Plain Dealer, 10/2009

plaindealerVol. 92 Issue 1 “A Voice for Working Kansans since 1919” October 2009th

eThe PlainDealer

(316) 529-8513 3830 S. Meridian Ave.

Wichita, KS 67217–3704

IN THIS ISSUE...Richard Trumka New AFL-CIO President —3

Union Label Celebrates Centennial —4AFL-CIO Team at G20 Summit —5

Domestic Violence: A “Pre-existing Condition?” —8

The Machinists Hall was THE happenin’ place to be on September 5!Union members and support-ers, including many state and local politicians and civic lead-ers, enjoyed the camaraderie at the annual Labor Day picnic and the District 70 Car Show and Poker Run.There were great prizes for all the events, thanks to the generous support of many local businesses (and the hard work of some union folks!), hot-dogs and chips and drinks and desserts (again thanks to the

Labor Day Festivities Provided Fun Break from Labor Concernsvolunteers who prepared and served the food!).Activities included kids’

bicycle safety workshop, door -

ways, BINGO!These are tough times with

Marge Zakoura-Vaughan enjoyed the Women’s History display put together by Local Lodges 639,

733, 774, 834 and 839.Of course it included Mother

Jones, who, after a life of personal tragedy, became a champion for workers’ rights.

Kansas State Treasurer Dennis McKinney (right) presented remarks at the Labor Day picnic, then stayed around

to socialize, here with Mim Jones, retired CWA, Rep. Geraldine Flaharty and Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau.

Proceeds from the District 70 Car Show and Poker Run were donated to Guide Dogs of America and the MDA.

Joe Ewers, LL733, and Walt Chappell, Kansas State Board of Education, with Kansas Secretary of Labor Jim Garner.

Pat Lehman, retired Grand Lodge Representative, IAMAW, was

Grand Poobah of play and prizes!

much uncertainty about jobs and economic security, but for that one afternoon, at least, it was “just let loose and play” kind of day!Read more about the Labor Day festivities, see more photos and car show results in the Local Lodge 839 insert to this paper.

Mario Cervantes served up hot-

dogs and smiles!

October 20092 — The PlainDealer

Not sure what to believe? www.FactCheck.org monitors the accuracy of claims by politicians, political ads and chain e-mails.

The PlainDealer — 3October 2009


The Plaindealer (ISSN 0898-4360)Periodicals Postage Paid at Wichita, KS POSTMASTER:Send address changes to: The Plaindealer3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704(316) 529-8513Melanie Jenney, Editoremail: [email protected] of DirectorsJudy Pierce, President, Labor FederationTim Franta, Sec./ Treas. (IAM Local 733)Stuart Elliott (APWU Local 735)Deb Boatright (Local 708)Dave Philpott (IAM Local 774)Kathy Petersen (IAM Local 839)Ralph Stout (Local 834)John Shepherd Jr. (UA Local 441)Advertising and stories are due by the 15th of each month. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Special rates available to union members and locals subscribing as a body.Founded in 1919 by Tom Tilma, the

the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and covers news of interest to working people.Story suggestions and letters to the editor should be sent to the PlainDealer at 3830 S. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67217–3704; by email to [email protected], or call (316) 529–8513 with your ideas. To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must be signed and include the author’s telephone number. Views expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily the views of the Plaindealer, its Board of Directors or

Published monthly by Plaindealer Publish-ing, Inc. at 3830 S. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS, 67217.

Another View:Right-Wing Loopinessby Jim HightowerIf you want to take a stomach-churning ride on a loop-the-loop, you don’t have to go to the state fair – just plug in to the loony attacks right-wingers have launched against Barack Obama’s health-care reform plan.

-ample, did you know that the diabolical Obama is a secret socialist who is plotting a full-scale “government takeover” of health care, including putting Medicare – a government program for the last 75 years! – under government control?

in the President’s reform legislation. Buried on page 425 of the bill is a demonic, bone-chilling provision to create a federal “death panel,” which will be empowered to kill old folks and people with disabilities. Impossible, you scoff? Well, none other than Sarah Palin says it’s so. The elderly and incapacitated, Palin recently revealed, “will have to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panel’ so his bureaucrats can decide... whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system,” concluded the Sainted Sarah, “is downright evil.”Indeed it is, and it would terrify us all – if one iota of Palin’s statement was true.Luckily, it’s not. The provision on page 425 has nothing to do with a “death panel.” It simply promotes the common sense idea that folks should have “living wills” and other advance instructions for how they choose to be treated when their inevitable time of death approaches. This end-of-life provision didn’t even come from Obama or a Democrat. It was put into the bill by Johnny Isakson - a Republican, pro-life sena-tor from Georgia. Isakson says that Palin’s interpretation of the provi-sion is: “nuts.”But on the right-wing loop-the-loop, such realities are not allowed to interfere with a good political ride.–Jim Hightower is a nationally syndicated radio commentator and the bestsell-ing author of Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow. For more information visit www.jimhightower.com.

Kansas Labor Secretary Garner Urges Unemployment ExtensionSept. 24, 2009 – Kansas State Labor Secretary Jim Garner was one of several labor commissioners from across the nation who met in Niagara

is at 7.1 percent, not high enough for workers here to qualify under the

hundreds of thousands of jobless.

said.

are Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Mis-

Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

what – visually and verbally – seems to be an image of muscular leadership of organized labor, former coal miner Richard L.

After nomination and election by acclamation at the federation’s

year-old native of nearby Nema-colin approached the podium to a song whose refrain was “Stand

won’t back down.”Once there, the former linebacker

miss games even with a broken arm, vowed to lead crusades to re-create the U.S. middle class

Choice Act. “I swear to you that come hell or high water, we will win that act and bring unionism to every worker in the U.S.,” Trumka de-clared, to thundering cheers.

out, at a time when organized la-bor is politically resurgent – hav-ing been a strong factor in Demo-cratic President Barack Obama’s election – but also under attack from multinational corporate interests worldwide. “Brothers and sisters, the corporate agenda does not end at the water’s edge, and neither can ours,” he said.The centerpieces of that labor agenda are helping to restore the U.S. middle class through key causes: Comprehensive health

TRUMKA TAKES OFFICE: Promises Labor Will Lead Fight to Rebuild Middle Class By Mark Gruenberg, PAI Staff Writer 9/18/2009

and re-creation of U.S. industrial might, this time in well-paying jobs in “green” industries.

“a moral crusade.”“We heard from the man who, to my way of thinking, is proving to be the most pro-worker president in our time, and he called on us to join the great moral crusade of our

members, their families and work-ing people all across this nation to join him.“Well, today our answer to Presi-dent Obama is: ‘Yes, we can…and Yes, we will!’”“Like you, we know the way to make it happen is to build a health care system that offers care Ameri-cans need at a price Americans can afford,” he declared. But in a warning even to labor’s friend in

health care system must include a public option to compete with the insurers, slow the rising costs of health care and provide a home for all whom the insurers refuse to cover. If Obama walks away from the public option, labor will walk away from health care reform. “Mr. President, so long as you stand for that public option we are going to stand with you….There’s a difference between declaring a victory and winning one” in the health care crusade,’ Trumka said. “We intend to win victory, not claim it.”

Without the public option, Trumka concluded, health care “may be a lot of things, but it sure as hell isn’t reform.”Trumka also had muscular words for the business community, including the insurance compa-nies, complete with “death panels” that have “a stranglehold” over the health care system and over

“fundamentally immoral.”As for the rest of business, he said that “you may own the iron, you may own the coal, you may own the banks, and the newspapers and even the politicians. But you don’t own me, you don’t own my family, you don’t own my union and you never, ever, ever, ever, ever will!”But Trumka also had strong words for his fellow unionists. Repeat-ing phrases from earlier speeches, he said unions must change their cultures – including the organizing

methods and emphases – to listen to younger workers and respond to their demands, not the other way around.

successor as Secretary-Treasurer,

39, and also chosen by acclama-tion for the fed’s #2 post. Trumka said the fed would convene a youth summit in spring 2010 to listen to those voices.

terms with the act that union halls that should have been meeting grounds for understanding have often been breeding grounds for bigotry,” said Trumka.

for a blunt speech at the Steel-workers convention, telling the white working class – Obama’s weakest group – why they should vote for the African-American Democrat. It swung many votes.“Millions of people of color and

millions of women paid a staggering price” for past bigotry, Trumka told

delegates.“We have a moral responsibility

-sentation to those whom the labor movement has walked past.”And while Trumka declared that missing unions should rejoin the

of Labor, he warned that 1,000 organizers would be sent to help any union that is being raided by another. That’s a direct shot at both the Carpenters and the Service Employees, both of whom have been blasted for raiding.



Kansas State Union Label had a booth at the Kansas State Fair in September. Tom Harkness, President of Kansas State Union Label;

Gary Hall, LL774; Dave Robertson, LL834; and Dennis Williams, LL839, were there greeting people and sharing the message to “Buy American!”

Puns to Make You Groan (or Grin!)1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love

and got married. The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, “I’ll serve you, but don’t start anything.”

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.4. A dyslexic man walked into a bra.

5. “Doc, I can’t stop singing The Green, Green Grass of Home.”

“That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.”“Is it common?”

“Well, It’s Not Unusual.”

this morning.”“I don’t believe you,” says Dolly.

“It’s true; no bull!” exclaims Daisy.7. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The

kids were nothing to look at either.8. Déjà Moo: The feeling that you’ve heard this bull

before.

turns to the other and says, “Dam!”

Union Label Celebrates Centennial, Looks AheadPosted By James Parks On September 27, 2009

and Service Trades Department (UL&STD) celebrated its centen-nial earlier this month by looking forward to the future. Delegates to the department’s convention in Pittsburgh adopted new strategies to help working families cope with the new Ameri-can workplace and to help them rebuild the American middle class.The convention adopted several

phase of the department’s growth. -

partment’s functions to emphasize information and communication sharing. Another resolution called

-prove the quality of data on union-made goods and services, to link any product lists on their websites to the Union Label website and to regularly advise the department of goods and services made by union members.The delegates also re-elected President Richard Kline and Secretary-Treasurer James Dunn and chose 17 vice presidents.

In his keynote address at the convention, United Steelwork-ers (USW) President Leo Ge-rard praised President Obama’s decision to enforce trade laws and provide relief to the U.S. tire industry from the surge of tire imports from China.

is not afraid to act.[The tire decision] won’t result in the opening of a closed tire plant, but it does send the message that an American president is willing to stand up for workers.Saying “No one is going to stand up for union jobs but us,” Gerard called for a rejuvenation of the union label movement to create and protect U.S. jobs.Gerard said the outcry by the Na-tional Association of Manufactur-ers and the U.S. Chamber of Com-merce against the Buy American provisions in the administration’s economic recovery legislation demonstrates how much those two organizations have betrayed their American constituency.

-lars to stimulate the economy, it should be stimulating our econo-my, not Bulgaria’s, not China’s.Just days before being elected

-ard Trumka told the delegates that union members must make sure

and hold them accountable.Over the long history of the labor movement, we have always been willing to step up to the plate and do what was necessary, now the political leadership has to do the right thing and get America back up to full employment.Trumka said union members face some tough challenges and the union movement will have to be tougher, edgier, a lot more forceful and a lot more demanding than in the past. To illustrate the point, Trumka

the Obama administration of its bottom-line requirements for health care reform.We have already told the White

companies like Wal-Mart pay for the health care for their workers and we need a public option.



Babich Appointed to State High Court Nominating CommitteeOn Sept. 22, Wichita teacher Paul Babich was appointed by Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson to serve on the State Supreme Court Nominating Com-mittee.

