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Firing up a crowd of thousands, Springfield Pastor T. Ray McJunkins spoke from the heart about the need for pensions and how people will fight back against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — An estimated 4,000 people took to the streets of downtown Springfield Tuesday to deliver a message to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker: his war against the working class is not welcome in Illinois.
Walker was invited into town by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to speak to more than 200 business leaders, a move union leaders weren’t happy with.
“We’re here to show him that we don’t want him here,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan, addressing the crowd during the rally. “He’s trying to poach our jobs, and your jobs. Shame on him.”
Walker notoriously introduced a budget bill last year that served to strip collective bargaining rights from most public workers in Wisconsin. The bill was passed after three days of debate, while Democratic senators hid out in Illinois.
This year, Walker faces a recall election June 5 after his popularity in the state has plummeted.
The enthusiastic crowd spanned an entire block, with unions busing members in from all over the state. Many people made the trek from Wisconsin as well.
“It’s our fight, it’s your fight, it’s all of our fight,” yelled Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt to the crowd gathered in front of the stage. “We can’t tell you how much the support from you from rallies like this inspires the workers in Wisconsin.”
Brian Kennedy, President of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, extolled on Walker’s big bust in the job creation department.
“He promised to create 250,000 jobs in his first term, but Wisconsin was actually dead last in job creation during that time,” he said.
Walker also blamed public servants on the budget shortfall he created, and slashed school funding and health care for children and their families, as well as threatened pensions.
Pastor T. Ray McJunkins of the Union Baptist Church in Springfield took to the stage to tell the crowd he’s not going to take it, and they shouldn’t either.
“Much of my congregation will soon be facing retirement,” he said. “They need these public pension plans. It’s important if they want to continue to live a life of dignity. Scott Walker, you may threaten us, but we aren’t going to turn around. We have taken on the attitude of MC Hammer — you can’t touch this!”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry will slowly move into its new location over the summer and will boast three times the space of the current location.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry is planning on moving into a new location next month, and that will mean better service for all the community members it serves.
“The biggest change will be our indoor waiting room,” said Marilyn Weisner, executive director of the pantry.
Weisner explained the changes during an unveiling party last week at the new facility at 1110 Jericho Road, under two miles from the old location at Hesed House on S. River Street.
“With our current facility, people have to be outside while waiting in line to get their food, and that includes waiting in the hot sun, the freezing cold, and the rain. The new facility will have an indoor waiting room, private orientation rooms for new members, and a play area for children,” she said.
Also on tap are smaller things like a loading dock and commercial food scale. At the current facility, food must be moved in by a hand cart, and weighed on a small scale to keep track of it all.
Oh, the new place is also 8,000 square feet, as opposed to the 2,500 square foot current location.
“Right now, we have small offices up front that we also have to use as a client check in area,” said Office Manager Kristan Ensminger. “It’s not very private, and can be daunting for someone coming to the food pantry and asking for help for the first time. With the new place, we can serve clients with dignity.”
Ensminger said the new facility will have much more space for food, and will allow clients to fully choose what they want, instead of the current partially prepackaged options. The larger freezers and refrigerators will also allow the pantry to accept food ahead of time in greater quantities, whereas now, workers have to pick up meat and veggies on a distribution day to avoid spoilage.
This translates into getting more hungry people the food they need. Last year, the pantry served more than 1.5 million pounds of food, and they hope to have the new facility fully up and running by the end of this summer.
“We’ll definitely be able to serve more people, and that’s the main goal,” said Weisner. “There’s a lot of food out there that can be rescued, and now we can accept more of it and pass it on.”
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry distributes food on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those needing food may visit the Pantry one time each week. For further information about distribution, please contact the pantry office at 630-897-2127.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
CHICAGO — The Illinois Labor History Society faces $10,000 in unanticipated moving expenses after being forced to relocate from their 25 year location on E. Jackson Street in Chicago.
The building at 28 E. Jackson has been sold and will be rehabbed as student apartments, and for now the ILHS has found new offices at 123 W. Madison in the Loop.
ILHS President Larry Spivack released a statement detailing the Society’s new costs and what people can do about it. He said moving costs came at just the wrong time, as May is the Society’s busiest time.
“The costs of moving were totally unforeseen and have taken a bite out of our budget. We now face unanticipated moving expenses of at least $10,000,” he wrote. “And this came just at one of our busiest times of the year — during another ambitious program of May activities centered around our traditional May Day commemoration.”
Once again, despite the adversity, the ILHS will emcee May Day commemorations in Chicago.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Randolph and Des Plaines, the ILHS will join with Benedicto Martinez Orozco, a leader of the Mexican union federation Frente Autentico de Trabajo, who will preside over mounting a plaque on the Haymarket Statue from our Mexican brothers and sisters in the FAT.
