Time for a General Strike: MLK and the 1968 fight for collective bargaining by Memphis sanitation workers | Dailycensored.com #wearewi #WIunion

Time for a General Strike: MLK and the 1968 fight for collective bargaining by Memphis sanitation workers | Dailycensored.com

Time for a General Strike: MLK and the 1968 fight for collective bargaining by Memphis sanitation workers

Written by Danny WeilBusinessMar 10, 2011

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Sanitation workers engaged in a general strike demanding the right to collectively bargain in Memphis, 1968.

At a solidarity rally for the rights of public workers in Wisconsin and working people throughout the United States one could see a green and white AFSCME sign which said, “It’s about Freedom” This can only be a reminder of the 1968 fight for collective bargaining by the sanitation workers in Memphis Tennessee. As one speaker outside the Capitol reminded the audience, Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis at the side of striking sanitation workers who were standing up for racial equality, collective bargaining rights and economic justice in 1968. In his appearance on March 17, 1968 before the workers, King spoke not exclusively of the need for higher wages for sanitation workers, which he did, but he also spoke directly to the striking sanitation worker’s demand for the right to collectively bargain. “I am a man”, was the slogan of the day and the demand for human recognition by the workers in Memphis. ”All labor is dignified”, were

Schools Matter: Walker's Tyrannical Move Simply Signals the War Has Begun In Earnest #wearewi #WIunion

Schools Matter: Walker's Tyrannical Move Simply Signals the War Has Begun In Earnest

Walker's Tyrannical Move Simply Signals the War Has Begun In Earnest

by Jim Horn

I cannot but feel a sense of gratitude to Governor Scott Walker for accomplishing what years of progressive information, communication, urging, pleading, warning, brow-beating, and begging could not do: the working people of America are galvanized by the naked and unrestrained attacks on democratic government, human rights, worker rights, and student rights. The great sleeping giant is finally awakened, and we are angry, determined, patient, persistent, dedicated, long-suffering, unrelenting, united, and fearless.

We see one another for the first time in a long time as brothers and sisters, once more working together in a

Madison is just 150 miles north of Rosemont. « Fred Klonsky's blog #wearewi #WIunion

Madison is just 150 miles north of Rosemont. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Madison is just 150 miles north of Rosemont.

by Fred Klonsky

For union members across the country, this will be a hell of a weekend. From Michigan to Ohio, Indiana to Wisconsin the lines have been drawn.

Michael Moore described it as a war against the working people of the United States last night on Rachel Maddow. And what had been a one-sided war has now produced a huge fight back. Non-violent, but powerful.

Tomorrow in Rosemont just outside of Chicago, the 130,000 member Illinois Education Association will hold its annual state Representative Assembly.

I will be there as a delegate.

If you have followed this blog, you know what I have thought.

But here are some other thoughts and things I’ve heard:

Last week the union representing hotel workers in Chicago and other cities signed an agreement with the Hilton

Breaking: Madison Rally Moved to 5 P.M. | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG #wearewi #WIunion

Breaking: Madison Rally Moved to 5 P.M. | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Breaking: Madison Rally Moved to 5 P.M. by James Parks, Mar 10, 2011

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Breaking: The mass rally set for this morning in Madison, Wis., has been moved to 5 p.m. today. According to the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, rallies are going on around the state now. It also has been reported that the state police have closed down the state Capitol in Madison.

Gov. Scott Walker is expected to hold a press conference this morning.

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Parents' Guide to Student Success | PTA

