Just Dumb

By ThinkProgress War Room

Sequester: “A Fancy Word for a Dumb Idea”

That’s what the President of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, called the sequester — and he’s absolutely right.

Republicans have once again shown that they’ll do almost anything to protect the wealthy and special interests like Big Oil — no matter the cost to the rest of us and to the economy. This time, they have allowed devastating across-the-board spending cuts to kick in.

Just yesterday, the Senate voted on a balanced plan to replace this year’s indiscriminate cuts with a mix of targeted cuts and new revenues from ending loopholes for the very wealthiest Americans and corporate special interests. This plan got 52 votes and should have passed but Republicans blocked it by insisting on a 60-vote margin.

It’s clear that Republicans would rather impose painful spending cuts that will hurt the economy and millions of Americans than end a single tax loophole for the wealthy and special interests like Big Oil and Wall Street.

As a reminder, here’s a list of things Republicans apparently prefer to happen instead of eliminating wasteful giveaways in the tax code:

• 70,000 kids will get kicked off of Head Start
• 10,000 teacher jobs will be at risk
• 7,200 special education teachers, aides, and staff could be cut
• Nearly 140,000 fewer children will receive life-saving vaccinations
• Up to 373,000 seriously mentally ill adults and seriously emotionally disturbed children could go untreated
• 2,100 fewer food inspections will take place
• Tax returns and refunds will be delayed
• The long-term unemployed will see their benefits cut by about 10 percent
• Nearly a billion dollars in loans to small businesses cut
• It could take several hours to get through security at the airport
• More than 100 airports might have to simply close down
• Our military leaders have said it would weaken our national security
• The Secretary of Homeland Security said the cuts will make it harder to protect the country from a terror attack and that the border will be less secure

Not all these things will happen overnight, but they will happen. And the longer the sequester goes on, the worse things will get. Worse yet, unless a permanent replacement is agreed to, these painful and damaging cuts will continue for nine years.

BOTTOM LINE: Instead of standing by and watching as our economy and millions of Americans are hurt by these irresponsible and devastating cuts, Republicans need to agree to reduce our deficit with the kind of responsible, balanced approach that three-quarters of Americans prefer. Their reckless behavior got us into this mess in 2011 and now it’s time for them to come back to the table and help get us out of it before the worst impacts of these indiscriminate cuts happen.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Draft State Department report says the Keystone XL pipeline is environmentally sound.

How sequester cuts to the IRS might raise the deficit.

President Obama: marriage equality should be the law of the land.

Happy 100th Birthday, Big Oil tax breaks!

VIDEO: The GOP constantly pretends we haven’t already cut trillions in spending.

Sean Hannity launches Islamophobic attack on Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN).

Austerity fail: European unemployment hits record high, again.

Another day, another extreme anti-abortion bill enacted by the GOP.

Don’t worry, the next manufactured crisis is just over three weeks away!

Palermo Workers Union

This past weekend we hit the three month mark since we began our strike for a safer workplace and voice on the job at Palermo’s Pizza.I’m not going to lie. It has been hard, at times, to keep the strike going over the past three months. But the recent actions outside more than 50 Costco stores all over the country and the thousands of emails and calls that have been generated to Costco have re-energized us.We can win this with your help. To say thank you and to keep your energized for the fight ahead, we wanted to share this new video from one of the Costco actions some of us attended recently. Watch the video and share it with your friends here. Your support forced Palermo’s CEO Giacomo Fallucca to meet with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumkalast Friday to finally begin a dialogue to resolve this issue for workers and Palermo’s customers. But Fallucca is still refusing to meet with us, reinstate fired workers or recognize our union. Fallucca and Palermo’s representatives claim they create a family atmosphere in the workplace. I’m not sure about you, but firing long-term employees for organizing to improve their workplace and then refusing to meet with them isn’t what I’d call a family atmosphere. Let’s show Fallucca what people working together for justice can really do. Let’s keep the pressure up. Click here now to watch and share our new video: http://go.aflcio.org/palermosvideo In Solidarity, Orlando Sosa Organizing Committee of the Palermo Workers Union P.S. Can you help us keep the strike going by contributing $3 or more to our strike fund? Click here to donate online now.

