Tag Archives: Michigan

Stop Closing Post Offices Until You Solve Their Pre-Funding Problems

  By New Hampshire Labor News | January 9, 2013 - 8:49 pm | ,
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APWU Logo (small)

I wanted to share with you all a very special call to action from some American Postal Workers Union local 300 in Michigan.  They are in the process of closing down plants to solve their phony bankruptcy problems.   We all know the truth is the problem Congress created when they mandated that the USPS pre-fund their retirement system.

This hits very close to home as they have already closed the Portsmouth NH plant and are talking of closing more plants.

So before they close this processing plant for good, take a moment to read their story below and listen to the APWU Local 300 President explain whats happening in this short 30 second clip.  Then send a message to you Congressional Reps and ask them to stop this consolidation until a legislative solution is created.

Be sure to forward this to anyone you know in Michigan so they can call their Reps too. 

POST OFFICE NEWS REPORT.MP3

 
Central Michigan Area Local 300
 American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
PO Box 21154
Lansing, MI 48909-1154

Dear fellow Union Brother and Sisters,

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is in the process of relocating Lansing’s Mail Processing operations to Grand Rapids, and to the Pontiac Metroplex Processing Centers. This means that we would loss 200 to as many as 400 jobs right here in the Mid-Michigan region. It will also delay the mail by up to 3 days for your local mail to get delivered.

This does not have to happen, nor do we need to lose any more good paying jobs right here in the Lansing area.

So I respectful ask for your support in contacting Senators’ Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, as well as, Congressman Mike Rogers. Tell them we need their support in keeping jobs here in Lansing, and to halt the consolidation until Congress can address the Legislation that plagues the USPS finances.

Feel free to contact me @ cmalprez300@yahoo.com or 517-528-9980, if you have any questions,

In Solidarity,

Jesus Gonzales, President

Central Michigan Area Local 300

*   *   *   *   *   *

UPDATED Per requests.
Sen Carl Levin’s phone number DC office (202) 224-6221

Sen Debbie Stabenow DC office phone (202) 224-4822

Find you state Congressional Reps to contact them

Sad Day In Michigan: A message from AFL-CIO President Trumka

  By New Hampshire Labor News | December 11, 2012 - 6:57 pm | ,
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From @KTUERK on Twitter

From @KTUERK on Twitter

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
On Passage of Michigan ‘Right-to-Work’ Law
December 11, 2012

Gov. Snyder showed his true colors today: He’s a puppet of extreme donors, and he is willing to ignore and lie to his constituents. His action will undoubtedly please the Koch Brothers and corporate CEOs, but it will diminish the voice of every working man and woman in Michigan.

To make ‘right-to-work’ a reality, Governor Rick Snyder ignored working Michiganders, the faith and civil rights community, President Obama, people in his own party, autoworkers, nurses, teachers, firefighters, the Detroit Free Press editorial board and voters. He listened to Grover Norquist, Dick DeVos, the Koch brothers and the extremes of his party. In Gov. Snyder’s office, they might call that political reality. On Main Street, we call it a sham of democracy.

The so-called ‘right to work’ laws have never fostered employment, but they do bring out the worst kind of divisiveness. Gov. Snyder knows this is true. He publicly acknowledged this reality for years, and yet ultimately he chose to ignore it and embrace extreme politics under the guise of a job creation agenda.

But working people are resilient – and just like we’ve patiently worked together to rebuild after the Great Recession, we will continue to come together to say ‘no’ to overreach and to oppose this radical governor and state legislature. And we will continue to work for policies to put America back on track with good jobs and shared prosperity, because working people have always been the solution, not the problem.

Right To Work (for less) Does Not Create Jobs, Look At This Oklahoma Video

  By New Hampshire Labor News | December 11, 2012 - 3:10 pm | ,
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Fred Morgan Oklahoma

Ever state since 2001 that has tried to push Right To Work for less legislation has said, ‘look what it did in Oklahoma’.

The proof is in the pudding as they say.  In this short video, Fred Morgan a former Oklahoma Legislator cannot name one company who has moved to Oklahoma because of their newly enacted Right To Work (for less) law.

Just one more example of the continual lies that are surrounding Right To Work for less.

  • Right To Work does not create jobs
  • Right To Work does lower workers pay
  • Right To Work weakens collective bargaining
  • Right To Work mean workers are less likely to get healthcare or retirement benefits.

Right to Work is the right to work for less. 


USW Calls on Mich. Gov. Snyder to Veto Right-to-Work-for-Less

  By New Hampshire Labor News | December 11, 2012 - 1:30 pm | , , ,
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Michigan working families deserve state ballot vote for their economic future 

Pittsburgh (Dec. 11) – President Leo W. Gerard of the United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement  today in an appeal to common sense economics over politics as a Michigan lame-duck legislative session by Republicans rams through a ‘right-to-work-for-less’ bill for a promised signature by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“The USW active and retired members join other unions and allies in Michigan and across the nation to call on Gov. Snyder to support the proposal of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation. We ask the Governor to use his veto power to stop this unnecessary and divisive right-to-work bill.