Parents' Guide to Student Success | PTA

Parents' Guide to Student Success

The Parents’ Guide to Student Success (listed below in English and Spanish) was developed in response to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics that more than 40 states have adopted. (To find out if your state has adopted the standards, visit CoreStandards.org/In-The-States.) Created by teachers, parents, education experts, and others from across the country, the standards provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career. National PTA® created the guides for grades K-8 and two for grades 9-12 (one for English language arts/literacy and one for mathematics). The Guide includes: Key items that children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade, once the standards are fully implemented. Activities that parents can do at home to support their child's learning. Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child's teacher. Tips for planning for college and career (high school only). Implementation of the Common Core Standards is in its early stages. It is likely that they are not currently in place in your school or school district. Each state is working on developing its own timeline and plans to implement the standards. To find out more about your state's plans to adopt or implement the standards, please contact your state education agency. PTAs can play a pivotal role in how the standards are put in place at the state and district levels. PTA® leaders are encouraged to meet with their school, district, and/or state administrators to discuss their plans to implement the standards and how their PTA can support that work. The goal is that PTAs and education administrators will collaborate on how to share the guides with all of the parents and caregivers in their states or communities, once the standards are fully implemented. Ultimately, the aim is for the Guide to be a tool for parents to build relationships with their children's teachers once the standards are fully in place.

Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » A Nation At Risk: Edited by Yong Zhao

Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » A Nation At Risk: Edited by Yong Zhao

A Nation At Risk: Edited by Yong Zhao

10 MARCH 2011 145 NO COMMENT

A Nation At Risk – April 1983

Edited by Yong Zhao, March, 2011

Next month marks the 28^th anniversary of the publication of A Nation At Risk, one of the most influential education documents in the US history. As an English language learner, I have always been impressed with the prose and composition of this document, although I have raised questions about its content in my book.

The title of the document captures the present condition of American education very well. The goals and aspirations are well stated and I agree with them. But what I don’t agree is the indicators of risk, i.e. student test scores by and large, which after almost 30 years, have been proven to be irrelevant, as I have argued in my book. The real risk America faces is the insane policies and scapegoating practices in education. So I decided to edit the document. I have replaced what I think misleading and misconceived phrases,

Michael Moore to Wisconsin GOP: "This is war" #wearewi #WIunion

The Latest From Wisconsin « Student Activism #wearewi #WIunion

The Latest From Wisconsin « Student Activism

The Latest From Wisconsin

by Angus Johnston

Yesterday evening, as most of you know, the Republican majority in the Wisconsin State Senate pushed through a bill that would severely limit state employees’ ability to bargain collectively through unions. The bill, which was presented three weeks ago as part of new governor Scott Walker’s first state budget proposal, had been stalled by Democrats in the Senate who had managed to keep that body from obtaining quorum.

Here’s a quick rundown on what happened last night, and what’s coming up today and in the future.

For most legislation, a simple majority is enough to conduct Senate business, but certain financial legislation requires a sixty percent quorum. For the last three weeks, everyone in Wisconsin has been operating from the premise that this bill triggered that sixty percent provision, which meant that the Dems in the chamber (14 of 33 Senators, or 42.4%) could keep the Senate from acting by refusing to show up. But last night the Republican

President and First Lady Call For a United Effort to Address Bullying | The White House

President and First Lady Call For a United Effort to Address Bullying | The White House

President and First Lady Call For a United Effort to Address Bullying

White House Highlights Private, Non-Profit, and Federal Commitments to Bullying Prevention

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the President and First Lady called for a united effort to address bullying at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention. Approximately 150 students, parents, teachers, non-profit leaders, advocates, and policymakers came together to discuss how they can work together to make our schools and communities safe for all students.

“If there’s one goal of this conference, it’s to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up. It’s not,” said President Obama. “Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people. And it’s not something we have to accept. As parents and students; teachers and communities, we can take steps that will help prevent bullying and create a climate in our schools in which all of our children can feel safe.”

"As parents, this issue really hits home for us. It breaks our hearts to think that any child feels afraid every day in the classroom, on the playground, or even online," First Lady Michelle Obama said. "I hope that all of you – and everyone watching online – will walk away from this conference with new ideas and solutions that you can take back to your own schools and communities."

Every day, thousands of children, teens, and young adults around the country are bullied. Estimates are that nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year - upwards of 13 million students. Students involved in bullying are more likely to have challenges in school, to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to have health and mental health issues. If we fail to address bullying we put ourselves at a disadvantage for increasing academic achievement and making sure all of our students are college and career ready.

The conference encouraged schools, communities, and the private sector to join together to combat bullying. Today the White House also highlighted private, non-profit, and federal commitments to bullying prevention.