AFL – CIO sec- treasurer , Elizabeth Shuler

On my busiest work days, when there’s hardly time to eat lunch, I usually run downstairs to the AFL-CIO cafeteria. The wonderful staff working there knows how to make a mean tuna salad sandwichon wheat…quick and always delicious.I’m not sure Vanna in the cafeteria knows how important she is on those tuna sandwich days. But today, we’re launching an initiative that will make it possible for me to go that extra mile to let Vanna know how much she’s appreciated. Send an e-card to show you appreciate someone whose work helps you get through the day on our new, easy-to-use tool. Every day is an opportunity to recognize the hard work of others. I’m lucky enough to come into contact with tales of incredible workers every day. People like Jack Johnson, who makes great music and matches fan donations to certain charities though the Ohana Charitable Foundation. Or Jane McGonigal, an innovative game designer and writer who is making a difference by creating new avenues for work and play. No matter what you do, work connects us all. We depend on one another’s work. Together, it’s how we build, create, teach, re-wire, heal and grow what’s important. On behalf of everyone at the AFL-CIO, and the millions of workers we’re proud to represent: thanks for the work you do. It means the world to us. I bet you can think of plenty of workers in your life who deserve thanks—the teachers who inspire your children, the firefighters who keep us safe, the nurses who heal our wounds, or the electricians who keep the lights on. It might be workers you sometimes forget about—the waitresses who served your dinner, the accountants who worried about your taxes so you didn’t have to or the mail carriers who got your package there in time for your mom’s birthday. We want everyone to know their work matters. Say thanks to the workers in your life today: http://go.aflcio.org/thankyou In Solidarity, Elizabeth Shuler Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

No Justice , No Pizza

	TELL COSTCO: SUPPORT PALERMO’S PIZZA WORKERS

Laura Torres, a single mother of six, has worked at the Palermo’s Pizza plant in Milwaukee for 10 years. After safety issues led to thousands of dollars in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, she and her co-workers began organizing to form a union to secure safe working conditions.^[1]

Palermo’s executives could have taken the high road and sat down with Laura and other workers to hear their concerns. Instead, they chose to start an intimidation campaign that has forced the National Labor Relations Board to investigate claims of unlawful threats and firings.^[2]

Laura and her co-workers have been on strike for two months now, but with every passing day management is digging in its heels. Workers, though, are not giving up and are joining together with working families across the country to take the next step in the campaign for justice at Palermo’s. And you can help.

As the largest purchaser of Palermo’s products, Costco can put pressure on Palermo’s to stand with workers. Thousands already have sent letters to Costco and held events outside Costco stores in multiple cities asking the company to support Palermo’s workers.

Click here to stand with pizza workers and let Costco know they should, too.

Costco has built a reputation on its commitment to a strong Supplier Code of Conduct. A major part of this code sets forth a “continuing commitment to the protection and improvement of employees’ rights” and allows Costco to audit its suppliers, like Palermo’s, to make sure they are in compliance with the code.

By asking Costco to take a stand and letting Palermo’s know Costco won’t tolerate the company’s lack of workplace safety and unfair treatment of workers, we can put pressure on Palermo’s to finally do the right thing for their workers and customers.

Tell Costco to put pressure on Palermo’s to end its intimidation campaign, improve conditions and let workers have a voice on the job.

Thank you for your support of Palermo’s Pizza workers in their struggle for dignity and justice on the job.

In Solidarity,

Andy Richards
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. Workers have been on strike for two months and have relied on the generous support of donations to the strike fund to keep them going. But the strike fund is dangerously low. Can you make a donation of $5 to support the workers’ strike fund?

^[1] www.theuptake.org/2012/06/10/records-show-palermos-strikers-safety-concerns-are-real/
^[2] www.milwaukeelabor.org/in_the_news/article.cfm?n_id=00276

AFL – CIO : BRING JOBs HOME

SENATE TO VOTE ON THE BRING JOBS HOME ACT TOMORROW The Senate is set to vote on the Bring Jobs Home Act on Thursday. This bill would stop the perks for corporations that outsource American jobs.Call your senators now at 888-659-9401 now and tell them to support the Bring Jobs Home Act. We’ve got some important news about getting our elected leaders to take the necessary steps to stop the policies of outsourcing. The Senate will take up the Bring Jobs Home Act tomorrow. This bill—S. 2884—would stop allowing corporations to deduct their moving expenses when they offshore good American jobs to other countries. Call your senators now at 888-659-9401 and tell them to vote YES on the Bring Jobs Home Act tomorrow. Even if you already have called, your senators need to hear from you again. The vote on this measure comes as news continues to trickle out about Mitt Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital, when companies it managed outsourced good jobs abroad.[1] And this week, a new report showed Romney’s tax plan would create even more incentives for corporations to ship jobs overseas.[2] Romney is not the only politician, though, who has been on the wrong side of job creation for working families. Politicians continue to support measures that reward corporate CEOs and leave the rest of us to take the hit. Now they have a chance to move toward a comprehensive plan to stop outsourcing and create family-sustaining jobs in the United States. This not only must include passing the Bring Jobs Home Act but should also: Tax U.S. corporations’ overseas income the same way domestic income is taxed, so they do not shift income and jobs overseas just to lower their tax bill; Make sure trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership are fair and benefit working families—not just multinational corporations; Stop currency manipulation by our trading partners; and Bar companies that send call center jobs overseas from receiving federal grants and tax breaks. Please call your senators today at 888-659-9401 and ask for their support for the Bring Jobs Home Act. Thank you for your continued support to stop the policies of outsourcing. In Solidarity, Nicole Aro Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO P.S. After you have made your call, go here to check out the new “Meet Mitt Romney Mr. 1%” website. The website includes shareable infographics, video and ways you can get involved and vote your values. [1] www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/07/ 14/evidence_mounts_of_mitt_romneys_continuing_ties_to_bain_after_1999 [2] www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2012/07/hanlon_outsourcing.html

