http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/category_rss/labor The Center on Wisconsin Strategy has released its 2008 State of Working Wisconsin report and in surprise to very few, the George W. Bush economy continues to batter the state. In what appears to be a consistent theme throughout the Bush economy, the report finds that although productivity is up that many workers are simply not enjoying the benefit. Actually with each year, working folks have struggled more  and more in the last eight years. More specifically the report found that Wisconsin has lost some 24,000 jobs since June 2007, 13,000 of which are manufacturing jobs. Wisconsin has a median wage that has fallen in recent years, and has a four-person family income that has fallen nearly $6,000 since 2000, three times the national drop. The report also found that although we have a relatively high health insurance coverage rate, it has been in a steady decline in recent years. One of the key reasons that we are seeing such a drastic decline is because too many employers are shifting away from providing health care for their employees. Unfortunately this is something that Senator John McCain’s health care plan would actually encourage . The rate of employees getting their insurance through their employer has fallen from 73 percent in 1979 to 58 percent in 2006. This change has had a very disproportionate and troubling effect on poverty-wage workers. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHBH http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHBH/commentary#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:01:09 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHBH Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHBH/ Topic: Where America Is Headed OWN: The economy is on everyone’s mind these days. What are you hearing from your members about the failed economic policies of George W. Bush and John McCain? Sara Rogers: Our country is headed in the wrong direction. Unemployment is up, wages are down, and we’re sending too many good, family supporting jobs overseas. We’re watching our nation let the middle class down, and we’re deeply worried about our children’s futures. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHBW http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHBW/commentary#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:54:22 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHBW Scot @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/b15bea43ee26199f1d_l7awmvb5t.jpg Scot @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHBW/ At the beginning of this month, Sen. John McCain made a stop (read “gimmick”) in Sturgis, South Dakota in an attempt to energize motorcycle enthusiasts, joking about tire gauges and getting some cheers after making hollow statements like “This is my first time here but I recognize that sound. It’s the sound of freedom and thank you for it.” But the town of Viola, Wisconsin is in no mood to joke or cheer because just last week, S&S Cycle announced that it would be cutting 60 jobs , including 58 from its facility in Viola. The company’s president, Brett Smith, “blamed the economic slump for a downturn in sales” at a time when Sen. McCain believes “ the fundamentals of our economy are strong. ” http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/codyoliphant/CHBR http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/codyoliphant/CHBR/commentary#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:04:04 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/codyoliphant/CHBR Cody O http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/29f658c77b84123210_r9wmvyqo2.jpg Cody O 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHBR/ John McCain has described "Buy American" provisions as "ludicrous" [Congressional Record, 10/7/05] and has even gone so far as to sponsor and pass amendments to waive them. On Tuesday, the same day Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett held a press conference at the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council, Steelworkers leafleted USW worksites across the state to spread the word about John McCain's opposition to buying American-made motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons. CLICK HERE to WATCH Steelworker Greg Hinds talk about John McCain's OPPOSITION to buying American-made motorcycles http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHBx http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHBx/commentary#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:24:35 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHBx casetheplace casetheplace 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHBx/ The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported today that all the usual business suspects are going to pump cash into an effort to fight the paid sick day referendum. The story further reveals that if they don’t get the result that they want on the referendum, that they will spend even more money by challenging the will of the people in the courts. So what is a person supposed to take from this news? That business interests are willing to invest their money in an expensive ad campaign and possibly a protracted lawsuit but not in their own employees and the public health? Are they really going to launch such an effort to keep some of the poorest workers in the city from having a benefit that most people take for granted? The business interests involved in the fight against paid sick days list all of the same talking points that they have always used when asked to invest more into their employees and the common good. This story is no exception, once again they claim that requiring paid sick days will put people out of business and chase others businesses from the city. How many times have we had to endure this tired old argument? It is straight out of central casting but they have simply replaced the last issue with paid sick days. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMs http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMs/commentary#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:48:17 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMs Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHMs/ In anticipation of Senator John McCain’s Racine town hall meeting Thursday, several concerned Wisconsinites that will be unable to attend offered five questions that they would like McCain to answer. John Valko, President of UAW Local 180 in Racine is concerned about the loss of good paying, family supporting jobs. He wants to ask Senator McCain why the country should continue the harmful policies that he supports which have caused our current economic crisis. This crisis includes the loss of some 92,000 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin during the Bush administration. Specifically Valko cites John McCain’s support for disastrous Bush policies including unfair trade deals, and massive tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthiest individuals. John Valko's question: “The policies you have championed have resulted in an economic nightmare for families across Wisconsin, so my question is: Why would we want to continue your failed policies which have devastated our country?" http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMk http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMk/commentary#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:59:42 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMk Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHMk/ (cross-posted from Wisconsin Labor 2008 blog: http://labor2008.typepad.com/wi/)   State Sen. John Lehman with Working America - Wisconsin canvassers at the Working America press conference in Racine today.    