JEFF SMITH

STANDING WITH LABOR

 

  During my tenure as a legislator there was no doubt that I could be counted on to stand with my brothers and sisters in the workforce. Even after losing a heart breaking election in 2010, we came back to the Capitol with the intent to finish business and approve contracts agreed to by our labor groups. Unfortunately, we found, there were not enough votes in either house to confirm the contracts.

As assistant whip, it was one last opportunity for me to demonstrate leadership in my caucus and I was able to find the votes needed to pass the contracts on the Assembly floor. I am very proud of that day and my role in standing for the labor that keeps our state operating on a day to day basis and getting beyond the petty politics that hurt families. The real shock came later that day when the Senate came up short opening the door for the rights of workers to be obstructed once the Republicans took charge in 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

           Pictured above with some of my local AFSCME                                                With my daughter Sarah outside the

                              friends in Eau Claire                                                                         Assembly Chambers during Act 10 debate

 

 Soon after the Republicans took charge, they went after those same hard working folks I had stood up for. For 6 long but inspiring weeks Democrats fought for our brothers and sisters only to see the Republicans ignore the will of the people and pass what is now known as Act 10. Personally I was able to join the efforts in and around the Capitol 17 different days during those trying times. Just because I lost my elected position did not mean I would ever turn my back on my brothers and sisters when they are being attacked. It is my privilege to continue to fight for the rights of all working families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 On the water at the 2011                    Auctioning shirts and other memorabilia at 2011              With my co-emcee Rep. Kristen Dexter

Governor's Fishing Opener             Fishing Opener with my friend Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink              at the 2011 Fishing Opener Picnic

 

There are some of us who will not rest until justice is restored. That is why I was more than happy when Roger Skifstad called with the idea of getting on the water at the 2011 Governor's Fishing Opener. Roger organized the watercraft portion and I took on the festivites that followed at the Lake Wissota State Park. We had a great turnout and demonstrated that we were not going away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

                          Speaking at the Western Wisconsin Council                                                     With my friends Mahlon Mitchell and

                                         2011 Labor Day Picnic                                                                               Representative Dana Wachs

 

In 2011, it became even more apparent that we needed to show our support for the working families of Wisconsin. That is why I contacted our regional Labor Council president Jack Connell with an offer to help coordinate a truly community labor celebration. We moved the annual picnic to the center of the city of Eau Claire, organized a Labor Walk and lined up speakers. It was a huge success, attracting nearly 700 people. It is now a tradition that continues in Eau Claire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    

                                                                        On the Capitol steps in 2015

 

Nothing has changed and we must battle on. With the recent passage of No Rights at Work legislation and prevailing wage in their sights we know we have our work cut out for us. Have faith in the progressive labor movement, for it will prevail. I often hear that our time will come' the pendulum will swing back. I have an old clock: after winding it the pendulum needs a push to swing back. We can't wait for the pendulum to swing back on its own. We must give the political pendulum a push for it to swing back in a progressive motion and that is why I won't quit and neither should you.