The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO 29th Biennial Convention

A summary of the events and speeches from both days of the convention is available here. Enjoy!

Appropriate the @WisAFLCIO adjourns to the music of @DropkickMurphys #TakeEmDown

— Randy Bryce (@IronStache) August 30, 2016

JESSIE OPOIEN, The Capital Times

Democratic former Sen. Russ Feingold railed against trade deals like NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership to labor union members on Monday, pledging to oppose “lousy, unfair” deals if re-elected.

Feingold’s speech at the Wisconsin AFL-CIO’s biennial convention in downtown Madison centered on trade as he drew a contrast between himself and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not said whether he supports or opposes the TPP.

Johnson, who voted to give the president fast-track authority on trade deal negotiations, has supported such deals in the past. His campaign accused Feingold of making a snap decision, arguing Johnson is taking time to consider the text of the deal and opinions of his constituents.

Johnson confirmed in July he doesn’t plan to share his stance until he takes a vote on the deal. Feingold came out against it in May 2015.

Johnson’s campaign argued there are major differences between the draft that was available when Feingold came out against the TPP and the final version made public in November.

“Sen. Feingold is a career politician who has never created a job, and now he’s jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information — without allowing anyone to give him input on the thousands of pages of the complex deal,” said Johnson spokesman Brian Reisinger. “Ron is a manufacturer who is doing the hard work of putting facts before politics. That’s why he based his ongoing review on the final version and has been talking with Wisconsin families, farmers, small businesses and all others concerned with how this deal would affect Wisconsin workers.”

Feingold didn’t hold back on Monday, calling agreements like NAFTA and the TPP “corporate handshakes” that send workers into a “dark spiral” of job insecurity and job loss.

“In my view, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat president or a Republican president. If they want to shove through one of these deals, I’m going to oppose it if it’s another corporate handshake,” Feingold said.

The deals, he said, have been “a tragedy and … a betrayal to the people of the state of Wisconsin,” telling union members they know “better than anybody the violence that is done by these trade deals.”

The former senator quipped the only good thing he could say about the TPP is “you might have more choices” at the store.

“I would prefer not having 15 choices of golf clubs — I would prefer having a job,” he argued.

Feingold also praised pay equity legislation and paid family medical leave, and lauded a recent court decision lifting restrictions on early voting. He also spoke in favor of Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to allow refinancing of student loans — an issue he said leads to the “denial of the American dream.”

Original article at The Capitol Times

. @DamonSilvers “The labor movement stands for an economic rejuvenation agenda for the United States" #unityWI pic.twitter.com/aHOcQ96G63

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

. @AFLCIO's @DamonSilvers presenting "where have the gains gone?" Answer: to the top, to the tippy top richest of our economy #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Delegates speak from the #unityWI convention floor in support of our issues. Delegates have adopted resolutions supporting the rights of workers in the gig economy, keeping the promise of a strong VA system for our vets, reining in abusive medical billing practices and supporting local economic development through City Center Districts.

. @cmowley, @WFNHP, talks on the need to rein in abusive medical billing practices and crippling debt #unityWI pic.twitter.com/VaAMeIrsuz

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Joe Junemann, AFGE, speaks about the importance of a strong VA system for our vets. #unityWI pic.twitter.com/3vyIvvCGEw

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Delegates approve resolution supporting workers in the gig economy. All workers deserve good pay, benefits and right to organize! #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

AUGUST 29, 2016 BY ANDREW BECKETT

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold is pledging to fight against trade deals that he believes hurt American workers.

Speaking to a meeting of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO in Madison, Feingold said the state has for years felt the effects of trade deals that benefit corporations and not workers, citing the effects of NAFTA and the thousands of jobs that have left the state following its approval. “You know, better than anybody, the violence that is done by these trade deals of the past…and it’s still felt today,” Feingold told union officials at a meeting in Madison.

The Democrat, who is running to regain the seat he lost six years ago to U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), said he would vote against any trade deal that benefits corporations over workers, if he’s elected in November. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat president or a Republican president – they want to shove through one of these deals, I’m going to oppose it.”

Feingold said that includes the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is still awaiting action in Congress. “We won’t be fooled by the TPP,” he said.

Johnson, the Republican incumbent, has previously said he’s not going to take a position on the TPP until after the election. Given his previous support for trade agreements though, Feingold argued it’s pretty clear how he will vote. “He’s totally for it…he just doesn’t want to accept the fact that people figured out these are raw deals,” Feingold said.

Johnson’s campaign accused Feingold of jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information. “Ron is a manufacturer who is doing the hard work of putting facts before politics. That’s why he based his ongoing review on the final version and has been talking with Wisconsin families, farmers, small businesses, and all others concerned with how this deal would affect Wisconsin workers,” said spokesman Brian Resigner.

Via Wisconsin Radio Network

A resolution to hold shady, for-profit colleges accountable is moving on the floor #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

@PeterWBarca Great to see you @wisaflcio Convention. Always a strong voice for labor, manufacturing and jobs. pic.twitter.com/i3w0oS9O14

— Meghan Hasse (@meghanhasse) August 30, 2016

Associated Press AUGUST 29, 2016 — 3:35PM

MADISON, Wis. — Democratic Senate candidate Russ Feingold is telling Wisconsin unions he will oppose “lousy unfair labor deals” and vote against the Trans Pacific Partnership if elected.

Feingold spoke Monday at the biennial convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Feingold touted his opposition to the TPP deal and blasted his opponent Republican Sen. Ron Johnson for not saying where he stands on the proposal.

Feingold tells the union members, “You know better than anyone the violence that’s done by these trade deals of the past.”

Feingold says as senator he will oppose any attempt to “shove through another one of these deals.”

He says bad trade deals have been a “tragedy and betrayal” to blue collar workers in Wisconsin.

Feingold also tells union members he will push for equal pay for women.

From the Star Tribune

. @s_Bloomingdale introduces Rep. Peter Barca, "Rep. Barca gets it, he understands the issues working people face" pic.twitter.com/rbtNjsaMap

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Congressman Mark Pocan 'Let's do everything we can to advance the agenda for working families' #unityWI #WIunion pic.twitter.com/YRKT3s9lqz

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

'Together we're going to move this country forward. Forward w/ Hillary Clinton, forward w/ Russ Feingold...let's get to work " - @lizshuler

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Equal pay for equal work, not just a women's issue our fearless leaders @s_Bloomingdale and @lizshuler remind the audience #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Great to have @AFLCIO @lizshuler at the #unityWI convention in Madison! #WIunion pic.twitter.com/XFTU85GeKc

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Mike Follett, IBEW, reporting the Credentials Committee #unityWI pic.twitter.com/MlaXxfz5Nx

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 30, 2016

Rabbi Renee Bauer provides the Invocation on Day 2 of #unityWI Convention. “Your power comes from being respectful and civil with each other in times of disagreement. Together, may you bring justice to the workers of this state, and in your efforts may you be blessed.”

Prez Phil Neuenfeldt say it's time for labor to come together in unity for future of our community #wiunion pic.twitter.com/nMvDd1aqQx

— candice owley (@cmowley) August 29, 2016

Neuenfeldt: We're unified for strong union rights, better wages, quality healthcare. Our unity is our strength! #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Plumbers and health care professionals speaking from floor on the need to protect safe drinking water as a public right #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Mike Pyne, WI ARA, makes a Resolution to Improve and Protect Social Security Benefits. Resolution passes floor. #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Resolution to Reclaim America’s Promise by Supporting and Fully Funding Wisconsin’s Public Schools passes convention floor. #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Mike Bink, UAW, makes a resolution from the floor in support Fight for $15 and a union #unityWI pic.twitter.com/3zduGulMMj

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Russ Feingold talks equal pay, providing paid family leave, stopping bad trade deals at the #unityWI convention pic.twitter.com/XdYvGK2W5z

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

@russfeingold speaking at the @wisaflcio convention about taking back the take majority in the Senate. #wiunion pic.twitter.com/wDroDO2iDl

— ibew local 494 (@ibewlocal494) August 29, 2016

There's been some good changes says Anita Johnson, all early voting has been restored to the people #unityWI pic.twitter.com/L36Ldt063D

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

The 2016 Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Organizing Award was awarded to the Higher Education Council, American Federation of Teachers, who organized a historic statewide “No Confidence” vote of the University of Wisconsin higher education system. The vote engaged and organized workers in the higher education system all across Wisconsin. Kim Kohlhaas, President of AFT-Wisconsin, presented the award to Chad Goldberg, UW Professor of Sociology, who accepted on the behalf of the Higher Education Council.

Ricardo Acuña, @ParklandInst "International solidarity is about lifting each other up during our struggles" #unityWI pic.twitter.com/7bfJMfYi7r

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Chad Goldberg accepts this year's organizing award on behalf of the Higher Education Council, AFT. #unityWI pic.twitter.com/8Kt5pYkpm4

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Congressman Tim Ryan recalls not crossing a picket line as a child."I was taught basic respect for workers" #unityWI pic.twitter.com/Eq6dqSluIg

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

"Let's hope next decades write a better story for workers and working families" #unityWI pic.twitter.com/O402r0QK12

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale energized the crowd with a speech that focused on the past, present and future of the labor movement. Secretary-Treasurer Bloomingdale stated that unity is the tool in which working people gain the power to build a strong middle class. “Unity is what workers have always used to make the incredible contributions to our country, to our way of life and to society as a whole,” explained Secretary-Treasurer Bloomingdale. “Unity is the tool workers have to gain power. Power in the workplace, power in our communities, power to build strong families.”