-pointments to the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Ap-peals. Babich will be one of four public members on the board and will represent the 4th Congressional District.

as president of the United Teachers of Wichita, and has served on the Kansas NEA Board of Directors. Babich has received many awards and honors over the years, including USD 259’s Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award.

Wal-Mart Paying For Violations-

ers in Washington State to settle claims against the company for violat-ing wage and hour laws. Another $10 million will go to the lawyers handling the workers’ class action suit.State Judge Julie Spector of the King County Superior Court approved the settlement, which was for the company’s lawbreaking from Sep-

Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club outlets work off the clock and during required meal and rest breaks.The case is one of dozens of similar suits across the country. Attorneys on both sides estimated last year that the total of all the settlements com-

A company spokesman said “the allegations are not representative of the company we are today.”

New AFL-CIO Team at G-20: Working Together for Jobs and Fair Global EconomyPosted By Seth Michaels On September 23, 2009

-pation around G-20 summit events in Pittsburgh today by meeting with

among union leaders from around the world about the need to put work-

“I’m amazed at the solidarity here. The problems in all the G-20 coun-tries are like our own, and the solutions are jobs, more jobs and regulat-ing the economy. And there is consensus worldwide among all the trade union movements that we’re meeting here at the G-20 on all those items. “It’s comforting to know that our brothers and sisters around the world are willing to stand up to help create jobs everywhere, to help create a

and make it the servant of the real economy, rather than the master.”

with union leaders from other countries reminded her that the economic crisis doesn’t end at America’s borders, and that we need international efforts to remedy the crisis: There’s such a need for job creation—good, sustainable jobs….People are desperate for work, not just in America but around the world. There’s

-lation of banks—and we’ve got to have a universal concept of consumer protection. Our issues are the same, whether here in America or around the world: Workers are hurting.

Members Hard Hit by Economic CrisisNEW: Help with job loss, unreimbursed hospital bills and saving for college

-bers facing hardships.

paying their mortgage to help saving for college.

initiative to help eligible members include:

no-fee debt management and bankruptcy counseling

-penses who participate in the Union Plus Credit Card, Mortgage or Insurance programs.

90 days.

strike, make their mortgage payments.

2009.This $3 million initiative offered by Union Plus to eligible union members demonstrates that the labor move-ment is answering President Obama’s call for a new era of responsibility to help those who have fallen on hard

“We are all hopeful today because President Obama is working to help middle-class Americans struggling in this worsening recession,” Tolf says. “America’s unions and Union Plus are doing what we can right now to assist members in trouble – especially those who participate in a Union Plus program.”

Information and grant applications are available at UnionPlus.org/UnionSAFE

Kansas City Labor Day Event: Strong Health Care Message

Judy Ancel, Director of the Institute for Labor Studies program at UMKC and producer of a labor program on KKFI



Direct PipelinePLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LU441

Richard L. Taylor, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer

LocallyEmployment in the area is gradually starting to show signs of improvement. This is

members that are off that would like to learn or improve upon their welding skills to take advantage of this slow time. Your Local 441 Training Centers are open during

-

members. This demand for welders will continue to increase in the future.

apparel.Please take time to view your web site. The address is: www.ua441.org.

Deaths

KS, passed away on September 5, 2009. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Political

produced a candidate for the Democratic ticket. We continue to monitor this progress. We must support candidates that will support us in the pursuit of jobs for our membership. That obviously is our number one priority. We will continue to build a long-lasting establishment in the political arena of our jurisdiction. We feel that it is critical to maintain a presence politically so that when issues arise; the local will already have an established voice that will be heard. Thank you to all Local 441 members for your support both through your participation in the PAC fund and your involvement and support with various political groups.

MeetingsLocal Union 441 meetings are being conducted on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at

NOTE: We have recently upgraded our system used to teleconference the monthly Union meetings. Please take the opportunity to attend a meeting in your area. The new system has much better sound and video quality and is being provided at no additional cost to Local 441.