Spivack is asking supporters of the ILHS to help defray the extra costs incurred this year.
“We’re confident that the move to a new and better office will strengthen our organization and its capacities,” he wrote.
To donate, click on illinoislaborhistory.org/get-involved/donate.html. Or send a contribution via check to the old office at 28 E. Jackson, Suite 1012, Chicago, IL 60604.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
CHICAGO — Now that Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 1 members have looked over their new contract, the details of what has been hammered out between janitors and Chicago building owners have been revealed.
The new three year janitors’ union contract, which went into affect April 9, guarantees:
—Annual wage increases for janitors, which will allow them to support their families in the midst of increasing cost of living in the Chicago area.
—Protection of quality, family health insurance. The janitors plan provides comprehensive coverage for janitors and their families at one-third or half of the cost of the average family health plan in Illinois.
By an overwhelming margin, the janitors approved a new union contract that preserves their ability to support their families and allows them access to health care. About 7,000 working families will benefit from increased wages and protected health care over the next three years.
“Our agreement with these building owners and cleaning companies proves that responsible companies can invest in good jobs, provide health care and pay a livable wage to their employees,” said Tom Balanoff, President of SEIU Local 1. “These agreements will boost our whole local economy. SEIU Local 1 is leading the way for all working people — when you stand up together and bargain collectively, we all win.”
More than 6,000 janitors are still working to get their contracts settled. Chicago Public Schools and other publicly funded facilities have traditionally followed these area standards set by Chicago’s Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Local 1 janitors, but there is no guarantee.
“We are celebrating great progress today, but we are just getting started,” said Ed Washington, a janitor with Chicago Public Schools. “Now we are calling on Cook County and the City of Chicago to adopt the wage and benefit standards for janitors at Chicago Public Schools, the airports, and all publicly funded facilities set by SEIU Local 1 janitors, business leaders and BOMA.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
Members of Teamsters Local 734 gather outside of the Hostess warehouse in Schiller Park April 13. The Teamsters were there to support delivery drivers and warehouse workers as Hostess cuts benefits while going through bankruptcy.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
SCHILLER PARK — Chicago Teamsters want to know that they support their labor brothers and sisters in times of need as they held a show of support outside of the Hostess building in Schiller Park April 13.
Hostess filed Jan. 11 for their second bankruptcy since 2008, in the process threatening wages, benefits and jobs for more than 7,500 Teamsters employed by the company nationwide. About 100 members of Teamsters Local 734 decided to show their support for delivery drivers, route salesman and warehouse workers as the company went to court early this week.
“We wanted to show our support for the workers as we go to court,” said Scott Kunz, secretary-treasurer of Local 734.
Kunz explained that the union fears Hostess may ask the judge to vacate their entire contract, as the company is operating under special bankruptcy rules and could possibly be permitted to do so.
In 2009, Local 734 members alone sacrificed more than $132 in weekly base pay to draw Hostess out of bankruptcy. In its current filing for Chapter 11 protection, Hostess is shifting the focus of its attack from workers’ wages to health and welfare and retirement benefits.
The company already owes Local 734 more than $2 million in past due pension contributions after ceasing its payments to multi-employer funds in July 2011.
“We’re in negotiations right now, but we’ve given a lot already. Last July, they stopped paying into our pension plan, and this was on top of the concessions already granted. Our drivers have had more than $8,000 taken out of their pay per year since 2008,” he said.
Kunz said concessions are one thing, but the company needs to show something for taking from the workers.
“The problem is, they need to show us some improvement here. It’s just a huge mismanagement,” he said.
Teamsters Local 734 represents 435 drivers and workers with Hostess across Chicago. Members voted in February to authorize a strike should Hostess impose unfair contract terms during the bankruptcy process.
“It’s an interesting situation,” said Will Petty, communications director for Teamsters Joint Council 25. “This is the second time Hostess has faced bankruptcy. We hope it’s settled quickly without taking anything away from the workers. It’s time for management to make some tough decisions.”
Pending the outcome in court this week, members of Local 734 said they would be back in front of the Hostess warehouse in the future, this time with a full on picket.
“This is just a show of support. We may be back with more people, we have no plans yet,” said Kunz.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Labor News Staff
Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) died suddenly Sunday, April 8 in Washington D.C. at 63.
As of press time, the BCTD had no information on the cause of death or on a timetable to decide the next president of the organization.
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, said, “I am deeply saddened by Mark Ayers’ passing. We join his family in commemorating this extraordinary leader and friend.”
Ayers had been president of the BCTD since 2007. He had previously been the director of the Construction and Maintenance Department of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and served in various leadership capacities in unions in Illinois. He was also an aviator in the U.S. Navy for more than four years, including a tour during the Vietnam War.
