WV-AFL-CIO One Voice September2007

Mollohan Praises Renewal and Improvement of
Children’s Health Insurance Program

WASHINGTON – Congressman Alan Mollohan said Tuesday’s vote in the House to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would lead to health coverage for about 10 million American children, including 60,000 in West Virginia – if the President does not veto the legislation.

“CHIP was created in 1997 to give millions of low-income children the chance for good health, and this bill accomplishes that goal by providing states the resources to reach millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible but not enrolled in CHIP,” Mollohan said.

“Democrats and Republicans have come together to create this opportunity to care for the neediest among us. It is an initiative of which this Nation should be proud,” Mollohan said.

“President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation, showing that he is clearly at odds with the majority of Americans who want to focus on priorities here at home by investing in health care for low-income children, rather than continuing to pour billions of dollars into Iraq and tax cuts for the rich.”

Mollohan joined a majority of his colleagues in Congress and more than 270 organizations like AARP, YMCA, the American Medical Association, the Catholic Health Association, the American Cancer Society, and the United Way in calling for the Administration to abandon its veto threat and join conservatives, moderates and liberals in making the insurance program available to children who need it.

This Thursday, September 27, 2007, tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show to hear Steve Skvara, a retired steelworker serving on the Board of the Indiana Alliance of Retired Americans, talk to Oprah Winfrey about losing his pension and health insurance, and asking his now famous question, “What’s Wrong with America?”

The Oprah Winfrey Show, “Sick in America: It Can Happen to You,” will be broadcast nationally Thursday, September 27, at 4:00 pm local time (airtime in most areas) on ABC-TV affiliate stations (check your local TV program schedules for details).

“I am extremely proud of Steve for sharing his experience with the world,” said George Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “This is only one example of how retirees will make our voices heard in the health care debate, and it is an important illustration of how powerful each of our stories can be.”

The broadcast will include a replay of Skvara's previously televised question, which he posed to the Democratic Presidential Candidates at the AFL-CIO’s presidential forum in Chicago, Illinois, August 7. Over one million people at home that night heard how Skvara retired from LTV Steel after he and his wife, Sandy, suffered life-altering injuries in an automobile accident. Two years after retiring, LTV filed for bankruptcy, costing him one third of his pension and all of his health care, and leaving Skvara unable to afford health insurance for his wife.

“Steve lost nearly everything when his steel mill closed. He has the spotlight, but unfortunately there are millions and millions of Steves who have lost their pensions and health care in retirement and now struggle to pay for medical care and other day-to-day expenses,” said Kourpias. “We cannot all be heard on Oprah, but we will be heard at the ballot boxes next November.”

Also on the show, guest Michael Moore will discuss his film Sicko with a health insurance lobbyist. The Oprah Winfrey Show, “Sick in America: It Can Happen to You,” will air Thursday, September 27, at 4:00 pm local time (in most areas) on ABC-TV affiliate stations (check your local TV program schedules for details).

On December 3, 2007, the new West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy will hold its first annual meeting at the Charleston Marriott.

We hope you will be there to learn about the Center and to help establish its research priorities. We will let you know more about the meeting as planning progresses.

If you are interested in attending, please register at our website: www.wvcbp.org

As we get closer to December, we will be updating the website with more information about the meeting.

Please share this email with your colleagues who may be interested in the work of the WVCBP.

With Congress set to vote this week on meaningful legislation to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program, WV United & Children’s Health Care Advocates tomorrow will implore Congress and the President to do the right thing on behalf of West Virginia’s kids. The bipartisan agreement struck by House and Senate negotiators will bring health coverage to nearly ten million children in the US – preserving coverage for all 6.6 million children currently covered by CHIP, and reaching nearly four million more uninsured American children in the next five years. The U.S. House will vote on Tuesday followed by the Senate on Thursday on this critical legislation to reauthorize and expand children’s health care for millions of kids – legislation that, unfortunately, President Bush has already threatened to veto.

The bill now before Congress would finance expansion of CHIP in WV to allow coverage of children in families earning up to 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines which could cover 97% of all WV children. A presidential veto would be a huge set back for CHIP which is set to expire Sept. 30th.

