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One Voice - September 2006 Archive
Current One Voice issues --- Archive index
VOL III, Issue 273 -- September 29, 2006
Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney
Press Conference on the Minimum Wage
430 Dirksen Senate Office Building
September 28, 2006
It is an absolute disgrace that this Republican-led Congress is leaving town without raising the minimum wage for working people.
When working people don't do their jobs, they risk not getting paid. But when our leaders in Congress refuse to do their job, they not only get paid - they get a raise. Since minimum wage workers got their last pay raise in 1997, Congress has voted itself nine pay hikes totaling more than $30,000 per year.
For minimum wage workers, it's a sadder story. Over the past 10 years, inflation has eaten away at the value of the minimum wage, and now its buying power is lower than it's ever been since 1955.
Working families are struggling to deal with the rising cost of health care, housing, gas, and food -- but their wages are not keeping up.
The American people know what needs to be done. Eighty-eight percent support an increase in the minimum wage -- and that includes 72 percent of Republicans.
But this Republican Congress has other priorities. Its first priority is to give the richest 8,200 estates in America tax breaks averaging $1.3 million dollars each, which would blow a $753 billion hole in the deficit. In effect, Congress told minimum wage workers to stand in line behind Paris Hilton and the Wal-Mart heirs - at a time when the average corporate CEO has to work only until lunchtime on the first day of the year to make as much as a minimum wage worker makes in a year.
Then Congress tried to link a minimum wage increase to a pay cut of up to $5.50 an hour for workers who earn tips for a living.
Talk about having your priorities upside down. This Republican-led Congress is completely out of touch with the economic concerns of working people.
The sad thing is Congress could easily pass a minimum wage bill if its leadership wanted to. A majority of both the House and Senate supported a clean increase in the minimum wage to $7.25. But instead, Republican leaders bowed to pressure from their corporate friends. They decided to block a clean vote on increasing the minimum wage to $7.25. They decided to play political games to make sure a minimum wage bill never became law.
So what do we do now? I think American workers are going to support candidates this November who will get the job done, who really mean it when they say they support an increase in the minimum wage, and who aren't just saying whatever it takes to get elected.
And I think voters will be approving minimum wage ballot initiatives in November in six states: Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio. The AFL-CIO and ACORN are leading the minimum wage movement together - I'm glad that Julie Smith is here representing ACORN. Union members and ACORN members are hitting the streets and working the phones to reject the failures of Congress and vote changes at the state level - that's exactly what we did to pass state minimum wage legislation this year in 12 states. We're going to win these ballot initiatives too, and show Congress what voters want.
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VOL III, Issue 272 -- September 29, 2006
A Message from South Central Labor Council
It’s Time to Stand United and Prevent
the Outsourcing of Good Jobs from Beckley, WV !
The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be holding an informational picket at the Beckley Post Office, 134 Industrial Drive, Monday, October 2nd, 2006 beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The picket is due to the possible outsourcing of up to 20 jobs at the Beckley facility.
Congressman Rahall may be in attendance and the “RAT” is scheduled to appear as well.
Whatever time your schedule will allow, please join with us as we send a strong message to local management to keep the jobs in Raleigh County!
Contact Local APWU President, Jerry Waldron at 1-304-250-3395
Directions:
From WV Turnpike I-64/77, take the North Route 19 – North Beckley/Summersville exit
First exit on the right is North Beckley/Crossroads Mall exit
Turn right at end of ramp onto Robert C. Byrd Drive
Travel past Dr. Pepper plant on right
At the bottom of the hill, turn left at second light onto Industrial Driv
VOL III, Issue 271 -- September 22, 2006
Note: Eric Spelsberg a video producer living in Weston recently completed “West Virginia’s Underground Economy”, a TV documentary commissioned by the ACT Foundation.
WHAT KIND OF COMPANY USES “SPANFORCE”?
By Eric Spelsberg (September 20, 2006)
When the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation hired me to produce a video report on West Virginia’s underground economy, I expected to find what I found - an assortment of business scofflaws who make their profits by skirting the rules or operating illegally.
The underground economy is everywhere and it is costing taxpayers tens of millions every year. There was no surprise there. It was routine stuff.
The thing that did surprise me, though, was the increasing presence of what I would call “obviously imported workers” – workers of Hispanic appearance - on work sites throughout West Virginia, a state where overall Hispanic population has been decreasing.
Why were so many more Hispanic folks showing up among the imported workers now?
