Don’t let McKenna Wisconsin-ize our state; sign up for Labor Neighbor

On Tuesday, Gov. Scott Walker (R) survived the Wisconsin citizens’ recall campaign inspired by his politically motivated attacks on unions and public employee collective bargaining rights. In the end, the more than 7-to-1 campaign cash advantage he had over his opponent proved insurmountable for organized labor’s inspired get-out-the-vote ground game.

What does it mean for us here in Washington state?

It means Walker’s billionaire corporate financiers, like the notorious Koch brothers, have again demonstrated their commitment to spending millions of dollars to elect and protect candidates who take away the freedom to join a union. It also means that Republicans may be emboldened to continue — or even step up — their unprecedented efforts to take away American workers’ rights and to pass so-called “right-to-work” laws eliminating unions.

In Washington, that means it is more important than ever to oppose Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.

CLICK HERE to make a commitment TODAY to volunteer for the Washington State Labor Council’s Labor Neighbor grassroots member-to-member political action program. (See the June schedule below.)

Why?

At the height of the Wisconsin civil unrest set off by Gov. Walker’s “divide-and-conquer” legislative assault on unions, Rob McKenna told a reporter that he considered collective bargaining a “right” and he had no intention of passing Walker-style legislation in Washington. An immediate outcry from right-wing Republicans criticizing those comments led him to clarify that he meant unions rights were “statutory rights” only, and actually, he would like to change state collective bargaining laws.

Since then, Rob McKenna has abandoned his previous attempts to portray himself as a moderate Republican on the issue. He is now consistently critical of collective bargaining contracts – particularly those of teachers and other public employees – and of unions, in general. Make no mistake, if McKenna gets elected, he will pursue his own “divide-and-conquer” agenda attacking unions and aiming to silence the voice of Washington’s working families.

What can you do? CLICK HERE to make a commitment TODAY to working WSLC Labor Neighbor volunteer shifts that begin in June. Phone banks and neighborhood walks are planned in Benton/Franklin, Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane and Thurston counties.

Here’s the June schedule which begins the week of Monday, June 18 (please indicate which shifts you are available to work):

PHONE BANKS – Unless otherwise noted weeknight shifts are 5:30-8:15 p.m. (5:30 light food, 5:40 training, 6 first dial, 8 last dial, then debrief)

EVERETT
— IBEW Local 191, 2701 Hoyt: Tuesdays and Thursdays

MOUNT VERNON
— UFCW Local 21, 1510 N. 18^th: Tuesdays and Thursdays

OLYMPIA
— WSLC/WFSE, 906 S. Columbia: Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus Monday, June 25

PASCO
— UA Local 598, 1328 Road 28: Tuesdays and Thursdays

SEATTLE
— UFCW Local 21, 5030 1^st Ave. S.: Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-8:15, plus Fridays 1:30-4:15
— IAM District 751, 9125 15^th Pl. S.: Mondays
— IAFF Local 27: Tuesdays

SPOKANE
— IUOE Local 370, 510 S. Elm St.: Monday, June 25 and Thursday, June 28

TACOMA
— IBEW Local 76, 3049 S. 36^th: Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus Monday, June 25

VANCOUVER
— IAFF Local 452, 2807 NW Fruit Valley Rd: Tuesdays and Thursdays

WALKS – All shifts are Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (9 training, 9:30 pair up, 12:30 last knock, 1 debrief)

AUBURN (LD 47) –June 23
— IUOE Local 286, 18 E. St. SW

BOTHELL (LD 45) –June 30
— IUOE Local 302, 18701 120^th Ave. NE

EVERETT (CD 1) – June 30
— Labor Temple, 2800 Lombard

OLYMPIA (LD 35) – June 30
— Staging site TBA

RICHLAND (LD 8) – June 30
— LIUNA Local 348, 2505 Duportail St.

SPOKANE (LD 6) – June 23
— IUOE Local 370, 510 Elm St.

TACOMA (LD 28) – June 23
— IBEW Local 76, 3049 S. 36th

If you have any questions about this schedule or about opportunities to volunteer for Labor Neighbor, contact WSLC Field Mobilization Director Lori Province at lprovince@wslc.org or 206-281-8901 ext. 24.