Fair Pay Caucus
We, the undersigned, support the following ideas for AFT-Wisconsin:
1. Organize collective actions to defend the public sector. Arrange escalating actions suitable for participation by all in the organization.
2. Launch new Organizing Committees for each work sector (State, UW, K-12, Tech College, Grad, etc) with low dues or no dues. Seek members from across old bargaining units to include all in each work sector who wish to participate.
3. Fair wage increase will be the first major campaign. Activities will include petitions, education both internal and external, exposing abuses and inefficiencies in the current pay-and-bonus system, and direct action by our members to pressure for change. Involve other public employee unions and the larger labor movement.
4. Pursue an independent political agenda including: (a.) Change process for political decisions by AFTW to reflect more direct input by members and Organizing Committee members, and (b) Suspend most electoral and legislative efforts temporarily to emphasize direct action and member organizing, and (c) Pursue repeal of Act 10/full reinstatement of WI public worker bargaining rights, and (d) Advocate for state policies to create jobs, invest in infrastructure, and fully support public services, including full funding for education, health care, transportation, the environment, etc., and (e) Endorse repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
5. Create a coalition to preserve public services in Wisconsin—do coalition building within organized labor, and with other workers, as well as with other community organizations and activists.
6. WEAC: We support the idea of sharing office space – and where efficient staff -- with WEAC and working to build strong coalitions among all unions to further our members’ interests. But, beyond that, an organizational merger isn’t realistic or feasible.
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