UDW Stories & Events:

N.H. Gov. Lynch stands up for public service workers

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ALEC-influenced legislative diet leads to rumblings among potential candidates

Read the rest of this entry »

AFSCME members convince bill sponsor to oppose his own anti-worker legislation

Read the rest of this entry »

Walker’s political house of cards continues to crumble

Read the rest of this entry »

“For Sale” sign on Florida’s front lawn attracts attention

Read the rest of this entry »

Ind. GOP wants workers to walk their right-to-work-for-less plank

Read the rest of this entry »

AFSCME President McEntee Calls for Congress to Pass Pres. Obama’s Jobs Agenda


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AFSCME Members say “Democracy Not For Sale” in Arizona


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Executive Director’s Report to the UDW 2012 14th Constituional Convention


KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY DOUG MOORE
UDW 14TH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
JANUARY 20, 2012

It is an honor for me to be here this morning and to serve you and the more than sixty-four thousand other women and men who make up this great union. I am proud to be part of a truly member-driven union where the officers and executive board you see before you today are active providers, just like the rest of the membership.

In March of 2009, we had our 30th anniversary convention in this same hotel. In my remarks, I recall talking about the total disarray this union was in and that we had worked very hard to raise it up from the ashes to become a force to be reckoned with at all levels of government.

Today, UDW is on the right track.  We are on the move! Read the rest of this entry »

President’s Report to the UDW 2012 14th Constitutional Convention

PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY LAURA REYES
UDW 14TH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
JANUARY 20, 2012

Laura Reyes, President, UDW Homecare Providers UnionBrothers and Sisters,

I could not agree more with what Doug said about UDW being on the move!                           

We have made tremendous progress since our last convention.  We have new members, new activists, new offices and new staff.  Leadership is coming from every chapter, not just headquarters. And members in every county–not just elected officers–are stepping up to help our union move forward.

If you don’t believe me, ask State Senator Juan Vargas. Two years ago. Senator Vargas was in a tight election race with an incumbent legislator who had turned her back on IHSS.  Our members worked for him. We walked for him.  We fought for him. And he was elected by 22 votes out of more than 60,000 cast.  Senator Vargas knows the power of UDW. Read the rest of this entry »

Hoosiers Want to Vote on Right-To-Work-For-Less


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One Million WI Voters Sign Petition to Recall Gov. Walker


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UDW 2012 Constitutional Convention Set for Costa Mesa This Week

 

UDW delegates and leaders from throughout California will attend the union’s 2012 Constitutional Convention this week in Orange County.

The convention is slated for Thursday, January 19th through Saturday, January 21st

at the Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa.

During the two-day convention, delegates from across the state will hear from speakers on a wide range of issues.  Among the speakers will be:  

  • Lee Saunders, Secretary-Treasurer of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — Friday 1/20
  • Gary Passmore, Vice President of the Congress of California Seniors — Saturday 1/21
  • State Senator Leland Yee (8th District) — Friday 1/20
  • Gail Ennis, President, California United Homecare Workers Union (CUHW) — Saturday 1/21
  • UDW President Laura Reyes — Friday, 1/20
  • UDW Executive Director, Doug Moore — Friday 1/20

In addition, delegates will be able to participate in workshops on Communications, Advocacy/Lobbying and the ASFCSME PEOPLE Political Action Program.

See election results for candidates

AFSCME Battleground Bulletin, January 2012

Editor’s Note: With a jam-packed 2012 legislative calendar getting underway this month in most states, the Battleground Bulletin will be coming to you on a daily basis starting next week. We look forward to your continued readership and activism as we continue to fight back for public services and workers’ rights this year. Read the rest of this entry »

AFSCME’s “Year in Review” Recognizes UDW for Volunteer Efforts in Support of Wisconsin and Ohio

2011 – The Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, we pause to celebrate the holiday season and reflect back on the past year. We want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have done to fight back in 2011. Although not every battle ended in victory, your support for workers’ rights and public services has made a real difference in helping to turn the tide.

