What can you do to help the workers and fight-back against ‘capital‘s’ assault on labor in Wisconsin? Rallies planned all over the country | Dailycensored.com

What can you do to help the workers and fight-back against ‘capital‘s’ assault on labor in Wisconsin? Rallies planned all over the country | Dailycensored.com

What can you do to help the workers and fight-back against ‘capital‘s’ assault on labor in Wisconsin? Rallies planned all over the country

Written by Danny WeilEducationFeb 21, 2011

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We cannot let the capitalist class win in Wisconsin. Teachers have agreed to return to work, due to Fox News and other corporate media outlets that have created the image in the minds of many that teachers are overpaid thugs who have abandoned their students when in fact they are currently giving their students the best lesson they can get in critical thinking and social responsibility and courage. Meanwhile, countries throughout the world, including Egypt, have ‘bought pizzas’ for the protestors in Wisconsin.

Fighting for the moral values of solidarity, diversity, participation in power (collective bargaining), equity in funding for basic human rights (the public commons) and a decent wage is now going on in Wisconsin. The morals are in the budget and nowhere can this be seen better than Wisconsin, right now undoubtedly a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for the nation as governors in New jersey, Illinois, Indiana, California, New York and Ohio saddle up for the same fight. In fact, 12 states are ginned up for right wing assaults on worker’s rights and education.

Do not be fooled! the issue is worker’s rights and the role of capital in destroying pensions, housing values, businesses, and demand which have all led to lower tax revenues. The private sector cannot create ‘demand’ which is the economic problem facing this nation. Lowering worker’s wages with ‘austerity’ programs that destroy democracy, families and the social fabric is a disaster for the national and state economies. Killing unions is

Artist's del Valle Mural Channels Twitter | The Blog

Artist's del Valle Mural Channels Twitter | The Blog

Artist's del Valle Mural Channels Twitter

Posted by Alex Parker on Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM

Barack Obama had Shepard Fairey.

Miguel del Valle has Maya Escobar.

The 27-year-old self-described digital media performance artist recently completed a “mobile mural,” featuring a stoic del Valle surrounded by images of Chicago — neighborhoods, greenery, cycling, a bungalow and Willis (née Sears) Tower. Nodding to del Valle’s grassroots campaign and its use of Twitter and other online media, Escobar named the canvas mural #delvallemural (pronounced “Hashtag: del Valle mural).

click to enlarge

• Maya Escobar's #delvallemural project

“I really wanted to show a vibrant thriving city. For me, that’s how I see Chicago," says Escobar, who moved back to her native Chicago from Saint Louis three weeks ago. “It’s about neighborhoods and it’s about communities, and not just about the big skyscrapers.”

She’s a self-professed del Valle supporter, and completed the mural

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: IN MY MAILBOX #wisolidarity #wiunion #weac

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: IN MY MAILBOX

IN MY MAILBOX

From Deborah Meier in Madison

Mike,

It was anything but an "angry crowd"! There is something joy-prodcing about this kind of protest--as though in releasing our voices we are refilled with energy and affection for each other. An occasional Tea-partyer (a few thousand at most of "them" amongst 75 thousand pro-unionists, etc hardly made for ay problems at all! In fact sometimes their slogans just fit into ours. It was only the media saw it as a serious "confrontation" between Wisconsin citizens! Bah humbug.)

What ingenuity the signs themselves showed, as families and kids held up their ingenious ideas. Finding rhymes and slogans that were filled with the fun of language. Lots of it fgocused on respect and democracy. Chants and songs that have grown u

School Board Pres Michael Bonds on Budget Debates and MPS « Larry Miller's Blog #wisolidarity #wiunion #weac

Statement by School Board President Michael Bonds on Budget Debates and MPS « Larry Miller's Blog

Statement by School Board President Michael Bonds on Budget Debates and MPS

Filed under: MPS — millerlf @ 4:21 pm

Press Release

February 21, 2011

For Immediate Release

The ongoing political activities and budget debates at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison involve very emotional and passionate issues that challenge all of us. These are real issues that have real implications for our students, families, staff, and communities, both in the short term and in the long term. While I’m personally 100% supportive of public education and the rights of workers to have collective bargaining, I’m also 100% committed to the 80,000+ MPS students and their families. Our students and parents have rights too. Our students have the right to be educated and to be in school daily, even during these challenging times. Our parents and community have rights and expectations for MPS to carry on its responsibilities during these challenging times. Therefore, I’m requesting that all MPS employees be present on Tuesday and the remainder of the week so we can resume our primary function of educating our children. But I’m also asking all MPS employees to take this opportunity to educate our students, families and community about these issues, if the opportunity should arise after school, outside of the classroom, or as an extension of the curriculum. While these are very emotional and challenging issues, I do not want us to lose our focus of educating our children on a daily basis in a safe and conducive environment. This must continue to be our main focus.