The BCTD said Ayers was a true trade unionist and it was through that commitment to bettering the lives of working families that he was able to offer so much to his country, his family and to the labor movement.
As news spread on Ayers’ passing, several union leaders emerged with kind words and fond memories of Ayers, especially union brothers and sisters of the IBEW, the union of which Ayers was a 38-year member.
An Illinois native, Ayers joined Peoria Local 34 in 1973. He worked his way up the ranks, serving as treasurer and business representative, before being elected business manager.
“I can’t think of anyone who worked harder to build our common movement. His steady hand and activist spirit steered the IBEW and the Building Trades through some of the toughest times we’ve ever faced,” said IBEW International President Edwin Hill.
“Mark was my friend, whose kindness was felt by all. I will always be thankful for having the opportunity to work with a brother like that,” Hill added.
At last year’s IBEW 38th International Convention, Ayers talked of restoring the American dream for America’s middle class. In addressing the noticeable growing power of special interests, Ayers remarked, “I never imagined that my last battle could possibly be fought right here in my homeland, to protect the very values I fought for in faraway lands. But if it has to be that way, then I say let’s get it on.”
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) General President Terry O’Sullivan said Ayers was an effective champion for strengthening the voice of construction workers and their families in government, on the job and within their own communities.
“Mark truly has left the labor movement and our country a better place than the way he found it. The advancements he helped make for the rights of workers throughout North America will live on for generations to come,” O’Sullivan added.
President of the United Steelworkers (USW) Leo W. Gerard said Ayers set a standard as a trade unionist for us all to make the world a better place for everyone, but especially for those who struggle daily.
“Ayers joined us in raising our voice in unity for infrastructure investments to create family-supportive jobs on projects that supported America’s future,” Gerard explained.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten added it had been a privilege for the AFT and herself, to work with Ayers and the BCTD in their efforts to rebuild America, create jobs and strengthen communities.
“Mark’s vision was clear and his commitment steadfast. His life’s work stands as a true testament to his dedication as a trade unionist,” Weingarten said.
The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers President James Boland summed it up best when he said Ayers’ matchless leadership during one of the nation’s most challenging periods in the history of the organized construction industry has provided an indispensable path forward for the Department’s affiliate unions.
“His vision, guidance and a lifetime defending the rights of workers to fair wages, decent working conditions, good benefits and the chance to retire with dignity will live on to inspire not only those whose lives he touched but also future generations of trade unionists,” Boland said.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ayers family on their irreplaceable loss.

Pat Barcas photo
Aurora 911 operator Kelley Gruca receives flowers Monday from her grandmother after the ceremony where she received the first-ever Telecommunications Operator of the Year award.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
There are many links between when an accident or emergency occurs to actually receiving help, and the operator who answers the 911 call is one of the most essential links in that chain.
On April 9, the Aurora Police Department honored one of its own in the first-ever Telecommunications Operator of the Year award, presented to 20- year veteran Kelley Gruca.
Gruca, a member of AFSCME Council 3298, was chosen by her co-workers for the award that coincides with National Telecommunicator Week in America. The week celebrates and honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the citizens of the United States.
Gruca accepted the award at a special ceremony at the Aurora Police Department.
Aurora Chief of Police Greg Thomas said the department received about 100,000 calls to 911 in 2010 and 2011.
“There is a tremendous amount of work involved with the time spent to make sure each call is answered correctly, and we are truly grateful for Kelley’s work,” he said. “She is the epitome of a true professional. Operators are under an immense amount of stress because they are the first line in getting emergency help to people who are in extreme duress. It is impossible to project how many lives she has touched over her 20-year career and she is truly deserving of this honor.”
Aurora Lieutenant Keith Cross took the podium and read what Gruca’s co-workers had to say when they submitted the nomination application.
“They cited her extensive duties on the job, how she’s a team player, her knowledge of her job, and the intense personal interaction with those in the community. She has gained the respect of her co-workers, and will always be a team player. She has a heart of gold, and leads by example,” said Cross.
Gruca was overwhelmed as she accepted the award in front of her co-workers and family.
“I was shocked when I discovered I had been chosen. It’s a team effort. We just try to make sure we do our job correctly. I thank everyone for coming today,” she said.
Thomas explained that, all too often, the roles of 911 operators are overlooked or misunderstood in the eyes of the public.
“The job is so much more than answering a telephone and dispatching assistance,” he said. “They also have to call for additional help depending on the ever-changing circumstances of a particular incident, run driver’s license and wanted checks, call tow trucks, and perform a multitude of other duties, and most of the time they’re performing all of these on more than one emergency call simultaneously.”
The approximately 30 operators in Aurora’s 911 Center handle police, fire, and ambulance calls for Aurora and North Aurora. Last year, they answered around 161,000 non-emergency calls in addition to the 911 calls.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.