While the President has spent half a trillion dollars in Iraq, he says the CHIP legislation is too expensive to give insurance coverage to these kids. The needs of our children and other priorities here at home, like education and prescription drugs for seniors, have been shortchanged for far too long while billions and billions are spent each week in Iraq. Its time to get our priorities straightened out.

WHO: Children’s Healthcare Advocates including: Perry Bryant – West Virginians for Affordable Health Care; Renate Pore – WV Healthy Kids & Families Coalition; Dennis Sparks – WV Council of Churches; Rick Wilson – American Friends Service Committee; Gary Zuckett Mountain State Education & Research; Health Care Providers & others

WHAT: Congress & President Implored to Stand Up For the Thousands Children in WV without Health Insurance by Voting to Reauthorize and Expand the CHIP Program for Millions More Kids

WHERE: Family Care’s newest clinic: 116 Hills Plaza (next to Big Lots & Patrick St Bridge on the west side) Charleston WV 25312

The ten million members of the AFL-CIO stand one hundred percent in solidarity with the 73,000 men and women of the UAW who went on strike at General Motors today.

GM workers and the UAW are on the front lines of working people’s efforts to make corporations accountable, demanding that one of the world’s largest corporations honor its workers’ contributions and listen to their reasonable concerns.

Its workers are among GM’s greatest assets - - they have improved product quality and productivity, boosting strong gains in critical areas. The UAW membership has approached corporate restructuring and other top issues in a spirit of partnership and flexibility.

We stand ready to assist the members of the UAW in any way necessary in order to hold GM accountable for reasonably addressing the key issues that are so important to these working families’ futures.

The USW strike with the British Columbia Forestry Industry is continuing to go on without any near end in sight!

British Columbia forest workers want to be back on the job. But not under conditions that have them traveling and working 12 -16 hours a day doing some of the most dangerous work there is.

Since January 2005, more than 65 forest workers have been killed in British Columbia. A coroner’s jury has confirmed that unsafe shifts and contracting out have increased the chance of injuries and fatalities.

By not buying lumber supplied by Western Forest Products, Interfor and Weyerhaeuser (“Cedar One” products) which is sold locally by Home Depot you would be sending a message to the companies and retailers – that you support a safer, better forest industry; one that is a good place for men and women to work and one that gives you the quality products you deserve and expect.

Help the USW spread the word as they handbill two
Home Depot locations in West Virginia
Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 10:00 AM.

            WHO:        USW
          WHAT:      Handbill Home Depot
          WHEN:     Saturday ~ September 29, 2007 ~ 10 AM
          WHERE:   Home Depot
                         1050 Thundering Herd Drive
                          Barboursville, WV 25504

                          Home Depot
                          1180 Main St.
                           Bridgeport, WV 26330 (Take RT. 50 to Bridgeport from I-79)

For More Information: Call the USW Barboursville office @ 1-800-668-5169 or visit http://www.usw.ca

Action Alert
Call Congress Now
Support Kids’ Health Care
Endless war should not trump children’s health
Call Toll Free -- 1-866-544-7573 -- to Reach the Capitol Switch Board

Within the next week, Congress will vote on the State Children’s Health Care Program (SCHIP), which provides quality, affordable health care to 6 million children whose parents work, but can’t afford insurance. With SCHIP, kids get doctor visits, medicine and the care they need. Without Congressional action, it will expire at the end of September.

Democratic leaders in Congress are working to pass legislation to keep SCHIP going and allow it to cover more than 4 million additional uninsured kids whose parents can’t afford private premiums.

Everybody’s for that, right?

Wrong. President Bush is threatening to veto SCHIP. His administration has spent more than half a trillion dollars in Iraq, but now he says health care for kids is too expensive. Here’s the kicker: for the amount of money Bush spends in Iraq in one week, we could cover 800,000 uninsured kids for an entire year.

America’s children should come first. Call 1-866-544-7573 and tell your member of Congress to support legislation to ensure that at least 3 million more kids get the health care they need and oppose President Bush’s threatened veto.

