Meanwhile, in Indiana . . .

Mary Beth Schneider ‏@marybschneider

Republicans now have supermajority in IN House. Democrats officially irrelevant in State legislature.

Sara Horowitz the founder of Freelancers Union in The Atlantic
How Do You Build a Union for the 21st Century? 

The Man Who Would Be President

Associated Press
Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Law that Effectively Ended Collective Bargaining for Public Workers

Indianapolis Star
Matthew Tully: Is the governor's race over? Not if Gregg takes solid steps

Gregg for Governor

How will they recoup their lost profit?
Angela Braly, CEO of Indy-based insurer WellPoint, coming under fire

Summer Solidarity Rally in Indianapolis

On July 28, the Indiana State AFL-CIO held a Summer Solidarity Rally in Indianapolis, at Military Park. I had the chance to attend, riding up along with Randy Tackett from AFSCME Local 3995 (MCCSC), Jackie Yenna of the White River Labor Council, and our Council 62 Representative, Rick Bannister. Having stopped briefly at the Council Building to meet the Executive Director Dave Warrick, we headed over to Military Park for the rally.

The first AFSCME local I ran into there were the great folks from 3395, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Union. Michael Torres, their President, offered to send me their recently negotiated contract (their second) so we might have an idea about what the second time around looks like, and we agreed to try to meet up some time in the near future. It was really great to talk to folks from another library local—we have so much in common whereas other locals face very different situations.

The rally itself was more lightly attended than one would have hoped (only about 500), despite the beautiful day and lower temperatures. The speakers, however, were simply inspiring, with Joe Donnelley (running for U.S. Senate) getting people fired up, and John Gregg (candidate for Governor) following. Vi Simpson, candidate for Lt. Governor, made the most enthusiastic and fiery speech. The theme for the day was Hoosier Values, and focused on how recent measures like the passing of the Right to Work bill seek to hamstring everyday Hoosier values such as compassion for our fellow workers, a strong sense of community, and local control of our jobs and finances—values embodied in the Union.

All in all, it was an enlightening day, and I left hopeful that our local would work more closely with other Monroe County locals to build solidarity and be more of a force in standing up for the rights of workers in our community. Similar opportunities will continue to occur, and I invite all of our Local members to keep an eye out here for more information, and to join me next time around!

—Chris Hosler

Taking the "Alabama of the Midwest" thing seriously. 
Mike Pence calls for 10% cut in Indiana's individual income tax rate

by Mary Beth Schneider IndyStar.com

2012 Candidates Endorsed by the Indiana AFL-CIO

U.S. SENATE:
Joe Donnelly (D)

GOVERNOR/LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
John Gregg/ Vi Simpson (D)

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION:
Glenda Ritz (D)

U.S. CONGRESS:
Congressional District
1 Pete Visclosky (D) (I)
2 Brendan Mullen (D)
3 Kevin Boyd (D)
4 Tara Nelson (D)
5 Scott Reske (D)
6 Brad Bookout (D)
7 Andre Carson (D)
8 Dave Crooks (D)
9 Shelli Yoder (D)

INDIANA STATE SENATE:
State Senate District
02 Lonnie Randolph (D) (I)
03 Earline Rogers (D) (I)
07 Brad Thompson (D)
08 Jim Arnold (D) (I)
10 John Broden (D) (I)
12 Jim Ball (D)
16 Tom Keen (D)
24 Charles Bender (D)
28 Michael Adkins (D)
30 Tim DeLaney (D)
32 John Barnes (D)
33 Greg Taylor (D) (I)
34 Jean Breaux (D) (I)
35 Mark Waterfill (D)
36 Mary Ann Sullivan (D)
37 Jim Cahill (D)
50 Vaneta Becker (R) (I)

INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
House District
01 Linda Lawson (D) (I)
02 Earl Harris (D) (I)
03 Charlie Brown (D) (I)
05 Jerod Warnock (D)
06 Pat Bauer (D) (I)
07 David Niezgodski (D) (I)
08 Ryan Dvorak (D) (I)
09 Scott Pelath (D) (I)
10 Chuck Moseley (D) (I)
11 John Hart (D)
12 Mara Candelaria Reardon (D) (I)
13 Mark Straw (D)
14 Vernon Smith (D) (I)
15 Thomas O’Donnell (D)
16 Rich Ludington (D)
19 Shelli VanDenburgh (D) (I)
22 John Bonitati (D)
23 Kerry Worthington (D)
24 Shane Evans (D)
26 Rick Cornstuble (D)
27 Sheila Klinker (D) (I)
30 Chuck Sosbe (D)
31 Katie Morgan (D)
33 Andy Schemenaur (D)
34 Sue Errington (D)
35 Melanie Wright (D)
36 Terri Austin (D) (I)
40 Sam Follis (D)
43 Clyde Kersey (D) (I)
45 Kreg Battles (D) (I)
46 Jim Mann (D)
47 Chris Grider (D)
52 Charles Odier (D)
54 Tom Saunders (R) (I)
55 Dave Moeller (D)
56 Phil Pflum (D) (I)
57 Todd Day (D)
60 Peggy Welch (D) (I)
61 Matt Pierce (D) (I)
62 Jeff Sparks (D)
64 Mark Norton (D)
66 Terry Goodin (D) (I)
67 Tom Cheek (D)
68 Jake Hoog (D)
70 Terry Miller (D)
72 Sharon Grabowski (D)
73 Sandra Blanton (D)
74 Mike Schriefer (D)
75 Kevin Derr (D)
76 Trent Van Haaften (D)
77 Gail Riecken (D) (I)
79 Mike Snyder (D)
80 Phil GiaQuinta (D) (I)
81 Win Moses (D) (I)
82 Mike Wilbur (D)
83 John Good (D)
84 Lee Jordan (D)
85 Evan Smith (D)
86 Ed DeLaney (D) (I)
87 Christina Hale (D)
92 Karlee Macer (D)
93 Ryan Guillory (D)
94 Cherish Pryor (D) (I)
95 John Bartlett (D) (I)
96 Gregory Porter (D) (I)
97 Justin Moed (D)
98 Robin Shackleford (D)
99 Vanessa Summers (D) (I)
100 Dan Forestal (D)

(D = Democrat/ R = Republican/ I = Incumbent)

“After careful consideration and a thorough examination of the candidates’ records and positions on issues impacting working people, the Indiana AFL-CIO is proud to make these recommendations,” said Nancy Guyott, Indiana AFL-CIO president. “We need more people in elective office who will work for working people, rather than the moneyed interests of the big corporations and out-of-state interests groups.”

“We are confident that these candidates will do what is right for all working people and will work to restore the balance to the halls of government.”

The affiliated unions of the Indiana AFL-CIO held its 2012 C.O.P.E (Committee on Political Education) on Friday, June 22, 2012 in Indianapolis to review candidate questionnaires and vote on endorsements. Additional endorsements of candidates slated in caucuses before June 30, 2012 may be made at a later date.

The Indiana State AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is a federation of 800 local unions across the state belonging to 50 International Unions. In total, the Indiana State AFL-CIO represents more than 300,000 working Hoosiers.

For more information please visit www.inaflcio.org or call 1-800-433-8423.