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IBEW Activists Gear Up for Wisconsin Recall

 

May 23, 2012

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From Madison to Green Bay, IBEW members and their families throughout Wisconsin are knocking on doors, licking envelopes and making calls in the run-up to the June 5 recall election of Gov. Scott Walker.

 

Says Racine Local 430 Business Manager Chris Gulbrandson:

We’ve activated our member-to-member network to let every working person know that Walker needs to go.

Walker’s efforts to strip public workers of their right to collectively bargain last year ignited months of massive protests throughout Wisconsin.

In response, thousands of activists mobilized to put Walker’s recall before voters, gathering a record 1 million signatures.   

Running to replace the incumbent governor is Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who won the May 8 Democratic primary. 

While many unions endorsed other candidates in the primary, Gulbrandson says:

There is no question that the labor movement is now 100 percent behind Barrett. We need someone in Madison focused on making things better for Wisconsin, not carrying the water for big business billionaires like the Koch brothers.

Also on the ballot is firefighters union member Mahlon Mitchell, who is taking on Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

Says Madison Local 2304 Business Manager Dave Poklinkowski:

Mitchell is a fantastic guy. He and the firefighters played a truly inspirational role in the uprising in Wisconsin.

Four Walker supporters in the state senate are also up for recall, including Van Wanggaard, who represents the 21st district, which includes the Racine-metro area.

Says Gulbrandson:

He has stood with Walker all the way, and we’re working to let him know that Racine working people have had enough.

In addition to campaigning for Barrett, Local 430 members are also getting the word out about Wanggaard’s challenger John Lehman.

Millions of dollars of corporate special interest money have been pumped into the state in support of Walker, blanketing the airwaves with negative TV ads.

Says Gulbrandson:

We can’t compete with groups like American for Prosperity when it comes to cash. But what we do have is the power of a mobilized and educated membership.

Janesville Local 890 Business Manager Leo Sokolik in southern Wisconsin reports that at least five members a day are volunteering to go door to door to make literature drops.

 Says Sokolik:

We’re working our tails off. The rallies were exciting and inspirational, but now it’s time for the boots to hit the ground and show Walker the door.

IBEW family and friends are also in the thick of the action.

Says Cindy Johnson, wife of Madison Local 159 member Doug Johnson:

This is the most important election of our lifetimes. This is a war on workers and it’s the grassroots that is fighting against it. We’re standing up for our families’ jobs, so our kids can eat.

For more information, go to the We Are Wisconsin Web site.