Public-Private Partnerships, Commitments and Activities

Formspring and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Formspring is a social network with over 22 million members, and is working with The MIT Media Lab, to develop

Public Policy Blogger: Lessons from Florida. One-party state. Children living in poverty. Frayed society in paradise. #awakeFL #legFL

Public Policy Blogger: Lessons from Florida. One-party state. Children living in poverty. Frayed society in paradise.

Lessons from Florida. One-party state. Children living in poverty. Frayed society in paradise.

Sunday night...probably too few...Americans watched CBS' 60 Minutes story on the growing number of homeless children in Seminole County, Florida. It was heartbreaking. I was heartbroken. I know this community. I know these children. It is a metaphor for growing poverty among children in the United States. Poverty among children...our children...in this country...is expected to reach 25%. This country of ours. This one of boundless hopes, boundless dreams, boundless opportunities.

25%. 25%. 25%. 25%. 25%.

How many times does it need to be repeated before our elected leaders, business leaders, community leaders....all of us...say enough. And do something about it. Will those elected to serve the collective needs of our nation...our state...our communities...finally...let the word...poverty...slip from their lips? Why is this tolerated? Do we not care enough? Is it too hard?

Schools Matter: Gates Document Details Plans for Influence Peddling and Propaganda War for Corporate Ed

Schools Matter: Gates Document Details Plans for Influence Peddling and Propaganda War for Corporate Ed

Gates Document Details Plans for Influence Peddling and Propaganda War for Corporate Ed

by Jim Horn

Valerie Strauss has acquired the smoking gun that documents what we have known for a long time now: the Gates Foundation is flooding the nation's political plates with cash, along with state and local school systems, all the way down to the classroom level. The amazing document, this Gates proposal, outlines the work of a number of Gates Foundation efforts, but primarily it is aimed to provide guidance for the org that wins the grant of $3 million and change to run an outfit that was originally known as Teaching First. (That idea is now dead, since the super-secret details including the name of the outfit have now been exposed).

Rights-Stripping Maneuver By Wisconsin Republicans Will Be Long Remembered Over Next Election Cycles | FDL News Desk #wearewi #WIunion

Rights-Stripping Maneuver By Wisconsin Republicans Will Be Long Remembered Over Next Election Cycles | FDL News Desk

Rights-Stripping by Wisconsin Republicans Will Reverberate in Coming Elections

by David Dayen

Wisconsin Dems have started the clock on these GOP Senators. (photo: markonf1re)

The oddest thing about the “Ash Wednesday Ambush” last night in Madison is that this could have really been done at any time. The idea behind sticking the stripping of public employee rights in the budget repair bill was to give political cover. Once that was blown, and everybody knew what was in the bill, this was always a safety valve. There would still have been legal questions, but they had this opportunity pretty much whenever. They could have tried it the first day the Fab 14 Senate Democrats left. Heck, I wrote on February 21 about this

Doing a Velderman to Wisconsin. « Fred Klonsky's blog #wearewi #WIunion

Doing a Velderman to Wisconsin. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Doing a Velderman to Wisconsin.

by Fred Klonsky

EAG's Ben Velderman

The Education Action Group, including my stalker Ben Velderman, has issued a statement on the action by Scott Walker and the GOP senate in destroying union bargaining rights in Wisconsin. They call it democracy.

Sort of like snooping into my emails is democracy.

Lord, save us from democrats such as these.

March 10, 2011
10 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Steve Gunn, communications director
(231) 733-4202 or (231) 903-5585
sgunn@edactiongroup.org

Wisconsin senators display great courage by passing collective bargaining bill

What Are the Winners Thinking? - Bridging Differences - Education Week

What Are the Winners Thinking? - Bridging Differences - Education Week

What Are the Winners Thinking?

by Deborah Meier

Dear Diane,

It's a winter wonderland here—with ice glistening on all the branches. Except that some of those branches are now no longer connected to trees, and our lawn is filled with limbs. After our electricity went out, we finally trooped off to my daughter's house for the night. It's still not on as we approach another night.

So I haven't been thinking about what to write. I feel our case is so obvious and irrefutable, and well-documented that the only people who disagree with us won't be persuaded by anything we say. Leonie Haimson's Class Size Matters website has continuing, non-stop ammunition for your case and mine, Diane.

