques-
gressional Republicans were tions pertaining to our working family issues. This election sea-
willing to turn their backs on son is no different than past elections in that regard. We support
working families because of candidates who listen to our concerns and support our issues,
Danielle Rodgers and Michele Jackman, both RNs at St. the cost of the legislation, and whether they be in the building trades, public sector, service
Luke’s, lead the way as their Minnesota Nurses Association yet, these same elected officials industry, or, as we’ve seen lately, those affecting the Minnesota
started an informational picket at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. have been advocating for tax Nurses Association. In the NEALC we have about 100 local
unions and 40,000 union members. That covers a lot of ground
MNA pickets St. Luke’s over contract talks for political candidates to try to understand. Endorsements are
hard to come by for them – requiring a two-thirds majority.
with strike vote looming for August 18 For the most part, we have been very successful electing can-
didates who hear our voices and concerns because they have
Off duty members of the Earlier this spring Metro • temporary unit closure to either walked in our shoes or walked alongside of us.
Minnesota Nurses Association MNA contracts with 14 hospi- new admissions without Being that the Primary has been moved up a month to
from northern Minnesota and tals had expired and RNs went increased staffing: Tuesday, August 10th, we want to convey an urgency that is so
the Twin Cities put up informa- on an historic strike down • staffing grid reviews based important to our labor movement…we cannot just let you, your
tional pickets at St. Luke’s there. They eventually secured on patient census with media- sister, brother, cousin, or co-worker, take care of the voting. We
Hospital yesterday in frustra- a contract, which usually tion or arbitration if the two all need to vote in this early Primary Election to let our opposi-
tion over contract talks. impacts talks in the rest of the sides can’t agree: tion know that we can not be taken lightly. Votes are hard to
A similar picket was con- state. That hasn’t happened in • the right to say “no” to an come by in the low turnout of any Primary and so each vote car-
ducted at St. Mary’s Duluth Duluth and so informational unsafe assignment. rys even more weight than usual.
Clinic on July 12. pickets have gone up. A strike Duluth MNA contracts do Let’s be honest, summer in our region is short. A lot of us will
Contracts for Registered vote is planned. not have that contract lan- be thinking of enjoying it with family outings, vacations, or other
Nurses expired at both health “If we are unable to reach guage. summer activities that grab our attention because our season is
systems on July 1. Bargaining an agreement on our contract, Talks have not been able to so short. Yes, voter turnout will be light. We can change that if
began May 6th here and has which includes safe staffing, proceed to the point of talking we all take this Primary in a serious way by getting out and vot-
been ongoing but is producing we will be voting August 18th economics because of the ing. If you are not going to be around on Tuesday August 10th,
few positive results as far as the to ratify or reject contracts or impasse over staffing language please consider voting by absentee ballot, the information is in
MNA is concerned. authorize a one day strike for said Pechek. this Labor World again (see page 7).
SMDC and SLH from 6:30 You can access information The candidates endorsed by the North East Area Labor
a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” said Marie at www.mnnurses.org/Duluth. Council, which includes the Duluth Central Labor Body, the Iron
Pechek, an MNA Labor Range Labor Assembly, and the Carlton Central Labor Body are
Relations Specialist in charge also listed in this edition. Some names you expect to see there
of the SLH (St. Luke’s) con- may not be because they don’t have a Primary Election and so
tract. may not have been screened as of yet.
“We have really appreciated I am asking you and all of our other 40,000 sisters and broth-
the support we have received ers to please make an effort to get to the polls on Tuesday,
from our union sisters and August 10th. Every one of your votes counts, as we have seen
brothers and the community,” in Senator Al Franken’s recent election. Strength in numbers
Pechek said. means even a bigger voice. We can and are making a difference!
Safe staffing levels have See you at the polls.
been at the heart of all MNA
In Solidarity,
contract talks. Metro RNs were PLEASE VOTE
able to protect and keep their Dan O’Neill, President
staffing language including: TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body
Labor Day Picnic outlook optimistic because of sponsors Jobless extended
...from page 1
The Duluth AFL-CIO Cen- Labor Day Picnic is made pos- IBEW #366 United Way of Greater Duluth
tral Labor Body’s Labor Day sible by the following organi- Falsani, Balmer, Peterson, University Education Assn “Millions of Americans will
Picnic will be held Monday, zations that have already made Quinn & Beyer WLSSD have the means to feed their
September 6 from Noon – 4:00 donations: Firefighters #101 Workers United #99 families and pay some bills
p.m. at Bayfront Festival Park. AFSCME #66 Dennis Hallberg If you don’t see your union, while they seek work,” Trumka
Bring the family and enjoy free AFSCME #3558 Eleanor Heaney business, or organization’s said. “We still need our leaders
parking, free food/refresh- AFSCME #3801 Holiday Inn name on this sponsor list, there to do more, not less, to create
ments, and entertainment. Auto Workers #241 William Hilty is still time to make a donation jobs and sustain the economic
There will also be raffles, Carpenters #361 IBEW #31 to ensure the picnic’s success. recovery. Our nation must
prizes, games and Clifford the Lawrence & Marion Caven Iron Workers #512 To make a donation, volun- invest in jobs now -- so we can
Big Red Dog. Coca-Cola Bottling Kraus- Anderson Construction teer, or for information contact lay a foundation for long-term
The free, all-volunteer Duluth Building Trades Council Labor World Beth Peterson, 218-728-1779, growth and shared prosperity.”
