Meeting Tuesday 1 July

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Jun 27, 2008 12:54 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy, Democracy for Brevard North

To all DFA members of Brevard Workers for Democracy and North Brevard DFA

I as organizer of the BWD received the below e-mail. I want to honestly respond to the DFA. Do we have or do we want to have DFA units in Brevard county? I tried early on to have a first meeting, which was an unqualified disaster 0 for 65. After such a dis hearting responds, my interest wanned, I have attended DFA training in Orlando and have respect for the organization. The DFA is the organization that can hold the Democratic party 's feet to the fire when it drifts away from the true liberal and progressive values that I believe Democrats stand for. As secretary to the Brevard Democratic executive committee, would I advocate for a group hostile to the DEC? For both organization have the same progressive goals and DFA's can be the vessel that allows independent, political agnostics and other to work for change.

I am calling a meeting of both DFA for 1 July, Tuesday 7pm at the Brevard DEC office 1261 W. King St Cocoa. The agenda is self evident, do we continue or fold? Do we merge? If we continue, elect leadership and set a meeting date. I apologize if this post is harsh sounding, but I believe that it needs to be send. You can contact me at sharkeykevin.yahoo.com or thru the DFA link.

Respectfully submitted

Kevin R. Sharkey

Read more

The wire 05/12/08

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on May 11, 2008 9:26 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy, Democracy for Brevard North

McCain to 14-Year-Old Girl: ‘No Fair Pay for You'

by

Seth Michaels

May 8, 2008 AFL-CIO

Sen. John McCain is used to getting softball questions from his fans in the media. At his town hall meeting yesterday in Michigan, however, he finally took a tough, smart question from an unexpected source.

When a 14-year-old girl attending the meeting got to ask a question of a presidential candidate, she took the opportunity to ask why he skipped out on voting on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/05/08/mccain-to-14-year-old-girl-no-fair-pay-for-you/Read More

Read more

affordable health care WALK

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on May 5, 2008 7:40 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Central Florida for Democracy, Democracy for Brevard North, Democracy for Brevard North, Central Florida for Democracy, Brevard Workers for Democracy

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM Central Florida CLC This year, we can make a significant change in the direction of our country— toward that doesn’t jeopardize our wages at the bargaining table, an economy that works for all of us and a positive future for our children. affordable health care  Walk <font size="2"><font face="CompactaBT-Bold"> Join us as we talk to our union brothers and sisters about the issues at stake in this election and the candidates’ positions in our first national walk day of 2008 </font></font><font size="2">   </font>   WHEN: May 17, 2008 10A-2P   <font size="2"> WHERE: 820 Virginia Drive Orlando, FL   <font face="Swiss721BT-Light">   </font> TO SIGN UP, Contact: Stacy Stepanovich </font>   850-228-9831 HELP US TURN AROUND AMERICA LABOR 2008

The Wire for 04/30/08

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 30, 2008 7:53 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy, Democracy for Brevard North

Every $1 Billion Spent on Rebuilding Infrastructure Creates 42,000 Jobs

by James Parks, Apr 29, 2008 AFL-CIO Weblog

Too often, the only time lawmakers think seriously about rebuilding our nation’s aging and crumbling infrastructure is after a disaster like the read more......

Nelson: presidentials hold the key to space future

by Aaron Deslatte 04/29/08 Orlando Sentinel -

VIERA - Florida voters could hold the key to the future of NASA's plans for human spaceflight and, with it, the fate of the Kennedy Space Center, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson told Brevard County commissioners and nervous space-industry officials and workers Monday.Read more......

Study Warns Job Losses Will Strain Government Health Programs By KEVIN SACK April 29, 2008 NY TIMES

Leading health researchers projected Monday that each percentage-point rise in unemployment during the economic downturn would swell the uninsured by 1.1 million, stoking demand for government health coverage just as states face pressure to cut benefits read more....

.Orlando Sentinel - Space gets $15 million in state budget by Aaron Deslatte 04/30/08 Orlando Sentinel

In an otherwise grim budget year, the Space Coast did land $15 million to help wean its workforce off the soon-to-be-retired shuttle fleet.

Space backers began the session seeking a $45 million space incentive fund to lure companies looking to relocate. They also wanted a grab-bag of other financial sweeteners for aviation and aerospace companies willing to do business in Florida

Read more....

- Senate takes up, tables CSX bill posted by Aaron Deslatte on Apr 29, 2008 4:40:25 PM Orlando Sentinel

Senate CSX supporters tried to bring up their bill for debate Tuesday but  Read more...

