AFSCME Local 952

AFSCME District Council 48 recently went to Madison to participate in Lobby Day. The event happened to be the same day as an important hearing in the Committee on Energy and Utilities on AB 475. This important legislation from Representative Kessler would prevent Milwaukee from privatizing its water works. Copies of the Food and Water Watch Report (PDF File) were delivered to the members of the Committee and Representative Kessler. At the hearing Representative Kessler spoke about his duty to the people of Milwaukee to protect them from the economic disaster we could face if the City’s water quality suffered under private operation. District Council 48 Executive Director Rich Abelson spoke about the dedicated employees of the water works who take pride in working for the public. KPOW representative Terri Kinis spoke about the broad community opposition to private operation of the Milwaukee Water Works. Local 952 member Dave Guran also spoke on the pride he feels working for the City and the Milwaukee Water Works. The only voice against the bill was Milwaukee Alderman Terry Witkowski. Alderman Witkowski spoke against privatization, but opposed Madison’s interference in what he felt was the City’s right to govern. AB 475 is currently awaiting a vote by the Committee.

Lobby Day is March 3rd, this is our chance to speak to our representatives in Madison about issues that impact us. Its a great opportunity for our Local to discuss our concerns about privatization with people who can do something to stop it from ever happening.

There has been talk recently of water privatization in Chicago. The City faced with budget problems was approach by private water operators about lease possibilities. Links to Chicago Tribune articles on this privatization effort. The first one is about water contaminates and mentions the high quality of Milwaukee’s water testing program.

What’s in your water 4/17/2008 (Link)
City’s budget hole taxing on Mayer Daley’s big ideas 10/23/2009 (Link)
Why privatize? 11/23/2009 (Link)
A hypothetical disaster 11/28/2009 (Link)

KPOW will be screening the award winning movie Thirst, on Thursday, November 12th at the East Library located at 1910 E. North Ave.  There hasn’t been a lot of KPOW activites in the last few months and this would be a great chance for those interested in keeping Milwaukee’s water out of private hands to meet.  There will be an update on current KPOW plans and where we are going in the future.

Food and Water Watch has released a study of the financial impact of water privatization on Milwaukee.  According to their analysis, for a privateer to extract enough profits from Milwaukee they would raise water rates to the highest allowable level.  They will recoup their investment money any way they can, and suck millions of dollars a year out of the pockets of Milwaukee’s water users to do it.  Story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Link).  Food and Water Watch Report (PDF File).

KPOW is planning to canvass every weekend from the next five weeks to get our message out.  If you are free on a Saturday the canvass is a great way to spend your morning.  Our next canvass is Saturday, July 11th 2009 in Riverwest.  We are meeting at the Alterra Coffee on Humboldt at 9:30am for a briefing on the canvass, then canvassing from 10:00am to 1:00pm.  For shift workers there may even be a few mid week canvassing events that fit your schedules.

There will be a membership meeting this week.  Sorry for the short notice, we’ve been waiting to see if the meeting would be needed.  The meeting will likely be short and informal.  We are going to focus on this new website, how the internet is reshaping the way our union operates and the current KPOW activities.

This Saturday, July 11th 2009 there will be a public canvass in Riverwest to spread our message that privatization is the wrong plan for Milwaukee.   More details will be coming soon.  All that is known right now is that the canvass starts at 9:30, the meeting place will be coming soon.  If you’ve never canvassed before Corrine from KPOW will give you a quick lesson before, along with materials to hand out.

The next general KPOW meeting will by Tuesday July 14th 2009 at the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium offices at 1845 N Farwell, Suite 100.  This meeting will focus on KPOW’s short and long term goals and get people organized for upcoming public canvasses and events.

KPOW’s next meeting will be a little more relaxed than previous meetings.  While the planning commitee plans our next few activities we are holding a pot luck and movie night at the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium office at 1845 N Farwell, Suite 100.  Bring a dish to share and enjoy a screening of a movie, likely “Blue Gold”.  This meeting will be a great chance to network with other KPOW members and get ready for the next big event.

Two recent opinion articles in the Journal Sentinel caught my attention recently.  The first an opinion from Michael Deane of The National Association of Water Companies.  In his piece he advocates for the water privatization study and attempts to paint a picture of successful public-private partnerships.  The article [Opinion: Efficient, effective and privately run 6/20/2009].  The NAWC represents many private water companies including giants American Water and United Water.  Check out our new NAWC fact sheet to get the truth about them.

The second an opinion from Patrick McIlheran is an unclear article that doesn’t seem to come down on either side of the water privatization debate.  Mr. McIlheran’s opinion seems to be that Dale Olen of the Sierra Club, Jon Keesecker of Food & Water Watch, Milwaukee Riverkeepers are all somehow missing the point in the water debate and issuing confusing messages or half truths.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and it is Patrick McIlheran that is attempting to confuse the issue, read his article here. [Opinion Dollars and sense stall water war 6/25/2009]

KPOW weekend canvassing events are happening every weekend.  The main focus will be in Riverwest.  These weekend canvasses are a great chance to talk to people about water privatization and inform them on the issue.  The general canvasses meet at the Alterra Coffee at 2999 Humboldt at 9:30am on July 25th and August 1st.

Alderman Nik Kovac is holding a town hall meeting on July 20th 2009.  Those interested in attending should meet at the Fuel Cafe at 818 E Center St. at 5:30pm.  The group will be walking over to the meeting from there.  While water privatization isn’t on the agenda it will be a great chance to meet with Alderman Kovac.

KPOW is holding a public canvass in Alderman Hines 15th district this Saturday, June 20th 2009 from 10am to 1pm.  We are taking our message to the community and explaining why water privatization is bad for the people of Milwaukee.  If you are interested in helping meet at the McDonald’s restaurant at 1220 N. 35th St.  This is a great chance to build grass roots support for KPOW.

On the subject of furloughs.  So many members have been concerned about furloughs and unable to get the information they need that a furloughs file cabinet has been started.  This folder is just like the anti-privatization file cabinet and should contain everything you need to learn about furloughs.