|
One Voice - December 2006 Archive
Current One Voice issues --- Archive index
VOL III, Issue 304 -- December 29, 2006
2007
A New Year with new opportunities
to move forward on the needs
of Working Families.
Happy New Year!
VOL III, Issue 303 -- December 28, 2006
Contact Governor Joe Manchin's Office ASAP!
Leave a message for Governor Manchin telling him you Support Dan Poling as the Next House of Delegates Member for the 10th District!
Dan Poling is one of three candidates, from which Governor Manchin will select one to fill the 10th District House of Delegates seat being vacated by Delegate J.D. Beane. Delegate Beane accepted an appointment as a Wood County Judge.
Dan Poling is a Vice President of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, Business Representative for Painters District Council 53 and also the Political Action Director for Painters District Council 53.
Whether you call or e-mail leave your name, address and phone number. Thanks!!
Call Now : 558-2000
Toll-Free: 1-888-438-2731
VOL III, Issue 302 -- December 27, 2006
Support Local Film Producers
On December 30th "Hatchet Jack" a feature length Mystery/Horror film will be shown at the Metropolitan Theater, located on High Street in Downtown Morgantown, West Virginia. The film was produced entirely in West Virginia by Rivesville, West Virginia natives Eddie Mahalick and Justin Sago. Mahalick is the Mayor of Rivesville and also a member of U.A. Local 152 Plumbers and Pipefitters of Morgantown.
Tickets for the movie are $10 at the door.
Show your Union Card at the door and you and your guests will receive a 20% discount off of the admission price.
Screen times for "Hatchet Jack" are: 4:00 pm, 7:45 pm and 9:30 pm.
During the course of the evening there will be several random drawings for door prizes from WCLG FM 100.1 and local restaurants.
An after party will be held at the Lazy Lizard V.I.P. Room from 9:00 pm until 2:00 am. for anyone with a movie ticket.
For more information contact Eddie Mahalick at 304-612-3144 or GTBandits@aol.com
-----------------------------------------
Great News!
The more than 15,000 United Steelworkers who have been on strike for nearly three months now have a tentative agreement with Goodyear.
-----------------------------------------
AFL-CIO Pres. Sweeney Calls on New Congress to Rein in Executive Pay
Letter to Committee Chairmen Stresses Fundamental Unfairness of Wall Street Excess
at a Time When Working People Struggle
(Washington, December 21) -- AFL-CIO President John Sweeney today called on ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee to address the "indefensible" runaway executive bonuses being doled out by Wall Street at a time when working Americans are increasingly squeezed by rising health care costs, stagnant wages and vanishing retirement security.
In a letter to Senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley and Representatives Charles Rangel and Jim McCrery, Sweeney noted that Wall Street is expected to pay out $23.9 billion in bonuses this year, a 17 percent increase over last year. Just last week Goldman Sachs Group announced that is was dedicating a whopping $16.5 billion in year-end salaries, bonuses and other benefits. Bear Stearns said that would hand out $12 billion in compensation, more than $300,000 per employee, while Morgan Stanley Inc. gave chief executive John Mack $40 million in stock and options for 2006.
Sweeney urged the ranking committee chairman, in their leadership capacity in the new Congress, to close executive pay loopholes and enact tax policies that address inequities in the current system.
"The level of private excess is indefensible, particularly at a time when our nation faces serious challenges at home and abroad," Sweeney said in the letter. "We are failing to devote the resources required to deal with the consequences of Hurricane Katrina, a $434 billion budget deficit, and an Iraq war that costs $2 billion per week."
"This situation cries out for a more progressive tax policy that puts our country's urgent needs ahead of the desires of a few individuals to spend more on a bottle of champagne than a minimum wage worker will make in an entire year," Sweeney continued.
-----------------------------------------
National Postal Mail Handlers Union Rejoins National AFL-CIO
The National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) - - which is part of the Laborers union - - has returned to the AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney presented a charter to the union's officers on December 12, 2006
The Mail Handlers are the first union to take advantage of the AFL-CIO Executive Council's decision in August to authorize President Sweeney to re-issue charters to unions which were once independent affiliates and now want to return to the AFL-CIO, even though they are part of unions that recently disaffiliated.
The Mail Handlers are a major postal union, with more than 47,000 regular members and more than three times as many associate members. The Mail Handlers' Union's original affiliation with the AFL-CIO dates back to the 1930s.
The AFL-CIO represents 10 million working men and women nationwide and has 54 affiliate unions,
including the Mail Handlers.
-----------------------------------------
REMINDER
Union Women's Concerns Conference
“Women, Making Their Voices Heard”
Who: West Virginia AFL-CIO / WVU Institute for Labor Studies and Research
What: Union Women's Concerns Conference
When: January 19-21, 2007
Where: Charleston House Holiday Inn, Charleston WV
For more information contact: West Virginia AFL-CIO - 344-3557 or wvaflcio@wvaflcio.org
VOL III, Issue 301 -- December 21, 2006
Remembering the Reasons for the Season
and Wishing You All the Joys Thereof ...
Family - Friends - Love - Hope - Peace - Solidarity
Happy Holidays!
VOL III, Issue 300 -- December 18, 2006
“Women, Making Their Voices Heard”
Who: West Virginia AFL-CIO / WVU Institute for Labor Studies and Research
What: Union Women's Concerns Conference
When: January 19-21, 2007
Where: Charleston House Holiday Inn, Charleston WV
The conference begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 19 and concludes at noon Sunday, January 21. Registration Fee is $75 per person.
Both men and women are encouraged to attend, since this conference brings together people who are concerned, involved and dedicated to finding viable solutions to situations and circumstances that affect working women and men.
We are honored to have Delegate Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha as the guest speaker for Friday evening. Delegate Webster was recently selected as the first woman ever to chair the powerful House Judiciary Committee.
VOL III, Issue 299 -- December 14, 2006
The 2007 Legislative Session begins January 10th and Speaker Elect, Rick Thompson has made the following choices to lead the House of Delegates:
- Joe Delong, Hancock County - Majority Leader
- Mike Caputo, Marion County - Majority Whip
- Harry Keith White, Mingo County - Finance Committee Chair
- Carrie Webster, Kanawha County - Judiciary Committee Chair
- Jim Morgan, Cabell County - Government Org. Committee Chair
- Mary Poling, Barbour County - Education Committee Chair
CONGRATULATIONS
to those chosen for these very important positions!
VOL III, Issue 298 -- December 13, 2006
Join USW Members
in a Peaceful Protest Against Goodyear!
More than 15,000 members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have been out on strike at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. since October 5th when Goodyear made it clear that it was not going to negotiate a fair and equitable contract.
If Goodyear gets away with this assault on the living standards of its workers and the abandonment of its retirees, we can only expect more of the same from other employers in the future and the next time it might be one of us needing help on a picket line!
The striking Goodyear workers across the United States and Canada, are fighting for their livelihoods, their families and for every one of us.
Please let our brothers and sisters striking know they are not alone—and let Goodyear know it, too.
Join the NATIONWIDE PEACEFUL PROTEST of Goodyear's Assault on USW members!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
West Virginia Goodyear stores
Goodyear
4th Avenue & 12th Street
Huntington, West Virginia
Goodyear
16th & Jacobs Street
Wheeling, West Virginia
For more information contact: Janice Smith or Karen Shipley - 304-733-3784
Click here to find a location near you.
Click here to view the leaflet that will be used at the AFL-CIO-sponsored events.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN hELP STRIKING GOODYEAR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES
Call Goodyear corporate offices at 330-796-1145, e-mail Goodyear CEO Bob Keegan bob_keegan@goodyear.com , call Goodyear President John Rich at 330-796-4550 or e-mail him jon_rich@goodyear.com and tell them you're against shipping our jobs overseas and against the company abandoning their retirees.
Adopt-A-Local – The USW is establishing an Adopt-A-Local program where other local unions can help a particular striking Goodyear local, organize support rallies, raise funds, provide Christmas presents for the children, etc.
If your local union or organization wants to help out on the Adopt-A-Local or Adopt-A-Store campaigns, please contact the United Steelworkers at 877-511-8792 or e-mail solidarity@usw.org with the name of your group, a contact person, and phone number and/or email address.
VOL III, Issue 297 -- December 12, 2006
Celebrate the Life of
Margaret Florine Warden
Saturday, December 16th at noon, Family and Friends of Florine Warden will be holding a public memorial service to celebrate her wonderful life at the Calloway Heights Baptist Church,132 Rural Acres Drive, Beckley.
Because of Florine's long-time love and activism for the UMWA in lieu of flowers, she had requested that any expressions of sympathy be sent to the UMWA District 17 Scholarship Fund, 1300 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301
If possible, please attend the service and pay tribute to Florine's amazing and full life.
VOL III, Issue 296 -- December 11, 2006
Congratulations
Delegate Rick Thompson!
Sunday, at the State Capitol a huge crowd including a host of West Virginia's Legislators listened as West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue, Secretary-Treasurer Larry Matheney, members of West Virginians United for Social and Economic Justice and Spud Terry representing PEIA, spoke on Human Rights and Workers Rights in observance of International Human Rights Day.
Most of those in attendance stayed to witness the outcome of the vote as to who would be the nominee for the next Speaker of the House between Delegate Rick Thompson, D-Wayne and Delegate Scott Varner, D-Marshall.
