Trumka: AFL-CIO to undergo wide-scale revamp » peoplesworld

Trumka: AFL-CIO to undergo wide-scale revamp » peoplesworld

click link

snip

Since its founding with the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1955, the nation's largest labor group has been an amalgamation of unions - now 57 after Actors Equity received a charter on Feb. 25 - state federations, central labor councils and specific departments.

Some departments and unions have come and gone, notably those that left in 2005 to form Change To Win. Constituency groups became part of the federation. But until recently, the AFL-CIO has not had ties to non-union worker and community groups, though several have joined the federation in coalitions.

Trumka says the fed will hold open community meanings, inviting unionists, non-AFL-CIO unions, youth, academics, community allies and others to discuss ways to change that structure and to more widely represent workers.

"The AFL-CIO was designed to prevent us from hurting one another, not necessarily to help one another," Trumka explained. Now its leaders want to reach out beyond unions themselves to appeal to workers, as workers, on a wider scale. "We have to design new forms of representation," Trumka said.

Those new forms include chartering more worker centers, expanding Working America - the fed's 3.2-million member community affiliate for workers who can't or won't join unions - and other "non-collective bargaining forms of representation."

But the ideas won't be top-down, and the federation wants to integrate legislative, collective bargaining, politics and organizing all into one process. "The state feds and central labor councils will change and there'll be one strategic plan," not 50, Trumka stated.
- See more at: http://peoplesworld.org/trumka-afl-cio-to-undergo-wide-scale-revamp/#sthash.9sR96HkW.dpuf

Social Security is NOT Bankrupt

UnionCircle.com Training Video - #1 Social Network For Unions!

1948 Cartoon Explains the Joy of Capitalism and Dangers of "ism" (marxis...

Charlie Averill: Steve Skvara Obituary

Charlie Averill: Steve Skvara Obituary: NW Indiana Times – Feb. 24, 2013 OBITUARIES Stephen Skvara STEPHEN SKVARA VALPARAISO, IN Stephen Skvara, age 65, of Valparaiso, passed awa...

click link

snip

NW Indiana Times – Feb. 24, 2013
OBITUARIES
Stephen Skvara
STEPHEN SKVARA VALPARAISO, IN Stephen Skvara, age 65, of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Porter Portage Hospital. He was born the son of Stephen and Julia (Reidy) Skvara in Galesburg, IL on May 1, 1947. Stephen retired from LTV Steel Mill and was an active member of S.O.A.R. On August 28, 1971 in South Holland, IL. he married Sandra (DeWitt) who survives him. Also surviving are his children: Magen (fiance John) Skvara, Bridget Skvara, Rachel (Zachary) Hunt, and Stephen (Michelle) Skvara; one grandchild, Chloe Skvara; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents. Following cremation at Angelcrest Crematory, a memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2013 with Father Doug Mayer officiating and a memorial visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of service, both at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, IN. Memorial donations may be made to Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (S.O.A.R.), 5 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. MoellerFuneralHome.com

Spending cuts are moment of truth for Tea Party : Stltoday

Spending cuts are moment of truth for Tea Party : Stltoday

click link

snip

Now they’re about to get what they wanted.

Deep reductions in domestic and defense spending begin Friday, a process known as sequestration, which will make progress toward the Tea Party’s goal of shrinking government. What unfolds over the following months will be a high-stakes test of whether significant cuts in spending will help or hurt the economy — and the Republican Party’s brand.

The cuts, worth $1.2 trillion over 10 years, are to become reality after several years during which the Tea Party — a group of Republicans elected in 2010 with the goal of radically shrinking government — has struggled to have a lasting impact on Washington. The Tea Party saw President Barack Obama win re-election and enact more than $600 billion in tax hikes on the wealthy, while GOP leaders agreed to allow for more federal borrowing without anything in return.

But many Republicans say the sequester is the moment when the Tea Party can claim it has made its mark. Although Democratic and Republican leaders are pointing fingers, the Tea Party and its allies are happily accepting credit for the cuts.

--------
one wonders the level of morons in congress.  

Retired steelworker activist remembered as 'unsung hero'

Retired steelworker activist remembered as 'unsung hero'

click link

snip

 

John J. Watkins, file, The Times

Skvara, 65, of Valparaiso, who died Feb. 19, was president of an Indiana Chapter of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, also known as SOAR, and also served on the group’s district executive board.

15 hours ago  •  Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

(0) Comments

 

VALPARAISO | Retired steelworker and local activist Stephen Skvara is being remembered by his peers as an unsung hero who raised his voice for justice.
Skvara, 65, of Valparaiso, who died Feb. 19, was president of an Indiana Chapter of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, also known as SOAR, and also served on the group’s district executive board.

United Steelworkers District 7 Director Jim Robinson issued a statement describing Skvara as being among the union’s unsung heroes during his retirement years “when he raised his loud steelworker’s voice for justice on health care for everyone, retirement security for seniors and fairness to workers who lose their benefits in corporate bankruptcies.”

Robinson said at a 2007 AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Debate Forum in Chicago, Skvara asked a question which was nationally televised to more than 1 million people. Skvara said, “After 34 years with LTV Steel, I was forced to retire because of a disability. Two years later, LTV filed bankruptcy. Every day of my life, I sit at the kitchen table across from the woman who devoted 36 years of her life to my family and I can’t afford her health care. What’s wrong with America and what will you do to change it?”