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The Labor Advocate – Episode 18 – Organizing Part 2! This week we will continue to bring forth ideas from Playbook for Progressives by Eric Mann Qualities of an Organizer Joins an organization based upon agreement with strategy and tactics Builds a base and never walks alone Sings with choir but finds own voice A good listener – finds trends A good investigator Fights for the repressed Generous of spirit Self sustaining – takes good care of themselves Shoutout to the Colorado State AFL-CIO Completes the job from beginning to end Tactically Agile – Master of the moment Strong convictions. Knows which side they are on Knows all about the issues surrounding their organization – along with the science, facts, and figures Courageous and Militant A strong work ethic Relentless

Episode 17 – Organizing Part 1 Eric Mann wrote a book called Playbook for Progressives – Excellent resource for every member of unions. All members are organizers. Roles of an organizer Foot Soldier Knocks on doors Hands out literature Can never have enough foot soldiers The Evangelist Preaches the good word of unions Motivational in speech MLK Jr Outspoken and elegant The Recruiter Finds new members Speaks about labor at small functions Direct one on one conversations Open and friendly, listens first The Group Builder Group Dynamics are an important part of all organizations Finds the strengths and weaknesses of the group and figures out how to mesh it all together Pays attention to leadership development The Strategist Develops the long-term vision of the organization, Find the long term interests of the group Always part of the various groups within the organization.

Episode 16 - Climate Change What is Climate Change? According to the EPA, the earth has warmed 1.4°F in the past century, and is projected to raise 2 to 11.5°F over the next century. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. Indicators Greenhouse gas emissions US and Global temperatures Ocean heat, and surface temperatures Arctic sea ice & Glaciers Pollen seasons, leaf and bloom dates, disappearing eco-systems in climate belts Bird migrations, snowfall & snowpack What do scientists believe is causing it? Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events—like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures—are already affecting society and ecosystems. Scientists are confident that many of the observed changes in the climate can be linked to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, caused largely by people burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, heat and cool buildings, and power vehicles. Climate Change in the News Maine governor vetoes climate change studies in Maine Sen Schatz (D-HI) proposes amendment to immigration reform to allow people fleeing areas affected by climate change to come to America Barack Obama to bypass congress with executive orders using the EPA to enforce carbon emission standards.

Stealing Elections Hostile Takeover – Corporate Money influencing elections One SuperPAC spent over 200 million during the 2012 election The Koch Brothers spent $130 million to influence the elections In over 97% of federal elections in the past 20 years, the candidate with the most money won. Current America is looking like a colonial economy where we enrich the 1%, and they buy the votes. Major media outlets are in the pocket of corporate interests Step 1 – Create an Enemy Create the “Fraudulent Voter” to keep voters awake at night The number is staggering... in an election year, the average number of people who are convicted of voter fraud is a mind boggling six. Step 2 – Suppress the Vote Quote - “Even a small drop in the share of black voters would wipe out [Obama's] winning margin in North Carolina.” - Karl Rove The strategy of the right wing is to ensure that black voters don't turn out to vote, and if they do, their vote is not counted. Step 3 – Purge the voter rolls We saw that in Colorado Springs Jan 1st, 2006, Secretaries of State in all 50 states became empowered to purge voter rolls. Specially crafted bill “Help America Vote Act” by Karl Rove and felon Congressman Bob Ney (friends of Jack Abramoff) Bill requires secretaries to create a computerized voting list, and maintain it. Using a suspect algorithm to hunt down, purge, block and disappear suspect “fraudulent voters” In Arizona, your odds

We discuss the privatization of the prison system and how it is eroding our society.

The Labor Advocate brings you commentary on issues regarding today's labor movement in the US.  Episode #2 deals with Sequestration and how it affects you!