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News from Local 159

Vote Tuesday, February 16

Vote! Polls are open Tuesday, from 7:00am – 8:00pm.
Find voting info at www.MyVote.Wi.gov  (Find your polling place, update your registration, see your sample ballot, find your elected officials, and more.)
If you have an absentee ballot: witnessed, signed absentee ballots are due by 8:00pm, Tuesday, February 16. Learn more about voting absentee

Voters may register at the polls on election day.
Take your Wisconsin ID, when you go to vote. See acceptable forms of ID
To register, or update your voter registration, take your proof of residence.

By state law, Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. Ann. § 6.76) Workers may take up to three consecutive unpaid hours off work, on election day, to vote.
*Notify employer before election day.*
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/6/iii/76… Read more... “Vote Tuesday, February 16”

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Get Ready to Vote November 3!

NOW is a good time to register to vote.
And/or request your absentee ballot.

Yes, we just had the fall primary election, but the November 3 election is coming up fast.
The US Postal Service is experiencing delays, so if you plan to vote by mail, request your absentee ballot NOW, and when you receive it, return it ASAP. Some municipalities may also use secure ballot drop boxes, so keep an eye on your local clerk’s office for information in the coming weeks. The city of Madison just announced it will install 14 secure ballot drop boxes.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission https://elections.wi.gov/ has posted some important deadlines and facts, for November 2020 (read on). Read the full article at https://elections.wi.gov/node/7039.… Read more... “Get Ready to Vote November 3!”

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Wage Allocation Survey Results

Greetings 159 Family,
Here is the breakdown of the wage and benefit package for all three agreements. Thank you to everyone who participated in having their voice heard. The one real benefit of using the survey was the significant increase in members voting. (Nearly 600 members voted.) I know we have all made a lot of adjustments and have had to be flexible on many matters throughout COVID. I truly appreciate the willingness and cooperation of our members to keep forging ahead together, no matter what obstacles we faced.
Thank you.
Sue Blue, Business Manager IBEW 159

2021.05.25-LU-159-Wage-Alloc-Survey-Results-UPDATED

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Every day is a good time to be kind. To others. To ourselves.
If someone is struggling, there are many resources available, including:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
National Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 442-HOPE (4673)
Wisconsin Hopeline (immediate emotional support)
Text “HOPELINE” to 741741
National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline (800) 662-4357

National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799−SAFE (7233)

Kind-have-courage-and-be

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Nurses Week 2021

2021-Nurses-Week-SEIU-HCWI

Riding the wave of their March contract with UnityPoint-Meriter, the SEIU Health Care Wisconsin union nurses rallied at the Capitol on May 8, to speak out on behalf of UW Hospital health care workers, and all health care workers. The UW health care workers’ union fell victim to Act 10, during the Scott Walker administration. The future of UW workers remains unclear, but the assembled nurses sent a strong message, on behalf of all health care workers seeking union support. Meriter is currently the only Madison hospital where nurses enjoy union representation.
Meriter Nurses’ Success
In March 2021, after fruitless attempts to bargain for a contract that would address their concerns, more than 850 UnityPoint-Meriter Hospital nurses were prepared to strike. … Read more... “Nurses Week 2021”

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Nurses Week 2021: Stand With Health Care Workers, Pass the WI Health Care Heroes Act

Our country asks healthcare workers to take on unimaginable risks and make huge sacrifices every single day. But our federal government has failed to lead in this crisis, leaving the response to state governments and our employers. Contact your legislators today and tell them to co-sponsor the Healthcare Heroes Act today! (Contact your Wisconsin State Senator, Assembly Representative and Governor Evers.)   CLICK HERE and please share with others! To learn more, visit SEIU HCWI

2021.05.08-IBEW-Stands-With-Nurses-159-represents-copy

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Joint Finance Committee Removes Labor-Friendly Provisions from Evers Budget

From our lobbyist:
This week, the Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 on party lines (all Republicans in favor, all Democrats opposed) to remove all the positive things the Governor put in his budget as it relates to law and policy impacting workers and unions.   

The provisions eliminated include:   

  • Re-establishing Prevailing Wage Law
  • Repealing so-called “Right to Work” law
  • Repealing the prohibition on project labor agreements on public works projects
  • Repealing the prohibition on local employment regulations 
  • Recommendations from the Gov’s Worker Misclassification Taskforce regarding investigation and enforcement.  
  • Increase to UI benefit rate
  • Elimination of one week waiting period (Walker week) 

Unfortunately, none of this is surprising but important for IBEW members to be aware.  Much else was eliminated, as well including Medicaid expansion, legalization of marijuana, and a few hundred other provisions.  … Read more... “Joint Finance Committee Removes Labor-Friendly Provisions from Evers Budget”

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IBEW Political Department News

From: Austin W. Keyser, Director-Political & Legislative Affairs Department
(202) 728-6046, Political@IBEW.org – www.IBEW.org/political

View this video of President Biden addressing a joint session of Congress on April 28, in which he mentions the IBEW in front of 27 million Americans, https://vimeo.com/545124610

 (Please note the IO Political Department is also producing a monthly newsletter that highlights how President Biden’s actions benefit working families and IBEW members.) The point has been made many times in the three-month tenure of this administration, but it bears repeating: We have never had a better friend in the White House than we do at this moment. http://www.ibew.org/Political/bbb

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