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December 2nd, 2024: Executive Board Member Rocco De Mark Discusses Act 10 Win!

A Dane County judge has ruled that Act 10 is unconstitutional in the case SEIU Wisconsin jointly filed, marking the end of the near-total ban on collective bargaining for public employees that had been in place since 2011. We are very excited to see what the future holds for all workers in Wisconsin with Act 10 struck down.

Rocco De Mark, a Building Service Worker at Racine Unified School District, SEIU Wisconsin Executive Board Member and a plaintiff in the case, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing its significance for Wisconsin's working class. "This will be a very good day for the working-class people of Wisconsin to finally regain the right to sit with our bosses," said De Mark, referring to the collective bargaining power restored by the decision.

Read more here: Channel 15

November 7th, 2024: President Pat Raes Congratulates Tammy Baldwin on Win

SEIU Wisconsin President Pat Raes expressed her support for Senator Tammy Baldwin following her victory over Eric Hovde, securing her continued service as one of Wisconsin's state senators in Washington, D.C. Raes congratulated Baldwin on her win, but also voiced concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the presidential race. “The fight continues,” Raes emphasized. “We must stand up for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—these programs are essential to the retirement security of countless Wisconsinites.”

Read more here: Channel3000

October 24th, 2024: SEIU Wisconsin Member, Leticia Espinoza, Op-Ed

Leticia Espinoza, an SEIU Wisconsin member, dedicated janitor and immigrant, shared her story of resilience and commitment to her community through an Op-Ed placed in El Conquistadors. She emphasized the growing power of Latino voters in Wisconsin, with a notable increase in eligible voters since 2016. This demographic shift means our voices can significantly influence the outcome, as demonstrated by Biden's narrow victory in 2020.

Espinoza advocated for unity among workers and rejected the fear-mongering tactics of figures like Donald Trump, who seek to exploit divisions. Through SEIU and a coalition of organizations, she calls for collective action to inform and mobilize the Latino community against harmful political agendas.

She envisioned a future where all workers, especially immigrants, are respected and valued, and where women have autonomy over their reproductive choices. On November 5, she will support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as champions for a better future for all.

October 15th, 2024: Maya Harris Roundtable in MKE with Members

Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced a plan to expand Medicare to cover in-home healthcare for seniors, addressing a crucial gap in current coverage that places significant burdens on families. Members of SEIU Wisconsin shared their personal experiences caring for their patients, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges involved with Vice President Harris’ sister, Maya Harris, at a roundtable talk in Milwaukee.

Key speakers included U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who pointed out the staggering costs of unpaid care—estimated to be between half a trillion and a trillion dollars annually. Certified nursing assistant and Vice President of Healthcare for SEIU Wisconsin, Lisa Gordon, discussed the detrimental effects of forced transitions to care facilities, noting that they often result in worse health outcomes for seniors.

Mothers like one of our members, Alexis Hamilton, also spoke about her struggles in balancing work with caregiving duties. The initiative aligns with Harris's broader "Care Economy" strategy, which aims to alleviate financial pressures through measures such as restoring the $3,600 child tax credit and introducing a new $6,000 tax cut for families with newborns.

Overall, the roundtable talk highlighted a collective hope that Harris's plan would bring much-needed attention and support to the care economy, deemed essential for enabling all types of work

Read more here: UpNorthNews

October 15th, 2024: Bernie Canvassing in MKE with Members

Several hundred voters in Milwaukee gather to rally on Monday afternoon and talk about what's at stake in the election and the urgency of electing candidates who care about healthcare for our families. Sen. Bernie Sanders urged members of SEIU Wisconsin, Working Families Party, Power to the Polls, and Souls to the Polls to talk to coworkers, friends, and neighbors about how Kamala Harris will fight for the Affordable Care Act and to expand access to home care.

Anthol Farrar, a security officer and an Executive Vice-President of SEIU Wisconsin, talked about how Donald Trump and JD Vance's Project 2025 agenda would hurt working Wisconsinites of all races and backgrounds.

Read more here: Journal Sentinel

October 2nd, 2024: Advocating for Integrity of Our Elections

SEIU Wisconsin supported our allies at a recent press conference, aligning ourself with the call for transparency and integrity in the electoral process after Wausau's mayor removed a ballot drop box. SEIU Wisconsin advocates for workers' rights and social justice, recognizing that a fair democratic process is essential for protecting those rights.

During the event, activists emphasized the connection between voting access and workers' rights, highlighting that the removal of the ballot drop box could disproportionately affect working-class individuals who rely on accessible voting options.

Read more here: WKOW

September 21st, 2024: Unions For All Rally in MKE

On September 21, 2024, union service and care workers gathered at Milwaukee Area Technical College for a powerful rally with Governor Tony Evers, Representative Gwen Moore, and SEIU President April Verrett. This event marked a crucial mobilization ahead of the November elections, as workers voiced their commitment to expanding union rights and boosting economic opportunities for all Wisconsinites.

Attendees included nurses, janitors, and child care workers who shared their personal stories about the ongoing fight for union representation and the challenges posed by anti-worker policies. April Verrett emphasized the importance of Wisconsin’s role in the national movement for worker empowerment, highlighting the urgent need for leaders who prioritize the rights of working families.

Following the rally, participants launched a voter canvass, reaching out to working-class voters to ensure they understand the stakes of the upcoming elections. SEIU Wisconsin members are actively supporting candidates like Kamala Harris and Tammy Baldwin, who are dedicated to strengthening labor rights and improving living standards for diverse communities across the state.

As Wisconsin faces a pivotal election, our workers are rallying together to advocate for a future that supports collective bargaining and equitable opportunities for all, signaling a determined push towards a more inclusive and fair economy.

Read more here: CBS 58

July 24th, 2024: 2nd Newsletter Issue

April 1st, 2024: 1st Newsletter Issue