I used to think the average immigrant worker was a desperate person in an impoverished country who somehow found a way across our border, then got a job through a relative or friend who was already here. That’s the way my great grandfather did it when he came to “the new country” from Germany.
But I was completely wrong about how “immigration” really works. It’s not a haphazard endeavor.
In West Virginia, scores of newly arrived Hispanic workers – the majority from Mexico – are recruited, signed, sealed, delivered and maintained in their jobs by a network of labor brokers based in Lewisburg, West Virginia, including one named Spanforce Labor LLC. It’s an imported worker industry.
The name, Spanforce, is somewhat familiar in West Virginia because the company was in the news recently after federal marshals in Elkins arrested a formerly deported Mexican man accused of a machete murder in Texas. The alleged murderer’s roommate, another Mexican, was also arrested, but for being in the United States illegally. Both men were in Elkins because a local wood products company contracted with Spanforce for their services.
The labor brokers we studied are able to thrive by because greedy companies willing to do anything to cut costs and increase profits. These companies “contract for” the low wage services of mostly Hispanic male workers organized into five and six-person work crews. A “spanforce” replaces the local work force in a process you could call “spanforcing.” The local workers who lose their jobs are the “spanforced.”
Each crew has an English-speaking driver provided with a van registered in his name. In Preston County, we identified three different crew vans owned by three different Hispanic men living at three different addresses. The vans shared their Lewisburg registration address with Spanforce Labor LLC. Three individual owner/drivers had but one address. Very curious!
We learned some of the human costs of the “spanforcing” from Lazaro Perez, the registered owner of one of those vans. Perez lived with six other men in a run down Terra Alta apartment house. Perez said his deplorable living conditions prompted him to talk with us.
The Spanforce owners rented the house as part of their deal with the workers, according to Perez, who showed us unserviceable plumbing, a nonfunctioning phone, a broken refrigerator, and bare mattress-on-the-floor sleeping quarters with four men to a room. On top of that, the promised Spanish language satellite TV was on the fritz.
During the course of the interview, Perez and the other Spanforce workers said their pay at the sawmill was less than half what the local workers were paid. Perez also showed us scars on his arms he said came from injuries he got inside the sawmill because of conditions the company wouldn’t change.
So what is the big deal that I was surprised at something going on under my nose?
For one thing, every time a company “spanforces” a job, that job is lost to a local worker who could do it. There is no truth to the claim by companies that they “can’t find local workers to take the jobs”. The companies always forget to add “for low pay in miserable working conditions”, let alone “and willing to sleep four to a room and travel as a group in an old beat up van.”
But maybe the strangest thing about “spanforcing” is that it may be perfectly legal – so long as the workers are legal.
I want to employ an awkward duality to finish this piece, so here goes.
The imported worker industry as it exists in West Virginia today is a bucket of spaghetti, apparently impossible to unravel. Over the next few months that may change.
The ACT Foundation investigation continues, as will other investigations both general in scope and specifically focused on the labor brokers and the companies who use them. As these inquiries proceed, the imported worker business will look less like messy pasta, and more like a house of cards.
The essential foundation card of that house is the truth about the legal status of the workers. As soon as a prosecutor makes a deal with a couple of twice-busted illegal aliens, the truth may come out and the house of cards may fall down.
Even if criminality is never established, I maintain companies that “spanforce” are harming communities and treating unfairly both the imported workers who are abused and the local workers who are cheated.
The labor brokers and the company owners who use the imported workers may be proud of themselves, but I believe that most of their neighbors find them and what they do to be quite unseemly.
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Note: Rick Wilson, Director of the West Virginia Economic Justice Project (WVEJ) posted the below article on his Economic Justice Blog, The Goat Rope (visit the site to find out the reason for the name). www.goatrope.blogspot.com WVEJ works statewide on issues affecting low income and working families.
THERE IS POWER IN A UNION
By Rick Wilson (September 21, 2006)
If we're ever going to reverse the middle class squeeze and move the U.S. in a direction of shared prosperity, defending and revitalizing the labor movement has to be high on the to-do list.
After all, those (we) are the people who fought and voted for the kinds of contracts, laws, and policies that created the worker protections and the social safety net that we have.
Unions have unfortunately suffered a decline in membership. This has helped to erode living standards not just for members but for all working people due to the spillover or "threat effect" of unionism. This is the tendency of employers to offer higher wages and better benefits and conditions in order to stave off organizing efforts.
This erosion of bargaining power is partially related to a harsher economic context for unions because of trade pressures, the shift to services, and ongoing technological change. However, analysts have also pointed to other factors, such as employer militancy and changes in the application and administration of labor law, that have helped to weaken unions and their ability to raise wages.