Retirees Club

Breakfast is the second Wednesday at 9 a.m. We are meeting at Spears Restau-rant, 4323 W Maple from January through November. All retired members and their families are invited to join us. Come enjoy the fellowship!

Richard Taylor

At the Rail Column by Martin Hawver 9/7/09If there’s a bright spot to the increasing unem-ployment in the state, it is probably that the Kansas Department of Labor hasn’t noticed any sharp rise in a little cost-cutting trick called

Now, it might be a bright spot and a sign of the good character of Kansas employers, or it might be that, according to Labor Secretary Jim Garner, there are just three inspectors for the whole state designated to

independent contractor. That means the employer pays the independent contractor a fee, and that contractor handles from his/her fee the insur-ance, health care, wage withholding, just about everything that typically adds 15 percent or 20 percent or more to the hourly wage an employee receives.

might make the difference between a business continuing to operate or folding.There are some fairly complicated state and federal laws dealing with

demand of an employee, and whether those same demands are made of an independent contractor.Now, if an employer sets conditions of employment—tells the worker when to work, where to work, what to wear, that sort of thing—the worker is essentially an employee, which means additional payroll costs for the employer.If an employer just says something like “I want to contract with you to re-roof the house and I’ll be back when it’s done,” then it is probably an independent contracting gig. But in tough economic times, you gotta think that there are some em-ployers who are willing to lay off workers and make their jobs the work of independent contractors, even if those independent contractors are the same people who recently were employees.There are enough people out of work, or who might lose their jobs,

economy.

than in good times—which we hope he can tell with just three inspec-tors—something is apparently right in Kansas.Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. www.hawvernews.com

September 11, 2009

Domestic Violence is a “Pre-Existing Condition?”www.seiu.org/2009/09/domestic-violence-victims-have-a-pre-existing-condition.phpInsurance companies have used

conditions” to deny coverage to

patients to the elderly suffering from arthritis, these organizations

by limiting coverage to patients deemed “high risk” because of their medical condition. But, in DC and eight other states, including Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming, insurance companies have gone too far, claiming that “domestic violence victim” is also a pre-

Words cannot describe the sheer inhumanity of this claim. It serves as yet further proof that our insurance system is broken,

of the very companies whose sole purpose should be to provide Americans with access to care when they need it most. In 1994, an informal survey conducted by the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice of the United States Senate Judi-ciary Committee revealed

insurers in the country used

domestic violence as a factor

coverage and how much to charge

It is clear that insurance compa-nies refuse to police themselves.

It’s up to us to call on Congress to take action now to pass health care reform and end discrimination

conditions.OTHER INEQUITIES:

in the individual market, not as part of a company plan, face steep differences in cost compared with

and 45 percent more than men of that age for identical coverage, ac-cording to the National Women’s Law Center.

This practice, known as “gender rating,” would be banned under

3200.

coverage for maternity care or re-quire a separate rider for coverage.

insurers to cover maternity and well-baby care.

consider having had a Caesarean

Proposed legislation would ban -

tions. www.CSMonitor.com



Local Union Bulletin Board

Hammond, Zongker & Farris, L.L.C.ATTORNEYS AT LAWCity, State, Federal, Trial & Appellate Practice

Cases involving:Workers Compensation,

Auto Accidents,

262-6800

Thursday, October 1Operating Engineers LU101— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaSaturday, October 3Machinists LL733— E-Board at 8:30 a.m.; Regular Meeting at 10 a.m.Thursday, October 8SPEEA— Midwest Council Meeting, 973 S. Glendale, WichitaWichita Area Union Label— E-board, 6:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.mSaturday, October 10Machinists LL639— E-board Meeting 8 a.m., Regular meeting 9 a.m.Machinists Local 2328— E-Board Meeting, 9 a.m., 2055 S. Ohio, Salina Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 2055 S. Ohio, SalinaMachinists Local 834 & 839— Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMonday, October 12