AFL – CIO

Before you hit the beach, parade or barbeque today, take a minute to watch this inspiring video celebrating the military veterans who are rebuilding the World Trade Center. They received training through the Helmets to Hardhats program, which led to good careers for them as union members in the building and construction trades. Click on the image below to watch the video and share on Facebook and Twitter.The brave veterans featured in this video speak to the values of a strong work ethic, ingenuity and working together as a team—values shared by both the military and unions.These vets are why I am so optimistic about the future of this country. Though we have hard work ahead, I believe we can invest and rebuild our country through the sacrifice and spirit of working families, union and nonunion, all across this nation. Working people built this country and it is working people who will make it strong again. We need to take the lead and show our politicians and business leaders that they can do the right thing to create and keep good jobs here in the United States—by ending the policies that ship production, jobs and innovation overseas. Made in America is alive as long as we have the strength, pride and will to make it happen, as the veterans in this video show through their work every day. The labor movement is committed to these values because they bring us together and will make America strong again. Get in the spirit of the holiday, please watch and share this video by clicking here.  Thank you for all you do for working families every day—and have a safe and happy July 4.In Solidarity,Richard L. Trumka President, AFL-CIOP.S. The Senate is expected in the coming weeks to take up the Bring Jobs Home Act, a bill that would eliminate the tax deduction for companies that move jobs overseas and get the ball rolling on much-needed reforms to keep and create U.S. jobs. Please call 1-888-659-9401 to leave a message for your senators that you want them to support this bill when it comes up for a vote.

AFL – CIO

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when shared with others. That’s why we wanted you to be the first to see and share this new image about devastating policies that reward corporations for shipping good jobs offshore.

Click here now to share this picture with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

50,000 manufacturing facilities gone. 6 million jobs lost. Chronic trade deficits. Record cash hoarding by the largest U.S. non-financial companies. These are all results of the troubling economic policies some of our lawmakers have passed and defended.

These policies have outsourced jobs and rewarded corporations with taxpayers’ money while they ship production, jobs and innovation overseas. Wall Street bankers and CEOs have filled their pockets while the rest of us have picked up the pieces.

This month and beyond, working families across the country will call on lawmakers and corporations to bring good jobs home and invest in America again, instead of shipping away our future.

We will tell you about events and actions during the weeks ahead. But right now, you can help by sharing the above graphic on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

It’s time we brought good jobs home and made new our commitment to Made in America. Do your part by sharing this image at the link below:

http://bit.ly/KYaSUt

In Solidarity,
Nicole Aro
AFL-CIO Digital Strategies

AFL – CIO … Beyond Wisconsin

A year and a half ago, Gov. Scott Walker and his friends in the Senate forced through an extremist anti-worker agenda that divided the state. Last night, Wisconsin took back its Senate. While Gov. Walker remains in office after being only the third governor in American history subjected to the humiliation of a recall, his divisive agenda has been stopped cold. Though Walker was shielded with a flood of secret corporate cash, Wisconsin made its voice heard. While we came closer to recalling Walker than many expected, we ended up coming just short. The work we did together was about much more than just this one election. We laid the groundwork for a powerful movement to push back against Walker-style anti-working family policies everywhere. The energy and momentum in Wisconsin have inspired working people from all walks of life to stand together in solidarity in unprecedented ways. We cannot stop now. Click here to sign our solidarity pledge to commit to building on the momentum working people created in Wisconsin and beyond to protect good jobs, working families and workplace rights. Wisconsin is a small piece of a broader global movement of people pushing back on the corporate-driven policies that have favored the super-rich at the expense of good jobs, education and the health of our communities. And we are winning. We’ve seen it in Tunisia, Yemen and other countries where the Arab Spring has taken hold; in Greece and France, where voters rejected the failed, Draconian policies of austerity; and here in the United States, where members of the Occupy movement continue to shine a much-needed light on Wall Street greed and ballooning economic inequality. Working people are making history every day through their courage and resolve to work together for a better world. For you, it may have begun with Wisconsin, but it should not stop there. Click here to sign our pledge of solidarity to say you will continue to stand with other working people to protect good jobs, working families and workplace rights. Thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do for working families. In Solidarity, Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO P.S. Want to be the first to hear about our exciting new campaigns planned for the summer? Sign our solidarity pledge now so you can be one of the first to receive updates.

