Victory for Pro-Union Lawmakers in Wisconsin

Democrats proved triumphant in two recall elections prompted by the Republican Party in the state of Wisconsin.

Two GOP Senators Defeated in Wisconsin Recall Effort

Democratic challengers won two of six GOP State Senate recall elections in Wisconsin. The six recall efforts were in response to GOP Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature’s budget bill that stripped collective bargaining rights of hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin public workers.

Wisconsin Votes Today on Recall Targets

With control of the state Senate in the balance, Wisconsin voters go to the polls today in an unprecedented recall election that could put the brakes on GOP Gov. Scott Walker's anti-worker agenda.

Wisconsin Recall Effort Still on Track

The effort to recall six Republican state senators in Wisconsin passed a key test this week when Democratic challengers easily defeated “fake” Democratic opponents in a round of primary elections forced by Republican Party members who filed to run as Democrats. Republicans ran the fake candidates to give the GOP state senators facing recall more time to campaign and raise money.

Wisconsin Recall Effort Still on Track

The effort to recall six Republican state senators in Wisconsin passed a key test this week when Democratic challengers easily defeated “fake” Democratic opponents in a round of primary elections forced by Republican Party members who filed to run as Democrats. Republicans ran the fake candidates to give the GOP state senators facing recall more time to campaign and raise money.

Backlash Grows Against GOP Anti-Worker Agenda

The nationwide Republican effort to roll back collective bargaining rights and break unions is taking a toll – on Republican lawmakers. In Wisconsin, a desperate GOP is trying to stall recall races for several state GOP senators by running GOP candidates as Democrats. In New Hampshire, the resignations of two GOP legislators from key GOP leadership positions signal crumbling support for the GOP’s underhanded attacks on America’s middle class.

Wisconsin Conservative Justices Uphold Walker Budget Bill

A narrow conservative majority on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court upheld GOP Governor Scott Walker’s union-busting budget bill and cleared the way for its implementation. The court’s decision to vacate an injunction against the bill by lower court judge Maryann Sumi is highly suspect.

Wisconsin Conservative Justices Uphold Walker Budget Bill

A narrow conservative majority on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court upheld GOP Governor Scott Walker’s union-busting budget bill and cleared the way for its implementation. The court’s decision to vacate an injunction against the bill by lower court judge Maryann Sumi is highly suspect.

Walker Backlash Claims Another GOP Candidate

Voter backlash against Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker’s unfair campaign against public employees and collective bargaining rights continues with voters electing Democrat Steve Doyle over Republican John Lautz for a seat in the State Assembly that Republicans have held for 16 years.

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Anti-Union Legislation

Democratic Gov. John Lynch has vetoed a Republican attempt to make New Hampshire a right-to-work (for less) state, citing a lack of evidence that the legislation would actually benefit New Hampshire workers.

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Anti-Union Legislation

Democratic Gov. John Lynch has vetoed a Republican attempt to make New Hampshire a right-to-work (for less) state, citing a lack of evidence that the legislation would actually benefit New Hampshire workers.

Walker Backlash Claims Another GOP Candidate

Voter backlash against Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker’s unfair campaign against public employees and collective bargaining rights continues with voters electing Democrat Steve Doyle over Republican John Lautz for a seat in the State Assembly that Republicans have held for 16 years.

Walker Backlash Roils Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Wisconsin voters spoke loud and clear in the first chance they had to react to GOP Governor Scott Walker’s union busting budget bill and other antics funded by conservatives like the Koch brothers.

Walker Backlash Roils Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Wisconsin voters spoke loud and clear in the first chance they had to react to GOP Governor Scott Walker’s union busting budget bill and other antics funded by conservatives like the Koch brothers.

Indiana Dems Block GOP Right-to-Work Proposal

Indiana House Democrats are back at work after a five-week boycott to protest a Republican effort to pass Right-to-Work (for less) legislation, a permanent ban on collective bargaining rights for state workers and several proposed educational reforms.

Gruber Rallies for Public-Sector Workers in Wisconsin

IAM Midwest Territory GVP Phil Gruber, along with a delegation of IAM members, joined others in Madison, WI, to protest Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s legislation to strip public-sector workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Gruber Rallies for Public-Sector Workers in Wisconsin

IAM Midwest Territory GVP Phil Gruber, along with a delegation of IAM members, joined others in Madison, WI, to protest Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s legislation to strip public-sector workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Tennessee Members Rally for Teachers’ Rights

IAM members across the country are showing their support and solidarity for public sector workers in Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan while gearing up for battles against similar anti-union legislation in their own states.

Plan Now for April 4 Solidarity Events

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life.

Join in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for. Click here for more information and to find an event in your area.

Hero’s Welcome for Wisconsin 14

More than 185,000 union members and supporters gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison to deliver a full-throated welcome home for the 14 state senators whose self-imposed exile stalled GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to pass a bill outlawing collective bargaining for nearly all of Wisconsin’s public-sector employees.

GOP Senators Introduce National Anti-union Law

In a continuation of the coordinated attack on working families and their right to bargain collectively, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), along with seven other GOP members of the U.S. Senate, introduced national “right-to-work” legislation. Original co-sponsors include Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), James Risch (R-ID), Pat Toomey (R-PA) and David Vitter (R-LA).

VETERANS SAY REPUBLICAN END-AROUND ON UNION BUSTING IS GROUNDS FOR RECALL

Madison, WI – The national veterans group, VoteVets.org, says that passage of the union-busting bill just passed by the Senate is grounds for a voter recall of those in the body who supported the bill.  The group has made the point that the legislation hurts veterans in Wisconsin, many of whom are affected union members, and many more who rely on the state employees who work in veterans’ services.

Machinists President Responds to GOP War on Middle Class

The following is a statement from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) President Tom Buffenbarger in response to the move by the Wisconsin state Senate to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights:

“Last night in Wisconsin, legislative process trumped democratic principles. Republican Senators voted 18 to 1 to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights. It is a Pyrrhic victory and one the GOP will regret.

Must Read Highlights of Wisconsin Republican Attack on Collective Bargaining Rights

The nearly month-long standoff in the Wisconsin Capital ended last night as the Wisconsin Senate rammed through legislation stripping nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers . As the Senate requires a quorum to take up any measure to spend money, the Republicans found a way to bypass that requirement - and the Democrats who fled to Illinois - by removing all spending measures from the bill.

Click here for the must read summary of the Conference Substitute Amendment to Assembly Bill 11.

Wisconsin Solidarity in Black and White

In a show of support for union members fighting for their rights in Wisconsin, the IAM joined with the United Steelworkers in publishing full-page ads in the Wisconsin State Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspapers.