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Equal Pay Should Be A Priority

A Message from the MCEA President

Recently, and for the second time in two years, Republicans in the Senate united against a measure that would have made it easier for women to receive equal pay for equal work.

President Barack Obama urged the Senate to pass this measure, saying,

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Sally Doulton Speaks at NBC's Education Nation

Act 10 Challenges

 There are 3 lawsuits regarding Act 10 which gutted collective bargaining rights for most public employees.  Below is a summary which is partially based on a Sept. 17, 2012 article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

1.  Seven public unions, including AFT-W, AFSCME and WEAC vs. Walker – Judge Conley

- Filed in federal court in June 2011
- Organizations that filed the lawsuit include councils of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, and the Service Employees International Union-Health Care Wisconsin. 
- Alleged violation of constitution’s equal protection clause by exempting firefighters and police officers.
- U.S. District Judge William Conley overturned parts of ACT 10 including the requirement for some unions to hold certification elections every year and the prohibition against paycheck dues deduction. 
- Both sides appealed decision
- The Walker administration asked for a stay until appeal decided, which was partially granted. No future recertification elections can be required but unions that didn’t seek recertification remain unrecognized. 
- Oral arguments before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Sept. 24, 2012.  
2.  Madison Teachers Inc. and Public Employees Local 61 vs. Walker – Judge Colas
- Filed in Dane County Circuit Court, Aug. 2011
- Argued Act 10 unconstitutional because it capped union workers’ raises but not those of their nonunion counterparts. 
- Judge Juan Colas ruled in favor of the unions on Sept. 14, 2012.   
- Applies to municipal workers, not state workers.
- Walker administration appealed and asked for a stay.
- Judge Colas still considering whether to stay.
3.  AFL-CIO and AFSCME vs. Walker
- Filed in federal court in July 2011
- Alleges Act 10 violated that constitutional rights to freely assemble, free speech and equal protection of about 240 City of Madison workers and 2,440 Dane county workers/
- Alleges Act 10 violates right of equal protection because restrictions don’t apply to some public safety workers’ unions. 
- Walker administration filed a motion to dismiss. Awaiting a decision. 
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AFT-Maryland partners with GOTV Coalition

AFT-Maryland is proud to be one of the Partners in the Maryland Voter Registration & Get Out The Vote Coalition. Other partners include AFT, AFSCME Maryland, Baltimore Teachers Union, MD/DC AFL-CIO, NAACP Baltimore & Maryland, and many more.

Volunteers have been canvassing local businesses and communities in an effort to raise election awareness and to register voters for the upcoming election.

Tomorrow is National Voter Registration Day, and our volunteers will be out there again, doing great work!

For info:

MD Voter Registration & GOTV Coalition | Ph: 410.269.1940 | marylandregisterandvote@gmail.com

 

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Legislative branch should assert itself

(Baton Rouge – September 21, 2012) Concerned about the Jindal administration’s apparent "complete disregard" for the legislature and the separation of powers, Rep. Jerome “Dee” Richard (I-Thibodaux) this week became the second legislator to ask his colleagues to convene in special session. Senator Karen Carter Petersen (D-New Orleans) had already called for a special session over the Jindal administration’s handling of health care issues in the state.

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AFT uses toolkit of info to battle dangerous stereotypes in film "Won't Back Down"

A film soon to be in theaters called “Won’t Back Down” uses moving characters to drive home the sense of urgency parents and educators feel to do everything they can to provide the best possible education for their children. That urgency is real, but the film unfairly uses stereotypes to deliver the wrong message. Learn how you can respond.

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Judge throws out Walker's union bargaining law

Gov. Scott Walker's law repealing most collective bargaining for local and school employees was struck down by a Dane County judge Friday, yet another dramatic twist in a year and a half saga that likely sets up another showdown in the Supreme Court.

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