During the 06 elections the West Virginia AFL-CIO spoke openly of their support for Delegate Thompson because of his idea of giving everyone a seat at the table in our State's Legislative process to create a level playing field, something Labor has not experienced in recent years.
By a 42-29 secret-ballot vote Delegate Thompson was declared the winner and those anxiously waiting outside the House Chamber cheered as the announcement was made.
From the House floor Rick Thompson said, "Everybody has the same goal in mind and that's to make the House of Delegates the best it can be. "I believe if you lead from the middle and bring more people to the table, you'll solve more problems."
Though the race for House Speaker received most of the attention other nominees in the House were Delegate Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha to succeed retiring Minority Leader Charlie Trump, R-Morgan.
Senate Democrats also re-nominated Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, for a record seventh term and Senator Don Caruth, R-Mercer was nominated as Senate Minority Leader.
All those nominated will face official votes by the House or Senate in January however, the party's nominees are almost always elected.
Each Chamber's Non-Legislator Elective Officers were also re-nominated. They are Clerk Gregory M. Gray, Doorkeeper John A. Roberts and Sergeant at Arms Oce Smith in the House, and Clerk Darrell E. Holmes, Doorkeeper Jack Trail and Sergeant at Arms Howard Wellman in the Senate.
VOL III, Issue 295 -- December 8, 2006
Reminder
December 10th is -
International Human Rights Day
The weather for Sunday will not be frightful (in the Fifties and Sunny) so drive to Charleston and stop by the State Capitol to view the beautiful Christmas decorations. Also next door is the Cultural Center or down the street is the Clay Center.
While at the Capitol join the 11:30 a.m. observance of International Human Rights Day with the West Virginia AFL-CIO. The Legislature will be there for an interim session and also the Democrats will be caucusing to select a new Speaker of the House.
Join The Excitement!
Who: AFL-CIO President, Kenny Perdue - AFL-CIO Secretary- Treasurer, Larry Matheney -
West Virginians United for Social and Economic Justice Coalition, and a host of Public Officials
What: Observance of International Human Rights Day
“Worker Rights and Human Rights”
When: Sunday, December 10th --- beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Upper Rotunda Area, State Capito
VOL III, Issue 294 -- December 8, 2006
Goodyear's actions have forced
16,000 UNITED STEELWORKERS Members
at 15 plants across the U.S. and Canada
out on strike
USW members were forced out on strike on October 5, 2006 when Goodyear made it clear that it was not going to negotiate a fair and equitable contract.
In 2003, USW active and retired members took concessions to their wages, health care and pensions to help Goodyear when they were on the brink of bankruptcy. The union members then worked closely with the company at every plant location to increase productivity and enhance production efficiencies. Goodyear's stock is worth almost five times now as what it was in 2003.
In 2005, Goodyear posted its highest profits in seven years and rewarded its CEOs and executive management with large bonuses.
In 2006, driven by greed Goodyear is betraying the workers that stood by them in hard times, demanding wage and benefit cuts, shutting its second U.S. plant in three years, and abandoning its moral and contractual obligations for retiree health care.
Goodyear's top brass say they're trying to save American manufacturing, however, in the past two years alone Goodyear has invested $18 million in a plant in China which has increased production THERE to 5.3 million tires a year!
This strike is a fight for all working Americans.
Too many manufacturing plants have been lost by
corporate America's mad rush to export our jobs!
Stand Up for American Workers
Protest Goodyear's Outsourcing of U.S. Jobs!
Contact Goodyear's corporate headquarters and let them know you also want to save American Manufacturing!
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Robert J. Keegan, CEO
Jonathan D. Rich, President
1144 East Market Street
Akron, OH 44316-0001
Phone: 330-796-2121
Fax: 330-796-2222
VOL III, Issue 293 -- December 5, 2006
International Human Rights Day
International Human Rights Day is December 10th and the West Virginia AFL-CIO is extending an invitation to you to join with us in an activity that will recognize "Worker Rights and Human Rights."
Our event will be held in the upper rotunda area of the State Capitol beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Some of the issues we hope to bring attention to are the Employee Free Choice Act, the Worker Freedom Act, proposed changes to Post 65 PEIA costs and the Current Health Care Crisis that all working families face.
International Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948, which ensured workers the right to individual freedom via economic security and independence and that includes the freedom of workers to form unions.
There are more reasons than ever to substantiate what moved the Roosevelt administration to protect the citizens of this country through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The freedom to form unions without interference from employers is the right of every American worker, but laws must exist to protect this right.
Studies show that states where many workers belong to unions have lower poverty rates, better schools and less crime. We're trying to sustain this quality of living for the citizens of West Virginia but due to corporate injustice workers are being fired for trying to form unions.
The right to form unions, have access to affordable health care and enjoy retirement security should be a basic right of every worker but without workers having the freedom to form unions neither economic security nor independence will be enjoyed by West Virginia working families.
