CWA Local 9510's News Blog

Repost from Jim W. CWA District 9

The fight in Wisconsin is not about the state being broke and it is certainly not about "greedy union members" wanting to keep cushy pay, benefits and retirements better than "the rest of the country" receive. This is about working people, the core of this country, fighting for the right to bargain collectively and have a voice where they work. This fight is spreading to other states, NY, NJ, PA, IN, OH, MI, IL, FL, just to name a few. This fight is about an all out effort to by the right wing to break us once and for all. This fight is being financed by corporate interest in this country and being orchestrated by the politicians they have bought, and the fight must spread from the public sector to the private sector.

An ALL stewards call is being set up nationwide for tentatively 430 pst this Wed 2-23; details will follow.

In the meantime. we are quickly looking to see how best to put resources into the fight. I have asked Seth Rosen and HQ's to let me know of any meaningful work for which I can supply staff and I'll let you know what requests I receive. Until then I would ask that if you have resources, money in particular, that you consider helping locals already on the ground in the key states with LTW to get acticivists out into the community. I advise you not to throw money at trave l to the states in flux etc at this point and until we can make sure that the efforts and work that will be done justify the expense.

Your staff will all be contacting you to discuss things that we can do over the coming days. You can start with this:

1. Begin organizing "mass starts" at large public worksites where workers can briefly addressed and show solidarity

2. Wear Wisconsin Red everyday you can; not just Thursdays

3. Attend tomorrow evenings 530 pm solidarity reality at the capitol in Sacramento

4. EDUCATE YOUR MEMBERS ON WHAT IS AT STAKE.

More to follow...

Jim Weitkamp