WIRE For 4/28/08 Workers Memorial Day

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 27, 2008 9:12 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Brevard North, Central Florida for Democracy, Brevard Workers for Democracy

"30 Years Ago: 51 Workers Die at Willow Island « The Pump Handle

John McCain gets tax-free disability pension - Los Angeles Times

Disability and Democracy Posted by Michael Bérubé

except from article

Oh, and the rhetorical appeal to “my friends” reminds me! I’d almost forgotten all about that John McCain fellow. Apparently he’s become the nominee of the Grand Old Party, on the grounds that he is not a barking lunatic who will promise to double Gitmo and build a tall fence to defend us against the Gay Immigrationist Mexislamofascist Menace. Yes, well, McCain’s disability policy is much easier to summarize: (a): we need to cut costs; and, following from (a), (b): don’t become disabled:

Controlling health care costs will take fundamental change—nothing short of a complete reform of the culture of our health system and the way we pay for it will suffice. Reforms to federal policy and programs should focus on enhancing quality while controlling cost.

This means you, solider – and you too, person with autism, you, person with Alzheimer’s, and the rest of you malingerers. Buck up! Your job is to control health care costs for the rest of us.

Taking a toll on the CSX debate by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel

Vouchers get back on the ballot | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY

As Longevity Declines in Poor Areas GoozNews:

For more visit http://spacecoastaflcio.org

Democratic Fall Gala

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 25, 2008 2:15 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy

YOU ARE INVITED

! Turn Brevard Blue !

$ SAVE $           $ SAVE $              $ SAVE $

Take advantage of the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee Banquet ‘early donkey’ ticket sale.

This is a one-time one-month offer each $60.00 ticket is now $40.00 a savings of 331/3%.

This sale ends at the close of business of the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee Meeting May 21, 2008.

Reserve your seats now.

Giacomo Ilardi

Chair, Ways and Means Committee

(321) 267-1889

Email: mailto:giacomo_ilardi@bellsouth.

The wire for 04/25/08

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 24, 2008 10:36 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy

AFL-CIO Weblog | Pay Discrimination OK by McCain 

District may have to cut jobs | floridatoday.comFLORIDA TODAY

Report alleges abuse in Asia shrimp industry – CNN.com

 TBRC sends $9.5 billion tax swap to voters by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel -

 More on Les Miller v. Haridopolos by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel -

CSX Battle Set for Friday by John Kennedy Orlando Sentinel -

 CSX deal, Alligator Alley lease headed for a shotgun wedding by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel -

Working Families Vote 2008: AFL-CIO's Candidate Questionnaires

Working Families e-Activist Network

The Wire for 04/23/08

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 22, 2008 11:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy

GOP challenges appraisers' grip on property tax -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Johnny Be Good Pew Research

CenterGrover Norquist says no to TBRC tax swap

Tax swap picks up more critics by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel

-GAO Says Bush Administration Violated Law on SCHIP ProgramAFL-CIO Weblog |

CSX deal evolving in the Senate by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel - Orlando Sentinel -

Lakeland residents rally against commuter rail plan by Mark Skoneki

CSX to invest $40M in local rail infrastructure - Jacksonville Business Journal

:Removing Mountains to Power DC « The Pump Handle

The Wire for 4/2/08

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 22, 2008 8:02 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Brevard North

The Wire for 4/23/08

GOP challenges appraisers' grip on property tax -- OrlandoSentinel.com :

 Johnny Be Good Pew Research Center

Grover Norquist says no to TBRC tax swap

Tax swap picks up more critics by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel

-GAO Says Bush Administration Violated Law on SCHIP ProgramAFL-CIO Weblog |

 CSX deal evolving in the Senate by Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel

 Lakeland residents rally against commuter rail plan by Mark Skoneki

CSX to invest $40M in local rail infrastructure - Jacksonville Business Journal:

Removing Mountains to Power DC « The Pump Handle

Petiton to end sweat shops and slavery in the fields

Written by: Kevin Sharkey on Apr 20, 2008 9:00 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Brevard Workers for Democracy

Brevard Workers For Democracy

Resolution: 01-08

Subject: Ending sweat-shops and slavery in the fields

WHEREAS, there is an ongoing human rights crisis in Florida's fields, including:

1. poverty wages, rooted in an antiquated piece-rate pay system that hasn’t changed significantly in nearly 30 years;

2. long hours without overtime pay when work is available, unemployment and transience when it is not;

3. physical abuse and wage fraud by crew leaders, supervisors, and growers;

4. damage to body and soul from back-breaking labor, with no employment benefits such as sick days, paid leave, health insurance, or pensions;

5. retaliation against workers who protest or organize to alleviate these inhuman conditions;

6. and, most shamefully, modern-day slavery, with six successful federal prosecutions of farm labor operations for servitude in Florida over the past decade, and a seventh just initiated, involving well over 1,000 workers and more than a dozen farm employers;

(Click Read More for the rest of this post)

Read more