Laborers #1091 bpeterson@unitedwayduluth. As approved, the legislation
United Way campaign training Lakehead Constructors org. would extend federally funded
Do you want to see your worksite’s contribution to the United Operating Engineers #49 Retirees unemployment benefits, avail-
Way of Greater Duluth’s campaign increase this fall? Mailers #62 able to long-term jobless after
NALC Zenith Branch #114
Do you want to know how to energize your co-workers for
the UWGD campaign? Allen Neros INTERSTATE their state benefits expire, until
just after the November elec-
Could you use a plan of guaranteed success?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions you need to
Operating Engineers #70
Painters #106
SPUR tion. The cost would be $34
billion and the Republicans
have someone sent to a 2010 Employee Campaign Coordinator Plumbers/Steamfitters #11 said the money should be taken
Training Session scheduled by United Way. Tips and tools will American Postal Workers Union from other programs -- such as
be provided to jumpstart your workplace campaign. Tons of fun 7th Senate District DFL the Troubled Assets Relief
ideas for success will be provided. Teamsters #346 Program, also known as bank
Call Susan at 726-4779 to RSVP. Sessions will be held at the UFCW #1116 bailout repayments -- so as to
Ordean Building, 424 West Superior St. and are planned for: not increase the federal deficit.
Ironworker Retirees
Weds., Sept. 1, 9 to 10:30 a.m. (RSVP by Mon., Aug. 30),
2700 W. Michigan St.
No other measures to help
Tues., Sept. 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m. (RSVP by Fri, Sept. 10). the jobless were in the legisla-
Monthly Breakfast GAS - DIESEL tion. That means extension of
THANK YOU Labor World Board of Directors, Thursday, Aug. 19 GROCERIES COBRA for the jobless was
Deborah Skoglund, and Larry Sillanpa for the 9:00 a.m. You’ll really like dropped. So was aid to state
and local governments to avert
paper’s educational, advocacy and support Duluth Grill our car wash! layoffs of 900,000 government
efforts for working families, unions, and our workers and 300,000 in
schools.
community. Congratulations on 114 years!
Community Services Program
I.U.O.E. Local 70 A bill summary provided by
the House also said states can-
Monthly Arrowhead Regional Meeting not cut their levels of regular
Duluth Labor Temple, 2002 London Road, Room 99A
Beth Peterson, Director
Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 5:00 P.M. unemployment benefits. And
emergency benefits claimants
Duluth Labor Center, Hall B
(218) 728-1779 Dave Monsour, Business Manager, (651) 646-4566
will not have their benefits cut
if “intermittent earnings re-
qualifies them for regular, state
unemployment benefits --
ASBESTOSIS
which may provide lower pay-
ments because the claimant’s
more recent wages were
lower,” the fact sheet adds.
The Senate “finally over-
came weeks of parliamentary
LUNG CANCER roadblocks by a partisan
minority, and voted to restore
desperately needed unemploy-
ment insurance assistance to
two and a half million
MESOTHELIOMA
Americans who lost their jobs
in the recession,” Obama said.
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PAGE 2 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010
Margaret Anderson Kelliher or gressive agenda like a maver-
Mark Dayton at a Duluth ick. That’s appealing, and he
Central Labor Body meeting. does seem to be leading in all
Give Matt Entenza credit he the polls. Winning is important
was here, and he’s the one and he seems to have the best
without a union endorsement. chance, but four years as gov-
Since it was January 1991 We’re in trouble. No one ernor? Maybe some fun?
when Rudy Perpich, Minne- cares about us. We don’t mat- Entenza really talked a
sota’s last DFL governor, ter. We’re being taken for good game at the Central
walked out of the Governor’s granted but are expected to Body about being an outsider.
Mansion you’d think DFLers carry their water for them. He was successful when he
would be working a “Remem- Trouble is there are three and was an insider. He was instru-
ber the Alamo!” campaign. But one wins. Only FOX News and mental in the DFL getting con-
it’s been quiet, too quiet. TV matters. Campaigns figure trol of the House a few years
We’re down to it now with no one reads anymore. TV’s back. He’s spent about $4 mil-
next Tuesday being Primary where candidates are running lion of his wife’s money to run
Election day. Strange, but I’m ads. Hey over there in Wiscon- after telling us how poor he
actually an undecided voter. sin and the Upper Peninsula grew up. But he dropped out
Page 7 has a box showing watching Duluth TV...how you of the attorney general’s race
the union endorsements for two
of the three candidates. There
voting in our Primary?