http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHMl http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHMl/commentary#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:47:48 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHMl casetheplace casetheplace 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHMl/ Working America –- the AFL-CIO’s grassroots organization for workers who don’t have unions on the job -— is holding a press briefing and door-to-door canvass Monday in Racine starting at 3:00 p.m. to strengthen the voice of Wisconsin working people. “We meet single mothers, seniors, college students, manufacturing and service workers and everyone in between. What we hear over and over again is that people want to be involved. They want to help solve the economic crisis we’re facing in Racine, Wisconsin and the nation,” said Working America Canvass Director Christina Jens. “Working America reaches out to folks who don’t have a union on the job, and together, we can take action to make life better for our families.” http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHM2 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHM2/commentary#comments Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:48:06 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHM2 Scot @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/b15bea43ee26199f1d_l7awmvb5t.jpg Scot @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHM2/ (cross-posted from Wisconsin Labor 2008 blog: http://labor2008.typepad.com/wi/2008/07/rep-steve-kagen.html ) WATCH Rep. Steve Kagen in Appleton talk about the value of the Employee Free Choice Act : http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHML http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHML/commentary#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:24 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/casetheplace/CHML casetheplace casetheplace 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHML/ Tomorrow U.S. Senator John McCain will be coming to Wisconsin and holding a women-only town hall . John McCain’s record of rubber stamping Bush policies in the U.S. Senate has been a disaster for not only women but for entire country. John McCain actually skipped the vote on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would have restored workers ability to pursue pay discrimination claims in court. When a 14-year-old girl asked him about this at a town hall meeting, he told her that protections for equal pay wouldn’t do “anything to help the rights of women.” On the same topic McCain has commented that women simply need “education and training” instead of equal pay protection. John McCain also is a full supporter of unfair trade deals that has led to the loss of countless jobs. Obviously many of those jobs were held by women, they would probably not judge kindly McCain’s record on the economy. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMg http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMg/commentary#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:11:09 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHMg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHMg/ John McCain has been little more than a rubber stamp for the failing George W. Bush economy. Perhaps this is the reason that he has such a hard time bringing himself to admit that this economy has been very hard on the average American. June was the latest time where John McCain claimed that, “the fundamentals of the economy are very strong. Very strong.” Who exactly was he trying to convince with that statement, himself or the many working families that know different? In June this “very strong” economy lost another 62,000 jobs, making it the sixth straight month of negative job growth. The Bush economy has been a boon for the wealthiest in our nation. John McCain is one of the richest members of the U.S. Senate, but could he really be so out of touch with the average person? Since when is massive job loss a sign of a “strong economy?” It looks like John McCain was right, he really does need more education on the economy . http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc/commentary#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:37:00 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjc/ Today Paid Sick Days Milwaukee, a coalition of labor, educational and community organizations, delivered over 42,000 signatures to the Milwaukee Common Council. The effort was lead by 9 to 5 , National Association of Working Women. They are asking the council to pass a requirement that all businesses in Milwaukee provide employees with paid sick day benefits . The council can either vote on it themselves or they could put the measure on the November ballot. The proposed ordinance would require all private businesses in Milwaukee to give their workers one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Full-time employees for a large business would earn 72 hours a year. Smaller businesses (with 10 or fewer employees) would only be required to provide 40 hours a year in paid sick days. The days could be taken for illness, medical care for the worker, for their children, parents or any other person related to the worker. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjC http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjC/commentary#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:44:39 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjC Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjC/ Gazillionaire Kotex heir F. Jim Sensenbrenner spent today doing his best to keep Wisconsinites who have lost their jobs because of the endless Bush economic policies he has supported away from extended unemployment benefits. Sensenbrenner, famously characterized by Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone as…well, read the story here , was the only member of the Wisconsin House delegation to vote against a plan to extend unemployment benefits for workers by 13 weeks. This despite the jobless rate skyrocketing by the largest percentage in over 20 years and despite the fact 325,000 jobs have been lost so far due to the failed Bush economy. F. Jim’s birthday is this Saturday. How appropriate his message to Wisconsin’s unemployed is “let ‘em cake.” http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHGZ http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHGZ/commentary#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:47:45 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/scotross/CHGZ Scot @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/b15bea43ee26199f1d_l7awmvb5t.jpg Scot @ One Wisconsin Now 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHGZ/ Just yesterday U.S. Senator John McCain once again proved just how out of touch he is with regular working Americans. Despite all of the struggles that people are having he declared “I have a great belief that the fundamentals of the economy are very strong. Very strong.” Apparently he had to say it twice just to convince himself that the statement was true. Less than 24 hours after he made his proclamation, the Labor Department reported that the jobless rate has jumped to 5.5 percent in May, the biggest rise since 1986. That equates to 49,000 more jobs lost by President Bush and his enablers like McCain in Congress. For McCain the eighth richest U.S. Senator with nine properties worth more than 13 million dollars, maybe the economy does seem very strong. Unfortunately not everyone is as privileged as the Arizona Senator. While he may be living high on the hog, working Americans are struggling to pay their mortgages, fill their gas tanks and pay the ever growing costs for basics like health care and food. On the economy the Senator promises more of the same, tax cuts for the wealthiest and even more tax loopholes for big corporations. He chooses this approach even though over the last seven years it has produced a disaster for our economy. McCain appears willingly delusional about our economy, even if that means celebrating things like record setting job loss. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27W http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27W/commentary#comments Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:16:17 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27W Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C27W/ The economic policies spearheaded by the Bush Administration and supported by Senator John McCain in the U.S. Senate have been devastating to people across our state. These policies have ushered in a time of economic crisis in many different ways for working families. Today a wide cross-section of Wisconsinites came together in a conference call to tell their stories. Greg Hinds of Menasha just found out that the Appleton plant in which he works will be closing and 300 jobs will be lost. Today he said, “I don’t want a government handout. I want leaders who aren’t so out of touch they don’t see people are suffering. We cannot keep supporting unfair trade deals that cost us family-supporting jobs.” Johndalyn Smith, a Milwaukee resident is facing the loss of her home. She is angry that Bush and McCain support policies that bail out big corporate investment firms but do nothing for middle-class homeowners like her. She also commented, “I cannot tell you how scary it is to think I may lose my home. I work hard and play by the rules and George Bush and John McCain offer nothing to help me, but they are more than happy to have all of us bail out Bear Sterns for $30 billion.” http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27M http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27M/commentary#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:42 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C27M Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C27M/ Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, wants to know what it’s like to be a working woman in America. Today, they are launching their 6th Ask a Working Woman survey online at www.askaworkingwoman.com . They want feedback on things like equal pay, sick day benefits, health care coverage, pensions and flex time. What are the most challenging issues for women in the workplace? The last time, Working America received feedback from some 22,000 women. After they finish gathering the data, they will crunch the numbers and forward what working women have to say to the politicians with the power to make it better. The survey is open to all and will be available on line until June 20 at www.askaworkingwoman.com  or http://aaww.questionpro.com/ . http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Py http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Py/commentary#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 12:38:06 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Py Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2Py/ During the month of May Labor 2008 will kick off its biggest mobilization effort. Union activists all around this country will be talking to union households about Sen. McCain’s anti-worker record. In Wisconsin people will be busy recruiting for member-to-member walks and phone banks. The walks begin Saturday May 10th in Milwaukee and May 17th in Wausau, Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Eau Claire and La Crosse. Much of the effort will focus on John McCain’s healthcare plan and how it leaves Working Families on Their Own. Soaring health care costs are forcing wages down for people lucky enough to have insurance. Another 47 million are uninsured. Although John McCain says he intends to combat rising costs, his proposals protect insurance company profits at the expense of working families. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PY http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PY/commentary#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 12:52:15 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PY Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2PY/ The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals released the results of a survey Monday. It was about the working conditions faced by nurses in the Metro-Milwaukee area. The survey was taken from over 1,500 nurses and reveals that working conditions are leading to worsening quality of care issues. A key to the problem are the high workloads, forced overtime, and even going without meal breaks. According to the survey, these things are widespread and are contributing to errors in patient care. Over 500 of the nurses gave specific examples of errors that have occurred as a result of nurse fatigue. While the staffing problems are creating safety issues all across the healthcare system, the issues at hospitals are the most severe. Over ninety percent of hospital nurses in the survey say that there are units in their hospital that they believe are actually unsafe for patients. Seventy percent of hospital nurses say that they would worry about their own families receiving care at their own hospitals. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PT/commentary#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 11:32:17 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2PT Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2PT/ The resident's of the A.O. Smith/Tower Automotive neighborhood and everyone who feels personally connected to the site have decided it is time they build a united front for change in their neighborhood. They are researching Community Advisory Board models around the country with the hopes of creating their own board here in Milwaukee. The board will not be a 501c3, will be autonomous from any funding strings and will speak directly to the needs and the political concerns of the residents. Residents who are interested in helping this effort should attend the next neighborhood meeting on May 10th, 2008 at the Center Street Library. (27th and Fond du Lac) at 10:15 AM. This meeting is open to anyone who cares about what is happening in our city and believes that residents should have the opportunity to compete for the jobs our money creates! http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jenniferlepps/C2P8 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jenniferlepps/C2P8/commentary#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 12:58:21 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jenniferlepps/C2P8 Jennifer Epps http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/e70f0a69f56dbd7c0d_7cm6beyip.jpg Jennifer Epps 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2P8/ On Wednesday Democrats and some Republicans in Congress tried to pass a discrimination bill . It would have allowed employees more time to sue if they were being discriminated against in pay. The bipartisan effort was unsuccessful because of an almost exclusively Republican filibuster. Even if the measure would have passed, it would have also faced a promised veto from the President. Specifically at issue was a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. It allows employers to continue paying their employees in a discriminatory fashion for the workers’ entire career if the employees don’t dispute their pay within the first 180 days. Prior to the ruling, most people understood that the 180-day limit was intended to apply to any paycheck not just the very first one. It can be difficult for employees to find out what other co-workers are making within the short time frame outlined in the Supreme Court decision. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Pt http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Pt/commentary#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:32:27 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/C2Pt Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2Pt/