I am requesting that the MPS Administration refrain from making threats of disciplinary action toward our employees. The use of threats does not send the appropriate message to our employees, nor does it serve any constructive purposes. There will not be any blanket disciplinary actions of employees. District collective bargaining agreements require personal conferences prior to disciplinary actions. We have contracts with our employees, which outline procedures relative to the use of sick leave and disciplinary procedures. Any disciplinary actions administered by the MPS Administration will be considered on a case-by-case basis and follow MPS’ currently established policies and contractual language. I am also requesting

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Are they still calling it "reform"? #wisolidarity #wiunion #weac

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Are they still calling it "reform"?

Are they still calling it "reform"?

Reform Detroit style: Bobb will close half of city schools, raise class size to 60. This is nothing less than criminal.

President's Day in Boise. Thousands of teachers, parents, and students are spending their day off protesting Superintendent of Public InstructionTom Luna's plan to require high school students to take four online courses, introduce merit pay for teachers and end tenure for new teachers. It would also eliminate about 770 teaching positions.

Boise

Thousands of Wisconsin union members and supporters are packing the Capitol again today to protest T-Party Gov. Walker's plan to not only to cut wages and benefits for some public employees, but go after teachers'

Florida teachers plan to rally against proposed budget cuts WTSP.com 10 News#wisolidarity #wiunio

Florida teachers plan to rally against proposed budget cuts | Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota | WTSP.com 10 News

Florida teachers plan to rally against proposed budget cuts

Isabel Mascarenas 17 mins ago

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Dunedin, Florida -- Fourteen years in the classroom and teacher Brandt Robinson says what's happening in Wisconsin is just the beginning.

"I have people on Facebook in Iowa, in Wisconsin, in Nevada. It's gaining momentum. It might gain momentum into 2012 to the elections," says Robinson.

Tens of thousands of Wisconsin teachers continue a sixth day of rallying at the state capitol, protesting the governor's proposed budget cuts. Wisconsin teachers are also fighting to protect their collective bargaining rights - a right Florida's public workers, including teachers, have under the state constitution.

Like Wisconsin, Florida teachers say they are trying to protect their profession. "We're still fighting the perception this is missionary work, while it is we're still professionals and want to be treated as professionals," says Robinson.

Proposed legislation would tie teacher evaluations and merit pay to student test scores, and Governor Scott proposes having all public employees contribute five percent of their salaries into their pensions.

- Solidarity Actions #wisolidarity #wiunion #weac AFT - A Union of Professionals

AFT - A Union of Professionals - Solidarity Actions

We Stand With Wisconsin
Solidarity Events

Here's a list of events coming up in your state this week. The list will continue to grow, so keep checking back in.

These are not all AFT events—most are sponsored by other unions, but everyone is welcome to attend. Each listing includes the type, location, time, lead organization and contact information for that event, where available.

Alaska

Rally
Juneau
2/22/11
12 PM
AFCSME
Fate Putman/Jake Metcafe
907-936-4975/907-317-8665

Arkansas

Press Conference
Little Rock
2/23/11
11:30 AM
State Capitol
AR AFL-CIO
Jess Akers
501-258-1547

Rally
Little Rock
2/22/11
AR AFL-CIO

Arizona

Rally
Phoenix
2/22/11
AFSCME

California

Vigil
Sacramento
2/22/11
5:30 PM
State Capitol West Steps
AFSCME
Willie Pelote

Rally
San Diego
2/18/11
4:30 PM
3737 Camino del Rio South
County Labor Council
619-288-8101

Vigil
Palmdale
2/22/11
5:30 PM
Poncitian Square
CTA Dist. H
George Melendez
661-206-7337
gmelendez@cta.org

Connecticut

Rally
Hartford
2/23/11
12 PM
State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave.
AFSCME C4
Peter Thor / Matt Brokman
860-224-4000

Colorado

Rally
Denver
2/22/11
12 PM
200 East Colfax Avenue (West Steps)
AFSCME C76/ AFT/ CO AFL-CIO
Russell Bannan / Ken Riley
303-928-9360 / 303-725-4407

Georgia

Rally
Atlanta
2/23/11
4 PM
State Capitol
Teamsters

Indiana

Lobby Day
Indianapolis
2/22/11
9:00 AM
AFCSME
Bill Clouse
765-438-5041

Iowa

Rally
Des Moines
2/22/11
1:00 PM
Iowa State Capitol (West Steps)
IA AFL-CIO
515-262-9571