Institute for Labor Studies and Research Office
7th Floor – Knapp Hall – Morgantown, WV

Sponsored by: Monongalia-Preston Labor Council &
WVU Extension Service Institute for Labor Studies and Research

Parking is available next to the building
Registration or questions: Call Sharon Mayfield @ 304-293-3323

CHARLESTON - Gov. Joe Manchin today asked all West Virginians to join him in observing POW/MIA Recognition Day tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 21, 2007.

“Historically, West Virginia is one of the most patriotic states in our nation - sending more of our men and women into battle in defense of our country’s democracy than most any other state,” the governor said. “We cannot forget those who are still missing, we have an obligation and responsibility to those who have served us proudly on the battlefield throughout the years.”

The governor signed a proclamation last week declaring Sept. 21 as POW/MIA Recognition Day. The proclamation commends the nation’s commitment to account as fully as possible for Americans still missing from our nation’s wars.

In addition, the proclamation calls on Congress to ensure that POW/MIA related offices and organizations receive the assets and resources necessary to accomplish the principled mission to account for unreturned veterans and to signal nations around the world that America stands behind those who serve.

“I encourage all West Virginians to make a sincere effort to thank our veterans this day and every day for their sacrifice and service. And, let us not forget our soldiers and their families who have made and continue to make sacrifices in their daily lives to protect us here at home.”

Steve Merriner, President of Brooke-Hancock Labor Council is requesting anyone in the area of Weirton Medical Center to stop by the Medical Center’s cafeteria TODAY at 5 pm to show support for our SEIU 1199 sisters and brothers regarding contract disputes over employee pay and staff levels.

On August 31, 2007 Steve fell and broke his wrist and was treated at the Medical Center where a nurse had to move him, by herself, from a gurney onto a CT machine. Steve said, “She did the best she could considering, she only weighted about 89 pounds (literally) and I weigh over 200 pounds.”

Steve reminds us that …
We are all in this together & an injury to one is an injury to all!
Stop by the Weirton Medical Center today at 5 pm and show your support!

The WVU Extension Service Institute for Labor Studies and Research &
The Kanawha Valley Central Labor Council present the following class:

This class covers AFL-CIO Central Labor Council duties of delegates and officers. The class will explain the history, structure, purpose and importance of a CLC. The class will discuss labor and politics and leadership skills in regard to CLC’s. This class is a must for not only officers and delegates to a CLC but also it is an excellent educational event for any AFL-CIO union member.

Dates: Monday, 15 October and Tuesday 16 October, 2007
Time: 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Location: WV State Building Trades, 600 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV
Registration: Call Robbie Massey of WVU-ILSR: 255-9321 or by e-mail at:
RVMassey@mail.wvu.edu

Programs and activities offered by the WVU Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or national origin. Persons needing a disability-related accommodation to participate in this event should contact Robbie Massey by October 10th, 2007 at 304-255-9321 or by email at: RVMassey@mail.wvu.edu

What: HEALTH CARE REFORM
The Vermont Example
Thursday, September 20th ~ 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Where: VALLEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
301 Scott Avenue (beyond Ramada Inn)
Morgantown, West Virginia

Guest Speaker: Mark Hage
Director of Benefits Program for National Education Association-Vermont

· Mr. Hage worked on passing comprehensive health care reform in Vermont. He will discuss the Vermont legislation and how those changes could be applied in West Virginia.

A distinguished panel will respond with questions:
Dr. Alan Ducatman, WVU Medical School, Chair, Community Medicine
Kenny Perdue, President, WV AFL-CIO
Dave Robertson, CEO, Mon General Hospital
Steve LaCagnin, Board Chair, Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce & Board Chair, Wellness Councils of America

Sponsored by:
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care (www.wvahc.org), Valley HealthCare System, WVU Center for Women's Studies, Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia Education Association, Monongalia-Preston Labor Council, AARP, Community Coalition for Social Justice, WVU National Center of Excellence in Women's Health, WVU Extension Service, and AFSCME Council 77.

For additional information contact:
Perry Bryant, Executive Director
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
perrybryant@suddenlink.net
304-344-1673

September 12, 2007

AFL-CIO Exec. VP Chavez-Thompson Announces
Her Retirement Effective Sept. 21

First Woman of Color Elected As Top Officer at National AFL-CIO, Chavez-Thompson Worked Tirelessly for Civil, Human and Workers’ Rights

(Washington, Sept. 12) – AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson will step down to return home to San Antonio and be with her family effective Sept. 21, President John Sweeney announced today.

