North-Central Labor Coalition Meeting

The North-Central Labor Coalition - which includes both AFSCME and WEAC - will be holding a metting on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the Best Western Claridge Inn in Rhinelander, to discuss strategies for unions going forward.  There will be representatives of your Local 474 in attendance, and all others are invited to attend.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to everyone from AFSCME Local 474!  We hope that all our members are enjoying their extra day off, and we would like to thank those of you who are at work today making sure that the world still turns and does so safely while the rest of us are off.  Regardless of your views on organized labor, or on which side of the fence you have stood on during the recent events here in Wisconsin, today is an excellent opportunity to recognize the great impace that organized labor has had on the American social, physical, and financial landscape.  We thank all of our members who have continued their support and activism in these unprecedented times.  This day is for you.  Thank you, and we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!

TAA Chooses Not to Decertify

The members of the Teachers Assistant Association (TAA), which represents graduate students at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, voted not to hold a recertification vote under the recently enacted Wisconsin Act 10.  A spokesman for the group noted that very little was to be gained from the recertification, whereas much could be lost.  If a union chooses to recertify under Act 10, they must receive a yes vote from 51% of active members and recertify every year.  Failure to recertify would mean they could not make a second attempt for one year.  Public employee unions are limited to bargaining wages only with raises capped at the consumer price index by Act 10.  The TAA is the first such union in the state to take this route.  It will now exist as an unofficial association of employees with no bargaining rights.

Transition Committee Minutes

In all the election hoopla the Transition Committee kind of got lost in the shuffle.  They completed work on the Employee Grievance Policy at the last meeting.  You can see the minutes here.  Just a reminder that the minutes and agenda for all Vilas County Govenment meetings are available here.

MJS Analyses Election Numbers

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has posted an interesting analysis of the election numbers from the nine recall elections that we held across Wisconsin this summer.  You can read all about it by clicking here.

All Results Are In

     The Vilas County Clerk was reporting between 50 and 55% voter turnout in yesterday's recall election.  Thank you to everyone who voted and made sure that the Northwoods voice was really heard.  With all precincts finally reporting, let's break down some of the results:



Holperin

 Districtwide

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  30,321 (55%)
Kim Simac (R- Eagle River) -      24,813 (45%)

Vilas County

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  5,242 (53%)
Kim Simac (R- Eagle River) -      4,693 (47%)

Oneida County

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  8,945 (58%)
Kim Simac (R-Eagle River)      -  6,506 (42%)


     Each candidate's strongest showing percentagewise was in a small county that was entirely in the district.  Jim Holperin won 77% of the vote in Menominee County, while Simac won 57% of the vote in Florence County.  The 12th Senate District includes parts of eleven counties, including all of Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Forest, Florence, Langlade and Menominee Counites; the northern 1/3 of Oconto County, the northern 3/4 of Marinette County, the northwestern 1/4 of Shawano County, and five towns in Marathon County.  Please note that the results reported above are unofficial, and that the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board expects to certify the results and make the offical tallies available next week.
     After the election, Senator Holperin thanked his supporters and constituents, saying "I have never had the kind of support from people like you every single day in every single way across the district."  Meanwhile, Simac was also thankful for her supporters, and stated "I think it's always worth it to stand up for what you believe is right, and I think that's what all of the people did here in this district, and I think you just continue to go on.  It's always worth it."
     With state recall elections finally over, the Democrats were able to pick up two seats in the Senate, with Republicans Dan Kapanke (R-LaCrosse) and Randy Hopper (R - Fond du Lac) losing their seats to Democratic challengers.  This leaves the Republicans in control of Senate with a slim 17-16 majority.  They also control the Assembly, Governor's Mansion, and Supreme Court.  Many are beginning to focus on Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), who is seen as a center-leaning Republican and who was the only GOP senator to vote against Wisconsin Act 10, which extremely curtailed collective bargaining for public employees.
     One thing, however, is for sure.  No matter which side of this most recent election your were on, we think that everyone will be happy that our televisions, radios, and mailboxes will be rid of these political ads for at least a little while.

Holperin Victorious

WJFW is reporting that Jim Holperin has made his victory speech as well, and with 79% of districts reporting all major media outlets are reporting that Holperin has retained his seat.