AFL-CIO CONVENTION
June 23rd, 2006Reunion at local levels now in progress around the country.
Ed Mayne spoke about the work labor can do to counter act the big money interests of corporate corruption in our Government. Working families have a weapon we can use; our votes must be counted in the upcoming election
Joyce Sewell, Director of the Workman’s Comp Division, spoke about bills coming up concerning workers comp and Health Insurance. Hospitals are not regulated and workers comp. has been looking for a reasonable rate to be paid so that injured workers won’t lose their houses because their being attached to hospital bills not being paid by workers compensation claims.
Funding is being offered in the next two years to find out if a link exists between meth- amphetamine and cancer in firefighters and police. 250,000 dollars has been set aside to study this problem.
Injured workers reports are not being filed by some contractors in the state so claims are not being paid to some people after they are hurt on the job. Especially foreign-born workers.
Pete Groesbeck talked about substantial success in speeding up the process of getting the money to injured workers. He also spoke about training Hispanic Workers about rights and the responsibilities American workers are entitled to so that their interest are brought to bear on companies hiring undocumented employees. Labor commition also hear about 12,000 cases a year of Spanish speaking workers not being paid at all, besides not paying into workman’s comp.
Contractors not keeping up with the regulations for workman’s comp will be investigated by more than this entity and their companies will be prosecuted to the limits of the law.
A Woman representing a teacher who had been poisoned by CO2 over a two-year period in a temporary classroom, asked about files not being submitted by the school district to OSHA or any other Government agency. A Civil suit can be filed to get those files by the employee or her rep and our school boards in these cases must pay all fees.
Any claim with Workman’s comp must be paid by the employer or the fund and Doctors and hospitals are not entitled to charge or threaten injured Workers.
Nancy Jones, President of the AFGE local 2199 talked about the way veterans programs have been under funded and how the staffs at all vets facilities are being pushed to the back row as far as any amounts being paid. She asked for, and was given a moment of silence for a member being buried today after spending the time since his service in Vietnam at the Veteran’s Hospital working for and with vets.
Kent Anderson, President of the CWA Local 7704, representing some 3000 members here in Utah, said Qwest outsources or downsizes about 8% of it’s workforce each year.
Troy Tinge, Pres. AFGE local 1592 at Hill Air Force Base. Fastest growing union in the state. 50 EVENTS scheduled next week alone. We continue to grow through organizing.
Break for lunch.
Kirk McLaughlin, Letter Carriers Local 111. Several issues before Congress affecting the postal workers. Some bills being kicked around in Washington to increase rates.
600 million has been mistakenly paid into the general fund, and Bush doesn’t want to give it back, so the retirement of postal employees suffers with every other pension fund.
The number one cause of poverty in the State is low wages and minimum wage stagnation, says Micheal Lester, with the State AFL-CIO office. With the Letter carriers food drive her office has been very busy distributing food around the state.
Labor Day Picnic accepting volunteers for booths and games.
The chairman for the Retired Union Workers of Utah said our Governor hasn’t been very helpful to our older Citizens, and republicans in general try to skirt senior issues. He said the difference between the dems and repubs on senior issues couldn’t be bigger. This organization, unlike the AARP was against the flat tax and for keeping Deductions for seniors.
Jay Seigmiller, UTU member, and candidate for house legislator, asked for help for Trent Alford in his primary race.
ITESE, New Local. Brian Fualkner Talked about bringing more convetions to Utah, and how the new local is well positioned for this new business.
Atw, running trax trains. Negotiating now for a new contract.
Mike Fredrickson said Firefighters signed a new contract yesterday. Looking to organize Layton and Murray.
Not a very good year for Firefighters with the Police lobbyist piggybacking onto every bill on the hill and killing the chances for passage.
Hubert Humphrey’s video. 30 years, and the conditions just keep getting worse. His loyalty to the Labor movement was unquestioned. He got choked up giving thanks to Labor for his career in Government. “Men without tears,” He said, “are men without hearts. The first thing any totalitarian does is abolish free organized Labor. Millions of Americans have healthcare today because Labor negotiated those benefits, not because the Government gave it to them. Americans are still the most productive in the World. And Union workers are more productive than any others”. If you ever get a chance to see this Speech, don’t let it pass you by. We can be the conscience of the American people again. “Living 50 years like a tiger is better than 100 years like a chicken. Some people talk about change, others cause it.”
Elected officials of the Democratic Party spoke about the things that motivated them into getting involved in their communities. Things like families, schooling, jobs, healthcare, you know, MORAL VALUES ISSUES.
Then it was on to successful lobbying. How do you get our representatives to listen and understand on issues that matter to you? Let them know you are their constituent. Give them the information you’ve researched beforehand, and hold them responsible personally. It’s not an adversarial relationship. Get your allies together and go at it.
Don’t be timid, or take it too personally. Target your members. Target your issues, get off your ass and get after it. If you don’t, who will? Universal Health Care comes to mind.
Lets get more Democrats elected here in Utah, so things like your sick Aunt’s teeth aren’t going to kill her. Issues pertaining to Working Families, Education, seniors, and those of us who have no voice.
We have opportunity and options we haven’t had in years, said Wayne Holland, Chairman of the democratic party of Utah. Our Government needs to have its house of cards blown down by their daily habit of showing themselves to be the same Hooverites of the 30’s. Honest, fiscally responsible public servants will win back the America we love. Arrogance and irresponsibility cannot stand against the corruptive power of corporate millions. Public investment in Education and public transformation is the way to rebuild the Greatness of this Country. But the bargaining environment will not change, until the political environment is changed by our votes. We can take the ball now and win. Even in rural Utah.
Pete Ashdown, candidate for U.S. Senate. Our country’s Legislators are running away from a minimum wage increase, and yet paid themselves more again. Maybe we could start paying public officials 5.15 per hour. They might even show up for all the votes.
Steve Olsen, candidate for the house. Too much of the wealth of this country is taken out of the pockets of working people and given to the top one percent. Our nations leaders are watching manufacturing swim away from this country and they don’t seem to care. Steve said he doesn’t have all the answers, but he will stand with us and listen to the people whose lives are being damaged by our current bunch.
Christian Burbidge, Candidate for house. David and Goliath was the way the local media categorized the election of 2006 here in Utah and Christian doesn’t mind that analogy. Look at the way that story comes out in the end. He wants to represent the voters in this district. The Republican Party is disintegrating and eating their own. Lets Fire the Cannon.
Senator Mayne wrapped up the day with the endorsements of labor friendly candidates for state office with his usual humor and common sense. Thanks to all who allowed me to be a part of the coming together of this labor body, and our first steps in taking back our Country for the working families we all love.
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