Chavez-Thompson was elected to the office of executive vice president in 1995. A second-generation American who is the daughter of cotton sharecroppers, Chavez-Thompson became the first person of color to hold one of the top three elected offices at the AFL-CIO. She had previously served on the AFL-CIO Executive Council as a leader in AFSCME. Traveling and speaking to union and community groups constantly, she has been the face of America's new union movement to millions. Chavez-Thompson has worked to strengthen state and local labor movements and has served as a strong voice on behalf of civil, human and women’s rights. She also has been a national leader on the issue of immigration and immigrant workers’ rights.

“In everything she’s done over a lifetime of service, Linda has broken new pathways for the labor movement,” Sweeney said. “Countless working women and men, not only in the United States but throughout the Western Hemisphere, have a better life because of all she's contributed. She’s inspired tens of thousands of people to contribute through their own action, and wherever she’s gone, she’s earned tremendous affection."

Under the AFL-CIO constitution, Chavez-Thompson, a native of Lubbock, Texas, will become the AFL-CIO’s first executive vice president emerita. She will continue to chair the AFL-CIO Immigration Committee and serve as head of the Inter-American Regional Organization of Workers (ORIT), the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) regional organization for the Americas. She will also serve as an advisor to state federations and labor councils.

In a letter to Sweeney formally communicating her retirement, Chavez-Thompson said she wrestled with her decision. “I am blessed to have had 12 years worth of wonderful experiences, meeting thousands of union members and workers who have given me hope that our labor movement continues to be a major factor in their lives,” she wrote. “You … have given me the opportunity of a lifetime, which was to go where I never dreamed I could go, and do more than I ever dreamed I could do.”

Sweeney has asked the AFL-CIO Executive Council to support his recommendation of Arlene Holt-Baker, who currently serves as assistant to the president, to fill the remainder of Chavez-Thompson’s term. Holt-Baker has more than 30 years of experience in the labor movement and is a longtime member of AFSCME. Prior to coming to the AFL-CIO in 1995, she directed AFSCME’s work in California as International Union Area Director. At the AFL-CIO, Holt-Baker led the efforts to mobilize a labor-movement wide response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In 2004, she was executive director of Voices for Working Families, a 527 organization that mobilized working people around core economic issues. The council will vote on Holt-Baker’s nomination on Sept. 21.

Statement by AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney
On September 11 Anniversary

Four times today, our nation will observe appropriate moments of silence in memory of more than 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the crash of American Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Then we must raise our voices high to demand passage of the bipartisan 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to provide long-term medical monitoring, treatment and financial compensation for the first responders, rescue workers, construction workers, volunteers and residents who are now at risk of chronic diseases contracted as a result of toxic exposures following the 9/11 terrorists attacks.

More than 600 union members were among the moms and dads and sons and daughters who were viciously murdered six years ago as they began their workdays. A planeload of passengers gave their lives to prevent the carnage from spreading from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to the White House or the U.S. Capitol. In lower Manhattan, heroes were pouring into the site of the attacks even before the first towers fell. Police officers, fire fighters, medical personnel, construction workers and ordinary citizens plunged into the rubble to rescue the wounded, recover bodies and later to deconstruct the site. Many of them toiled on the awful pile at Ground Zero for months, unprotected from health and safety hazards and unaware the rubble and dust they were working in contained deadly toxins.

Today, those courageous men and women are beginning to pay the price for their unselfishness. A task force appointed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg estimated that as many as 400,000 people may have been exposed to dust from the collapsed World Trade Center. The World Trade Center monitoring and treatment program based at Mount Sinai Medical Center says that about four in 10 of its patients have breathing problems, including asthma, and many are suffering mental health problems. Deaths from exposure to the hazardous toxins are already being reported.

Federal funding delays and poor organization led to the failure of federal health agencies to respond to the hazards at Ground Zero and properly protect the workers; instead, workers were assured that the air was safe. Six years after the attacks, many of them still have not gotten the medical and financial help they need. As we honor those who died and their families, we must also fight for those who lived by passing the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.