By CARL GREEN
Illinois Correspondent
Springfield, IL – It’s getting tougher to work for the state of Illinois, especially if you’re a union member working at a state prison.
The Rauner Administration has sent layoff notices to 124 union nurses, who are to be replaced by private workers as the administration continues its drive to diminish the role of unions.
In addition, Rauner...
The Greater St. Louis Labor Council is asking all affiliated unions to provide names of their unions’ members who were deceased in the years 2016-2017 to be included in the upcoming annual Union Labor Mass.
The names will be included in the event program so family members and union brothers and sisters may remember them at this special mass.
The 38th...
Registered voters’ signatures needed for Citizens’ Referendum to stop ‘RTW’
By TIM ROWDEN
Editor
As the Missouri AFL-CIO and its affiliate unions prepare to begin circulating a Citizens Referendum petition to stop so-called “right-to-work” (for less) from becoming law in Missouri, the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans Education Fund is offering up assistance to local unions in getting their members registered to vote...
By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent
Retired Missouri AFL-CIO President Daniel “Duke” McVey recently was honored with the 2017 Robert O. Kortkamp Humanitarian Award presented by the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans for his many years of caring dedication and service to the working men and women of Missouri.
McVey, who retired as president of the federation in 1999 after 17 years of...
Granite City – Madison County unions, schools and companies will join in April to restock the shelves of local food pantries in the second annual Food for Families drive.
The Southwest Illinois Division of the United Way Labor Engagement Department is hosting the drive.
Most of the county’s public school districts are participating in the event by encouraging their students to bring in...
Rules for election ‘not how bargaining in good faith works’
By TIM ROWDEN
Editor
Normandy, MO – Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, representing faculty trying to unionize at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) filed suit in St. Louis County Circuit Court recently against the University of Missouri System’s Board of Curators arguing that the rules the board set for a union...
'Louch’ drove a tank from D-Day to V-E Day
By CARL GREEN
Illinois Correspondent
Collinsville – Louis J. Baczewski grew up in nearby Pocahontas, IL, enjoying a peaceful life with his family of Polish origin. His immigrant mother would call him inside with a distinctive mispronunciation of his name.
“Louch!” she would call. When the neighbors heard it, that became his nickname.
“Louch” went on...
By MARY ANN O’TOOLE HOLLEY
Correspondent
Ballwin – At the top of the steep hill, within view of the Ballwin Police Department, Officer Mike Flamion will soon be able to enjoy a life of self-sufficiency in a new, fully adaptive smart home being built with community support and the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Officer Flamion, 32, a Ballwin Police Officer, was left paralyzed...
Volunteers must be trained before collecting signatures
Union members and volunteers eager to help in the collection of signatures on a referendum petition to stop “right-to-work” in Missouri need to be trained first and wait to receive official petitions.
The Missouri AFL-CIO received the approval on the petition on Wednesday. As soon as petitions are printed and trainings are set around...
Petition would refer RTW legislation to Missouri Voters in November 2018
Jefferson City – A petition seeking the referral of “right-to-work” legislation to Missouri voters was approved Tuesday by the Missouri Secretary of State.
According to Missouri’s Constitution, legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly must be referred to voters if signatures are collected from 5 percent of voters from two-thirds...