Rally
2/21/11
AFSCME CN61

Counter-Rally
Des Moines
2/22/11
12 PM
Iowa State Capitol (West Steps)
Tea Party

Maryland

Rally
Annapolis
2/22/11
12 PM
Lawyers' Mall
AFSCME
Patrick Moran
410-547-1515

Massachusetts

Rally
Boston
2/22/11
4 PM
State House
MA AFL-CIO/Boston CLC/Teamsters
Rosa Blumenfeld
617-723-2370

Rally
Springfield

2/22/11
4 PM
City Hall Steps
Pioneer Valley CLC
Jon Weisman
413-732-7970

Michigan

Press Conference
Lansing
2/21/11
10:00 AM
AFSCME MSEA

Lobby Day
Lansing
2/22/11
9:00 AM
215 N. Capitol (corner of Ottawa) Central United Methodist Church
MI AFL-CIO

Rally
Detroit
2/23/11
AFSCME CN25

Minnesota

Rally
St. Paul
2/22/11
4:00 PM
Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
MN AFL-CIO
Kris Fredson
651-235-4459

Rally
St. Paul
2/22/11
75 Constitution Ave
AFSCME CN5
Jim Niland

Missouri

Rally
2/21/11
AFSCME CN72

Montana

Rally
Helena
2/21/11
2:00 PM
1301 East 6th Avenue
MEA-MFT
Timm Twardoski

Nebraska

Rally
Lincoln
2/21/11
AFSCME
Julie Dake-Abel
402-486-3911

Rally
Lincoln
2/23/11
Teamsters
Kim Quick
402-616-2688

New Jersey

Rally
Trenton
2/24/11
12 PM
CWA

New Mexico

Rally
Sante Fe
2/22/11
12:15 PM
East Side State House
NM AFL-CIO/ Teamsters
Don Manning
505-715-1376
dmanning@aflcio.org

New York

Rally
Albany
2/18/11
4:00 PM
143 Washington Avenue
AFSCME
Mary Sullivan
518-257-1000

Nevada

Rally
Las Vegas
2/21/11
12 PM
State Building
Flora Walker
702-736-3877

Rally
Carson City
2/21/11
12 PM
State Capitol
Gail Tuzzolo
702-596-1482

North Carolina

Rally
Raleigh
2/21/11
12:00 PM
1 East Edenton Street
UE 150
MaryBe McMillan
919-833-6678

Press Conference
Raleigh
2/22/11
11:00 AM
1 East Edenton Street
NC AFL-CIO
MaryBe McMillan
919-833-6678

Ohio

Rally
Columbus
2/22/11
AFSCME

Oregon

Rally
Salem
2/21/11
OEA

Pennsylvania

Rally
Scranton
2/23/11
12:00 PM
Lackawanna Court House
NE PA ALF
Roxie Pauline
570-840-1650
roxiep9@aol.com

Wear Red Solidarity Day
Across the State
2/22/11
All Day

Rally
Pittsburgh
2/24/11
12:00 PM
USW Headquarters
USW

Puerto Rico

Rally
San Juan
2/21/11
Capitol
PR AFL-CIO
John Vigueras
787-964-4956

Rhode Island

Rally
Providence
2/22/11
4:30 PM
90 Smith St.
AFSCME
Ken DeLorenzo
401-724-5900

Texas

Candlelight March & Vigil
Austin
2/21/11
6:45 PM
Meet at TX AFL-CIO - 1106 Lavaca Street
TX AFL-CIO
Becky Moeller/Ed Sills
512-477-6195

Hearing
Dallas
2/26/11
10 AM
410 S Beckley (Judge Medrano's Room)
Workers' Rights Board
214-826-4808

Meeting
Grand Prairie
3/9/11
7 PM
2218 E. Main St.
N. Texas Jobs with Justice
Gene Lantz
labordallas@sbcglobal.net

Lobby Day
Austin
3/14/11
All Day
N. Texas Jobs with Justice
Gene Lantz
labordallas@sbcglobal.net

Utah

Rally
Salt Lake City
2/22/11
UT AFL-CIO
Jim Judd
801-972-2771

Vermont

Rally
Montpelier
2/22/11
12 PM
State Capitol
VT AFL-CIO
Dennis LaBounty
802-223-5229

Washington

Rally
Olympia
2/21/11
AFSCME
Greg Devereux

West Virginia

Lobby Day
2/21/11
AFSCME
Gino Carbeina
614-973-9480

Wisconsin

Rally
Madison
2/21/11
All Day
2 East Main Street
AFSCME

Rally
Madison
2/22/11
All Day
2 East Main Street
AFSCME