Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Updates & Actions

 


BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated, “Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions,” Shelton notes.

Highlights of the new five-year collective bargaining agreement:

• No take aways; No concessions

• No permanent two-tier system

• A clear path to regular full-time employment

• Plant closing moratorium: No plant shut downs through October 2026

• A significant increase in the pension multiplier

• Maintenance of cost of living raises

And:


The Senate has gone home on recess without fixing the filibuster and passing the Freedom to Vote Act or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. That is unacceptable. Call your Senator now (Tammy Baldwin DC office: 202-224-5653) and let them know that:

1. You’re extremely angry and that leaving town before getting the job done is absolutely unacceptable, and

2. They should not do this again until they’ve delivered for the American people. No more recesses until they pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

And:

To get the Senate to pass the strongest possible version of the Build Back Better Act and fight the climate crisis, we need hundreds of thousands of people across the country to tell their senators that they’re counting on them to support this critical bill.

Please act today and demand that the Senate move quickly to pass a strong Build Back Better Act.




Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Code RED for Humanity

 

Computer model projection of surface temperature departures from average on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 15. (Weatherbell.com)

The historic storms that tore through the middle states earlier this week are, some climate scientists say, "the new normal." The map above is from an Axios article on the situation in the midwest as temperatures soar to unprecedented levels--at 7:45 p.m. on December 15 in Wisconsin, it is 68 degrees. This is not normal/this is the new normal.

Monday's rally for climate justice at UWL called on the administration to take students' real climate concerns seriously. One person with other duties chatting about sustainability, as the chancellor seems to believe is adequate, does not lead an institution to take this crisis seriously and really assess what must change and plan  how to make those changes and have the power to implement those plans. It's pitiful that he has told students in the past, as every year he scams them and many classes following them into paying for luxurious exercise facilities, that they can't afford $60,000 for a sustainability coordinator. That's one-eenth of a coaching staff. Which is more important?

A parallel move by local climate activists to ask the School Board of La Crosse to commit to transitions in carbon zero 100% renewable energy and creating a climate action plan is under way. So far, the severity of the crisis and understanding of the responsibility each of us has to act on it seems to be missing. To be sure, schools have challenging budgets thanks to Republicans in the state legislature. But don't say we can't afford to do our part to reduce carbon emissions while you continue supporting a full complement and travel schedule for sports teams and have your eyes set on building new very expensive buildings. Moving to renewables will save schools money in the long term and help to keep global heating down. (Have you signed the petition yet?)

We have the tools to make a difference right now, but we have to use them. As Dr. Michael Mann has noted, delaying climate action is the new climate denial. We can make our own changes, and, more importantly, we can demand that the institutions and businesses and governments use them. I urge you to pledge to make this your highest priority in 2022. 

Participate in the city's climate action planning. Hound your workplace into creating a climate action plan. Talk about what solutions there are with others. And vote for people who will take this seriously, not a D owned by the fossil fuel industry, but a person who gets what CODE RED FOR HUMANITY means.


Saturday, December 11, 2021

Solidarity

 


 BCTGM Kellogg’s Members Reject Tentative Agreement; Strike Continues

The statement by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) following the December 5 vote on the tentative agreement between the BCTGM and Kellogg’s:

Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) on strike against Kellogg’s in Battle Creek, Mich., Lancaster, Pa., Omaha, Neb. and Memphis, Tenn. have overwhelmingly voted to reject the tentative agreement. The strike, which began on October 5, 2021, continues.

Reflecting on the vote, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated, “The members have spoken. The strike continues. The International Union will continue to provide full support to our striking Kellogg’s members.

“The BCTGM is grateful for the outpouring of fraternal support we received from across the labor movement for our striking members at Kellogg’s. Solidarity is critical to this fight.”

In October, 1,400 union members at Kellogg's plants around the country walked off the job after months of negotiations. They felt they had no other options. This Progressive Magazine article provides more background.