227 S. Pattie, WichitaUSW Local 01350— Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Union Hall 427 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Membership Recruitment / Organizing Committee 973 S. Glendale, Wichita

Tuesday, October 13Machinists Local 708— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaCWA Local 6402— E-Board, 5:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, Wichita Stewards, 7 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaWednesday, October 14IBEW Local 1523— Regular Meeting, 5:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, Wichita Machinists Local 1989— E-Board, 3:40 p.m., Regular meeting, 3:50 p.m. 2005 Kansas Ave., Great Bend, 67530LU 441 Retirees— Breakfast, 9 a.m., Spears, 4323 W. MapleAPWU Local 735— Regular Meeting,7:30 p.m, 6920 W. Pueblo, WichitaThursday, October 15Salina Labor Federation— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 2055 S. Ohio, SalinaSteelworkers Local 13417— Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaSaturday, October 17Machinists LL2799— E-board meeting 9:30 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Regular Meeting, 10:30 a.m.Machinists Local 774— 10 a.m. Regular Meeting, 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMonday, October 19SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Membership Recruitment / Organizing Committee, 4:30 p.m., 973 S. Glendale, WichitaSPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— L&PA, 4:30 p.m. at SPEEA Hall, 973 S. GlendaleGlaziers Local 558— 5 p.m., 1330 E. 1st St., Wichita, KSTuesday, October 20CWA Local 6402— Membership Meeting, 6:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaWednesday, October 21SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Governing Documents Committee, 5 p.m., 973 S. Glendale, WichitaThursday, October 22Wichita Hutchinson Labor Fed— 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., 3219 W. Central Ave., WichitaSaturday, October 24Graphics Union Local 575— 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaThursday, October 29District 70 Retirees— Luncheon, 11:45 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita

Labor Dept. Hiring Investigators,Pledges Assertive Regulationlabor regulations, many of which were ignored or given short shrift during the George W. Bush years.According to the Wall Street Journal, business groups are not enthused about the new attention to worker concerns.“Employers, especially smaller ones, are really looking for help in terms of understanding the requirements

workplace safety “seems to be heavy-handed enforcement and generation of more regulations.”

assertive regulation of business she promised when she stepped into the job.

child-labor laws. Another 100 staff will be added to ensure contractors on stimulus projects are in compliance with applicable laws. The additions will increase the division’s manpower by more than one-third.

civil investigations.-

inspection history: any systematic problems found would trigger additional, mandatory inspections.

and fatalities.

2009 Tallgrass Film Festival7th Annual

Tallgrass Film FestivalOct. 23-25, 2009

www.TallgrassFilmFest.com

Thought of the Day“When the rich concern themselves with the poor,

that’s called charity. When the poor concern themselves with the rich, that’s called revolution.”

–William W. Winpisinger, President, Machinists Union, 1981

Sherrie Speaking Up for United Way

If you haven’t seen it, check it out online on YouTube:www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_tX42Uhen8&feature=channel

Looking for a Job? Look in your Billfold!Two often-overlooked job resources are available free with a Wichita Public Library card: ReferenceUSA and LearningExpressBy Jennifer Heinicke, Special Projects Librarian, Wichita Public LibraryWhen competition for jobs is high, some employers refrain from advertising because they know they will be inundated with calls. Instead, they rely on employee referrals or applicants taking the initiative to call and

subscription-only database that is free with the Wichita Public Library card, makes it easy.

materials or tutoring may be needed.The Wichita Public Library card offers free access

resource that offers instantly scored practice standardized tests (including ACT, SAT, GED and

In addition, there are resources for math and read-ing skill improvement, online career preparation, and vital information for dozens of different occupations.