I’ve said often that I’d like
four years ago because he paid
for an investigation of Mike
Learn cartooning/graphics
is no Minnesota AFL-CIO to see more women in leader- Hatch (remember his guberna- The Labor World is a big fan of Huck/Konopacki Labor
endorsement. Any of “The3” ship positions in government. torial campaign?) who had Cartoons (www.solidarity.com/hkcartoons) like the one above.
candidates, or anyone backing MAK would be our first been investigating United After 33 years as a labor cartoonist Mike Konopacki was
them, could have advertised or woman governor, but she Health Care (where Entenza’s accepted to the graduate program in art at the University of
advocated in this paper. None thinks she took on Pawlenty wife Lois Quam made mil- Wisconsin Madison. This May he received his Masters of Fine
did, which is really surprising and won. Got news for you, lions) and other insurance Arts. Now the National Labor College has accepted his 16 week
considering people “up here” MAK, you didn’t except for the giants. Hated the way Entenza online class in labor graphics and is offering it this fall.
actually vote in Primaries. transportation veto override quit. Dayton’s carrying the “It's not just for those who can draw,” he said. “Any worker
Labor again has been taken for two years ago and 6 Repub- quitter tag too, and spending $3 interested in learning how to use graphics in organizing, educa-
granted. You’d think people licans carried your water. One million of his own money, and tion, health & safety and corporate campaigns can use the skills.”
would have learned from Al man checkmated the legislature talks of taxing the rich again. Visit http://www.nlc.edu/news/using-graphic-images-in-
Franken’s squeaky win, but he for 8 years. Can one woman? Hard to believe the DFL labor-campaigns to find out more.
doesn’t advertise here either.
“The3” all can talk a good
I think back to Senator
Roger Moe, who at the time he
endorsement carries so little
weight in this election. Their Oil industry needs unionizing
game but they’re talking to ran for governor was touted as money allowed Dayton and HOUSTON (PAI)--Seafarers Gulf Coast VP Dean Corgey
other folks. We never even saw the most powerful man in the Entenza to stick it to the rich says unionization of oil rig workers could make a difference in
legislature. He had a terrible tradition in the state of abiding combating oil spill disasters in the Gulf of Mexico -- including
~NOTICE~ campaign and showing. We
might want an outsider.
by the process that begins at
precinct caucuses. “The dudes
possibly preventing them. Corgey explained in a Houston
Chronicle op-ed oil riggers are virtually all non-union and sub-
Next issues of Labor World: If Rep. Tom Rukavina was didn’t abide” says The Big ject to extreme pressure from employers. They “struggle in a
Aug. 18; Sept. 1, 22; in the Primary I’d vote for him. Lebowski. They couldn’t have volatile, hyper-competitive environment that resulted in unsafe
Oct. 6, 27; Nov. 10, 23; He’d be right on the issues and cared less from the beginning. working conditions and unstable employment...Lack of union
representation created an out-of-control workplace with little
LABOR WORLD he’d be fun in the Governor’s Whoever doesn’t win is done,
over-sight or accountability.” By contrast, the unionized mar-
(ISSN#0023-6667) is published Mansion, but he’s not, and he is the endorsement process?
semi-monthly except one issue in wants us to vote for MAK. Independence Party anyone? itime trades have “effective health and safety programs” featur-
December (23 issues). She’s too close to the legisla- We love being courted but ing “a committed employer, effective government regulation and
The known office of publication is tive process without having that didn’t happen. We hate meaningful safety provisions in a binding union contract.”
Labor World, 2002 London Road,
Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812. enough to show for it it seems. being jilted and expect that
Periodicals postage is paid at
Duluth MN 55806.
Her many union endorsements
aren’t winning me over either.
some more. Where to go when
we go to vote? Do we play the
Finally, a lifeline for jobless
POSTMASTER: Like making a choice of who “who can win in November” by Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby
Send address changes to: not to piss off. Covered all Finally, the House and Senate have extended Unemployment
card? At least I can vote for
Labor World, 2002 London Rd., those bases long ago. Haven’t Mike Cuzzo for judge. Insurance benefits to workers who have been without a job for
Room 110, Duluth, MN 55812 heard from my union, CWA, more than six months. As outrageous as it may seem, Senate
August 10th is my Mother’s
6 7 who’s backing her. Got a week. Republicans engaged in a filibuster to stop a vote on this bill;
birthday. It’s the first one she’ll
(218) 728-4469 Dayton, who I thought was they are responsible for over two million unemployed workers
miss since 1922. She died last
FAX: (218) 724-1413 done in politics, isn’t beholding being denied jobless benefits. These same Republican Senators
April 6th. I should write her
laborworld@qwestoffice.net to anyone and could run a pro- name in for governor. have no problem with extending tax cuts to the very richest
www.laborworld.org Americans, but somehow they don’t understand or don’t care
~ ESTABLISHED 1896 ~ This Day In History from www.workdayminnesota.org about the basic needs that ordinary people have. Even with the
Owned by Unions affiliated with the
Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body AU GU S T 3, 1981 - Federal air traffic controllers began a extension, people are struggling to pay the rent or mortgage, buy
Subscriptions: $22 Annually nationwide strike after their union, PATCO, rejected the food for their families, and pay for other necessities of life.