AFL – CIO – National Labor College(NLC)

Alejandro Garcia, IBEW Local 357, is an NLC student and a Union Plus NLC Scholarship recipient. Want to join him? Are you or is someone you know trying to complete a college degree? If so, now is the time to do something about it, and the National Labor College (NLC) can get you started toward completing your degree as soon as this fall. The NLC’s program is tailor-made for full-time working men and women like you. Call 1-888-427-8100 or click here to visit NLC.edu for more information. With NLC, you can expand your job skills, increase your salary, enhance your job security and improve your job satisfaction while finishing your degree. Apply by Aug. 6 to be eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Visit NLC.edu or call 1-888-427-8100 to get more details and apply. Worried that your full-time work schedule won’t give you enough time to go to class? The National Labor College offers degrees with an online format so you can manage your courseload and pace to fit your schedule. You also can receive college credits for what you have learned through trainings and work experience. And NLC is the only accredited labor college dedicated to educating union members and their families. Tuition is highly discounted for union members (about $300 per credit). What if you aren’t a union member? You can join our community affiliate, Working America, and get the discount. And Union Plus scholarships also are available to help with tuition costs. Tina Davis, AFSCME Local 1270, is a Union Plus NLC Scholarship recipient and will graduate this year. Online bachelor’s degrees and certificates are offered in: Business Administration, Construction Management, Emergency Readiness and Response Management and Labor Studies. Call 1-888-427-8100 or click here to visit www.NLC.edu for more information. Take the first step and apply today! In solidarity, Andy Richards New Media Strategist, AFL-CIO P.S. The NLC offers an array of financial aid options so you don’t have to worry about how to pay for your degree. You can find out more about financial aid here. You could complete your degree in less than two years for less than $10,000. If you apply now, take 50 percent off the application fee—and you can start taking classes in September.

AFL – CIO: T-Mobile is getting rid of J-O-B-S …. where are they going ?

	Don’t you dare, T-Mobile! Urgent:T-Mobile is planning to cut 3,300 U.S. jobs—on top of thousands they’ve already offshored. Make your voice heard.Click here to send a message to T-Mobile’s CEO Philipp Humm urging him to keep U.S. call centers open and save thousands of family-sustaining jobs.

Last month, T-Mobile announced plans to close seven major call centers nationwide.

T-Mobile’s decision means cutting 3,300 American jobs, on top of hundreds already lost because of T-Mobile’s downsizing—and 6,000 lost because of outsourcing to the Philippines and Honduras.

Click here to send a message to T-Mobile’s CEO Philipp Humm urging him to keep T-Mobile’s U.S. call centers open and bring back thousands of family-sustaining jobs.

We will deliver your letter—along with tens of thousands of others—next week at the T-Mobile headquarters in Washington State.

T-Mobile’s workers and customers are connected—and if this job-cutting plan goes through, both lose. Each lost T-Mobile job means another working family facing an uncertain future—and many customers facing uncertain service.

T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm’s plan to lay off thousands is bad for T-Mobile workers who take pride in their work, bad for T-Mobile customers who count on top-notch service and bad for the U.S. economy.

Send T-Mobile’s CEO a message today and tell him to keep U.S. call centers open—and we’ll make sure he hears your message next week.

When customers buy a T-Mobile cell phone, they count on T-Mobile workers to provide top-notch service. And T-Mobile workers do. They take pride in their work.

We know that dedicated service professionals whom T-Mobile customers count on—folks from Thornton, Colo., to Brownsville, Texas—will lose their jobs on June 22 if this plan goes forward. But we also know that if enough of us stand together and raise our voices, we can force the company to reconsider.

Please make your voice heard today, and we’ll deliver your letter on April 16 in Bellevue, Wash.

In Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO