WALA is back! Build power in your local. Get your local leadership team signed up or call (608) 836-6666 TODAY!

What is the Wisconsin AFSCME Leadership Academy?

• Two-day training for local union leadership teams.
• Learn how to move members to action.
• Work as a team to develop and carry out a solid action plan for your local.
• Network, and build solidarity with local union leaders from other councils.
• Learn a little bit of labor history and a lot about what’s happening now.
• Hear about Wisconsin locals that are fighting and winning today.
• Return home inspired, reinvigorated, and ready to build power in your local.
• Have fun!

When is WALA and where is WALA for 2013?

• Madison, WI – June 22 and 23
• Milwaukee, WI – September 7 and 8
• Northwest WI – October 5 and 6
• Green Bay area – September 28 and 29

Read more >>>

See why the spending vs. taxes debate is largely meaningless and how the real runaway spending is not in programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security – but in a tax code that disproportionately benefits corporations and the super rich. Read more >>>

HIGHER REVENUE PROJECTIONS BASED ON A ONE-TIME BUMP - Much is being made of a Legislative Fiscal Bureau report projecting additional state revenues of $575 million over the next three years.

The report shows that the state can expect a boost in revenue because of a one-time flurry of market activity nationwide. This flurry of investor activity has not translated into more or better paying jobs in Wisconsin. Read more >>>

The famous Manitowoc County Pig Roast is set for Tuesday, July 9, at Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park. The event will be held in Cabin 2. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so order now. As in past years please make checks payable to Michelle Kohlbeck, $15 per person, BUT mail them to Cindy Satori, 6820 Hartlaub Lake Road, Manitowoc, WI, 54220. A registration form may also be found on our website..  Ticket order form Read more >>>

 The roads you took to work this morning. The clean and safe water that you brushed your teeth with. The bus that picked your kids up for school.

Our taxes make all of these public services — and so much more — possible. They make our communities possible. And we're proud to invest in our common good.

 A Wisconsin appeals court has refused to put on hold a judge's decision repealing major parts of Gov. Scott Walker's law effectively ending collective bargaining for most public workers.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asked the 4th District Court of Appeals to place the September ruling of Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas on hold while an appeal is pending. Colas refused in October and the appeals court on Tuesday upheld that decision.

The appeals court says it sees "no basis to set aside the circuit court's decision that a stay was not warranted."

A spokeswoman for Van Hollen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last year's ruling overturned the law as it pertained to school and local government workers.  (read more)  (read decision)

Attention AFSCME sisters and brothers!

In order to form a more perfect union (pun intended) between our organizing efforts in the real world and cyber-space, AFSCME Council 40 will be making a number of changes in the way we utilize social media in the coming months.

First, we’re switching over from our current Facebook “Group” to our new “Page” (click here). There are a number of advantages to using Pages, now that Facebook has implemented recent changes to its Groups, which will make it easier to share information and attract new members. We will also be looking for ways to direct people to AFSCME Council 40’s website since much more information can be found here.

Second, for all members of AFSCME Council 40, stay tuned for our forthcoming MEMBERS ONLY portal. We will be using this area of our site to facilitate communication, at first from Council 40 to our Locals, and later as a platform for interaction among Locals. There will also be a wealth of resources posted, such as training manuals, newsletter templates, “Street Reports” from Locals regarding ongoing organizing strategies, and much more.

We hope that by becoming more internet savvy we’ll be able to enhance the work we do on the job and in our communities.

Solidarity!

AFSCME Council 40
 

A Dane County judge has ruled many of the provisions of Wis Act 10 unconsititutional. The judge found that certain provisions of the act violate the free speech, freedom of association and equal protection clauses. Read more >>>

As part of our program to continue to build a strong union and Fight to Take Back Our Rights, Council 40 has introduced a new secure on-line site for members to use to sign-up for alternative dues payment system if their employer has ended dues check-off. This system will allow members to arrange payment by electronic bank draft, debit or credit card. (read more)

Treasurers, due to recent changes in filing requirements by the IRS, all AFSCME locals must file a Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N.  Please note that for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2010, locals with gross receipts of $50,000 or less may file the Form 990-N.  To determine which form your local needs to file and what the deadlines are (click for more).

Through the cooperation of AFSCME, the AFL-CIO and Council 40 we are pleased to announce a new free service for Local Unions. Laborweb is a simple and free tool to build websites and strengthen communication. (more)

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP We have started a Facebook group for to provide our members with another sources of information about what is happening here in Council 40. Search Facebook for AFSCME Council 40 and join in.