Wisconsin recall effort sparks labor movement debate

Scan page 2

5) Reduce the workweek to 30 hours with no cut in pay, and cut the retirement age to 55. Provide unemployment and retirement payments at We propose an EMERGENCY CONGRESS OF LABOR to discuss and 6) To combat inflation: A sliding scale of wages and pensions that match­ 1) Bail out the people, not the bankers! Open the account books of the es the rises in comsumer prices. To combat high medical costs: A free, banks to full public inspection. Nationalize the banks to be supervised by 7) Immediate citizenship for all undocumented workers. No job discrimi­ 2) No foreclosures! No forced evictions! Cancel usurious debt payments, nation; equal pay for equal work — regardless of gender, sexual orienta­ and reduce mortgage payments in proportion to their capitalist-caused 8) Nationalize manufacturing, big agribusiness, energy, and transporta­ 3) Full employment at union wages! An emergency public works program tion corporations and place them under the control of elected committees to employ all jobless workers and youth! Employ people to build what we need — low-cost quality housing, efficient mass transportation, cheap and 9) To mobilize support for the demands it adopts, the EMERGENCY renewable sources of power, schools, clinics — and to conserve our water, CONGRESS should organize ACTION COMMITTEES in every workplace and neighborhood threatened by the crisis. These committees can draw up 4) Immediate and full withdrawal of U.S. troops and mercenaries from Iraq & Afghanistan! Close all U.S. bases abroad! No money for the military 10) To put all these measures into effect, we need a LABOR PARTY — — use funds instead for public works! Convert the war industries to mak­ based on a fighting union movement and all people who are oppressed Socialist Action (ISSN 0747-4237) is published monthly by Socialist Action Publishing Association, P.O. Box 10328, Oakland, CA 94610.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Socialist Action, P.O. Box 10328, Oakland, CA 94610. RATES: For one year (12 issues, 1st-class mail): U.S., Canada, Mexico — $20. All other countries — $30. Money orders and checks should be in U.S. dollars.

Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of Socialist Action. These are expressed in editorials. Socialist Action is edited, designed, and laid out entirely by volunteer labor. It is printed by members of Local 583, Allied Printing Trades Council, San Francisco, Calif.

City State Zip — I want to join the Socialist Action Newspaper Supporters Club.

Clip and mail to: Socialist Action newspaper, P.O. Box 10328, Oakland, CA 94610.

MADISON, Wis.—The law stripping public workers of collective bargaining rights, which spurred hundreds of thou­ sands to take to the streets and occupy the State Capitol building last spring in what became known as the Wisconsin Uprising, was partially struck down by a federal judge on March 30.

The judge’s ruling held that it was un­ constitutional for the state to bar public workers from voluntarily having union dues withdrawn from their paychecks (a practice known as dues check-off) and force public worker unions to re­ certify every year. However, the court left in place the provision of the law that restricts collective bargaining for public workers to quibbling over cost-of-living increases, eliminating their le­ gal right to protect working conditions, seniority, raises, and benefits at the bargaining table.

Meanwhile, campaigning is heating up for the state’s recall election to replace Republican Governor Scott Walker. It is sure to be the most expensive election in Wisconsin history. Most unions have once again kow­ towed to the Democratic Party, endorsing candidates for the recalls before the election date was even set and the candidates’ paperwork filed.

A massive “Reclaim Wisconsin” rally on March 10 brought some 50,000 or more working people to the Capitol Square and was largely directed toward push­ ing them to campaign for Democrats.

The favorite candidate among unions is Dane Coun­ ty Executive Kathleen Falk, the long-time administra­ tor of the county that includes Madison. As part of her Editor: Michael Schreiber Canada Editor: Barry Weisleder Name Address Phone E-mail Steve Kinderman / Eau Claire Leader-Telegram / AP platform, Falk cites the cuts she imposed on county workers’ wages through collective bargaining for a give-back contract in 2010. The same budget includ­ ed a huge increase in regressive local property taxes.

Clip the coupon below!

the level of union wages and benefits.

universal, public health-care system.

tion, skin color, or national origin.

of workers. more concrete demands than the ones outlined above.

and exploited. For a workers’ government! • Ashland, Ore.: [email protected] • Boston: [email protected] (781) 630-0250 • Carrboro, N.C.: (919) 967-2866, [email protected] • Chicago: P.O. Box 578428 Chicago, IL 60657, [email protected] • Connecticut: (860) 478-5300 • Duluth, Minn.: [email protected]. www.thenorthernworker.blogspot.com • Florida: [email protected] • GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.:

[email protected] • Kansas City: [email protected] (816) 221-3638 • LOUISVILLE / LEXINGTON, KY.: [email protected], (502) 451-2193 • Madison, Wis.:

[email protected] • Mankato, Minn.:

[email protected] • Minneapolis/St. Paul: (612) 802-1482, [email protected] (Left) Last year’s mass occupation of the State Capitol building was diverted into the Recall Walker campaign. Here petitioners table at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire campus on Nov. 11, 2011.

This is the “good cop” approach to attacks on public workers’ standards of living that has most union of­ ficials singing Falk’s praises as the best possible alter­ native to Gov. Scott Walker!

The UW-Madison Teaching Assistant’s Association, which played a leading role in last year’s protests and occupation, once again made waves on the left by passing a resolution declaring its intent not to en­ dorse any candidate that does not agree to a full re­ versal of these attacks, including restoration of fund­ ing for public services and the 8%-plus pay cut taken by public workers under Act 10. Unfortunately, proDemocrat forces within the union were able to mo­ bilize enough opposition at the following meeting to rescind the resolution; however, a motion to endorse Kathleen Falk also failed.

Left activists in the union are continuing to organize and push publicly for what should be a given—inde­ pendent workplace action and no confidence to the so-called friends of labor who stab us in the back! n For info about Socialist Action and how to join: Socialist Action National Office, P.O.

Box 10328, Oakland, CA 94610, [email protected], (510) 268-9429 Socialist Action newspaper editorial offices: [email protected] Website: www.socialistaction.org WHERE TO FIND SOCIALIST ACTION • New York City: (212) 781-5157 • Philadelphia: [email protected] • Portland, Ore.: (503) 233-1629 [email protected] • Providence: [email protected] (401) 419-1706 • Salem, Ore.: [email protected] • San Francisco Bay Area:

P.O. Box 10328, Oakland, Ca 94610 (510) 268-9429, [email protected] • WASHINGTON, DC: [email protected], (202) 286-5493 National Office 526 Roxton Road, Toronto, Ont. M6G 3R4, (416) 535-8779 www.socialistaction-canada. blogspot.com

Scan page 3

Black, Muslim, labor, the country. Tony Savino / Socialist Action Tony Savino / Socialist Action

----- pull-quotes -----

Are YOU a new reader of Socialist Action newspaper? Take advantage of our introductory subscription offer — and pay half the regular price! Just $10 for one year or $5 for 5 months.

Subscribe to Socialist Action Get Socialist Action newspaper each month by 1st-class mail!

A WORKERS’ ACTION PROGRAM TO FIGHT THE CRISIS take steps to implement the following demands — workers’ committees. decline in value. forests, farmland, and open space. ing products for people’s needs and to combat global warming. SOCIALIST ACTION Closing news date: April 1, 2012

Special offer (half price) for new readers. — $5 for 5 months — $10 for 12 months

I enclose an extra contribution of: — $100 — $200 — Other 2 SOCIALIST ACTION APRIL 2012

Socialist Action Canada