A few days ago, Kellogg's announced that it will hire scabs to replace the 1,400 striking workers. Unfortunately, this is not (yet) illegal. The PRO Act (Protecting the Right to Organize) would strengthen and broaden federal protections for workers wishing to form and join a union. It was passed by the House during the previous administration when the Senate was controlled by Republicans. It has again been passed by the House, but is stuck in the Senate again. Passing the PRO Act is another reason the filibuster must go or be reformed. You would think Democrats would be prioritizing this for immediate action, moving to suspend the filibuster to get this done before midterm elections. So far, disappointingly, but not surprisingly, three Dems blocking progress are allowed to continue doing so without any consequences from the party.

Until then, consumers have the power to support the union. Here are Kellogg brands. Find alternatives if you aren't already doing so.

  • All Bran
  • Apple Jacks
  • Austin
  • Bear Naked
  • Be Natural
  • Carrs
  • Cheez-It
  • Chips Deluxe
  • Chocos
  • Club
  • Corn Flakes
  • Corn Pops
  • Cracklin' Oat Bran
  • Crispix
  • Crunchy Nut
  • Eggo
  • EL Fudge
  • Extra
  • Famous Amos
  • Fiber Plus
  • Froot Loops
  • Frosted Flakes
  • Frosties
  • Fudge Shoppe
  • Gardenburger
  • GoLean
  • Honey Smacks
  • Incogmeato
  • Joyböl
  • Kashi
  • Keebler
  • Kellogg's Frozen Breakfast
  • Mini Wheats
  • Morning Star
  • Mother's
  • Müslix (Mueslix)
  • Nutri-Grain
  • Pa Keticos
  • Pops
  • Pop Tarts
  • Pringles
  • Pure Organics
  • Raisin Bran
  • Rice Krispie
  • Sandies
  • Special K
  • S'mores
  • Smart Start
  • Sultana Bran
  • Sunshine
  • TLC
  • Town House
  • Tresor
  • Wheatables
  • Zesta
  • Zucaritas






Sunday, December 05, 2021

This week - show that you care

If we don't care, who will?

IF YOU LIVE IN THE LA CROSSE SCHOOL DISTRICT, please sign the petition and use the action tool to tell the school board and school administrators that we want the school district to pledge to moving to 100% clean renewable energy, to reduce its carbon emissions, and to create a climate action plan that will guide future decisions. It makes no sense to do long-range planning for facilities without first assessing how decisions will affect the climate crisis. Sign here if you're in the district (or have a child enrolled in the La Crosse School District). This effort is a collaborative effort of Citizen Action of Wisconsin-Driftless Co-op, the Coulee Region Sierra Club. Solar on La Crosse Schools, and Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

On Tuesday, December 7, the Wisconsin Farmers Union will hold online candidate training. Registration required.

On Wednesday evening, December 8, the City of La Crosse Planning Department will hold a public input session (ONLINE) about envisioning Pearl Street and the Pearl Street Walkway. This one little street in downtown could be transformed into a sustainable, people-centered car-free model if we want it. Car-free shopping and dining areas have long been popular in other cities from New York and Minneapolis to Glasgow, Oslo, and Amsterdam. Car-free streets have been shown to improve safety, increase sales, reduce air and noise pollution, and support community cohesion. If you have ever eaten at an outdoor café on a car-free street, you will know that the outdoor corrals in La Crosse, surrounded by noisy polluting cars, are not a great experience. Let's make Pearl Street a safe, fun, lively, healthy, CAR-FREE area. Join the Zoom meeting (898 5711 2415)

On Friday, December 10, the Wisconsin DNR will hold a public hearing on updating its public surface water rule to include thresholds for PFAS contamination. Register through the Wisconsin Sierra Club to get more information about how to testify and talking points. If you can't attend, you may submit comments via online form by December 15. Read the Public Hearning Notice for more information.

On Saturday, December 11, Citizen Action of Wisconsin will hold its annual meeting from 10 a.m. to noon online. Register for the access link

"Everybody has a voice, and wherever you work, you have the ability to use your voice." - Kathryn Hayhoe, author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World