News

September 29, 2020 -- Join us for the September meeting of the Wisconsin State Worker Power* series, where we discuss the movement against racism and how workers (and particularly us as public employees) have a key role, and a need, to be involved.

The meeting will take place via zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86723159782

Meeting ID: 867 2315 9782
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• Wisconsin State Worker Power is a group of state employees (and friends) discussing issues affecting state workers and what we can do about them.

September 29, 2020 -- The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA) will be holding its annual Power Lunch on October 12.  This year, it will be a virtual meeting.  See the flyer for more details.  

Flyer

August 30, 2020 -- No one was nominated for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Communication Secretary. 

Without opposition, we elected Jaime McCarville as the Membership Secretary, Ed Berry as the Treasurer and the at large council members of Jeff Richter, Melissa Heinz, Johnny Widdicombe, Scot McCollough, D. J. Dixon and Barb Smith (a little uncertainty as whether there are 5 or 6  at large delegates). Mike Sadler is District #8 delegate unless a special election is held in that district. Jamie will do the work of the Communication Secretary along with the duties of the Membership Secretary. This group will decide the fate of the unfilled positions. 

August 25, 2020:  In a recent Zoom Conference with Congressman Mark Pocan arranged by the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA), we learned that the House of Representatives have prepared a bill to strengthen and protect Social Security. 

The effort was led by Representative John Larson.  The bill would increase the cap for payroll taxes to $400,000, set a minimum benefit level and more.  The bill hasn't been introduced yet and is awaiting Speaker Pelosi's determination of the right time for introduction.  

For more details, go to https://larson.house.gov/social-security-2100

WPEC and WSP (Wisconsin Science Professionals) requested a meeting with Malika Evanco, Administrator of DOA's Division of Personnel Management, to talk about the pandemic and its impact on state employees.  Below is a statement they gave to DOA at their first meeting in June.    

AFT-W SEC Statement

ULN Article (Franks)

June, 2020 -- See the notice from the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans about how to confirm that your voting information is correct.  

WiARA Notice

As of February 2020, there were 2,945 people listed as LTEs.  There were a few duplicate names which probably represents people holding two separate jobs.

The vacant positions report from DOA for February 2020 listed over 4,000. See the full report.  Vacant Positions

The contract services report for fiscal year 2019  says $598,630,58 was spent on contract services.   That’s a big increase from the $566,739,532 for 2018.  See the full report at  Fiscal Year 2019 Contracting Report.

Help make Wisconsin safe during the  Corona virus threat.  Support LTEs  who don't have paid sick leave or health insurance.  See the letter from AFT-W President Kim Kohlhaas to Governor Evers advocating for LTES.

 Letter from AFT-W President to Governor.

These are the members you elected to represent you on the WPEC Executive Council.  Executive Council terms are 2018-2020.

• Jeff Richter, President, jjrichter@charter.net
• John Widdecombe, Member at-large, papajohnny_bassman@yahoo.com
• Jamie McCarville, Member at-large, mccarjm@me.com
• Ed Berry, Member at-large, berryej@outlook.com
• Wayne Mertens, Member at-large, mononagoat@gmail.com
• Mike Sadlier, District 8 (Retirees), mikejsadlier@gmail.com