So I turned to my friend Linda Nathan's blog, which tells all about the life of her school (Boston Arts Academy in Boston). This very innovative school—based on habits of mind and graduation by real exhibitions of knowledge and skill—is a reminder of why "ordinary" public schools can, with the full support of a union, do remarkable things. We have such examples all over the country, if we can make sure they don't disappear under the

Michael Moore "If You Live Within Driving Distance Of The Wisconsin Capi... #wearewi #WIunion

March 09, 2011 MSNBC Rachel Maddow Show
http://MOXNews.com

SEIU | Sign-up to get involved in the recall of the "Wisconsin Eight" #wearewi #WIunion

SEIU | Sign-up to get involved in the recall of the "Wisconsin Eight"

Pledge Your Support for the Recall Effort in Wisconsin

Let us know how you're willing to support the recall efforts by filling out the form to the right. It will take at least 15,000 signatures in each district for a successful recall petition to be filed and there's a way for everyone to get involved, so sign-up today.

Canvass times and locations for 3/9 to 3/13

Thursday, March 10th
State Senator Robert Cowles
Brown County Democratic Party Office
1061 W Mason St., Green Bay
Time: 9am-6pm

State Senator Luther Olsen
Elks Lodge 675
201 W Conant St., Portage
Time: 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 5:30pm

Baraboo Civic Center
124 2nd St, Baraboo
Time: 3:30pm-7pm

State Senator Randy Hopper
Fond du Lac Labor Temple
50 E Bank St, Fond du Lac
Time: 3:30pm-7pm

State Senator Dan Kapanke
Recall Kapanke Office
116 5th Avenue South
La Crosse, WI.
Time: 9 AM to 9 PM

Friday, March 11th
State Senator Robert Cowles
Brown County Democratic Party Office
1061 W Mason St., Green Bay
Time: 9am-6pm

State Senator Luther Olsen
Home of Margo Miller
813 W Carroll St, Portage
Time: 12pm-5pm

State Senator Dan Kapanke
Recall Kapanke Office
116 5th Avenue South
La Crosse, WI
Time: 9 AM to 9 PM

Saturday March 12th
State Senate District 10 - 10 AM and 2 PM Shifts
Earth Angels
321 N 2nd St
River Falls, WI.

State Senate District 10 - 10 AM and 2 PM Shifts
Cathy Leaf's Home
1016 Willow River Rd North
Hudson, WI.

State Senate District 14 - 10 AM and 2 PM Shifts
Baraboo Civic Center
124 2nd Street
Baraboo, WI

State Senate District 14 - 10 AM to 5 PM
Steelworkers Local 1327
443 Scott St.
Ripon, WI.

State Senate District 14 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Chez Marche
108 South Main Street
Waupaca, WI.

State Senate District 14 - 10 AM to 5 PM
USW Hall 305
West North Water Street
New London, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 9AM to 11 AM and 2PM to 4PM
Keberle and Patrykus Law Office
2100 Gateway Court (near HY 45 & Paradise Dr.)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 9AM to 11AM and 2PM to 4PM
Bob and Barbara Deters (private residence)
1402 W. Decorah Rd. (between 18th and Silverbrook)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 9AM to 11 AM, 2PM to 4PM
Candlelight Collective
258 N. Main St. Lower Level (Downtown and downstairs from Jeanne's Collectables)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 32 - 9 AM to 9 PM
Recall Kapanke Office
116 5th Avenue South
La Crosse, WI.

Sunday March 13th
State Senate District 10 - 10 AM and 2 PM Shifts
Cathy Leaf's Home
1016 Willow River Rd North
Hudson, WI

State Senate District 14 - 10 AM to 5 PM
Steelworkers Local 1327
443 Scott St.
Ripon, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 10AM to 12PM, 2PM to 4PM
Keberle and Patrykus Law Office
2100 Gateway Court (near HY 45 & Paradise Dr.)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 10AM to 12PM, 2PM to 4PM
Bob and Barbara Deters
1402 W. Decorah Rd. (between 18th and Silverbrook)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 20 - 10AM to 12PM, 2PM to 4PM
Candlelight Collective
258 N. Main St. Lower Level (Downtown and downstairs from Jeanne's Collectables)
West Bend, WI.