As a loyal reader of the Battleground Bulletin, we know that you have been on the front lines of this fight and we want to recognize your contributions. We also want to recognize the AFSCME affiliates who lent their volunteer efforts to our campaign mobilizations in Wisconsin and Ohio, including:

California – Council 36, Local 685, UDW/AFSCME Local 3930; Hawaii – HGEA/AFSCME Local 152; Illinois – Council 31; Indiana & Kentucky – Council 62; Iowa – Council 61; Kansas – KOSE/AFSCME Local 300; Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont – Council 93 ; Maryland – Council 982; Minnesota – Council 5, Council 65; Missouri – Council 72; New York – District Council 37, CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000; Ohio – OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4, Council 8, OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11; Oregon – Council 75; Pennsylvania – Council 13, District Council 33; Washington– WSCCCE/AFSCME Council 2, WFSE/AFSCME Council 28; Wisconsin – WSEU/AFSCME Council 24, Council 40, Council 48

Please enjoy a much-deserved holiday break with your loved ones and we will see you back here in January. The challenges we face next year look just as daunting as this year, and we are counting on you to join us again on the front lines in 2012. Read the rest of this entry »

An Important Anniversary

 

Dear AFSCME Sisters and Brothers,

Throughout our 75 years, AFSCME has always fought for a better future for public service workers and America’s working families. It was true in 1932 in Madison, WI when we started, continued when we received our official charter from the American Federation of Labor just a few years later in 1936, and is just as true today – as we continue the fight of our lives in Wisconsin and across the entire country. Read the rest of this entry »

AFSCME Endorses President Obama for Reelection

This week’s Battleground Bulletin reports on AFSCME’s endorsement yesterday of President Obama in his bid for a second term in 2012.

On Tuesday, AFSCME’s International Executive Board unanimously endorsed Barack Obama for a second term as President, citing his achievements on passing a law providing affordable health care for all, his determination to put Americans back to work and improve the economy, and his staunch support for collective bargaining rights.

In stark contrast, recent GOP debates have demonstrated just how out of touch the Republican candidates are with reality. As 99 percent of the nation continues to suffer through the jobs crisis, Republican Presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich has doubled-down on his support of child labor.

Read the rest of this entry »

Exposing “Paycheck Deception” – dangerous new initiative to be aware of

Home > Elections & Politics Impacting IHSS

This initiative silences working people.

Wealthy corporate interests are once again coming after union families in an effort to silence our voice and clear the field of any opposition to their agenda. This latest attack comes in the form of a “paycheck deception” ballot initiative that corporate backers say is about special interests, but in fact is designed to strip middle class workers from having a voice in politics. This initiative has qualified to appear on the November 2012 general election ballot.

Proponents of the initiative claim it would reign in campaign contributions by both unions and corporations, but in fact, the deceptive wording of the initiative specifically targets union members, while a big loophole leaves corporate campaign contributions essentially unscathed and unchecked.

Get the FACTS on “Paycheck Deception”

Battleground Bulletin: The Fight Against Right-To-Work-For-Less Continues

As 2011 draws to a close, right-to-work-for-less legislation is poised to rear its ugly head again after being defeated in several states this year. This week’s Battleground Bulletin examines the plans of anti-worker legislators in Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire to resurrect these misguided proposals.

The Fight Against Right-To-Work-For-Less Continues

Despite the big victories working families across the country scored in defense of workers’ basic rights this year, some anti-worker legislators and their allies have ignored the voters and plan to continue their attack on workers.

With a final vote of 240 to 139, New Hampshire House Speaker William O’Brien fell 12 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override Governor John Lynch’s veto of right-to-work-for-less legislation. O’Brien has been trying to override the governor’s veto since May, but has repeatedly delayed the vote in the hope that enough pro-worker citizen legislators would fail to show up, thus changing the outcome. Since the original vote on the bill, four pro-worker candidates—three Democrats and a Republican firefighter—won special elections for seats previously held by O’Brien allies. All won after vowing to vote to sustain the governor’s veto. Read the rest of this entry »

UDW 14TH Constitutional Convention Delegates and AFSCME 40th International Convention Delegate Election Results


Official Election Results – Certified by the American Arbitration Association on Tuesday November, 15, 2011

Any member in good standing may protest the conduct of the election for valid cause. All election protests should be filed with the Election Committee no later than 10 days from the posting of results, 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 26, 2011 in writing by mail to: Election Committee C/O Johanna Hester at UDW, Local 3930, 2760 Fifth Ave., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92103 or Fax to: 619.624.9798; or email to: electioncommittee2012@udwa.org.

The decisions of the Election Committee concerning all election protests are final.

AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, ADMINISTRATOR
ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
In the matter:

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA
2011 UDW and AFSCME Convention Delegates Elections

73-500-218-11

CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Pursuant to a signed letter agreement dated September 8th 2011, by Johanna Puno Hester, Director of Organizing and Field Services of the United Domestic Workers of American, hereinafter referred to as “UDW”, the American Arbitration Association hereinafter referred to as the “Administrator,” agreed to conduct the UDW and AFSCME Convention Delegates Elections. Thirty-seven thousand three hundred and sixteen (37,316) ballots were mailed to eligible voters on Wednesday, October 12th, 2011. Forty-two (42) duplicate ballots were issued as requested.

To be counted, ballots had to be received no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, November 14th 2011.  Five thousand three hundred sixty three (5363) envelopes were received by the American Arbitration Assn. at 600 B street STE 1450 at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 14th 2011.  Four (4) ballots were void. The administrator, under the supervision of the election committee and one observer, then brought them to Hutchings Court Reporters, LLC707 Broadway, Ste. 1210 San Diego, CA 92101 for electronic scanning.

The counting of the ballots took place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 14th 2011 at the, Hutchings Court Reporters, LLC707 Broadway, Ste. 1210 San Diego, CA 92101.  The returned ballot packets were scanned off against the eligibility list. The ballots were then extracted from the packets and tabulated/scanned in the presence of the election committee and one observer. 

Johanna Puno Hester, Director of Organizing and Field Services
United Domestic Workers Union
2760 5th Avenue, Suite 300

Secrecy of the ballot was maintained at all times.  The attached results are certified to be as follows:

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA  
UDW and AFSCME Convention Delegates (Master Tally)  
   
