February 2010

In this issue: 
Calls to Action: Roundhouse Rally 2/17; Coss Phone Bank and Fiesta; We Need Jobs, COBRA and IU
News Items: NM Film and Media Day, Trumka on State of the Union, NM Seniors on Balancing the Budget, Senate Cuts Back, Remembering Howard Zinn, The Message of Massachusetts, Union Membership Down, Southwest Organizing School's May Schedule, and a labor cartoon.

More than one thousand students, film workers, and members of the public came out to New Mexico Film and Media Day on Friday February 5, in Santa Fe, across from the Roundhouse. 

Inside a massive tent decorated with photographs of working New Mexicans were informational booths set up by numerous schools, unions, professional organizations, and businesses. Outside were trailers for hair and make-up, wardrobe, and craft services, as well as special demonstrations of a boom and wind machine. 

Hundreds of film technicians encouraged students to participate in on-site filming of a short movie and PSAs for NM non-profits. "It was great to see kids from all over the state working with union members on honing their skills," said Jon Hendry, IATSE Local 480's business agent. According to Lisa Strout, head of the New Mexico Film Office, nearly 14,000 students in New Mexico are studying film and media. 

Friday morning, the NM film community hosted a breakfast for mayors and tribal leaders, thanking them for their support of the growth of the state's film industry.

Said Hendry, "The tribal leaders and mayors and other local government officials have been incredibly supportive of the effort to bring more film projects to New Mexico. There are over twelve thousand new film and related film jobs that have been created by this industry, which just happens to be the biggest job creation program since the Manhattan Project."

The previous night, the tent was home to a reception for state legislators and invited guests. Two noteworthy producers attended: Tony Mark, of "The Hurt Locker" (nine Oscar nominations) and Dan Dubiecki, of "Up In The Air" (six Oscar nominations). Both are members of DGA, the Directors Guild of America.

The Film and Media Day coincided with the state's legislative session, in which NM Senate Bills 235 and 248 have proposed ways to limit funding available to the film industry. In the February 7 issue of "The New Mexican," writer Robert Nott noted that "on Friday state film office representatives distributed a letter from actor/director/producer Robert Redford extolling the virtues of New Mexico's film incentives and suggesting that if the incentives are capped, 'this would devastate the state's economy. Thousands would become unemployed.'"

Come to the Roundhouse Rally for Health Reform

from Terry Schleder, of NM ARA

We voted for change. For more than a year, we've fought for health care reform. We're tired of waiting. We want the change we voted for, and we want it now!  Get it done now; get it done right!

Join us on February 17th as we rally at the Capitol in Santa Fe to demand that Senators Bingaman and Udall stand up to big insurance companies and to the Republicans who do nothing but say "no" to the President's agenda.

Our message is simple: If the insurance companies and big corporations win, we lose. So we're going to rally on February 17th at the Capitol in Santa Fe to demand action now.

300,000 New Mexicans have no health insurance.

As the State Legislature makes further Medicaid cuts, we will have even MORE New Mexicans without the protection they need. We can't wait any longer.  

Join us Wednesday, February 17, 11:00 a.m. in Santa Fe in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse.

Or hop on our bus to Santa Fe, leaving from the OLÉ office in Albuquerque at 9:00 a.m. (call us to reserve a seat at 796-6544 or email Henderson@olenm.org).

Someone needs to make Congress move on health care reform. If we don't give them a push, who will? Join us on February 17!

The rally is sponsored by CIR-SEIU, Health Action New Mexico, Health Care for America Now, The New Mexico Alliance for Retired Americans, OLÉ, & SWOP.

On Wednesday, February 10, dozens of union members, activists, and Santa Fe residents from all walks of life gathered at Mayor David Coss's re-election campaign headquarters for an evening of phoning, food, and camaraderie. 

