Milwaukee, WI – Thousands of people attended the “Hands Off” rally in downtown Milwaukee on April 5, ready to fight back against Trump, Musk and the racist and reactionary agenda of the Republican Party.

“Today shows a broad, united front in Milwaukee. Looks at all the signs around you, they represent us taking the fight to Trump, fighting for workers, immigrants, Palestine, reproductive rights and our students!” said Alan Chovoya, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

“This will be the key to defeating Trump; the people united and advancing our progressive movements in the streets, campuses, shop floors and our communities,” Chavoya continued.

The event was organized by 50501, Voces de la Frontera, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council and members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization. The AFL-CIO encouraged union members to show up after Trump’s assault on federal workers, such as his having taken away collective bargaining rights for about 700,000 workers less than two weeks ago.

“There has never been a more important time to be organized than today,” said AFSCME member Jacob Flom. “We are in for a long fight, so we need to build organizations capable of weathering the highs and lows.”

Flom continued, “But the thousands of us who came out today know that this isn’t the time to back down, it’s time to be bold, organize and build a better world!”

The crowd was estimated to be 8000 at the height of the protest and included many who were attending their first protest.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #50501 #MALC #FRSO #VocesDeLaFrontera #Feature

Meteorologist Sam Kuffel was fired by CBS 58 on Wednesday (January 22) for posting a criticism of Elon Musk's nazi salute on her private social media. The Young Workers Committee of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council stands with Sam Kuffel and demands her reinstatement with back pay.

Further, we condemn the use of discipline by employers to chill free speech of employees, in particular speech opposing white supremacist and fascist ideology.

We encourage all workers to join or organize a union to protect themselves from unjust discipline, and to help build an alternative to Trump and Musk's racist and anti-worker agenda. If you are interested in organizing your workplace or finding a union job, please reach out to us.

Young Workers Committee

Milwaukee Area Labor Council

#MilwaukeeMN #LaborPower #YoungWorkersCommittee #YWC #MALC #YWCMALC

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, September 2, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC) and other unions such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) hosted LaborFest, an annual celebration held in commemoration of Labor Day. Hundreds of workers and union supporters turned out for the occasion.

The first portion of the day’s events saw the traditional mass march featuring rank-and-file workers mobilized by unions spanning the spectrum of organized labor, from trades workers to letter carriers to communications workers and everything in between.

A group of trade unionists also marched representing the network Wisconsin Labor for Palestine (WLFP), a statewide association of progressive pro-Palestine union members. The march typically ends at the SummerFest grounds where workers are able to eat and drink and enjoy various forms of entertainment. However, this year, as with the last few years, there was a special guest.

This time, it was Democratic vice presidential candidate and current governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. Given the current situation in Palestine and the Biden administration’s complicity with genocide, which Harris and Walz endorse, Walz’s presence at the event spurred some into action.

“I think a lot of people in my [school] district don't quite know what Walz stands for. He works for Israel. I’m a K4 teacher and every time I look at my students it’s children like them who are being murdered every day,” said Stephanie Spalatin, a member of MTEA and also the Milwaukee Antiwar Committee. “I serve Black and brown communities of Milwaukee. I see the parallels of Palestinian and Black liberation struggles and the connections. We need to educate and demonstrate.”

As the LaborFest march entered the final stretch, it was met with a supportive group of protesters, holding pro-labor and pro-Palestine signs and Palestinian flags. Some contingents within the march joined in chanting with the protesters, including slogans such as “Union yes and genocide no” and “Free, free Palestine.” There was a large union solidarity group that marched with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) who were particularly vocal in their support for Palestinian liberation. The protest joined the end of the march as it funneled into the entrance to the SummerFest grounds, but they were met with a police presence that forced them to the other side of the road. The protest continued for some time with speeches and more chanting.

Inside LaborFest, some trade union, anti-war, and student activists snuck in large banners with messages around ending funding for war crimes and to stop arming Israel. Despite not knowing about the banners, event staff, guided primarily by the Democratic Party and the Secret Service, were quick to target and surveil these activists as many were also wearing keffiyehs. The threats of removal for any disruption did not deter the activists from their plans.

As soon as Walz took the podium on the stage, two groups of unionists and other activists stood on their bleachers and unfurled their banners to stand silently and project their pro-Palestine and anti-genocide messages. In a matter of seconds, the staffers stormed them from all sides, aggressively grabbing at both the banners and the people holding them. As they were being escorted out, the 20 activists received some encouraging words from others in the crowd. The activists chanted “Free, free Palestine!” while Walz made sure to thank the Secret Service.

