News

The Janus Case

What is the Janus Case (aka Janus vs AFSCME)?

A case before the U.S. Supreme Court over the right of public employee unions to require non-members to pay agency or fair share fees for the cost of bargaining and enforcing a labor contract.

What is the Aboud Case (aka Aboud vs. Detroit Board of Education"

A case ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977 which said that public employees could be forced to pay for expenses associated with collective bargaining and other related activities, but not for political activities.

Some Articles

Behind Janus Documents Reveal Decade-Long Plot to Kill Public-Sector Unions. By Mary Bottari (Center for Media and Democracy)

Be Careful What You Wish For By Dana Milbank

Retirement Board Annuitant Teacher Election

From President Monaghan

As president of the AFT-W Retiree Council, I have been asked for a recommendation for the teacher's retirement board. R. Thomas Pedersen was an AFT-W member while he was employed at the New Richmond campus of the Indianhead Technical College teaching accounting and finance. In addition, he has served on the retirement board since 2003 and I am comfortable recommending his continued service as a member of the retirement board.

Note: The Department of Employee Trust Funds is conducting an election among retired teachers to select the Teachers Retirement Board’s annuitant teacher member. Voters must cast ballots by February 28.

2017 Annual Membership Meeting

The 2017 Annual Membership Meeting took place in Warrens, WI on October 28. The election of officers was decided by a unanimous vote for the slate of President-Kathy Monaghan, Vice President – Bob Beglinger, Secretary –Joy Bashara, Treasurer – Ruth Ludwig.

You can see the minutes under Membership/Key Documents.

Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WIARA) 2017 Power Lunch

The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WIARA) is holding its 2017 POWER Lunch on Saturday, October 9 in Milwaukee. The POWER Lunch is The WIARA’s annual fundraiser to continue their important advocacy work on behalf of all Wisconsin retirees.

For more information, see https://wisconsin.retiredamericans.org/

For Sponsorship information, contact Greg Neil, Executive Director, at exec.dir@wi-alliance.org

AFT-Wisconsin Convention 2017

The AFT-Wisconsin Convention will be held on October 27 - 29 at the Three Bears Resort in Warrens, Wi. The AFT-Wisconsin Retirees Council will hold its meeting during the AFT-W Convention.

The following people were elected to be delegates representing retirees at the business portion of the AFT-W Convention:

Delegates:
    Bob Beglinger, Ranking delegate
    Cynthia Wynn
    Jill Hynum
    Jim Moore
    Richard Amorillio

Alternates:
    Joy Bashara-Ingram
    Wanda Gerard
    Kathy Empie
    Marilynn Bunnell
    Mary Stauffer

Call to Convention

Tentative Agenda

Lodging

Information About Three Bears Resort

White Paper on Proposed Constitutional Amendment

Upcoming Events

May 13 (Saturday) -- Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans Biennial Convention. Learn skills in effective ways to communicate political views or concerns about your community. Lunch & beverages. $75. Click Here for Registration Information.

May 13 (Saturday) – National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, Stamp Out Hunger. See Details Here.

May 17 (Tuesday) SCFL's Committee on Political Education BEAN FEED, 6:00 - 7:15 PM, Madison Labor Temple, 1692 S. Park St., Madison. $5.00 donation.

May 19 (Friday), 9:00 am - 3:00 pm --- Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants Annual Meeting. American Family Insurance Conference Center. $25, which includes lunch & light breakfast. Public Employees in the Wisconsin Pension System, retired or active, are invited. Click Here for Registration Form.

July 16 - 20 Women Rising. The Midwest School for Women Workers brings working women together to develop leadership skills, understand the challenges and issues facing the labor movement, and learn from one another.

Possible Change to State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance

Informational Meeting September 26

September 10, 2016 - -The Group Insurance Board (GIB) and the Walker administration are actively pursuing a "self-insurance" model. The RFP was issued in July with a decision by the Group Insurance Board expected this November with possible adoption in January of 2018.

There are no public forums or hearings scheduled on this proposal even though this is a huge change to the health insurance program for both active employees and retirees. The GIB’s rush to implement self-insurance must be slowed down and a more careful analysis done. Contact your state

September 10, 2016

The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans and POWRS are sponsoring a series of meetings around the state.

List of Sessions

AFT-W Retirees Annual Meeting - Sept. 16, 2016

Since there won’t be an AFT-W Convention this year, we have scheduled our AFT-W Retirees Council annual meeting for Friday, September 16, 2016 at Burnstad’s in Tomah, Wisconsin. The Council will provide lunch for members. Non-member guests may also attend but will need to pay a fee to cover lunch.

To register online, please go to http://tinyurl.com/2016-AFTW-Retirees. Or, you can copy the form below and mail it in.

Mail in Registration Form

Tentative Agenda

Things to do in Tomah/Warrens Area

Organizing in Your Community

Blue Jean Nation is teaming up with the Wisconsin Grassroots Network, Wisconsin United to Amend, Forward Institute and Frame for the Future to go to communities long ignored by the political establishment to help people organize and communicate a positive vision for the future of Wisconsin and renew local democracy.

The program starts March 19 in Green Bay and then goes to Platteville, Racine, La Crosse, Ashland and Wausau.

Registration is free and can be done online.

Racine/Kenosha – April 23, 2016

Ashland – April 30, 2016

La Crosse – May 1, 2016

Wausau --- May 15, 2016

Also, the Wisconsin