[Educationforall] {Spam?} spam con huevos labor news, views and concerns, 2.29.12-1

[Carlos Pelayo]

STAND WITH WORKERS OF TSUBAKI Lee Saunders, AFSCME Treasurer, Launching Historic Presidential Bid‏Who Stole the American Dream in Broad Daylight?  David Bacon: "Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants"  will you march with us?‏ Boston Young Workers: 'Organize Our Future'‏News From Your Union(AFSCME)Corporate Rights and Human Rights A Civil Right to UnionizeMarch 6 2012 - Participatory Democracy & Social Justice Struggles: From Port Huron to #Occupy UCLA
 
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http://action.kucinich.us/page/s/solidarity

STAND WITH WORKERS OF TSUBAKIRight now in Sandusky, workers from the U.S. Tsubaki plant are standing in the cold - locked out of the factory for over a year. A plant that some of them have worked in for 30 years and more.We feel so passionately for the plight of these courageous and resilient people that we wanted to share their story with you: A portrait of the plight of the American Worker. The story of the Tsubaki workers is the story of far too many people in our great nation.Sign the petition below and stand with the workers of Tsubaki and workers across America.
Email Address:*First Name:Last Name:Zip/Postal Code:** denotes required field

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Lee Saunders, AFSCME Treasurer, Launching Historic
Presidential Bid (EXCLUSIVE)WASHINGTON -- 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/lee-saunders-afscme_n_1311203.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=1032837,b=facebook

The labor movement could witness a historic change at
the very top this June with the election of a new 
president to American Federation of State, County, 
and Municipal Employees, the powerful public sector union.

On Wednesday night, Lee Saunders, AFSCME's
Secretary-Treasurer, is set to announce the
long-expected: he will be running to be the union's
president, a post being vacated by long-time leader
Gerald McEnttee.

Unlike elections past, Saunders won't run unopposed.
Reflecting the policy and political schisms that exist
between state and federal chapters, Danny Donohue,
president of the largest AFSCME local in the country --
the 265,000-strong New York State Civil Service
Employees Association -- has also launched a bid.

But should Saunders find himself elevated up the ranks,
he would become the first black president of the 1.6
million-member AFSCME and one of the highest union
officials of African-American descent ever.

"It would be historic," Saunders said in an interview
with The Huffington Post, previewing the candidacy he
was set to announce. "I mean, I'm African American but
I'm also a trade unionist. I think it just bodes well
for unions ... I think it's an exciting time for us. I
think our members are excited about this. There is going
to be give and take. There is going to be dialogue and
discussion. This is democracy in action with this
election."

Known as driven, organized and politically deft,
Saunders was elected to his current position in June
2010 (defeating Donohue). Upon ascension to that post,
he outlined a vision for the union's future growth, one
based predominantly on keeping allies committed and
accountable labor's cause.

Since then, the political dynamics have changed
dramatically. Gubernatorial and congressional wins by
Republicans in 2010 have only worsened the climate for
unions, particularly those in the public sector. The
focus that AFSCME was placing on keeping recalcitrant
Democratic members of Congress in line soon turned to
far more hostile Republican governors.

Efforts were made to stop the stripping and paring back
of collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin, Ohio and
Indiana. Where those failed, resources were devoted to
recall efforts. Only recently has the organization begun
donating major money to the presidential campaign, with
a slew of ads that are designed to portray Mitt Romney
as out of touch. Always politically active, there is a
strong possibility that AFSCME will end up spending $100
million during the 2012 cycle.

A longtime McEntee protege who served as his executive
assistant, Saunders is already helping to organize these
efforts. And in an interview, he explained that he
wanted to build upon the current strategy, confident
that a drastic change in course wasn't needed.

"I think Gerry has done wonders for this union," he
said. And I am convinced that we've got to build upon a
very strong foundation that we already have. We are a
changing union. We've got to continue to organize like
never before. That's our number one priority: to
organize new members into our union."