Ryan Hamann, a shop steward with the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 2 and one of the activists who was thrown out of the event said, “The Democrats talk of their commitment to labor in the U.S., but in the same breath they offer continued unwavering support for the genocide in Palestine, an act which, on top of massacring women and children, is killing Palestinian trade unionists.” He continued, “The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions in Gaza raised the call for trade unionists everywhere, but especially here in the U.S., to work to end the genocidal Israeli campaign. It is our duty to fulfill this obligation to our working-class siblings in Palestine. We will continue the struggle until Palestine is free.”

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Labor #MALC #IBT #MTEA

Milwaukee, WI – On International Workers Day, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO passed a resolution supporting the “Popular University” encampment for Palestine at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Several union leaders and delegates donned Palestinian keffiyehs to support the motion introduced on the floor of the delegate meeting to support the student and faculty protest. The UWM encampment is one of hundreds that have sprung up at U.S. campuses, led by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and others.

Delegates took turns speaking in favor of the motion, urging the council to heed the plea from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions in Gaza (PGFTU), which called on unions in the United States to expand their efforts to oppose the U.S.-funded genocide in Gaza.

The PGFTU statement distributed at the delegate meeting read in part: “Instead of celebrating with you on May 1st, International Workers Day, we are busy shrouding dozens of people who are being killed around the clock in the middle of a genocidal war against our people…We have suffered and lost thousands of members, union offices, facilities, and other institutions ,” and “We call on you to be our voice and advocate inside and outside America.”

After a thorough process of discussion, amendments and motions concluded, the delegates voted overwhelmingly in favor of the statement which reads as follows:

“The Milwaukee Area Labor Council stands in solidarity with the student protests happening at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. We condemn any attempt to violently, physically, or administratively repress the students, faculty, staff, or public’s right to demonstrate peacefully in support of humanitarian issues. They are using their constitutional right to assemble in public spaces to voice their concerns. An injury to one, is an injury to all!”

The full PGFTU statement is available here.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #MALC #Labor

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, March 14 (Pi Day), the part-time bargaining unit of the American Federation of Teachers Local 212, which represents the part-time faculty of the Milwaukee Area Technical College, held a rally demanding their piece of the pie.

Over the years, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) has bought into the general trend in higher education institutions across the U.S. of increased reliance on part-time and adjunct faculty to teach the bulk of courses. Like other industries, part-time workers in higher education institutions have limited access to benefits and receive less pay for their labor. While colleges and universities make record profits, the workers receive lower and lower compensation.

At MATC, part-time faculty earn lower pay relative to industry standards, lack course-assignment security, aren’t compensated for last minute assignment cancellations, face difficulties accessing healthcare and the pension, aren’t paid for attending onboarding sessions or departmental meetings, and receive a pay reduction for summer courses.

On top of these issues, MATC part-time workers were denouncing the college’s lack of compensation for part-time workers participating in non-student contact days, days when classes are canceled and workers participate in workshops or departmental meetings.

Speaking in solidarity with the workers of MATC, Pam Fendt, president of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, stated, “When this action was raised at our delegates meeting earlier this month, we asked our union siblings in attendance if they believe in working for no pay, and it was a resounding no!”

Prior to Thursday, the rally had garnered much attention across the college, and administrators clearly took notice. On Monday, administrators released a message to all part-time faculty earlier this week that they could be compensated for participation in this year’s MATC Day, which is similar to a non-student contact day. This is a win that was secured through the power of an organized union. The rally continued as planned because even though the part-time faculty secured this win, the struggle for their share of the pie continues!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Labor #AFT #AFT212 #MATC #MALC #PartTime #Faculty

Milwaukee, WI – Trade union leaders welcomed the chairman of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, to Milwaukee, October 4 and 5. The KMU is the largest and most militant labor coalition in the Philippines. Its name translates to May First Movement, a reference to the revolutionary workers’ holiday of May Day.

Ka Bong spoke before the full delegate meeting of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, detailing the violent repression that trade unionists are facing from the Philippine government. The Philippine government is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the southeast Asian region. Ka Bong received a standing ovation after his moving testimony, and delegates of the labor council generously raised hundreds of dollars to support and defend Philippine trade unionists.