AFSCME CONVENTION DELEGATES  
 Top 63 Elected
  
1 Laura Reyes Homecare Workers United Slate 3074
2 Editha Adams Homecare Workers United Slate 2935
3 Pamela Jones Homecare Workers United Slate 2843
4 Elizabeth Arenales Homecare Workers United Slate 2835
5 Rosa Ramirez Homecare Workers United Slate 2807
6 Lisa Davidson Homecare Workers United Slate 2792
7 Theresa Le Homecare Workers United Slate 2781
8 William Reed Homecare Workers United Slate 2763
9 Monique Tran Homecare Workers United Slate 2732
10 Alex Lopez Homecare Workers United Slate 2699
11 Linda Lieu Homecare Workers United Slate 2698
12 Martha Martinez Homecare Workers United Slate 2692
13 Rosalina Flores Homecare Workers United Slate 2691
14 Douglas Moore Homecare Workers United Slate 2684
15 Ngoc Huong Nguyen Homecare Workers United Slate 2681
16 Felipe Flores Homecare Workers United Slate 2679
17 Terry Walker Homecare Workers United Slate 2677
18 Lupe Sanchez Homecare Workers United Slate 2675
19 Margarita Jaramillo Homecare Workers United Slate 2643
20 Teresa Cuin Homecare Workers United Slate 2640
21 Julie Hansen Homecare Workers United Slate 2630
22 Catalina Andrade Homecare Workers United Slate 2611
23 Javier Lara Homecare Workers United Slate 2610
24 Lientoung “Rose” Nguyen Homecare Workers United Slate 2608
25 Josh Cain Homecare Workers United Slate 2602
26 Diane McCarty Homecare Workers United Slate 2591
27 Debbie Owens Homecare Workers United Slate 2576
28 Cecilia Lozano Homecare Workers United Slate 2574
29 Connie Graham Homecare Workers United Slate 2545
30 Victorina Toscano Homecare Workers United Slate 2542
31 Michelle Wise Homecare Workers United Slate 2538
32 Tammy Ferreira Homecare Workers United Slate 2526
33 Julie Otero Homecare Workers United Slate 2526
34 Dennis Knepper Homecare Workers United Slate 2520
35 Blanca Quintero Homecare Workers United Slate 2516
36 Enrique Medina Homecare Workers United Slate 2515
37 Maria Machuca Homecare Workers United Slate 2508
38 Elva Munoz Homecare Workers United Slate 2502
39 Gloria Moncada-Cruz Homecare Workers United Slate 2488
40 Raguel Sanchez Homecare Workers United Slate 2487
41 Edward Huddleston Jr. Homecare Workers United Slate 2474
42 Gerald “Brooks” Ashby Homecare Workers United Slate 2454
43 Olive Lyons Homecare Workers United Slate 2446
44 Willard Gee Homecare Workers United Slate 2441
45 Lilly Sarkizi Homecare Workers United Slate 2436
46 Cora Dorsey Homecare Workers United Slate 2426
47 Astrid Zuniga Homecare Workers United Slate 2418
48 Irene Bertuzzi Homecare Workers United Slate 2407
49 Sharon Duchessi Homecare Workers United Slate 2402
50 Brenda Gholston Homecare Workers United Slate 2359
51 Eloisa Richardson Homecare Workers United Slate 2353
52 Sonja Mejia Homecare Workers United Slate 2342
53 Nicanora Montenegro Homecare Workers United Slate 2317
54 Stephanie Eppert Homecare Workers United Slate 2316
55 Adelia Perales Homecare Workers United Slate 2313
56 Dorotea Horta Homecare Workers United Slate 2312
57 Jaoquina Munoz Homecare Workers United Slate 2310
58 Margaret Ann Sharpen Homecare Workers United Slate 2309
59 Allene Villa Homecare Workers United Slate 2287
60 Roxann Chakos Homecare Workers United Slate 2261
61 Cheryl Endres (Bianchi) Homecare Workers United Slate 2179
62 Mohamed Osman Homecare Workers United Slate 2101
63 Norma Partida California Slate 2082
Linda Bui Take Care for Everyone Slate 2053
Ovidiu Hurduzea Homecare Workers United Slate 2012
Teresa Swick Angels Aware Slate 1744
Patricia Martin Non-Slate 1179
Martha Arellanes Non-Slate 1175
Phuong Tran Non-Slate 1133
Maria Zapata Non-Slate 1130
Nhi Diep Non-Slate 1093
Teresa Rosas Non-Slate 1090
Amy Day Non-Slate 1088
Jorge Ochoa Jr. Non-Slate 1081
Shirley King Non-Slate 1032
George Rivera Non-Slate 1021
Maria Carmen Camacho Non-Slate 1017
Josefina Ochoa Non-Slate 999
Maria Juarez Non-Slate 995
Juan Rivera Non-Slate 986
Maria Montenegro Non-Slate 980
Maria Mendoza Non-Slate 966
Maria Valencia Non-Slate 962
Benjamin Perez Non-Slate 954
Norma Barajas Non-Slate 945
Rosario Pina Non-Slate 926
Norman Stone Non-Slate 917
Simon Montoya Non-Slate 908
Maria Perez Jacobo Non-Slate 906
Ernest Flores Non-Slate 904
Roberto Quintero Non-Slate 893
Susan Miller-French Non-Slate 877
Harold Carter Non-Slate 858
Jacqueline Mahrley Non-Slate 851
Michael Piotrowski Non-Slate 837
Lee Winzer Non-Slate 826
Raymond Rodriguez Non-Slate 807
Elliot Richey Non-Slate 785
Judi Terrell Non-Slate 772
Mary Nieblas Non-Slate 769
Feel Good Non-Slate 768
Josefina Escareno Non-Slate 765
Lawrence Siegel Non-Slate 753
Barbarita Velasquez Non-Slate 730
Steve Salais Non-Slate 725
Esmeralda Triana Non-Slate 713
Natasha Rose Non-Slate 711
Jerry Deibert Non-Slate 704
Charlotte Leal Non-Slate 699
Louis Armmand Non-Slate 689
Celia Makris Non-Slate 665
Candice Hays Riddle Non-Slate 611
Mariel Skudler Non-Slate 570
Marjorie Treanor Non-Slate 504
Shahnaz Hajhashemi Non-Slate 480
     
Total Documents Scanned   4761

 

UDW CONVENTION DELEGATES
By Division as follows:

BUTTE ADDUS CHAPTER
Connie Graham
Carolann Roe		 Ran Unopposed
Ran Unopposed		  
     
ELDORADO CHAPTER
 Top 2 Elected
    
1 Josh Cain Homecare Workers United Slate 34
2 Ovidiu Hurduzea Homecare Workers United Slate 25
Amy Day Non-Slate 19
     
Total Documents Scanned 43
     
 
KERN CHAPTER
 Top 5 Elected
    
1 Margarita Jaramillo Homecare Workers United Slate 191
2 Alex Lopez Homecare Workers United Slate 170
3 Cecilia Lozano Homecare Workers United Slate 165
4 Cora Dorsey Homecare Workers United Slate 150
5 Julie Otero Homecare Workers United Slate 140
Teresa Swick Angels Aware Slate 135
Perry Lee California Slate 127
Teresa Rosas Non-Slate 82
Shirley King Non-Slate 75
   