“If the Governor feels this bill will move Michigan forward, he should delay the final legislative votes and allow an amendment that would put this issue before the public as a state ballot initiative.  We urge Governor Snyder to delay his signing of the bill. Let the people of Michigan debate and vote on a consequential matter that will affect all working families.

“We know the newly-elected Michigan state legislature convening early next year has added Democrats that would reject a right-to-work-for-less bill. Right-to-work is only supported by millionaires and billionaires who profit by taking more money out of the workers’ pockets.

“The USW applauds President Obama for his public statement yesterday in Detroit to do everything we can to keep good middle-class jobs that help workers rebuild security for their families. He said it straight and true. We shouldn’t be trying to take away workers’ rights to bargain for better wages and working conditions. The so-called ‘right-to-work’ laws don’t have much to do with economics — they have everything to do with politics.

“Hear our voices outside the Lansing State Capitol. Hear the voice of President Obama who said: We don’t want a race to the bottom. We want a race to the top.”

 

The USW is a North American union representing 850,000 workers in the manufacturing, mining, energy and service sectors. For more information: www.usw.org.

Right To Work In Michigan: Democracy At Its Worst

  By Matt Murray | December 7, 2012 - 3:44 am | ,
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Right To Work Michigan

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Have you been reading about what has been happening in Michigan? 

Well just in case you have been unplugged from any social media for the last day let me explain.  A few days ago reports started to surface that the Republican led Legislature in Michigan were going to use their own ‘lame duck’ session to push a Right To Work for less bill.   Turns out the reports were all true.

The legislature and Governor Snyder knew there would be huge protests if they pushed Right To Work in Michigan.  Amid huge protests RTW was unveiled in the MI House.  The Detroit Free Press reported

“The goal isn’t to divide Michigan. It is to bring Michigan together,” the governor said, as hundreds of union protesters stormed the Capitol and the governor’s office, vociferously voicing their opposition to the plan.”

We all know this is a crock.  The goal of right to work is to lower wages and make it easier for companies to break labor unions down.

The day was moved on like a live action horror movie, directed by Americans for Prosperity and ALEC.  Even the Koch Brothers could not keep their hands out of this. The Koch funded group American For Prosperity, had members lined up in front of the State House in Lansing.

“Michigan passage of right-to-work legislation will be the shot heard around the world for workplace freedom,” AFP said in a press release Thursday.

Even though Right To Work has nothing to do with ‘freedom’.

“In the wake of this legislation, the only ‘freedom’ gained for Michigan workers will be the freedom to make less, the freedom to be disrespected at work, the freedom to struggle to pay their bills and the freedom to be left out of the American dream.
–Working Michigan statement 12-6-12

Democratic lawmakers walk out in protest
via UAW http://on.fb.me/TIQvmR

Protesters filled the capitol in Lansing and began chanting. Watch the video from the UAW.  At one point they were told to leave the capitol building and the police began using pepper spray on protesters.  The protests outside became even louder as people began chanting ‘Let us in’ (VIDEO).  However in a strong move by Democrats in the Michigan Legislature, they walked out.  They would not return until the people of Michigan would be allowed to return.

It would not take long for the MI House to pass the RTW bill.

As all of this was happening, President Obama issued a statement on the proposed RTW bill in Michigan.

“President Obama has long opposed so-called ‘right to work’ laws and he continues to oppose them now,” said White House spokesperson Matt Lehrich. “The President believes our economy is stronger when workers get good wages and good benefits, and he opposes attempts to roll back their rights. Michigan – and its workers’ role in the revival of the US automobile industry – is a prime example of how unions have helped build a strong middle class and a strong American economy.”

Even the Presidents strong words would have no effect on the GOP assault on Michigan working families.  The Michigan Senate began pushing their version of the MI Right To Work for less bill.  Of course it passed 22-16.  The only catch is that due to legislative laws in Michigan a bill has sit for five days before it can be moved from the Senate to the House.  Then all legislators would have to do is combine the two different bills and send it to the Governor.

This is a sad day for Michigan and the hard working people who live there.  Working Michigan, a broad coalition of faith, labor and community organizations released a statement (full below).

“The legislation passed tonight is nothing short of an attack on the middle class in Michigan by Republican leadership and their corporate CEO funders.  This is a divisive law that will hurt our state by driving wages down and pitting workers against each other.”

After the ‘auto bailout’ and the revival of the big three in Michigan lawmakers chose to repay these workers with a giant slap in the face.  Their unity and dedication help revive Michigan and helped preserve over one million jobs.   The only hope Michigan has now is that over the next five days the Governor comes to his senses and veto’s this bill.  Though it is not very likely.

