Wisconsin Republicans Attempted Theft of Paid Sick Days Victory in Milwaukee

Follow-up on Attempted Theft of Paid Sick Days Victory

The theft of paid sick days in our state is underway.

Last Thursday, the Senate has passed SB 23, introduced by Sen. Leah Vukmir, which would nullify the Milwaukee Paid Sick Days Ordinance and make it impossible for any other local electorate in Wisconsin to pass such a measure through direct legislation. The vote came just one day after the legislation was passed out of the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Safety and Urban Affairs. The three Republican Senators ignored the powerful testimony of 15 representatives of 9to5, WI Task Force on Domestic Violence, Disabilities Rights, WI Citizen Action, ACLU, SEIU, teachers and affected workers on the need and benefits of paid sick days.

The bill uses the fraudulent umbrella of WI Family and Medical Leave to say only the state can legislate in this area, even though sponsors know the WFMLA doesn’t cover all workers, doesn’t allow for coverage of routine illness and preventative care appointments and, through recent proposed legislation, will take away the right of workers caring for a family member to choose to substitute any paid leave they’ve earned for unpaid time under the Act.

AB 12, a companion bill to SB 23 in the Assembly, has been listed for a special session.  Contact your Assembly member immediately – 1-800-362-9472 – to let them know this bill would HARM families and DISHONOR Wisconsin voters.

AB 12 will end local control on the issue of paid sick leave by barring voters from moving and passing legislation that establishes standards for workers to access paid leave in times of illness.

The bill could move quickly as did SB 23.  We must let Wisconsin constituents know about this as soon as possible. Please ask all those in your network to call their Assembly representative and voice their opposition to this assault on our rights to decide what’s best to maintain family economic stability while caring for ourselves and our families.

For more information, go to 9to5’s facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/9to5-Milwaukee/74329476592#!/pages/9to5-Milwaukee/74329476592

or call 414-274-0925.

Last Nights Town Hall Cancelled After Sen. Vukmir/Rep. Sensenbrenner Refuse to Answer Questions

Monday evening there will be a town hall meeting hosted by State Senator Leah Vukmir, with special guest, Congressman Jim Sensebrenner. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 7th at 7:00 PM at the Wauwatosa Public Library 7635 W. North Ave.,Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Click here for a map.

Please arrive at 6:30 PM so that supporters of Wisconsin workers and public education can fill the meeting room. We will NOT picket outside the library. The plan is to take paper signs and posters (not sticks) into the meeting room. Prepare to ask Senator Vukmir hard questions.

Here is what her web site states regarding her position on Gov. Walkers attack on collective bargaining rights and public education.

Newly elected Wisconsin Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir, a Tea Party favorite, told The Daily Caller that the “silent majority” of Wisconsinites agree with Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s new budget plan, despite mass union protests. “While there may be some loud protesters around the capitol all week, the silent majority, who are working during the week, agree with the Governor’s plan..”

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Let’s show Vukmir that the “silent majority” includes a lot of people who are opposed to attacks on working families, unions and public education.

Educators’ Network for Social Justice encourages you to attend and for you to contact people you may know who live in the 5th Senate District and encourage them to to attend as well. Here is a map of the 5th Senate District.