Total Documents Scanned 279
     
   
MERCED CHAPTER
 Top 5 Elected
    
1 Edward Huddleston Jr. Homecare Workers United Slate 167
2 Debbie Owens Homecare Workers United Slate 151
3 Benjamin Perez Non-Slate 141
4 Norma Partida California Slate 140
5 Lee Winzer Non-Slate 128
Marjorie Treanor Non-Slate 109
     
Total Documents Scanned 212
     
 
ORANGE CHAPTER
 Top 13 Elected
    
1 Christine Nguyen Homecare Workers United Slate 1353
2 Monique Tran Homecare Workers United Slate 1324
3 Theresa Le Homecare Workers United Slate 1318
4 Elizabeth Arenales Homecare Workers United Slate 1265
5 Ngoc Huong Nguyen Homecare Workers United Slate 1251
6 Lientoung “Rose” Nguyen Homecare Workers United Slate 1250
7 Linda Bui Take Care for Everyone Slate 1129
8 Teresa Cuin Homecare Workers United Slate 1116
9 Nhi Diep Non-Slate 1112
10 Javier Lara Homecare Workers United Slate 1073
11 Patricia Martin Non-Slate 1049
12 Sonja Mejia Homecare Workers United Slate 950
13 Maria Montenegro Non-Slate 938
Cornelio Moreno Homecare Workers United Slate 936
Jacqueline Mahrley Non-Slate 648
Shahnaz Hajhashemi Non-Slate 348
     
Total Documents Scanned   1623
     
     
RIVERSIDE CHAPTER  
 Top 10 Elected
      
1 Martha Martinez Homecare Workers United Slate 573  
2 Blanca Quintero Homecare Workers United Slate 554  
3 Felipe Flores Homecare Workers United Slate 549  
4 Nina Chavez-Earp Homecare Workers United Slate 530  
5 Barbarita Velasquez Homecare Workers United Slate 528  
6 Maria Machuca Homecare Workers United Slate 510  
7 Roberto Quintero Homecare Workers United Slate 509  
8 Raymond Rodriguez Homecare Workers United Slate 504  
9 Dennis Knepper Homecare Workers United Slate 498  
10 Eloisa Richardson Homecare Workers United Slate 491  
Maria Valdez Non-Slate 264  
Norma Barajas Non-Slate 254  
Natasha Rose Non-Slate 196  
Candice Hays Riddle Non-Slate 188  
Jaoquina Munoz Non-Slate 187  
Louis Armmand Non-Slate 174  
       
Total Documents Scanned 758  
       
   
RIVERSIDE ADDUS CHAPTER  
 Top 2 Elected
      
1 Rosalina Flores Homecare Workers United Slate 45  
2 Rosa Ramirez Homecare Workers United Slate 43  
Natasha Rose Non-Slate 9  
       
Total Documents Scanned 52  
       
   
PLACER CHAPTER  
 Top 7 Elected
      
1 William Reed Homecare Workers United Slate 88  
2 Lisa Davidson Homecare Workers United Slate 84  
3 Julie Hansen Homecare Workers United Slate 84  
4 Diane McCarty Homecare Workers United Slate 83  
5 Margaret Ann Sharpan Homecare Workers United Slate 78  
6 Sharon Duchessi Homecare Workers United Slate 77  
7 Pamela Jones Homecare Workers United Slate 77  
Charlotte Leal Non-Slate 28  
       
Total Documents Scanned 98  
       
   
SAN DIEGO CHAPTER  
 Top 10 Elected
      
1 Laura Reyes Homecare Workers United Slate 1084  
2 Editha Adams Homecare Workers United Slate 941  
3 Enrique Medina Homecare Workers United Slate 905  
4 Michelle Wise Homecare Workers United Slate 831  
5 Nicanora Montenegro Homecare Workers United Slate 741  
6 Leticia Pallavincino Homecare Workers United Slate 732  
7 Gerald “Brooks” Ashby Homecare Workers United Slate 727  
8 Willard Gee Homecare Workers United Slate 706  
9 Mohamed Osman Homecare Workers United Slate 637  
10 Judi Terrell Non-Slate 485  
Maria Carmen Camacho Non-Slate 466  
Juan Rivera Non-Slate 436  
Maria Anorga Non-Slate 343  
Susan Miller-French Non-Slate 311  
Harold Carter Non-Slate 295  
Celia Makris Non-Slate 268  
Gary French Non-Slate 266  
Jerry Deibert Non-Slate 262  
Phuong Tran Non-Slate 254  
Lawrence Siegel Non-Slate 220  
Michael Piotrowski Non-Slate 203  
Elliot Richey Non-Slate 169  
Ann Xaypayna Non-Slate 157  
Mariel Skudler Non-Slate 152  
       