Despite years of federal hostility or at best indifference to unions and worker issues--including trade deals that made good jobs a leading export--unions continue to deliver the goods to working people.
According to EPI, the union premium, defined as "the degree to which union wages exceed non-union wages" is still significant:
*Wages of union members are 28.1% higher than for non-union members;
*Total compensation (including wages, health and pension benefits) is 43.7% higher;
*Union members are more likely to be covered by health insurance (83.5% to 62%) and to have lower co-pays, deductibles, and better retiree health coverage. The total union premium in this area is 28.2% higher than non-union workers.
*Union members are more likely to be covered by pensions than non-union workers (71.9% to 43.8%). The union premium here is 53.9%; and
*Union members have more time for vacations (2.98 weeks to 2.35 weeks) for a union premium of 26.6%.
One step that could benefit the nation as a whole and stop the race to the bottom would be to restore the right of workers to organize unions without fear of retaliation. Employee Free Choice Act would do just that.
Since it was introduced in Congress in 2005, bi-partisan support for this long overdue measure has been building but it still faces strong resistance.
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VOL III, Issue 270 -- September 21, 2006
If you have had the opportunity to hear West Virginia AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Larry Matheney speak, then you have heard the passion in his voice when he speaks on issues close to his heart.
One issue, that we in the office get the honor of hearing is the accomplishments of his grandchildren, Justin and Joshua Matheney and how proud he is of them.
Justin is a Freshman and Joshua is a Senior at Sissonville High School.
Both young men are on the soccer team and Joshua also is the field goal kicker for the football team.
If that is not enough to have Grandpa Larry beaming with pride, Joshua is participating in the Sissonville High School Young Dems and was recently voted Vice President.
Because Joshua is playing both football and soccer, Christopher Wade, a Daily Mail sports writer did an article on him in Wednesday's newspaper.
Hard work and dedication must be a trait that runs in the Matheney family!
Matheney plays both kinds of football
by Christopher Wade
For the Daily Mail
In football, for the most part, kickers get the stereotype of not being real athletes.
Sissonville high senior place-kicker Josh Matheney is the exception.
Matheney, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior, not only kicks field goals and extra points for the Indian football team, but also is the standout player on the Sissonville soccer team.
Both teams are having breakout seasons with the help of Matheney. The football Indians are undefeated for the first time since 1994 at 3-0 and are ranked first the state Class AA rankings.
Meanwhile, the soccer team is also having a solid season with a 6-4 record. Matheney is one of the top scorers in the area, with 10 goals on the season so far.
"People give me a hard time about being a kicker but I'm just not a kicker," said Matheney, 17. "I'm in there at tight end some and I can hit, too."
Sissonville football Coach Todd Chevalier is well aware that Matheney breaks the stereotype of most prototypical kickers.
"Josh is a tremendous athlete," Chevalier said. "He double dips for us on the football team. He works at tight end, some at running back, outside linebacker, and free safety. That shows he's an athlete."
Chevalier even figures if soccer weren't in Matheney's life and his No. 1 sport, he could have had a stellar career with football.
"Obviously, he's a soccer player, but if he gave that up and concentrated on football, he could have been a heck of a player," Chevalier said.
Matheney has been playing soccer since he was six years old and is only in his second season with the Sissonville football team, but Chevalier is happy with the limited time he has had with Matheney, especially this season.
"When we score a touchdown, we always go for one (point) under normal circumstances," Chevalier said. "He's only missed one extra point all season, and that was blocked and wasn't his fault. And we've scored a bunch of TDs this season."
"We haven't had to use him much because of that with field goals, but if we get inside the 20-yard line and have a drive stall, we're very comfortable and have all the confidence in him that he'll put it through."
Despite enjoying football, Matheney knows his heart and passion is on the soccer field.
"I love soccer, that's my sport," Matheney said. "I love playing football and being able to help the team out but I can't put football over soccer."
While Matheney loves playing both sports, when he's on the soccer field, it's far different than when he is on the football field.
"With soccer, I'm in the game pretty much the whole time running around and don't come out, but with football, being a kicker, its more slower paced and I stand around more," Matheney said.
Playing both sports is quite demanding schedule-wise for Matheney. Seemingly every day, he is playing at least one sport and for the most part, both.
"After school, I'll usually come out between 3-4:45 with football, and then back out on the field from about 5-7 with soccer," Matheney said.
