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)

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 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.

There was great turn out today for our rally today before the Steering & Rules Committee meeting.  Many of our members made it out to the event.  The committee as set aside the study of Water Works privatization and directed city Comptroller W. Martin “Wally” Morics to investigate other ways of using water works revenues for the city.  [Journal Sentinel Story]

There is a screening of the movie “Blue Gold” tonight at 8:00pm at Cafe Lulu.  This movie about how water privatization world wide is making money at the cost of the people it is claiming to serve is as good as “Flow” and just as informative.

The next KPOW meeting is tomorrow, June 16th 2009 at 5:00pm at 1845 N. Farwell Ave., Suite 100.

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Water works privatization study halted.  In press releases issued yesterday the Milwaukee aldermen have halted the study of water works privatization.  This doesn’t end the work to keep the Milwaukee Water Works from becoming privately operated someday, but is a huge victory for our local.

Wisconsin State Senator 3rd District Tim Carpenter is holding two meetings.  Assembly District 7 on Saturday May, 30th 2009 from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  District 8 and 9 on Saturday, May 30th 2009 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.  Both meeting are to be held at Zablocki Public Library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.