More than 90 Wichita union lead-ers attended the Sept. 1 Kickoff Luncheon for Labor’s 2009 United Way campaign. They got a “sneak peek” at the new United Way video, heard reports on the Laid Off Worker Center and how United Way is responding to the economic crisis.Rita Rogers, Assistant Directing Business Representative of Dis-trict 70, IAMAW, was announced as the Labor Participation chair for this year’s campaign.Mario Cervantes recognized labor union members who serve on the United Way board, including Mildred Montgomery of CWA

Business Representative of Dis-

SPEEA; Theron Black, LL733 and retired Grand Lodge Auditor.Also present at the luncheon were Larry Landwehr, President of the United Teachers of Wichita; Jim Davis, Business Manager for

LL 733, Kirby Clark, Business Representative for the Sheet Metal Workers; Merv Wiltshire, Busi-ness Manager I.B.E.W. Local

-

from the Kansas legislature also

Goudeau and State Representative

United Way Kicks Off Campaign with Appeal to Labor“Now is the Time” is the theme of the United Way of the Plains 2009 annual campaign, with a goal of $16,400,000 to address community needs in Sedgwick and surrounding counties.By Stuart Elliott, APWU and www.KSWorkbeat.org

leaders — one new and one returning, who will help with the United Way campaign in the plant.

(Learjet), had just completed training. She shared a moving

where her grandaughter is a client.

(Cessna), returning loaned labor leader, talked about Open Door, a United Way agency that serves the homeless.Mario Cervantes, Wichita’s United Way labor liaison, told the luncheon that “our community is in a crisis with 11 percent unem-ployment and we will need to pull together to get through this.” The United Way, he stressed, is the

time union staff to uniquely equip them to deal with the crisis.“Partnership is understood every-day at United Way,” Cervantes said as he introduced United Way of the Plains President Pat

-ers Center which was open for 35 months after 9/11. Although

it again, it gave the United Way valuable lessons which will come in handy in 2009-2010.

importance of this year’s cam-paign which commits $1.3 million

percent of those helped by the LOWC were aircraft workers with eighty percent living in Wichita.

month in operation in 2009, with dramatic increases in July and August. The amount of aid given out has doubled in three months, with a total of nearly $200,000 in assistance so far.The Laid Off Worker Center not

-cial and food assistance, but also services, such as budgeting and job training. It is a one-stop center. Westar has counselors there to help with energy bills. Kansas SRS is there to help determine if workers are eligible for food stamps, which can really help stretch a family budget.The LOWC is located in a build-ing which is being provided by

donated to the LOWC will go directly to laid-off workers.

calling 211 to get an appointment

to bring. Second, their layoff should be due to lack of work and approved for unemployment compensation.”

other United Way priorities for the coming year.

campaign was able to bring back

for families with incomes less than $42,000.The EITC campaign

2010 because families that might not have

may be eligible this timeUnited Way’s “211” program continues to

By calling “211,” Kansans can get connected to social service and other agencies to help with per-sonal, family or other problems. “The challenge of 2009 is fund-raising,” to support the programs which will be in greater demand because of the economic down-turn.To drive home the need for a broad-based campaign, this year’s fundraising campaign has the

in Sedgwick County gave one hour’s pay per month, the United Way would raise $54 million -- more than three times their goal. The goal is not impossible,

51 companies gave 100 percent of their potential and another 115 companies gave between 40 and 99 percent.One hour of pay per month has long been the standard United Way ask. This year, there is a bit

each day” is what United Way campaigners are asking people to give this year. That consists of

minutes to make up for those laid off and unable to contribute this year.

person in charge of providing

leadership to meet the increased fund-raising goals. Rita Rogers, Assistant Directing Business Representative for IAM District 70, agreed to serve as the Labor Participation chair for the 2010 United Way campaign. Rogers said there was no way she could turn down Mario’s request to take on this responsibility. “My door is open, if you need any sort of help for your campaign in the shops or in your company, give me a call.”

Rita Rogers, Assistant Directing Business Represen-tative for IAM District 70, agreed to serve as the Labor Participation chair for the 2010 United Way campaign.

223 S. Main St.(316) 261-8524

www.UnitedWayPlains.org

Plain Dealer, 10/2009

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Transcript of Plain Dealer, 10/2009