With the Occupy Wall Street protests resonating with citizens across the country calling for a fair economy and for the 1% to pay their fair share, an AFSCME brother from Wisconsin headed to Wall Street.  This is what he found:

To get more involved with Occupy actions in Missouri, check out Occupy St. Louis, Occupy Kansas City and Occupy Springfield.

An aggressive advocate for middle-class Missourians, Rep. Jason Kander is the best candidate for the office of Secretary of State

Jefferson City, Mo. – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 72 today announced its endorsement of State Representative Jason Kander for Secretary of State.  As a member of the legislature, Rep. Kander has been a fierce advocate for the hard-working citizens of Missouri and has voted to protect high-quality, vital services for taxpayers.

“Throughout his career, Jason Kander has consistently focused on protecting and creating jobs and advocating for middle-class Missourians,” said Jeff Mazur, executive director of AFSCME Council 72.  “As Secretary of State, Jason will undoubtedly continue his work by fighting for the civic rights of everyday folks, protecting the investments of Missouri workers and providing diligent service to our state’s businesses.”

A champion for Missouri workers, Representative Kander knows the issues they and their families face.  He has battled on the front lines of protecting workers as a legal advocate, developing a compelling track record of protecting Missouri wage-earners. 

His service in the U.S. Army, in the Missouri general assembly and as a member of the Missouri Veterans Commission demonstrate a true dedication to public service.  As Secretary of State, Rep. Kander is certain to continue fighting for all Missouri’s citizens with the same vigor and energy he has brought to his military service, law practice and legislative responsibilities.

“AFSCME members are incredibly impressed by Representative Kander and the work he has done in the legislature for his constituents and to keep jobs in Missouri,” said AFSCME Local 3453 President Travis Case.  “We look forward to his continued work on behalf of public workers and working Missourians in the Secretary of State’s office.”

AFSCME Council 72 is the affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for the states of Missouri and Kansas. Council 72 is the exclusive bargaining representative for more than 20,000 public servants who work for the state, counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions. Council 72 also represents a large and growing number of workers who provide home care and childcare services in their communities.  We work for justice in the workplace and advocate for prosperity and opportunity for all our states' working families. We not only stand for fairness at the bargaining table — we fight for fairness at the ballot box and in the halls of government.

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We've gotten word that the United States Senate will be holding a vote on President Obama's American Jobs Act today.  This bill will assist our communities in rebuilding crumbling infrastructure and create nearly 2 million jobs for teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public workers.  In addition, it will ensure that 5 million Americans who are currently receiving unemployment benefits continue to receive them.

With a majority of Americans asking that the rich pay their fair share, the American Jobs Act will be paid for by a 5.6% surtax on millionaires.

It's past time to put Missourians and Americans back to work, and this bill will do just that.  Please join me in calling our Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt and telling them to vote YES on the American Jobs Act.  We need our leaders in Washington to put workers and jobs before partisan battles.

Please take a minute to call Senator McCaskill and Senator Blunt: 1-888-665-9823.

Also, if you're in the St Louis area this Friday, October 14, we will be joining our sisters and brothers at a rally and march as we support Occupy St Louis in Kiener Plaza at 3:30PM.  Wall Street bankers and fat cat corporate CEOs wrecked the economy, and we’ve been paying the price. While hundreds of thousands of Missourians are out of work, there are roads, bridges and schools crumbling in our own neighborhoods.

Day in and day out, St. Louisans have been protesting in Kiener plaza to demand that the voice of the 99% - all of us - be heard on Wall Street, in Jefferson City and in Washington, DC. We need good jobs now, not more of the same old politics. Be there Friday and send a strong message against corporate greed and for good jobs in our communities.

Parking will be a challenge, please take Metro to 8th & Pine. RSVP at 573-635-9145 to let us know you're coming!

Since becoming president, John White has worked tirelessly to educate and grow the membership of Local 2687 in Sikeston.  Along with Vice President Serena Watkins and the local’s Secretary-Treasurer, Lisa Morgan, White has overseen a 78% increase in membership since taking office.

When White started working for the state of Missouri in December of 2003, he knew that joining AFSCME meant being able to advocate for workers.  When speaking with fellow employees, White says he focuses on telling them the advantages of the union, emphasizing that Local 2687 is extremely tight, like a family, and that AFSCME is always working on making their workplaces better for all and ensuring things are fair.

White also recognizes that as public employees, we have the privilege of being able to have a direct impact on the elections of those who sit across the bargaining table from us and says he intends to be involved in the 2012 elections so that Missouri elects those who are “best for the job, and who will work to improve the economy.”

When he’s not working or advocating for co-workers, White enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren in Sikeston and Illinois as well as fishing.