State Battles: Standing Strong for Our Rights and Jobs

Job Creation, Not Union-Busting

Journal: Issue 1 - 2011

The rallying cries of alarmed union members echoing through U.S. state capitals from Maine to Nevada and thousands of towns and cities in between since the start of 2011 may vary, but the message to conservative legislators and governors is the same: Stop trampling on our rights and start creating jobs!

The voices and protests of BAC members and millions of working people across the country have electrified the labor movement. “The fight has really just begun,” says IU President James Boland. “Although we’ve seen the convergence of anti-union business and political interests before, it’s highly coordinated this time around. They’re well funded, but they’re still no match for the strength of workers united together. I’m proud of the solidarity our Locals and members have shown in the face of these challenges, and I’m certain it will only grow stronger,” adds Boland.

To stay on top of the many state issues that impact the labor movement overall and BAC members specifically, especially state regulatory or legislative action affecting prevailing wage protections, right to work for less measures (see page 12), or Project Labor Agreements, be sure to visit www.bacweb.org
for the latest news headlines, links and updates.

Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois

Members and officers of ADC 1 of IL and its Locals traveled to Indianapolis in March to stand in solidarity with Local 4 IN/KY members at the “We Are Indiana” rally. As always, the ADC 1 “Fat Cat” stood out in the crowd, lending meaning to the adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky

On March 10th in Indianapolis, IU President James Boland offered a fiery defense of workers’ rights at the “We Are Indiana” rally that included a large contingent from Local 4 IN/KY along with tens of thousands of Indiana citizens who gathered to protest the anti-worker agenda of the state legislature.

Local 4 IN/KY President Ted Champ, center, drives home the concerns of Local 4 and building trades members to Republican Indiana state representatives, including House Speaker Brian Bosma, far right, and Jerry Torr, center front.

Wisconsin District Council

Madison, Wisconsin became ground zero for states’ assaults on workers in January when Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) fired the opening salvo by declaring war on public employees’ collective bargaining rights. Knowing if Walker’s attack on public unions went unchallenged that the building trades and BAC would be next, WI ADC officers and members turned out in force as massive protests in and around the State Capitol gained momentum. In the wake of this legislation’s hasty, if not unlawful, passage, WI ADC members and other union activists will monitor the union-busting law’s precarious legal status, and mobilize to recall some of its Senate champions. During the height of the earlier protests, WI ADC members were equally at home serving up “Brats” (photo at left) or proudly carrying BAC signs, including WI ADC Director Jeff Leckwee (photo at right; standing, second from right).

Ohio Administrative District Council

In February and March, members of OADC Locals participated in a series of mass demonstrations (above), meetings and hearings (below) to voice their strong opposition to Ohio State Senate Bill 5, or SB-5, which strips public employees of the freedom to bargain collectively, just one of the bill’s many onerous provisions. With the bill’s passage, the OADC will join efforts to overturn SB-5 through a statewide referendum.

Local 1 Michigan

Rather than addressing job creation and responsible budget management, Michigan legislators have opted instead to go after middle class jobs and workers’ rights. Members and officers of Local 1 Michigan took part in a number of statewide protests, including attending this hearing on the repeal of state prevailing wage protections in Lansing on March 1st.

Legislative Update