Larry Sillanpa, Editor/Manager government's final contract offer. Most of the 13,000 strikers The Republican defense—that extending benefits to the
Deborah Skoglund, Bookkeeper defied orders to return to work and were fired August 5 by unemployed will increase the deficit—is total nonsense.
President Reagan for participating in an illegal work Unemployed workers who receive benefits spend every dime on
Board of Directors stoppage. Reagan's action – and the inability of the labor essentials—which puts more money into the economy and helps
Pres./Treas. Mikael Sundin,
Painters & Allied Trades 106; movement to respond to the crisis – began an "open businesses stay afloat without more layoffs. The immediate
V.P. Paul Iversen, BMWED season" to attack unions that continues to this day. deficit we need to pay attention to is the deficit in family-sup-
1710; Sec. Larry Anderson, AU GU S T 4, 1997 - Some 180,000 Teamsters launched a porting jobs. Once we get people back to work, they will pay
Laborers 1091; Al LaFrenier, successful 15-day strike at United Parcel Service over taxes again and much of the current deficit can be eliminated.
Workers’ United Midwest Bd; excessive reliance on part-time workers. It was the largest "Nothing has a quicker return on the dollar than
Mike Kuitu, Operating Engi- strike in the United States in 20 years. unemployment insurance. Once you get to 70 or 80
neers 49; Rick McDonald,
IBEW 31; Jayme McKenna, AU GU S T 5, 1931 - Some 1,500 jobless men stormed the weeks, and instead of earning $1,000 a week you earn
AFSCME 66; Dan O’Neill, plant of the Fruit Growers Express Co. in Indiana Harbor, IN, $300 a week, you are in pretty rough shape and
Plumbers & Steamfitters 11; demanding jobs to keep from starving. The company's answer everything you get goes right back into the economy."
Steve Risacher, Carpenters 361 was to call the city police, who routed the jobless with clubs. ~Ross Eisenbrey, Economic Policy Institute
LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010 PAGE 3
At 45, Medicare a model to strive for for all
When you start getting a lit- really interested in equality.” ter than private insurance,” said
tle older birthday parties aren’t It took a half century or CF President Vicki Sanville.
such a big thing anymore. But more of battling before She said a national survey in
last Friday, July 30 a small Medicare–health care for those 2007 found 56% of enrollees in
party was held for the 45th 65 and older–and Medicaid, a traditional fee-for-service
birthday of Medicare and those –health care for the poor Medicare gave it a 9 or 10 rat-
in attendance raved about the regardless of age–were signed ing on a scale of 0 to 10. She
program. In fact they wished into law July 30, 1965 by said Medicare’s overhead is
every American had such a President Lyndon Johnson. The only 2 to 3% while private
good deal. program works so well that the insurance is 15 to 30%.
“The AFL-CIO supports Citizens’ Federation - “Medicare is government
Medicare and 41 million Northeast that hosted the birth- financing of health care, not
Americans need it,” said day party at their Duluth office government provision of health
Duluth AFL-CIO Central is pushing for a Medicare for care,” Sanville said.
Labor Body President Dan all at the state level called the Millicent O’Connell, a CF-
O’Neill. “We support Medicare Minnesota Health Plan. CF-NE NE board member, says it is Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body President Dan
for every American but Con- is part of the Greater amazing how much trash talk- O’Neill and Vicki Sanville and Millicent O’Connell both
gress, unfortunately, turned it Minnestoa Health Care Coali- ing you hear about Medicare. leaders in the Citizens Federation-Northeast enjoyed a
down. Maybe one day we’ll all tion that is pushing for Senator Most of the complaints, such as laugh at their 45th birthday party for Medicare July 30th.
have the health care coverage John Marty’s bill. cost and bureaucracy between aren’t true about Medicare but and the cost of two very long,
that everyone deserves if we’re “Medicare works much bet- patients and their doctors, they are true about private expensive wars. So, we say,
insurance. Now she says more don’t listen to the false criti-
scare tactics are being used cisms of Medicare. Instead,
about the new health reform celebrate its success, and enjoy
law. it when you get on it, just like I
“The newest trash talk is do!”
that Medicare is a big cause of Buddy Robinson of the
our national deficit, along with Citizens Federation said
Social Security, and that there- Medicare bashing tends to be
fore, benefits in both programs on the national level, while
must be slashed to fix the Medicaid bashing tends to be
deficit,” said O’Connell. more on the state level, because
“Medicare and Social Security it is half paid for by the states.
are not the big causes of the Both programs are actually
huge deficit. The big causes huge success stories for the
are the cuts in taxes for the rich, American people.
