Our union brothers and sisters understand this isn't a “they,” it’s an “us,” says Bill Camp, executive secretary of the Sacramento [Calif.] Central Labor Council, of the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., that killed six people and wounded four. This Sunday, the labor council is coordinating with area groups to hold a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at the state Capitol at 1315 10th St., in Sacramento. The vigil will start at 6 p.m. People are encouraged to bring their own candles.

AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer describes union volunteer efforts to stretch the limited dollars of Sacramento area nonprofit organizations.

Every year local nonprofit agencies spend thousands of dollars on toilet paper for families in need. That’s money they could be spending on much-needed services that benefit the community. Since 2009, the Sacramento Central Labor Council and the local United Way have partnered to create Toilet Paper Drives to help local nonprofit partners offset costs and redirect the money saved into vital programs.

This is a cross-post from the California Federation of Labor by Communications Director Steve Smith.

When Wisconsin’s new right-wing governor decided to make it his personal mission to eliminate the rights of teachers, nurses, bus drivers and other public servants, he probably thought it would be a cakewalk. After all, Gov. Scott Walker has a Republican-controlled legislature that is on board with his radical plan to eliminate collective bargaining for public-sector workers. What he didn’t count on was the extraordinary resolve of working people to stop his assault on our values. For more than a week, tens of thousands have protested at the Wisconsin Capitol. The fight back spread to Ohio, Indiana and other states where politicians are attempting to strip workers of their voice. And it didn’t stop there. All over the country, workers are standing in solidarity to beat back these attacks.