Though Coss, a longtime friend of labor (who has been endorsed by AFSCME, Northern New Mexico Central Labor Council, NM Building and Construction Trades, and almost every other local union), currently enjoys a big lead over his opponent, the phone bank was an important way to keep voter momentum going so he can serve another term.

Said Sarah Singleton, incumbent First Judicial District Court Judge, who is running for re-election herself, "The thing that impresses me the most about Mayor Coss is the living wage. It's good for the economy, and it's good for workers in our area. I'm impressed by his plan to create more jobs."

To further support Coss's re-election, more than 250 Santa Feans are hosting the Si Se Puede Fiesta, what they call a "good old-fashioned political party," on February 21, at the Elk's Lodge in Santa Fe. The party is scheduled to run from 3-5:30 p.m. and will feature music, a live auction, and enchiladas provided by Bert's Taqueria. 

Dolores Huerta, co-founder (along with Cesar Chavez) of the United Farm Workers Union, has agreed to come to the event and help get out the vote for Coss on March 2. Congressman Ben Ray Lujan will also be attending.

Tickets are $5. For more information, contact Carol Oppenheimer and Morty Simon at simon@santafe-newmexico.com. 

by James Parks from AFL-CIO blog

As Congress considers whether to renew unemployment insurance (UI) for long-term jobless workersand extend COBRA to help unemployed workers maintain health care, they should take time to find out about the experiences of workers beyond the Washington, D.C., beltway.

Richard Duncan, who works for the Tennessee AFL-CIO technical assistance program, has met many unemployed workers. The assistance program helps union workers who have been laid off (see video above).

I've traveled the state of Tennessee and seen an enormous number of union brothers and sisters lose their jobs. Since 2006, I've seen the same people. They lose their job at one facility. Then they go to another facility, then there's an additional layoff and they lose their job again. 

The extensions for UI and COBRA expire Feb. 28. Click here to tell your lawmakers it's time to act.

Click HERE for full article.

AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka says he came away from President Obama's State of The Union speech convinced that Obama is willing to fight this year for change that will improve the lives of workers.

[Rich Trumka]: "I came away sayin' he finally gets it. He understands. He knows that we need jobs and he's willing to fight for it. He knows that we need health care and he's willing to fight for it."

Click HERE for full article. 

from Terry Schleder

The following statement was issued January 28 by Emil Shaw, President of NM ARA in response to budget deficit proposals in President Obama's State of the Union address:

"New Mexico retirees support President Obama's call to reduce the federal budget deficit.  We are very uncomfortable with large debt, and do not want to leave behind such a legacy to our children and grandchildren. We are also uncomfortable with irresponsible and regressive tax policies that give breaks to the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. These policies hurt New Mexico greatly.

"We cannot balance the budget of the back of America's seniors, workers or low-income families.  Vital programs such as Social Security and Medicare did not cause these large deficits.  Reckless tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and to large corporations bear much of the blame.  We welcome President Obama's call to halt the Bush tax breaks for the rich as a progressive and sane tax policy, finally, and we hope to see more of the same in NM to fix our state revenue shortfall.

"Since their creation, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have worked well to keep millions of America's seniors healthy and out of poverty.  50 million Americans receive Social Security every month, and two in three seniors receive half or more of their income from Social Security.  One in five receive all of their income from Social Security and this rate is higher in New Mexico and in communities of color.  Medicare has reduced senior poverty by two-thirds or more in our communities.

"The reason why Medicare costs are rising is our national failure to reform health care.  We must pass a strong health reform bill immediately.  It will improve not only our physical health, but also our nation's fiscal health.

"Americans of all ages have seen their retirement savings badly damaged by Wall Street's reckless behavior and unchecked greed.  We must strengthen – not weaken – retirement savings in this country, including private pensions and 401(k) plans.  As distrust in government rises, it is more important than ever that our government honors its commitments to Americans of all ages."

"NM Alliance for Retired Americans looks forward to working with our congressional delegation and the Obama Administration to improve our economy and the quality of life for current and future retirees from all income levels.

Today, in NM, we can begin to change our fiscally regressive behaviors by passing HB62 (Rep. Ray Begaye) & SB90 (Sen. Peter Wirth) which close the corporate tax loophole that allows out of state corporations not to pay their fair share of corporate taxes in our state.  NM is practically alone in our failure to close this tragic and expensive loophole and it's time to fix it now for a healthier New Mexico."

by Trip Jennings from New Mexico Independent

The state Senate voted 36-4 Saturday to strip more than $130 million from brick-and-mortar projects from around the state.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

While senators overwhelmingly supported the legislation, the debate sometimes reflected the anger that lawmakers felt at watching money stripped from projects in their district.

"This is painful to each and every one of us," said Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, the sponsor of the legislation.

Click HERE for full article.

from Democracy for New Mexico

This is a guest blog by Dana Schultz Millen of Albuquerque. Since October of 2003, Dana has been the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign.

When I first heard of Howard Zinn's death, I was shocked. This was a man we thought would live forever; he had an energy for everything good – an energy for activism that I wanted to believe would never end. As many have expressed upon the news of his death – and I am no exception – he was a father, hero and teacher to me. 

Professor Zinn taught me to love history – history from the bottom-up – history that honors ordinary people. He honored the everyday heroes of our society, not the status quo elite that we were all taught about in school. Howard wanted us to question the status quo - to question injustice, and to speak out against it, wherever we found it.

Click HERE for full article.

by Leo W. Gerard, from AFL-CIO blog

Bill Clinton saw it clearly when he was running for president against Bush I. It became his mantra: "It's the economy, stupid."

Clinton wanted to reform health insurance, too. But he understood that during a recession, the first priority is jobs.

Politicians and commentators continue to blather obtusely about the meaning of Senate candidate Martha Coakley's loss in Massachusetts to a Republican in a heavily Democratic state. Like Coakley and her advisers, they have failed to see the obvious, failed to learn from Clinton's victory:It's the economy, stupid.

Click HERE for full article.

by Mike Hall, from AFL-CIO blog

With the economy hemorrhaging jobs—more than 3.3 million jobs lost in 2009—the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show union membership in 2009 dropped slightly, from 12.4 percent of the workforce to 12.3 percent.

Nationwide, union membership dropped by 771,000, to 15.3 million in 2009, according to the BLS.

The recession eliminated jobs across the private sector, but was felt most deeply in manufacturing, transportation and construction—the nation's economic backbone and heavily unionized sectors of the economy.

Click /HERE for full article.

Workers' Rights – Advanced Grievance Handling, May 3-7

Students will gain a general understanding of workers' rights by researching employment laws, including discrimination, sexual harassment, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, OSHA, and other laws. This course will enable student to think strategically about the best ways to resolve legal problems, including using the union contract and involving members and community allies. $498*

Instructors: Morty Simon and Carol Oppenheimer. Classes start at 7 p.m. on Sunday night, May 3rd, and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 4th to 7th. There will be homework at night. All classes will be held at CWA Local 7076, 460 St. Michaels Drive, Building 1000, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Union Leadership, Administration and Member Organizing, May 10-14

This class looks at 21st century union leadership strategies and challenges. Students will discuss a wide variety of situations and problems encountered by union officials and staff. Students will also focus on member organizing and how to find and develop more leaders within their locals. $498*

Instructor: Cam Duncan. Classes start at 7 p.m. on Sunday night, May 10th, and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 11th to 14th. There will be homework at night. All classes will be held at CWA Local 7076, 460 St. Michaels Drive, Building 1000, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

All classes held in Santa Fe. For more information on courses, schedules, class requirements, supplies, and housing options, call Morty Simon or Carol Oppenheimer at 505-992-8477 or email them at sworganizing@nlc.edu. For a printable registration form, go to http://www.nlc.edu and click on Southwest Organizing School.

Labor news submissions? 
Send them to editor@iatselocal480.com.