I was humbled in July to receive the North East Area
Labor Council’s endorsement for the Sixth District Support your local pharmacy
my abilities. Tell your union, health fund, and employer
I’d appreciate your vote this coming Tuesday, August 10th, too. But before you go to you want local pharmacy services
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PAGE 4 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010
Young members organizing No quit in local retirees organizing
By Chad McKenna, NEALC Field Organizer The Minnesota AFL-CIO ing,” said Bloom. “We have a retirement counseling sessions
On July 28 over two dozen union members under 35 years of State Retiree Council held their lot of good civic minded was thought to be a good way
age from throughout Minnesota came together in the Twin Cities July meeting at the Duluth retirees in this area. It would be to make contact with the many
to discuss how they can begin to build the next generation of the Labor Temple last Wednesday. great if we could all work union members about to retire.
labor movement’s leaders and activists. Twelve of those in atten- Four dozen union retirees from together.” George Sundstrom has
dance were members of the North East Area Labor Council around the state joined the Bloom said she will be try- attended all the Duluth meet-
which had the strongest contingent of any part of the state. small group of area residents ing to make short presentations ings but said he still could not
The Minnesota Summit was building on the successful AFL- who would like to establish a at local retiree meetings stating define what a retirees’ group
CIO Next Up Young Workers Summit in Washington DC in June retirees’ council here. the objectives of their new should focus on in order to be
Liz Schuler, Secretary-Treasurer of the national AFL-CIO “For everyone who worked group. viable. Labor attorney and
began the discussion by outlining the “lost decade” for young to make the retirees meeting on There will be an effort at DFL 8th Congressional District
workers. Between 1999 and 2009, young workers wages, retire- July 28 a success, thank you so this year’s Labor Day Picnic to Chairman Don Bye, who spoke
ment, and health care benefits all took significant hits compared much,” said Deb Bloom, one of identify the retirees in atten- July 28, helped him sort it out.
to the previous generation during their early years of employ- this area’s organizers. “We had dance. “Don Bye said it best,”
ment. much discussion on finding “We’ll work on personal Sundstrom said. “He said we
After Schuler put things in perspective for where young and recruiting new retirees.” invitations, face to face meet- are all DFLers retired. Our
workers sit in our economy, participants broke into small groups. With some area unions hav- ings, co-sponsoring activities agenda is the Democratic agen-
They discussed what can be done to get younger union members ing established retiree groups with other groups, and things da. After what Don said, that
involved, what kinds of things are already happening, and what already, one of the suggestions of that sort and hopefully have for me was sufficient. I’m in
barriers keep young people from being involved. was to have them send out a big kick off when we get and hope others will join also.”
“The two hour discussion could have taken up an entire day, information to their members enough contacts,” Bloom said. For more information con-
but it was a good place to start,” Dick Sackett of IBEW local 31 since all organizations protect Other ideas floated at the tact Deb Bloom at 390-8286,
said of the roundtable. their mailing lists. July 28 meeting were having a or dbloom2595@aol.com.
Similar discussions are happening all over the country as “We will find a way to pay clear purpose for the group,
labor leaders are realizing the importance of identifying leaders the locals for the cost of mail- establishing a set schedule for
of the next generation of the meetings and locations, giving
labor movement now rather people a reason for attending,
than later. It has been made scheduling speakers that
impact retirees and their fami-
very evident that the corporate
agenda in America is to lies, and creating a brochure Next door to the
increase CEO and manage-
ment pay, and shareholder
that defines objectives, social
aspects, impact on future gen-
Labor Temple!
profits, by slashing starting erations and time commitment.
The group could also be a
Wade Smith
pay of all workers, and espe-
cially new workers, along with resource for retirees experienc- (218) 724-4507
their health care benefits and ing problems. Hosting pre-
pensions. The only way to
fight that off is for young
workers to organize into
unions and to get into leader-
ship positions of their unions
before it is too late.
(Visit http://www.aflcio
.org/aboutus/youthsummit)
These NEALC members comprised the largest group at the
Minnesota Young Workers Summit July 28 in the Metro.
Serving People First
As your State Representative Kerry will...
Paid for by Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body COPE
LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010 PAGE 5
Coalition protecting Social Security, Medicare from Obama deficit cutters
By Mark Gruenberg Retired Americans (ARA) Andy Stern -- and Republicans. district to let him know they cutting health care costs, by
PAI Staff Writer alone plans 62 events, execu- Obama would then review and disapprove. Trumka told PAI passing the public option or
Labor organizations joined tive director Ed Coyle said. modify the recommendations afterwards the save Social single-payer health care,” both
57 other groups on July 29 to AFL-CIO Pres. Richard and send them to Congress, Security campaign would be ideas dropped from Obama’s
unveil a mass movement to Trumka said three other factors where Democratic leaders have part of the federation’s overall health care overhaul.
protect Social Security from an caused the huge deficits promised to vote on them. political drive this fall. Other union groups in the
Obama administration-named Obama’s panel is addressing: “When will they learn?” Raising the retirement age coalition are the Coalition of
deficit-cutting commission. Two wars, the GOP Bush gov- AFSCME President Gerry prompted NEA President Labor Union Women, the
Speakers at a Washington ernment’s tax cuts for the rich McEntee sarcastically asked Dennis Van Roekel, McEntee Teamsters, the Steelworkers,
press conference of the coali- and “the recession Bush about the deficit-cutters. “That and SEIU Executive Vice USW Retiree District 7, CWA’s
tion, www.strengthensocial caused.” Workers “are saying same crowd” which pushed President Eliseo Medina to retirees, the AFL-CIO Building
security.org, emphasized the ‘We paid three times (for the former GOP President George point out the average Social Trades Department, the fed’s
nation’s main retirement sys- deficits) and now you want us W. Bush’s unsuccessful Social Security benefit is $14,000 Department for Professional
tem has a cumulative $2.6 tril- to pay for a fourth time?’ The Security privatization plan yearly, or “less than the mini- Employees, the Teachers, the
lion surplus -- which the rest of American public says: ‘Let “want to bring it back. Are mum wage for a full-time Heat and Frost Insulators,
the government has borrowed them (the wealthy) help this they for real? Can you picture worker,” Medina said. “When IFPTE, UAW, National Nurses
to offset part of its deficit -- and time, not us again.’” all the 70-year-old Bricklayers, families are relying on credit United, ARA and seven locals
that the surplus and benefits The groups’ campaign says trash collectors, Fire Fighters cards to pay for groceries, in Washington state -- two of
should not be tampered with. the 18-member commission and nurses out there? What when families are worried if them from UFCW -- plus the
The 60 groups with millions has “put everything on the kind of society do we want?” they’re even going to have a state fed.
of members promised to make table,” including cutting Social The GOP is floating its own paycheck next month, saving
the commission’s threat to Security and Medicare, in an ideas to cut Social Security for retirement isn’t even an
Social Security an election effort to cut future deficits. retirement benefits, including option. The one retirement Mom’s 3 Favorite Words:
issue. Just four -- the AFL-
CIO, the NEA, SEIU and
Any possible action needs
the votes of 14 of the panel’s 18
raising the retirement age to 70.
When House Majority Leader
source we can count on is
Social Security.” THESE. ARE.
moveon.org -- claim more than
20 million members combined.
The labor-founded Alliance for
members, who are evenly split
between Democrats -- includ-
ing former SEIU President
Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he
would consider
MoveOn.org mobilized in his
that,
Trumka said raising the
retirement age to 70 translates
to a 13% benefit cut, because
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low rates. free hat with a
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hit age 67, he pointed out.
Combined, the two cuts would
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Member eligibility required. Member NCUA. income. Asked for ways to
solve that, close the federal
deficit, or both, speakers
offered suggestions: Elimina-
ting the $106,000 cap on the OPTICAL
amount of income subject to
bankruptcy judges have have set over $30 billion dollars present and
U.S.U.S. bankruptcy judgesset over $30 billion dollars to pay toto pay to Social Security taxes, and cre-
future asbestos claimants. In order to qualify claimants must have been ating jobs.
present and future asbestos claimants. In order to qualify claimants must Trumka added “actually *Some exclusions apply. See store for details.
diagnosed with mesothelioma, a lung cancer or lung diseaselung disease.
have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a lung cancer or after 1997*.
t e
If you’ve worked with asbestos or taconite and you’ve developed a lung
If you’ve worked with for financial compensation. If you would like lung
condition, you may qualifyasbestos or taconite and you’ve developed ato see if Vo Leo TRUNT
condition, you compensation, give us a call for a free, confidential
you qualify for asbestos may qualify for financial compensation. Itasca County CommissionerGDistrict 3
If you would like to see if you qualify for asbestos compensation,
consultation. As District 3 commissioner from 1991
give us a call for a free, confidential consultation. to 2002, I always worked on behalf of
*Good till only 1/2010, for example specifically Babcock & Wilcox,
under Bankruptcy Court rules. working families. If elected, I will
continue to help all county residents.
Cascino Vaughan Law Offices, Ltd. ENDORSED BY: IBEW State Council,
“Representing asbestos victims since 1986” IBEW Locals 31 & 294, Iron Range
Building & Construction Trades Council,
Toll Free: 1-800-783-0082 Carpenters Local 606, Ironworkers
Local: 414-226-0241 Local 512, Laborers Local 1097
www.dairylandlaw.com A member of IBEW Local 31 for 33 years, including
25 as a job steward at MP’s Boswell Energy Center.
Allen D. Vaughan, Esq., Michael P. Cascino, Esq.
1110 N Old World Third Street Suite 405 Please Vote “Trunt” Tuesday, August 10
Milwaukee, WI 53203 Paid for by Leo Trunt, 12058 Co. Rd 72, Swan River, MN 55784
PAGE 6 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010
Voting info for Tues., Aug. 10 MN Union Gubernatorial Endorsements
Here is some information for the Minnesota Primary Election Mark Dayton – AFSCME Council 5, Brotherhood of
to be held next Tuesday, August 10. Polls will be open 7:00 a.m. Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, Teamsters Joint
to 8:00 p.m. Council 32, USW District 11
• Extended hours for walk-in absentee voting on Saturday, Margaret Anderson Kelliher – AFSCME Council 65,
August 7 will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Monday, August 9 ATU 1287, Carpenters, CWA State Council, Education
until 5 p.m., at some county auditor and city clerk offices.
• If you have voted within the last 4 years AND NOT MN, IBEW State Council, Laborers, MAPE, Minnesota
MOVED you are already registered to vote. Nurses Assn, MN State Building Trades Council,
• Registration information: Operating Engineers 49, UNITE HERE!, UAW
Individuals voting by absentee ballot or on election day who
Fighting for Duluth
are not already registered or need to change their address must,
at the time of voting, present one of the following: U.S. Congress
• Minnesota driver’s license, learner permit, identification MN Dist. 8~ Jim Oberstar
in the State Senate!
card, or receipt for one, with your current address in the precinct; WI Dist. 7~ Julie Lassa
• Tribal ID that contains the name, address in the precinct,
signature and picture; Minnesota Senate Districts
• If the Minnesota license, Tribal ID, or MN State ID has a
"From the City Council to 3~ Sen. Tom Saxhaug
former address, you may bring it and a recent utility bill for elec- 5~ Sen. David Tomassoni
tric, natural gas, water, solid waste, telephone or cable television the Minnesota House, and
service with a due date within 30 days of election day that con- 6~ Sen.Tom Bakk
now the State Senate, you
tains the voter’s name and current address. 7~ Roger Reinert
• U.S. Passport and a utility bill; have been my friends. I will 8~ Sen. Tony Lourey
• U.S. military photo ID card and a utility bill; continue to work hard to
• Prior registration listed on roster at former precinct address; Minnesota House Districts
• “Notice of Late Registration” postcard; earn your support, and to 3A~ Rep. Tom Anzelc
• Oath of a registered voter in precinct (vouching); continue the great tradition 3B~ Rep. Loren Solberg
• If you are a student you can use: of Senators from Duluth."
* Student ID, registration, or fee statement with current 5A~ Rep. Tom Rukavina
address; ~Roger 5B~ Rep. Tony Sertich
* Student photo ID with utility bill; 6A~ Rep. David Dill
* Student ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the
polling place;
AFL-CIO & DFL Endorsed 6B~ Rep. Mary Murphy
* Someone who is registered in the precinct where you live 7A~ Rep. Tom Huntley
who will vouch for your residence. 7B~ Kerry Gauthier
For more information visit:
In Duluth: www.duluthmn.gov/clerk/voting/elecabst.cfm. 8A~ Rep. Bill Hilty
In St. Louis County: www.co.st-louis.mn.us/slcportal/ 8B~ Rep. Tim Faust
SiteMap/HomePage/Departments/Auditor/Elections/tabid/235/ 6th District Judge
Default.aspx.
In Minnesota: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/ Mike Cuzzo
Carlton County Board
MOAN GROAN GRIPE DENY GROUSE
2~ Marv Bodie
CRITICIZE DENOUNCE CONDEMN FUSS CURSE
BELLYACHE COMPLAIN WHIMPER GRUMBLE OBJECT
Together we CAN fight for a BETTER Itasca County Board
PROTEST NEGLECT WITHDRAW SUFFER Duluth and Minnesota! I need your vote
ENDURE... 5~ Mark Mandich
Koochiching County Board
Or, take a little time and VOTE Aug. 10! on Tuesday, August 10th! PLEASE VOTE! 4~ Rob Ecklund
FEEL YOUR POWER! Paid for by Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body COPE
Lake County Board
2~ Pat Taylor
St. Louis County Board
R E P E T I T I V E I N J U R Y 7~ Steve Raukar
Lift, twist, stack. Lift, Sometimes it’s not just one accident. Sometimes it’s
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Area Labor Council
LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010 PAGE 7
Acuff connects again in Duluth with book “Getting America Back to Work”
Richard Levins book “Mid- sures, and 1 in 8 Americans on job and that’s not the American ket. $9 billion a month on renew-
dle Class Union Made” has food stamps as “a decade of Dream for the poor to stay poor 3) Rebuild our economic able energy, including $2 bil-
been widely distributed, espe- disaster has caught up to us,” The public policy changes base. We create wealth by lion a month on wind power,
cially here in Minnesota where he said. “America has stopped Acuff spoke revolve around a building things people want to “and now we have a hole in the
unions have bought thousands working for working Ameri- number of solutions: buy, not with derivatives and Gulf (of Mexico),” Acuff said.