State Senate District 32 - 9 AM to 9 PM
Recall Kapanke Office
116 5th Avenue South
La Cross, WI.

ThinkProgress » Wisconsin GOP Anti-Union Vote Violates State’s Open Meetings Law #wearewi #WIunion

ThinkProgress » Wisconsin GOP Anti-Union Vote Violates State’s Open Meetings Law

Wisconsin GOP Anti-Union Vote Violates State’s Open Meetings Law

Last night, Wisconsin GOP lawmakers called a surprise conference committee meetingand then rammed an anti-union bill through the state senate. Yet, by forcing the bill through without legally required public notice, the senators may have ensured that the bill will be declared void.

Wisconsin law requires all government meetings to be conducted publicly and with advance notice except under very limited circumstances. According to a guide to Wisconsin’s open meetings law prepared by the state’s Republican attorney general:

The provision in Wis. Stat. § 19.84(3) requires that every public notice of a meeting be given at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting, unless “for good cause” such notice is “impossible or impractical.” If “good cause” exists, the notice should be given as soon as possible and must be given at least two hours in advance of the meeting. … If there is any doubt whether “good cause” exists, the governmental body should provide the full twenty-four-hour notice. [...]

Wis. Stat. § 19.97(3) provides that a court may void any action taken at

Wisconsin: Confusion Reigns Over Legality of Anti-Union Bill Passage in Wisconsin | FDL News Desk #wearewi #WIunion

Wisconsin: Confusion Reigns Over Legality of Anti-Union Bill Passage in Wisconsin | FDL News Desk

Wisconsin: Confusion Reigns Over Legality of Anti-Union Bill Passage in Wisconsin

by David Dayen

That video is from last night’s three-minute conference committee meeting, convened illegally under Wisconsin law, which passed a bill Democratic members of the committee didn’t have an opportunity to read. Rep. Peter Barca, the Assembly Minority Leader, pleads throughout the meeting that it violated Wisconsin’s very preciseopen meetings law. This stipulates that “Public notice of every meeting of a governmental body shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of such meeting unless for good cause such notice is impossible or impractical, in which case shorter notice may be given, but in no case may the notice be provided less than 2

Schools Matter: Chris Christie's Big Fat Morbidly Obese Lies

Schools Matter: Chris Christie's Big Fat Morbidly Obese Lies

Chris Christie's Big Fat Morbidly Obese Lies

by Jim Horn

In the middle of p.1 of the New York Times this morning is a story on the heavyweight dissembling and lies of New Jersey's Koch-headed governor, Chris Christie. Like many bullies whose honesty never matches their intimidating enragement, Christie exploits an everyhungryman's cut-to-the-chase matter of factness slathered over with dripping sarcasm and abusive finger pointing. Yum.

Too bad the facts don't back up the Mammoth One's bluster. My favorite: Last year when Christie bragged about balancing the budget without raising taxes, he "forgot" to mention that it was done on backs of the elderly and the poor, who lost tax credits that make it possible to live in a state where rents normally exceed the entirety of a Social Security check.

But then, the lie about teachers getting free health benefits is a good one, too.

Oh yeah, and remember when it was Schundler's fault that Jersey missed its chance in the BttT (Bribe to the

Obama addresses bullying, education - UPI.com

Obama addresses bullying, education - UPI.com

Obama addresses bullying, education

Published: March. 10, 2011 at 7:03 AM

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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama convene the first Conference on Bullying Prevention Thursday, the White House said. UPI/Olivier Douliery/Pool

Related Stories

• Obama: Bullying is abuse, not passage rite
• White House conference to address bullying

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama convene the first Conference on Bullying Prevention Thursday, the White House said.

The conference includes communities that have been affected by bullying, as well as those taking action to address it, the daily schedule indicated. Participating in discussions are members from the departments of Education and Health and Human Services, students, parents and others.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/03/10/Obama-addresses-bullying-education/UPI-94421299758581/#ixzz1GCkuSalj