One Voice, One Agenda, One Movement!
VOL III, Issue 292 -- December 1, 2006
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on World AIDS Day 2006
Twenty-five years into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with nearly 40 million people living with HIV and 25 million lives lost, it is time to stop this terrible disease. This year, the U.S. labor movement joins with unions and workers worldwide in calling on decision makers to "Stop AIDS--Keep the Promise" and involve unions in developing concrete targets to ending an epidemic that devastates workers and their families.
Worldwide, at least 26 million workers in their productive prime are infected with HIV. Unions are on the front line in the fight against this disease. The AFL-CIO and its 10 million members are "keeping the promise" through workplace and community-based HIV/AIDS programs such as the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center's partnerships with teachers in South Africa, truckers in Kenya, and garment workers in Swaziland and Lesotho. These programs have helped thousands of workers take responsibility for their behavior, given them the courage to seek testing, and linked them to care and treatment.
But we must do more to stop this epidemic. So far in 2006, nearly three million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses, and some four million have become infected with HIV for the first time. Right here in the United States, we have alarming new infection rates among women, African Americans, and Latinos. Even more alarming is the resurgence of HIV/AIDS in countries like Uganda, where prevalence had dropped sharply over the last ten years. HIV/AIDS affects workers and their families in their homes, on the job, and in their communities. It exacerbates poverty and inequality, and it increases the burden on the most vulnerable members of our society: women, children, and the poor.
In 2001, the International Labor Organization adopted ten principles on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. These principles recognize HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, seek an end to bias and stigma, and support the need for a healthy work environment. Workers, governments, and employers committed to promoting these principles. On this World AIDS Day 2006, we call for a renewed commitment to "Stop AIDS-Keep the Promise" by promoting these principles, making HIV/AIDS a union priority, and holding ourselves accountable for ending the epidemic. Together we will stop AIDS, keep the promise, and continue to reverse this devastating threat to human rights and social justice.
###
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney On New Record:
Longest Period Without Raising the Minimum Wage
America is a country of record-setters. This Saturday we'll set a new record when we officially hit the longest period since the minimum wage was enacted in 1938 that workers in our country have gone without a raise in the federal minimum wage. Sadly, this is one record America's working families cannot be proud of.
Imagine working full-time, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, and not having enough money to pay rent, put gas in the car and eat. The idea is absurd, but for millions of Americans, it's real.
Working people have been stretched to the limit and this year, on Election Day, they snapped back. By the millions, voters turned out to change the direction of our country and, in part, to end the blockade by the Republican-led Congress against increasing the minimum wage. Raising it is both an economic and a moral issue.
In every state where the minimum wage was on the November ballot as an initiative, it passed - - in Ohio, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana and Nevada. By huge margins, voters rejected $5.15 an hour. With the addition of these states, 28 states and the District of Columbia now have minimum wage laws above the federal level of $5.15. It's time to bring everyone up. No one can live, let alone raise a family, on $11,000 a year, which is more than a full time minimum wage worker earns annually.
We are looking forward to working with the new Congress next month to give America's lowest paid workers the raise they've needed for so long. As its first order of business, America's new leadership would do well to give America's workers the "clean" - no strings attached -- $2.10 raise they justly deserve.
VOL III, Issue 291 -- December 1, 2006
Join Head Start Workers and their Families
to Protest the anti-union tactics of
Southwestern Community Action Council !
Monday - December 4, 2006
March: 4:30 p.m. Cabell County Courthouse
800 5th Avenue, Huntington
Rally: 5:00 p.m. Southwestern Community Action Council
540 5th Avenue, Huntington
The march and rally will take place rain, snow, sleet or shine. For more information contact - SEIU-1199 @1-800-522-2871
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Request of Support by
Southwestern District Labor Council
WHEREAS, Organizing & Bargaining are the lifeblood of the labor movement and a basic right afforded every American worker; and
WHEREAS, Organized Labor supports every American worker in their workplace and their inherent right to organize, earn a living wage, have affordable healthcare, and a fair pension and a safe and harassment free work place, and bargain fairly and timely with their employer; and
WHEREAS, We have learned harsh lessons from the past and noticed more aggressive anti-bargaining trends throughout the country on behalf of many employers of our sisters and brothers; and
WHEREAS, Such negative trends hurts workers, the company and all the citizens in the locality of the business.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Executive Board, the officers and delegates of our 52 Local Unions and its 10,000 members stand in support of our affiliate SEIU Local 1199 and encourage the company to bargain fairly and in a timely manner; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Southwestern District Labor Council, AFL-CIO by unanimous vote will support all workers affected by this concessionary bargaining process and shall stand ready to help, publicly if necessary, both parties to a fair completion of the bargaining process
|