and given them away. Levins cans.” 1) Think of the common hedge funds. “You take raw 5) Universal, comprehen-
told Stewart Acuff that he We need to change public good. While all religions say materials and you build sive, single-payer health care
should write a book for people policy that is now designed to we’re all in this together, the things,” Acuff said. equal for everyone is a necessi-
upset about the economy, cor- aid the rich and kill the rest of right wing preaches we’re all 4) Convert to a green econ- ty if we want real justice.
porations, the recession, unem- us he said. The reason we can’t on our own. We no longer have omy. He said it’s like having “This simple formula
ployment and such and who get out of this economic mess the luxury of division and are two billion free jobs sitting works,” Acuff said. “We did
may not know what to do about is that workers don’t make bound by a common destiny there waiting for us to gather. the hardest part – we elected
it. enough in wages to be the con- and struggle he wrote. “You just have to believe in Obama. The job now is not to
“Getting America Back to sumers to drive the economy. 2) Invest in America espe- human beings to be green,” he get disheartened, not to turn
Work” by Acuff and Levins We are now in a global eco- cially our infrastructure which said, but the Chinese are beat- from the fight, not to give up.”
was the result of that idea. nomic crisis he said and work- is how we move goods to mar- ing us at it. They are spending
Acuff came to Duluth July 22 ers in Greece, Spain, and
on his first stop in Minnesota Portugal are being blamed and LIVING HERE . HELPING HERE .
on his national book tour. Over told “you have to live on less.”
two dozen people showed up in Heard that before?
Wellstone Hall to hear the gift- Our economy started going
ed speaker and buy a signed in the tank when collective bar-
copy of his book for only $10. gaining power was eroded.
Both books are short and to Unions are the greatest collec-
the point. “Middle Class” is tive bargaining institution ever.
only 55 pages. “Back to Work” “That’s why union organiz-
is 89 pages. Acuff said people ing is so important and why it
tend to be afraid of “econom- is so hard,” Acuff said.
ics” and the authors have tried Union density has dropped
to address the issue with from 20 percent in 1980 to just
kitchen table language. 14% today.
“I love this labor movement “Every year for 20 years,
in Duluth,” Acuff said in open- 20,000 workers have been fired
ing the evening. “I love your for union organizing,” he said.
labor traditions and your air in Making organizing easier
the summertime.” He has been with the Employee Free Choice
here at least three times in just Act is step one in making
the past few years as Director America work again. A step in
of Organizing for the AFL-CIO the right direction was recently According to Patty Murto, Volunteer Attorney Program Coordinator:
addressing Labor Day Picnics,
“Toagree to accept attorney “ Bill's Dependable. Year in
made on the issue when the
and now as an author and chief National Mediation Board, participate an been the program's
of staff for Utility Workers which governs the federal must a minimum Mister
President Mike Langford. Railway Labor Act, made air-
Acuff said a light bulb has line organizing easier but not of three cases annually. In 2009 and year out, he's always been
turned on for many workers requiring it be done on a Sean helped 38 different clients, there to to pitch in.
who finally are saying “this national scale. Just as impor-
isn’t my fault.” providing his legal services to folks I don't know of anyone who
tantly, in the past if a person
“Things are set up to be this didn’t vote in a union organiz- whose very existence depended has helped more of our people
way as evidenced by 35 years ing drive it was considered a upon his expertise. Without his than Bill Thompson.
of stagnant wages while pro- “no” vote. Now only actual
ductivity has increased 75 per- “no” votes will be counted as assistance these clients would have If the truth be known, he
cent,” Acuff said. such.
“
no income for food, shelter “
could have received the award
“That way” includes 20 per- Acuff said the exit ramp or medical care. in quite a few years.
cent of the country unem- from poverty is closed for the
ployed in some way, foreclo- poor unless they find a union
“ We provide the local law firm that gives the most free assistance
we recognize
1500 clients with volunteer attorneys. Every year
to this low income community. For two years in a row,
“
Falsani, Balmer, Peterson, Quinn & Beyer received the award.
Stewart Acuff says the exit ramp from poverty wasn’t
closed to his family because they got union jobs in St. Louis.
PAGE 8 LABOR WORLD NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010