Saunders did not draw major distinctions between federal
and state-based legislative priorities, arguing that it
was AFSCME's role to fight legislative and political
battles wherever they arise. He did, however, stress
that as president he would try to expand AFSCME's
partnerships, both with other unions and with
progressive, civil rights and faith-based organizations.

"We're developing those kinds of necessary coalitions
where people understand that unions have an important
function in today's society," he said. "When we bargain
collectively, we improve benefits, we improve wages."

Saunders will be making his campaign announcement in
Columbus, Ohio, where he served as a state employee and
AFSCME-affiliate member before entering the national
stage. The union's next president will be chosen at its
June convention in Los Angeles. Its members are
currently in the process or electing delegates to the
convention, who in turn will choose the next president.

____________________________________________

PortsideLabor aims to provide material of interest to
people on the left that will help them to interpret the
world and to change it.

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Who Stole the American Dream in Broad Daylight?Mark Karlin, Truthout: "Opening in New York City on March 3 at the Quad City Cinema, 'Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?' is a feature documentary about the emergence of plutocratic control of the US government. But the film is not meant to raise the white flag to accumulated wealth. In fact, it concludes that, 'There are only two kinds of power in America: organized money and organized people.'"Read the Article 

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David Bacon: "Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants"This persuasive, well-researched book by David Bacon focuses on undocumented workers from Mexico and Central America who are trying to survive economically or flee political oppression - and are labeled "illegal people" by the US government and politicians. Bacon shows how US trade policies and political support for corporate-friendly, anti-populist governments in southern nations play a large role in the desperate migration movement. 
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Nearly 47 years ago, civil rights activists of different races, ages and walks of life were attacked by armed officers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., as they marched for racial justice. This day became known as Bloody Sunday in the United States. 

Now, our rights once again are under attack. Politicians in our state and national governments are working to divide us by limiting our right to vote, attacking our ability to gain a voice at work and discriminating against new immigrants.

That’s why diverse communities are gathering together as one movement to march for the 99%. From March 4 to March 9, a dedicated, diverse group of change-makers will march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. If you can’t march in person, you can join them online.

Please sign our pledge to stand in solidarity with the march.

We’ll be sure to share your comments, so the marchers know that tens of thousands of us stand with them.

Thanks for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

P.S. Live in Selma or Montgomery, Ala., or somewhere in between? Click here for details on the march.To find out more about the AFL-CIO, please visit our website at www.aflcio.org.
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Feb. 29, 2012
Electricians from the Electrical Workers were called in to repair shoddy and dangerous work performed by a previous contractor at U.S. and NATO bases in Afghanistan.More than 80 young union members, activists and students recently came together to share their stories and strategies at the “Organizing Our Future” conference in Boston. The young workers are “what the AFL-CIO young worker program is all about—young leaders taking an active role in strengthening and building our unions and connecting with their broader community,” says AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler.
Got comments? Post them at blog.aflcio.org. IBEW Members Work to Keep U.S. Troops Safe Watch for Our Brand-New Look Tomorrow! Atlanta Mayor, Unions Urge Investment in Sustainable Economy Painters Helping N.Y. Storm Victims Rebuild Royal Dutch Shell Should Be Held Accountable in NigeriaRead more important news of the day on the issues working families care about.Follow the AFL-CIO:
            Take the next step. Become a mobile activist
by joining the AFL-CIO Rapid Action Text Team.
Text NEWS to AFLCIO (235246) to receive action alerts and more.
(Message and data rates may apply.)
To find out more about the AFL-CIO, please visit our website at www.aflcio.org.
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Featured Action 
Tell Us Your Health Care Story 
When Congress passed health care reform in 2010, it meant that parents could keep their uninsured adult children on their plan until age 26. It eliminated limits on essential benefits. And it got rid of limits on coverage for pre-existing conditions. Yet, some politicians are trying to undo these critical reforms. We’re fighting back. If you’ve got a story about how the Affordable Care Act has helped you or your family, let us know. Share Your Health Care Story News From Across The NationDiNapoli: Stop "Twisting the Facts" on Public Pensions
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s push for a 401(k)-style plan for new public workers threatens the economic security of the state’s current and future retirees according to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.The Truth Behind the Right-to-Work-for-Less
The corporate interests behind the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) are pushing right-to-work-for-less legislation in Arizona and other statehouses across the country.280 Private EMS Workers in Santa Clara County Vote to Join AFSCME
EMS workers at the emergency medical services company, Rural/Metro, are now part of the same national union that represents 20,000 EMS workers across the country.Prison Privatization Fails in Florida Senate
The Florida Senate recently handed Gov. Rick Scott a major defeat and Florida's working families a huge victory by rejecting Senate Bill 2038, which would have privatized 27 prisons and work camps.San Jose City Officials Caught Lying About Public Pensions
An NBC investigative report recently proved what San Jose city workers have said all along about the dishonest pension claims of Mayor Chuck Reed and other city politicians.Collective Bargaining Rights Upheld in South Dakota
Activists from AFSCME Council 59 and other supporters of workers’ rights in South Dakota defeated an effort to revoke collective bargaining for public employees.From The LeadersMitt Romney and the 1% 
Pres. Gerald W. McEntee writes in the Huffington Post that Romney doesn't hide the fact that he wants a tax code that rewards the 1% and makes the rest of us pay far more than our fair share.Asserting a Claim on Democracy 
Sec.-Treas. Lee A. Saunders writes that as we observe Black History Month 2012, AFSCME members from coast to coast are protesting politicians’ callous disregard for struggling families and their failure to demand that the wealthiest Americans do their fair share.AFSCME Web Store: Next Wave T-shirt 
Show your support for the next generation of AFSCME activists in your very own, 100 percent cotton Next Wave T-shirt. Available in grey or green. Next Wave T-shirt 

NLC Invested: Get Sound Financial Advice 
Financial issues can be confusing—especially when there aren’t many places from which working folks can receive unbiased, reliable information about investing and financial security. That’s why the National Labor College and the AFL-CIO have partnered to provide resources and answers at their new website: NLC Invested 

AFSCME Advantage: Entertainment Discounts
You deserve a break — both from work and high entertainment costs. Through AFSCME Advantage, union members can use Union Plus Entertainment Discounts — including movie ticket, video and theme park discounts. Entertainment Discounts
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Corporate Rights and Human RightsShould the Alien Tort Statute hold corporations liable for heinous crimes? Is there a more effective way to do this?
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A Civil Right to UnionizeBy RICHARD D. KAHLENBERG and MOSHE Z. MARVITIt's time to redefine the right to organize a union as a civil right.
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  Registration Open!     


Participatory Democracy and Social Justice Struggles: From Port Huron to #Occupy 

March 6, 2012
UCLA Campus: Covel Commons - Salon A

Students and practitioners will come together to discuss and reflect on student-led democracy movements from the 1960s through this year's Occupy movement against disappearing economic opportunities for their generation.    -------Morning Sessions (8:30 am-12:00 pm) : A presentation by graduate students from across the country regarding their research on themes of insurgency and organization building within progressive movements.   Afternoon Sessions (1:00-4:00pm presentations, 4:00-6:00pm cultural presentation) : UCLA students will present their reflections and revisions of the Port Huron Statement as part of a UCLA Labor and Workplace Minor course taught by Tom Hayden, the author of the "participatory democracy" concept at Port Huron, Michigan. They will be joined by interested campus activists in a day-long discussion of the options before students of today's generation. Speakers include Gioconda Belli, a former Sandinista who currently is a poet and novelist; Maria Varela, who organized with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the Deep South, and is active in health care and Latina feminist movements in New Mexico; and Dick and Mickey Flacks, who have been active in teaching and local organizing in the Santa Barbara area for decades; and Charles McDew, the first chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Varela, the Flacks and McDew were all participants at Port Huron.      To register, please visit the conference website.      
 For more information about this event, please contactporthurontooccupy at gmail.com.        For a complete list of IRLE events and colloquia, please visit our website.
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Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monitory gain to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the material for research and educational purposes. This is in accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. section 107..
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
 

Listen to Native Voice One http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/nv1/ppr/index.shtml



 
 


 













































 
 		 	   		  
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