Photo: PSL Milwaukee from Feb. 5, 2020 protest at UW Parkside, Kenosha

#freechrystul

The Students For a Democratic Society sponsored a protest Feb. 5, 2020 at UW Parkside joining with several other groups today to condemn the decision by the Kenosha County DA Graveley, to continue pressing charges against Chrystul Kizer, a victim of sex trafficking who had killed her captor. The Kenosha police and DA Graveley knew that the man was a sex predator and pedophile and failed to act to make sure he did not prey on any more children. We demanded and will continue demand that the charges be dropped and Chrystul be freed immediately! No justice, no peace!

#freechrystul

Supporters of Chrystul Kizer will also pack the Kenosha Court Feb. 6: Pack the Court! Bond Reduction Hearing

District Attorney Michael Graveley is an occasional instructor at UW Parkside and is teaching Criminal Law this semester.

He is also remorselessly prosecuting Chrystul Kizer, a young Black teenager who was defending herself from rapist and child trafficker Randy Volar, a 35 year old white man. Volar threatened, sexually abused, and trafficked Chrystul and she ended up killing him in self defense. She is now facing a life in prison.

Graveley has the power to drop charges, but he continues to press on, slandering Chrystul on social media and in the court room. Join us for a rally at UW Parkside, on the first day of Graveley’s class, to demand that he drop the charges.

More info: Free Chrystul Kizer

#freechrystul

https://bit.ly/398yFDR

The Milwaukee Public Museum and the union that represents their employees have entered a pitched battle over the terms of their new contract, which includes a unusual provision that would require employees to have their private medical data tracked and financially penalize them for falling behind in a wellness program.

Negotiations started this fall, and members of AFSCME Local 526 were shocked by the initial contract offer they received from the museum. The union’s president, Jaclyn Kelly, said she’s never seen a contract offer like this.

For a three year contract, according to the union, the museum proffered: no raises, no cost of living adjustments and an elimination of 1.5 percent of 401k benefits, while tripling the workers’ health care deductible and capping pay for employees that make it to the top of their range. Since then, during the ensuing negotiations, the museum has offered a raise of 0.85 percent annually, which doesn’t even keep up with inflation, Kelly said.

The union represents workers at all income levels: from part-time employees to ticket collectors, educators, maintenance staff and scientists. For the lowest paid employees, the raise wouldn’t bring their hourly pay above $11, Kelly said….

AFSCME Wisconsin Council 32

AFSCME Local 526 members hold an informational picket outside Milwaukee Public Museum, fighting for a fair contract on 1/18/20

2020 Annual Fundraiser

Internal Organizing 101

Whether it be membership recruitment, contract or issue  campaigns, or mobilizing around legislative fights,  Internal Organizing is the cornerstone of a strong local and
the labor movement.

At the end of the day, Internal Organizing is our best offense.

Join us for a FREE and insightful workshop with National AFL-CIO  Internal Organizing Coordinator, Charles Handel Lundy.

Contact Emily with questions or to RSVP- 414-771-7070, emily@milwaukeelabor.org

REGISTER TODAY! The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Community Services Conference is taking place March 12th-14th in Madison this year.

The Conference is a great opportunity to meet labor activists from across the State, hear from insightful speakers, and build your skills with a variety of workshops- including workshops facilitated by Milwaukee Area Community Service Liaisons Jay Reinke and Emily Mueller.

You can also nominate a union member or a community service project for the Ralph A. Jirikowic Award. More information is included in the packet.

Don’t miss out on a great time!

#MKELabor #1u

_____________________

The annual Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Community Services Conference will be held March 12, 13, and 14 at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club. The conference will open with a plenary/general session at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. Registration will be available that morning beginning at 10:00 a.m.

**Details regarding the registration fee, lodging, and related matters can be found here.** 

This conference really is a call to action – with the intent that the education and information provided will allow participants to become more involved in both the labor movement and also within their individual communities. The AFL-CIO Labor Engagement program is about “making the community a better place in which to live, work, raise a family, and retire”. It is about mobilizing Union members – through local unions and central labor councils – to address workplace and social justice issues. By building strong partnerships with other community and faith organizations, more can be achieved.

Thursday’s opening plenary session will include the presentation of the Ralph A. Jirikowic Award and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Project Award. Nominations for both awards are due on Saturday, February 29. Application forms with additional information are here.

Over the three days, conference attendees will hear from the President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Updates will be given on a number of Labor initiatives, the upcoming spring election and Presidential primary, the fall election, and much more.  There is much work to be done, to make Wisconsin better for all working families, and this is an excellent opportunity to hear first-hand about plans for the upcoming year.

We are certain that you will find the conference educational and packed with useful information that you can take back to your local unions. Please submit your registration fee and completed registration form(s) by Monday – March 2, 2020.

#ThePeoplesPaper
Issue 2 | Spring 2020

It’s a new year, new decade, and we’re in the 20s!