Matheney's football games are always on Friday nights, while his soccer games are always on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
While the schedule is difficult for Matheney, it's a relative walk in the park after what he faced during August and two-a-day practices.
"He has a very hectic schedule right now with everything but during August, he would practice with both sports a combined three or four times a day," Chevalier said.
It's all in a days work, though, according to Matheney, who still sports a solid 3.5 grade point average at Sissonville.
"It's a little difficult but not really too bad playing both sports," Matheney said. "I have games three nights a week and also on Saturdays but it all helps in the long run and keeps me in good shape."
So with all the games, practices, and schoolwork facing Matheney each week, when is there an opportunity to relax?
"My only free day is Sunday," Matheney said, laughing. "And that's sleeping day for me."
VOL III, Issue 269 -- September 20, 2006
Brooke-Hancock Central Labor Council Meeting Change
The next scheduled meeting of the Brooke-Hancock Central Labor Council will be held this Thursday - September 21, 2006 at Kroger's in Weirton (off of Three Springs Drive). Time of the meeting is 6:30 p.m.
President Linda Dickey will be holding the meeting on a different evening of the week to benefit the Council member's schedules. Linda requests ideas and suggestions concerning the CLC meetings. E-mail mdickey@mtn-state.com--------------------------------------------
In Memory Of
Long-time AFGE member- Joe Glazer
Joe Glazer, a champion of workers and their unions and a long-time member of AFGE Local 1812 died at the age of 88. Joe was a staff member for 2 International Unions and taught workers about how to make their unions work effectively.
In 1979, Joe organized the Great Labor Arts Exchange at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies (now the National Labor College). This annual event brings together workers and labor artists to share their songs, poetry, theater and visual art in an effort to build our unions. Joe also founded the Labor Heritage Foundation that promotes the preservation of labor culture in our country.
Joe was known as "Labor's Troubadour." He recorded some 30 albums over his career. He recorded labor songs, political songs and the music of immigrants.
AFGE, all unions, indeed all workers have lost a tireless champion and a dear friend in Joe Glazer. There was not a strike, picket line, or rally that could not count on Joe to bring his battered Martin guitar and raise the workers' spirits with song. We will all miss him
VOL III, Issue 268 -- September 18, 2006
West Virginia Women's Commission 2007 Celebrate Women Awards
Open for Nominations
The West Virginia Women's Commission is ready once again to receive nominations for the Celebrate Women Awards. These prestigious awards are given to women who have participated in shaping the state or the nation and who are role models as women achievers for tomorrow's female leaders.
Women can be nominated in any of twelve broad categories - Arts, Business, Education, Government, Labor, Math/Science, Mountaineer Spirit, Professions, Public Service, Sports, Unsung Hero, and Volunteer Service - and anyone can nominate them. Nominees must be current residents of the state, or, if deceased, must have been residents of the state at the time of death. An organization or individual may submit only one nominee per category. Nominations are encouraged from a broad range of fields and geographical areas. Nomination forms will not be carried over from previous submissions to the West Virginia Celebrate Women Awards, but resubmissions are encouraged.
Joyce Creel of Cottageville, WV represented Labor at the 2006 awards ceremony.
The Commission will be accepting nominations until January 31, 2007. More information about the awards can be found on the Women's Commission website at www.wvdhhr.org/women. For a nomination form, visit the website or call the Commission's office at (304) 558-0070
VOL III, Issue 267 -- September 15, 2006
In Memory of Our Union Sister - Betty Martin
Betty, a dedicated Union member and long time activist will be missed dearly.
We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Viewing: Friday, Sept.15th at 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Melvin T. Strider Funeral Home - Charles Town, WV
Funeral: Saturday, Sept.16th at 11:00 a.m.
Uvilla United Methodist Church - Charles Town, WV
VOL III, Issue 266 -- September 11, 2006
September 11, 2001
We will always remember the innocent victims and the brave heroes that died attempting to save them.
We must never forget the survivors, the children, the devastated families and the grieving friends they left behind.
VOL III, Issue 265 -- September 8, 2006
WANTED! - CONCERNED CITIZENS for Sept. 12th Events
We are hearing that Social Security Privatization is back on track and will be pursued by the current President following the November elections.
Last year West Virginians United for Social and Economic Justice, our State's largest grassroots coalition, of which the West Virginia AFL-CIO is a member, was formed to protect our Social Security system from the proposal to drain billions of dollars from its trust fund and place our nation deeper in debt by establishing the private accounts.