To coincide with Ka Bong’s visit, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC) renewed its 2019 solidarity resolution with Philippine labor, this time calling for the urgent passage and signing of the Philippines Human Rights Act (PHRA). The PHRA would suspend U.S. military aid to the Philippines. MALC President Pam Fendt presented Ka Bong with the solidarity resolution before the delegate body.

On October 5, Ka Bong joined UAW Local 75 workers on the picket line at the Stellantis parts distribution center in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. Ka Bong met with local UAW leaders as well as members of AFT Local 212, who also joined the picket in solidarity. He then traveled a short way with local trade union activists to visit the Bay View Massacre historical marker, where seven striking workers and bystanders were shot and killed by state forces during the 1886 general strike for the eight-hour day.

In the evening, Ka Bong returned to the Labor Council for a longer event and potluck hosted by MALC’s Young Workers Committee, the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and the Chicago chapter of Anakbayan USA, the U.S.-based branch of an international Filipino youth organization fighting for justice in the Philippines. Representatives of each organization talked about how the struggle in the Philippines is connected to the struggle of workers and activists in the U.S., and they gathered signatures for a petition to stop U.S. military aid to the Philippines.

Ka Bong spoke about the many ways that the new Marcos Jr. regime is just as repressive and inhumane as the old Duterte and Marcos Sr. regimes. Less than 5% of Philippine workers have unions, and the national minimum wage is less than $11 per day – not nearly enough to raise a family under high inflation.

He said critics of the government are being harassed, threatened, disciplined, deported and killed. One of the latest victims of the repressive Marcos regime, veteran KMU union organizer Jude Fernandez, was murdered by police on September 29. Attendees held up “Justice for Jude Fernandez” signs and took solidarity photos to spread awareness of the campaign.

#MilwaukeeWI #International #Philippines #KMU #MALC

Resolution in Solidarity with Organized Labor in the Philippines

WHEREAS, legislative and violent attacks on organized labor in the Philippines have resulted in the country being ranked among the world’s deadliest countries for trade unionists, where over 70 workers have been murdered since 2016, and;

WHEREAS, unions and labor activists are frequently targeted with forced union disaffiliation, intimidation, harassment, aggressive surveillance, torture, imprisonment, and killings, and;

WHEREAS, thousands of workers have been arrested on false charges in an attempt to silence their voices, including Anne Krueger, who was working to organize call center workers and hosted two delegations of Communications Workers of America (CWA) members to the Philippines, (1) and; 

WHEREAS, in April 2023, Alex Dolorosa, a union organizer whose work was funded by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), was violently murdered, and no effort has been made by the authorities to investigate his murder, (2) and;

WHEREAS, in the face of legislative attacks, violent repression, and human rights violations committed by the repressive Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regime, unionists in the Philippines continue to organize a vibrant and growing labor movement that merits great respect and solidarity, and;

WHEREAS, the government of the Philippines is by far the largest recipient of US military aid in the Indo-Pacific, having received $1.14 billion in US military aid since 2015, (3) and;

WHEREAS, on May 1st, 2019 the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Congress to end military aid to the government of the Philippines, and; 

WHEREAS, in June, 2020 the AFL-CIO issued a statement calling on Congress to pass the Philippines Human Rights Act (1), which would suspend US military aid to the Philippines, (4) and;

WHEREAS, The Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO, The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), and the AFL-CIO Executive Council have issued resolutions and statements calling for Congressional action to address ongoing human and labor rights violations by the government of the Philippines, and;

WHEREAS, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, representing nearly 20,000 union members, believes fundamentally in the power of worker solidarity, and actively supports trade unionists and all people of conscience working to stop attacks on labor and democratic rights.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO reaffirms our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the labor movement of the Philippines, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO demands accountability from the Philippine government and supports international calls for a comprehensive investigation of the killings in the Philippines, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO calls for the urgent passage and signing of the Philippines Human Rights Act.

1. https://aflcio.org/about/leadership/statements/congress-should-introduce-and-pass-philippines-human-rights-act

2. https://aflcio.org/about/leadership/statements/2023-george-meany-lane-kirkland-human-rights-philippines-labor-movement

3. https://ph.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-u-s-philippines-defense-and-security-partnership/http

4. humanrightsph.org/

#MilwaukeeWI #MALC #AFLCIO #Unions #LaborCouncil #Philippines #Labor #InternationalSolidarity