Outlining challenges facing the labor movement, Secretary-Treasurer Bloomingdale gave hope to the crowd, explaining that the best days are ahead of labor when we commit to continue the fight for all workers and organize. “Whether you work behind a screw cutting lathe or in front of a kindergarten classroom, we want you; if you go to work and swing the boom of a crane or the handle of a mop, you belong in a union; if you wear a hard hat or a hair net, we’ll make a place for you in the House of Labor.”

Laura Long, of Madison, sings a beautiful version of the Star Spangled Banner. #unityWI pic.twitter.com/rbjFUhZE0k

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

. @s_Bloomingdale: "unions have been, are and will remain the only true guardians of the American Dream" #unityWI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

'Solidarity w/ ALL working families has always been a guiding principle of our labor movement' @s_Bloomingdale pic.twitter.com/RzWZAAydol

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Pastor Shelia Stubbs provides an Invocation #unityWI pic.twitter.com/9IUzxMEVPI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

. @PFFW Color Guard Presentation of the Colors #unityWI pic.twitter.com/qGB95ystaI

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

Kevin Gundlach, President of the South Central Federation of Labor, called the Convention to Order. Mahlon Mitchell, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, and the Fire Fighters Honor Guard proceeded with opening ceremonies with the Presentation of the Colors. Laura Long of Madison sang the national anthem. Pastor Shelia Stubbs, Dane County Board of Supervisors and End Time Ministries International Church provided the Invocation.

Report of the Rules Committee was read by George Walls, CWA, and adopted by the delegates.

Kevin Gundlach, SCFL Prez, welcomes delegates to Madison and #unityWI Convention pic.twitter.com/xePBWYmxge

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 29, 2016

“Workers are gathering this week in Madison for invigorating debate and discussion as we continue to build support and solidarity through Unity, our convention’s overarching theme. Union members from different regions, different sectors, with different interests and objectives have all come together as one movement this week to stand strong and support one another as we look toward the future and work to leave behind a better workplace for the next generation.”

–Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO

“At each convention our delegates have the important opportunity to set the goals and the direction of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO through the democratic process. A wide-range of voices is crucial in continuing to advance the rights of Wisconsin workers through a successful and innovative labor movement. As the Wisconsin labor movement, we believe a union contract is the best way to raise wages for all working people and ensure that every working person has access to a safe, family-supporting job with good benefits. Strong unions, build strong communities.”

–Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer, Wisconsin AFL-CIO

Welcome to the 29th Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Biennial Convention! We are gathering this week in Madison, our state’s beautiful Capitol, for invigorating debate and discussion as we continue to build support and solidarity through Unity, our convention’s overarching theme.

Amid attacks on workers’ rights, we continue to stick together and have each other’s backs in the workplace through collective bargaining and strong unions. The Wisconsin labor movement has stepped up to meet each and every challenge with the strength of steadfast solidarity. Workers have come together in an unprecedented way. Workers from different regions, different sectors, with different interests and objectives have all come together as one movement to stand strong and support one another in the face of adversity. We can be proud of our Unity. We celebrate our Unity at this convention.

As we look ahead to November 2016, we are committed to electing working family champions like Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold and enhancing workers’ voices in the state legislature. Our political program is already educating and turning out the vote with union members and Wisconsinites alike.

Just like on Tuesday, November 8, your voice over the next few days is significant. At this convention you have the important opportunity to set the goals and direction of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO through the democratic process. Your active participation is crucial in continuing to advance the rights of Wisconsin workers through a successful and innovative labor movement. Please take this charge in earnest. Over the next day and a half, you will hear from policy and thought leaders on a wide range of issues impacting working people. You will hear from politicians leading the charge to support working families and from those hoping to win office in November on why they deserve your vote.

It is up to each and every one of us to shoulder the responsibility to turn Wisconsin around for workers. As union members, we bear the charge of educating and mobilizing for all workers. As the Wisconsin labor movement, we stand ready to raise wages for working people and ensure that every working person has access to a safe family-supporting job with good benefits.

This week we come together in unity so that we can leave behind a better workplace and a better life for the next generation. This convention, we are proud to come together through unity as one strong labor movement that fights for the people of Wisconsin.

Delegates of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO are gathering in Madison the week of August 28th for a two-day conference to democratically set the agenda of the state labor federation and strategize innovative ways to lead the Wisconsin labor movement into the future.

Delegates are hearing from a variety of thought and policy leaders, organizers and politicians, including Russ Feingold, U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan, Senator Jennifer Shilling, Representative Peter Barca, experts on international trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, water rights innovators, community organizers, economists, voting rights advocates and the national AFL-CIO’s Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler.

Follow #UnityWI on Twitter, Facebook and this site for updates and news!