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.
Finally some direct action. We have been getting squeezed for way too long while admin gets bonuses. Time to wake them up.