With a tentatively settled UAW strike, the auto workers union brought forward “just transition” — a term used to make whole workers involved in mass layoffs — but these concessions were not agreed on. Les Leopold, author of “Wall Street’s War on Workers” and other books, talks about how, since 1996, over 30 million U.S. workers have been involved in mass layoffs — a practice which used to bring shame on companies for their “bad business practices” leading to the layoffs, but now a common business practice. But an agreement to make auto batteries “union made in the U.S.” win for the union will support the workers and buffer the automakers’ transition from gas to electric powered vehicles and the layoffs expected to occur.

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In the article by ExposedByCMD.org entitled “Voters Have No Role to Play in the Right’s Vision of a Constitutional Convention”, David Armiak and CMD authors discuss how proposals by ALEC and far-right groups to organize a Constitutional Convention, bypassing Congress, would have delegates nominated by state legislators and governors, and giving each state the same number of delegates (regardless of population), would result in a right-wing “minority rule” end-game.

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WORT 89.9FM Madison · Chazen Exhibit Showcases African Contemporary Art

Until December 23, Madison’s Chazen Museum’s exhibit “Insistent Presence: Contemporary African Art” explores the use of the human figure in affirming the humanity of Africans across the globe in the face of economic and political oppression.  The exhibit includes 45 works from contemporary artists from Africa and of African descent.  On Friday, November 10, Ugandan artist and curator Margaret Nagawa will host a curator’s tour of the exhibit at the Chazen. Margaret Nagawa joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on Monday, November 6, 2023.

Photo: Nana Yaw Oduro (Ghanaian, b. 1994), PHILIP, 2019

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WORT 89.9FM Madison · New Tools Help With Student Loan Repayments

On September 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education ended a COVID-19 pandemic relief program and restarted collection of student loan payments. The change affects some 43.6 million students across the country, with a total debt load of 1.64 trillion dollars. For folks in Wisconsin struggling to readjust, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Financial Institutions has joined forces with tech public benefit corporation Savi to help. On Tuesday, November 7 DATCP, DFI and Savi will sponsor “Student Loan Repayment Webinar: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools, and Save Money.” Lindsay Clark is the Chief Borrower Advocate with Savi, and she joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on November 6, 2023.

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WORT 89.9FM Madison · Wisconsin GOP Sponsors Slew Of Constitutional Amendments

Republicans in Wisconsin are used to getting their own way.  Nearly two-thirds of state legislators representing solidly Republican – albeit peculiarly drawn – districts.  Until very recently, Republicans also held the ultimate backstop – a conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  The 2023 election of Janet Protasiewicz, however, flipped the court to a liberal majority, and with Democrat Tony Evers in the Governor’s chair, Republicans now control only one branch of state government.  Legal challenges to the state’s gerrymandered legislative district maps further threaten GOP political power.  In an apparent effort to cement conservative policy gains and to bypass the Governor and the courts, state Republican legislators have introduced a bevy of state constitutional amendments.  Wisconsin Watch reporter Jack Kelly has the story.

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If you’re not sure what your neighbors have been up to, here’s a chance to take a peek into their lives without even seeming creepy. The first annual 53704 Frame by Frame Film Festival will feature both narrative and documentary films made about, of, or by current and former residents of the 53704 ZIP code, an area that includes the north side and much of the near east side of Madison including the Schenk-Atwood, Emerson East and Eken Park neighborhoods. Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz host and former 53704 resident Tony Casteñada is joined by organizer and producer Karen Faster along with filmmakers Kurt Sensenbrenner and Morgan Stewart to learn more about the fest’s 20+ films which range from 2 to 72 minutes long. With movie titles like This Old Jell-O and The Turkeys of Atwood Avenue, maybe even folks outside the 0-4 will want to take a peek into your neighbors’ lives.

What: 53704 Frame by Frame Film Festival

Where: Barrymore Theater

When: Saturday, November 4 from 2pm until 10pm

General Admission: $15.00

 

Photo courtesy of OhioAvenue.com

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Activist Tsela Barr joins Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Castañeda to talk about the history of the group Jewish Voice for Peace and its efforts to educate people about the Israeli occupation of Palestine and work toward Palestinian liberation. Given Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas attack (described by politicians and the mainstream media as necessary, but likely in violation of international rules of war) Barr encourages listeners to contact US Rep. Mark Pocan and Senator Tammy Baldwin to voice their support for a ceasefire and the discontinuation of aid to Israel.

Mark Pocan 202-225-2906

Tammy Baldwin 715-832-8424

Photo courtesy of Jewish Voice for Peace. 

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President of Occupy Madison, Brenda Konkel, gives an update one the status of the OM Villages, tiny house constructions, solar panels, Conestoga huts, potential warehouse to build the tiny homes — and invites you to their grand re-opening event noon – 4 on Sunday 11/5 at OM Village #2 at 1901 Aberg Ave. Tours of the houses and amenities will be available.

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With a number of fiber-art groups existing in Madison — including sewing, knitting, quilting, paper making and more — Elizabeth Tucker and her co-founder, Heather Kohlmeier, decided they would organize a hub to bring all these different, yet related, groups together. A “Soft Opening” of the Textile Arts Center, their maker/display/teaching space happened this past Sunday, with a throng of over 500 eager attendees present. They have already organized workshops, and a Gallery Night is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM, 1901 Aberg Avenue.

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With a change in leadership at Wisconsin Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news outlet, employees took a look at the current work rules and decided they needed reassurances and protections that only a union could give them: principally safeguards to job loss without cause, and a more democratic workplace. With signatures of 80% of the employees, the Wisconsin Watch Union was formed. Journalist and Wisconsin Watch employee Jacob Resneck talked with Brian Standing about how the union idea started and how its progressing.

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