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Spotlight NewsletterJanuary 20, 2012 |
Volume 1, Issue 215
Governor’s State of the State Focuses on Infrastructure Investment, New Revenues
This week, Governor Brown delivered an uplifting State of the State address, in which he underscored his commitment to investing in rebuilding California’s roads, schools and bridges, as well as constructing a state-of-the-art high-speed rail system. The Governor’s speech also focused on raising the necessary revenue to restore funding that has been slashed from schools, the social safety net and other vital services.
“The Governor’s plan to upgrade our failing infrastructure isn’t optional if we hope to rise above the recession. It’s necessary to rebuilding our economy and putting Californians back to work,” said California Labor Federation’s Art Pulaski. “And we share the Governor’s goal of raising the necessary revenue to support investing in our people and our state’s future.”
Learn more.
One Million Signatures Submitted to Recall Wisconsin Gov. Walker
Less than one year after Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker launched his attack on union rights, working families this week submitted a million signatures supporting a recall election of Gov. Walker, exceeding the total number of signatures required by 460,000.
Union members and allies also turned in 123 percent of the required signatures against Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who was thought one of the more challenging recalls to pull off. There also are enough signatures to force recall elections for the state’s lieutenant governor, and two other state senators. The Wisconsin elections board will need to verify all the signatures.
Learn more.
Tuesday: Children’s March to Support the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights
This year, the California State Legislature will be considering whether to pass the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (AB 889), which would extend basic labor standards to domestic workers. The second measure of its kind in the country, the Bill of Rights will protect a vital workforce that has labored in the shadows for too long.
On Tuesday January 24th, join children, parents, domestic workers and employers from all over the state, as well as allies in the faith, student and labor community for a day of action and children’s march in support of AB 889. The march will kick off at 10am on the West Steps on the State Capitol (10th St between N St and L St in Sacramento). Buses from the Bay Area will leave at 8am, and buses from southern California will depart the day before.
Learn more and reserve your space on the bus.
Register Today for Labor’s Joint Legislative Conference
Registration is now open for the 2012 Joint Legislative Conference, sponsored by the California Labor Federation and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about Labor’s top priorities for 2012, hear from distinguished speakers and spend a day advocating for workers’ right in visits with legislators.
This year’s action-packed conference is themed “Invest in California’s Future”, and will include workshops on charter cities & Project Labor Agreements; budget and revenues, organizing, Paycheck Deception, health care and workers’ comp, to name a few. The 2012 conference will take place March 19-20th at the Sheraton Grand Hotel (1230 J Street, Sacramento). Registration is open to all, and accommodations are available at the Sheraton Grand for conference attendees at a reduced rate.
Register for the conference and book accommodations.
Webinar: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers Whose Jobs Have Been Outsourced
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) and the AFL-CIO’s Working for America Institute have partnered to present a new webinar on the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and its impact on workers who lose their jobs as a result of trade policies. The webinar will include and overview of the changes to the program stemming from the recently-enacted TAA Extension Act and the IRS’s Health Coverage Tax Credit Program.
The webinar will take place on Friday, January 27th at 10am Pacific time, and registration is now open.
Learn more and sign up for the webinar.
This Week on “Labor’s Edge”
We commemorated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King and his contributions to the labor movement.
AFL-CIO’s Tula Connell announced that a million signatures have been submitted to recall Wisconsin Gov. Walker.
Lorena Gonzalez of the San Diego-Imperial Central Labor Council exposed “dirty” mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio.
Jim Lair Beard of UNITE HERE 11 exposed the toxic work environments rampant in the hospitality industry.
Labor Federation leader Art Pulaski responded to Gov. Brown’s State of the State address.
Ben Field of the South Bay Labor Council lambasted the attacks on the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center’s mission in Colombia.
Pedro Morillas of CALPIRG shared shocking data revealing 30 companies that spend more on lobbying than they pay in federal taxes.
Send blog submissions to info@calaborfed.org.
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