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Michigan Republicans vote to unravel the state’s middle class, flatten wages and crush workers’ rights

12/07/12

LANSING, Mich. – In  devastating blow to the middle class in Michigan, Republicans, bankrolled by wealthy, corporate CEOs, passed anti-worker legislation tonight which promises to flatten wages and crush workers’ rights. Following the Republicans’ destructive vote, Working Michigan, a broad coalition of faith, labor and community organizations issued the following statement:

“The legislation passed tonight is nothing short of an attack on the middle class in Michigan by Republican leadership and their corporate CEO funders.  This is a divisive law that will hurt our state by driving wages down and pitting workers against each other.

“Study after study has demonstrated the devastating effects of this sort of legislation: Workers in ‘right-to-work’ states make $1,500 less per year, meanwhile the growth rate for ‘right-to-work’ states actually drops after legislation of this sort is enacted. Dressing the legislation up with benign sounding phrases like ‘workplace freedom,’ Michiganders understand what’s at stake here and will hold them accountable.

“In the wake of this legislation, the only ‘freedom’ gained for Michigan workers will be the freedom to make less, the freedom to be disrespected at work, the freedom to struggle to pay their bills and the freedom to be left out of the American dream. This bill is a blatant attempt by the richest in Michigan to silence the voices of working families in our democracy, build their own power, and make the growing gap between the rich and everyone else even bigger.

“Should Snyder sign this legislation, he will join a list of other governors – John Kasich, Scott Walker, and others – who have signed over the future of their respective states to big corporations and CEOs, making a decision to leave working families behind. Regardless of what might happen, working people have made it clear they will continue to fight for our vision of a better, stronger Michigan and work to hold elected leaders accountable.”

Michigan Tries To Sneak A Right To Work For Less Bill Through

  By Matt Murray | November 29, 2012 - 12:29 pm |
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Right To Work 2

Let me be one of the first to welcome the State of Michigan to the hell I have been living in for the last two years.  The Michigan Legislature just proposed a Right To Work (for less) bill into their legislature.

If you follow the NH Labor News you already know that we are adamantly against any form of Right To Work for less.  We have been fighting against multiple forms of Right To Work and reductions in our collective bargaining rights.  These attacks on our collective bargaining in NH were mostly due to the extreme right wing legislators and their leaders Speaker Bill O’Brien.

Michigan and New Hampshire are nearly identical in public opinion of Right To Work (for less) and collective bargaining.

From Detroit Free Press: “With the election behind us, Lake Research Partners found that voters are overwhelmingly ready for politicians in Lansing to get to work creating jobs and improving education, not changing rules about unions or collective bargaining (83 percent agree, 64 percent strongly agree). The same poll shows that a strong majority of Michigan voters (70 percent) continues to support the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions, including a majority (55 percent) of those who voted No on Proposal 2.”

This Right To Work proposal seems very strange, given the large number of union workers in Michigan.  The economy in Michigan was completely turned around by the recovery of the American auto industry.   Why would they want to go after the same people that helped to rebuild Michigan’s economy over the last three years?

Here are the facts:

Right To Work for less does not create jobs.

Contrary to what the right wing media may be telling you,  Right To Work has never been proven to create jobs.

Right To Work laws lower wages.

This is a proven fact that people in RTW states make on average $1,500 a year less. They are also less likely to receive healthcare benefits or retirement options.

Right To Work is an attack on collective bargaining.

RTW laws have one real purpose, ‘to weaken the unions’.  They know that if they can somehow weaken the unions workers will have less say in the workplace. They will have less say in their pay, benefits, and overall working conditions.

Right To Work states rank lower in education.

In New Hampshire, the statistics are astounding that Right To Works states fail in comparison on reading levels, math levels, and early childhood education.

Do not be fooled by the right wing media that might be saying that Right To Work is a matter of freedom or way to create jobs, they are lies.

Working America and the AFL-CIO are working to ensure that Michigan does not try to sneak this Right To Work (for less) bill through the legislature in their own ‘lame duck’ session.

If you are in Michigan take one minute and sign this letter to the MI Senate Majority Leader Richardville and tell him to stop the attacks on workers by opposing this so called Right to Work bill.

If you are not a resident of Michigan you can still help.  Use you twitter account to send a message to Sen Richardville.  Click To Tweet to @SenRichardville

How To Win Against The TEA Party

  By Matt Murray | July 3, 2012 - 4:26 pm |
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In New Hampshire as with many other state the TEA Party became a huge player in the 2010 elections.  Now many of them are elected leaders in our legislature. I know more that a few Granite Staters who wish they had known more about the TEA Party and their extreme agenda before they voted.

In our fast paced world, media clips are 30 seconds long, and soundbites win elections.  If you cannot get you point across in 30 seconds then it tends to fall on deaf ears.  (HEY I AM STILL TALKING HERE.) So with this knowledge major communicators have been shaping the messages to have the most impact in the least amount of time.  Just look at twitter for example.  A Tweet is 140 characters and yet it is one of most effective places to gather information.

I would like to share will you a short video of how a group of very smart and sassy individuals in Troy Michigan, fought back against the TEA Party message with some very creative ideas.

The story of the Troy Library.