Total Documents Scanned 1369  
       
     
SAN LUIS OBISPO CHAPTER  
 Top 2 Elected
    
1 Allene Villa Homecare Workers United Slate 94  
2 Darrol Johnson Non-Slate 72  
Martha Arellanes Non-Slate 15  
Norman Stone Non-Slate 13  
       
Total Documents Scanned 105  
       
   
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER  
 Top 5 Elected
    
1 Elva Munoz Homecare Workers United Slate 184  
2 Maria Perez Jacobo Homecare Workers United Slate 177  
3 Gloria Moncada-Cruz Homecare Workers United Slate 168  
4 Stephanie Eppert Homecare Workers United Slate 167  
5 Dorotea Horta Homecare Workers United Slate 159  
Ernest Flores Non-Slate 62  
Feel Good Non-Slate 45  
       
Total Documents Scanned 224  
       
     
STANISLAUS CHAPTER    
 Top 10 Elected
    
1 Terry Walker Homecare Workers United Slate 230  
2 Maria Mendoza Homecare Workers United Slate 211  
3 Roxann Chakos Homecare Workers United Slate 216  
4 Tammy Ferreira Homecare Workers United Slate 209  
5 Brenda Gholston Homecare Workers United Slate 209  
6 Cheryl Endres (Bianchi) Homecare Workers United Slate 208  
7 Lupe Sanchez Homecare Workers United Slate 199  
8 Astrid Zuniga Homecare Workers United Slate 199  
9 Lilly Sarkizi Homecare Workers United Slate 197  
10 Adella Perales Homecare Workers United Slate 196  
Christine Rector Non-Slate 107  
Gary Rector Non-Slate 84  
Simmy Chopra Non-Slate 64  
       
Total Documents Scanned 288  
     
     
                         

Signed, John English
Vice President – Elections Department
Dated: Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Battleground Bulletin: Recall Season Opens in Wisconsin

As recall petitioning begins in Wisconsin this week, the Battleground Bulletin examines the plans to recall Governor Scott Walker and three anti-worker state senators.

Recall Season Opens in Wisconsin

Click here for information about the Recall Walker Kickoff Rally led by We Are Wisconsin and other progressive allies from the Badger State

November 15 marked the official beginning to the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. The recall effort is led by United Wisconsin, described on its website as “a grassroots coalition of more than 200,000 Wisconsinites & organizations who have united to recall Governor Scott Walker.” At midnight on Tuesday, United Wisconsin held more than 100 events across the state to commemorate the official start to the Walker recall petition drive.

United Wisconsin plans to use a series of events, and other battle-tested tactics such as drive-thru petitioning, to achieve their goal of collecting approximately 9,000 signatures each day. This Saturday at 1 p.m., the We Are Wisconsin coalition will hold a recall Walker kick-off rally outside the state capitol.

Walker opponents have until January 17, 2012 to collect 540,208 valid signatures to put Walker on the ballot. Accoring to an early November poll by Wisconsin Public Radio and St. Norbert College, 58 percent of Wisconsinites believe Walker should be recalled—including 24 percent of Badger State Republicans. Read the rest of this entry »

Working Families Win Big on Election Night

This week’s Battleground Bulletin—sent from the campaign trail in Canton, Ohio—sheds light on this week’s impressive victories for AFSCME members and working families across the nation. 

Working families scored big victories in state and local elections across the nation this week. From the overwhelming rejection of anti-worker legislation in Ohio to critical special election wins in state legislative and municipal elections, the American people said no to the politicians pursuing a corporate-driven agenda and yes to a renewed focus on jobs.

 
In We Are Ohio‘s Canton office, US Senator Sherrod Brown makes GOTV calls urging Ohioans vote to No on Issue 2.

Victory In Ohio!

The voters of Ohio rejected Gov. John Kasich’s extreme anti-worker bill – SB 5 – when they voted down Issue 2.

Yesterday, we made history.