West Virginians United will continue their fight to strengthen our treasured Social Security system and are seeking support from our Congressional Delegation by requesting all West Virginia U.S. House of Representatives sign a pledge to stop the President's effort to privatize and raid the Social Security cash reserves.
You are invited to a press conference at the West Virginia State Capitol, Governor's Conference Room on Tuesday, September 12th at 12:30 p.m. to witness and publicize the signatories of these documents.
Who: West Virginians United for Social and Economic Justice
What: Press Conference to announce West Virginia U.S. House of Representative members who signed pledge to protect Social Security from privatization
When: Tuesday, September 12TH at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Governor’s Press Conference room, State Capitol
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PUBLIC FORUM
Liberty and justice in peril ...
The Bill of Rights under attack ...
“The People, the Constitution, and the Bush Administration”
West Virginia State University, Student Union, Conference Room 135
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 7:00 pm
PANELISTS:
Robert Bastress, Esq., Prof. of Law WVU
Denise Giardina, Author
Bill Goodman, Esq. Center for Constitutional Rights, NYC
Charles Smith, Ph.D., Chair, WVSU Political Science Dept.
Sponsored by: Seneca 2 and WVSU Political Science Dept.
More and more people, Republicans and Democrats alike are becoming alarmed by the suppression of our personal freedoms, the attacks on the freedom of the press, the manipulation of our fears, the exploitation of our religious differences.
All concerned citizens are invited to this event to learn more, to ask questions and to begin the work to reclaim our democracy.
VOL III, Issue 263 -- September 1, 2006
________________________________ 
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. 
Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.
~Adam Smith
HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
"THE LABOR MOVEMENT"
VOL III, Issue 262 -- September 1, 2006
Support United Food Operation (UFO)
Macy's (formerly Kaufmanns) in the Charleston Town Center has invited United Food Operation (UFO) to participate in a national Shop For a Cause Day on Saturday, September 16, 2006.
Elaine Harris, Chairperson of (UFO) explains that Macy's has provided (UFO) shopping passes to sell for $5.00 each. For all tickets (UFO) Volunteers can sale, the money will be given back to (UFO).
For the Shop For a Cause tickets you will receive an all day shopping pass enabling you to save 20% on fashion and accessory purchases and 10% on furniture and electric items (some exclusions apply) plus a coupon good for $10.00 off on any one item. Shop for Cause Ticket holders will also have a chance to win a $500.00 shopping spree as part of a day filled with music, fun and special events.
You can purchase the shopping passes at the store, however, (UFO) will only receive a portion of the in-store ticket sales. So, buy your ticket(s) before September 16th by contacting Elaine's secretary Susan (342-2023).
Please call as soon as possible to support this worthy cause.
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For our Union Sisters and Brothers living near Catlettsburg, Kentucky
here's a Labor Day Event for you.
WORKING FAMILIES RALLY
"Putting LABOR Back In Labor Day!"
Monday, September 4, 2006
Immediately following the parade (approximately 11:00 a.m.)
Corner of 24th and Center Streets, Catlettsburg, Ky
(parking lot of the County Extension Office)
If you would like to participate in the Parade meet at Oakland Ave. Baptist Church for a 9:00 a.m lineup. Wear your UNION shirts, hats ... bring your signs and banners. Several have been invited to address their positions on Working Family issues. For more info contact: Mike Donta @ mdonta@labor2006.org or (606)-465-4164
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REMINDER
Southwestern District Labor Council - Scholarship Labor Night
C*USA Homecoming
Marshall Thundering Herd vs.. Memphis
Sponsors Encouraged: Part of Proceeds to Charles A. Spurlock Scholarship
Event Scholarship: $ 5,000.00
Co-Sponsor: $ 1,000.00
Tent Sponsor: $ 300.00
Beverage Sponsor: $ 200.00
Door Prize Sponsor: $ 100.00
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2006
Place: Lefty Rollins Track / Marshall Tent City
Time:Tailgate: 11:00 a. m.
Dinner: 2:00 p.m.
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m.
Entertainment provided.
Price Still Remains $40.00 Game ticket and Tailgate (Package) --- $30.00 for tailgate only
Sponsor Amount: $_________________________
Ticket Package Amount: $_________________________
Total Amount: $_________________________
All packages, sponsors should be confirmed and paid for by October 6, 2006
Please send check for package & sponsors to:
Southwestern District Labor Council, AFL-CIO
P. O. Box 2142
1201 7th. Avenue
Huntington, WV. 25701
For more information contact: Tim Millne 304-523-2353 |