In a word, this victory is monumental. It’s an affirmation of our right to bargain collectively. Never before has the public had the opportunity to weigh in on this basic right. Voters said NO to Issue 2 and YES to the right of public service workers to negotiate on issues such as health care, outsourcing, and staffing levels on nursing shifts, firefighting crews and in squad cars.

See how we won by watching our new video and share it with your friends and co-workers.

Working together, Democrats and Republicans, union and non-union workers, as well as teachers, bus drivers, firefighters, corrections officers, police officers, social service workers, nurses and public employees of all stripes sent a resounding message to the powerful forces on the far right who want to eliminate public services, reduce corporate taxes, and take away the rights of hard-working Americans: There’s a price to pay when you turn your back on the middle class.

We would not be celebrating this win if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of your AFSCME sisters and brothers in Ohio. What they accomplished is simply incredible.

The Main Street movement that started in Madison, landed in Ohio, and is now sweeping the country should send shivers down the spines of anti-worker politicians in cities and towns and statehouses across America. The people who work on Main Street — who plow our roads, tend to the sick and protect our communities — will not allow themselves to be scapegoats for the economic crisis created by Wall Street greed.

This victory confirms what we have always known: Working families will rise up, organize, and make our voices heard when lawmakers trample our rights in order to cushion millionaires and corporations. In fact, we want to tell you more about yesterday’s win in Ohio:

Make no mistake: Our victory in Ohio is sweet, but the fight to protect the public services and middle class that make our country so great is far from over. So today, we celebrate. But tomorrow we go right back to work — and we hope that we can count on you to continue standing up for the middle class.

Main Street Stands Up in Ohio and Defeats Anti-Worker Bill

by Cynthia McCabe  |  November 08, 2011

Victory celebration
Left, Gloria Howell, Ethel Dyer, and Charlene Petties, members of Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4) Local 101, celebrate the defeat of Issue 2. (Photo by Tessa Berg)

 

COLUMBUS, OHIO – What began here in the darkest days of winter ten months ago, on the steps of a statehouse whose doors were locked to its own citizens, ended Tuesday night in the stunning defeat of Gov. John Kasich’s anti-worker Senate Bill 5.

Ohio voters repealed the bill in a citizens’ veto, rejecting Senate Bill 5’s elimination of collective bargaining, its silencing of workers’ voices, and its direct attack on working, middle class families. Read the rest of this entry »

State Preparing for Potential 20 Per Cent IHSS Cut

Concern is growing that there will be a 20 percent across the board cut in IHSS hours if the state fails to meet its revenue projections for this year. This cut would take effect on January 1, 2012.

 We need to fight back and we need to begin NOW

UDW is implementing a statewide advocacy and education campaign to fight the proposed 20 percent cut. For more information on how to get involved
call 1-800-621-5016 or volunteer here

Key points to know:

  •  The IHSS program is facing devastating cuts. If the state fails to achieve its budget projections, it will “trigger” a 20% reduction in service hours for all recipients, beginning in January 1, 2012.
  • Many other service programs, such as Adult Day Health Care and Multi-Purpose Senior Services, have been eliminated or severely cut. IHSS is the only thing that stands between thousands of seniors and disabled individuals and far-more-costly nursing home care.j
  • That’s why a 20% cut in IHSS would be penny wise and pound-foolish.
  • A 20% cut not only means lost services for recipients, it also means lost wages for providers.
  • IHSS providers receive an average of $9.50 an hour, and generally all of that income goes straight into  local economies. When hours are cut, providers are not able to spend money in the community.
  • A 20% cut would cause an estimated loss of more than $71 million in IHSS provider wages, resulting in approximately $92 million in lost spending and business activity. This is a JOB KILLER that California cannot afford at this time.
  • UDW has been very successful in the past with promoting alternative solutions to program cuts.
  • Last year UDW supported cost savings alternatives such as the state’s participation in the federal Community First Choice Option and the Medi-Cal Medication Dispensing Machine Pilot Project. These programs will save the state money and prevented cuts to the IHSS program. The current language in the FY 11-12 budget would prevent us for developing alternatives like these should the “trigger” be pulled in December.
  • If the budget “trigger” is pulled in December, UDW is asking the legislature to change the language in the budget to give us time to come up with alternative ways to achieve the necessary savings so that we can avoid these wage and service cuts and continue to contribute to our local economies.

Watch Video with budget background on ”Trigger Cuts”

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