Americans Already Know How to Fix This Economy

It sometimes feels like the economic odds are insurmountable for the average American family. The recovery doesn't seem to be coming fast enough. The wealthiest few are getting richer while most Americans' wages are actually declining. How do we move forward? Rebuilding the middle class is a pretty big order.

Luckily, we already have the tools to do it, and an American public ready to take the steps necessary. When times are tough, unions have always been the path to improving incomes and building a better life for working families, and today is no exception. That was confirmed in a recent poll from Gallup, which shows that Americans are once again looking to unions as a solution to our broken economy.

The financial crisis and recession led to a nationwide loss of faith in the CEOs and wealthy investors who had been driving the economy. Americans are calling for a more balanced economy, where the super-rich aren't calling all the shots. Since 2008, the public approval of unions has climbed 10 points, to nearly 60 percent. And a plurality -- 37 percent -- believe that unions ought to have more influence than they do now.

Women, people of color and people under the age of 35 have the most positive views of unions. These are some of the groups that face the most inequality in this economy, and they're the same groups that benefit most from having a union. Black women who belong to unions earn 34 percent more than their nonunion counterparts, and Latina women make 46 percent more.

While more and more Americans have positive feelings about unions, fewer people actually belong to a union. That means there are millions of workers in this country who are still waiting for the better wages, increased flexibility, and improved quality of life that come with union membership. In fact, when workers are allowed to form strong unions and negotiate for better conditions, our entire economy benefits.

Unfortunately, things are getting harder for workers who want to organize. Many states have passed so-called "right-to-work" laws that do nothing but make it harder to form a union. Others have limited collective bargaining rights. Many of the current presidential candidates are avowedly anti-union. And next year, the U.S. Supreme Court will take on a case called Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which could harm public service workers and the communities they serve even more.

But if trends in public opinion continue, the union-busting politicians are in for some serious trouble. The 2016 electorate will be the most diverse in history, and those women and young voters will be wielding a big influence. They're looking for candidates whose policies can give working families a place at the table again.

Middle-class families deserve a voice and they deserve a fair shake in our economy. We can't do that unless we have the means to speak up for ourselves and each other, and to do that we need strong unions. It's just common sense, and the American people know it.

Lee A. Sanders President, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

Follow Lee A. Saunders on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AFSCME

This Week in Albany

Pension Buyback Bill for Veterans Delivered to Governor – Act Now

Current law allows public employees who served during specified conflicts to be eligible for pension credit for their military service. One of CSEA’s priority bills would remove all existing requirements that military service be performed during specific hostilities to allow all active duty veterans to purchase up to three years of pension credit for their service. The bill, A.8174A – Paulin / S.5937 – Larkin, passed both houses of the legislature and has now been sent to the Governor.

Governor Cuomo vetoed this legislation last year, and we need your help to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Call the Governor at 1-877-255-9417 and ask him to sign this bill to ensure that the men and women who risked their lives serving our country receive this benefit in recognition of their service.

Honor Our Veterans

NYS veterans deserve support and recognition for their service. Sign the petition to Gov. Cuomo today asking him to do the right and honor all veterans’ military service!. CLICK HERE

No Social Security COLA in 2016

For the third time since 2010, Social Security recipients will not receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2016. COLA adjustments are based on inflation, which has been low over the past year thanks in large part to a decline in gasoline prices. 

CSEA LOCAL 835 ONTARIO COUNTY NOTICE

ANNUAL FALL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

November 4, 2015

Club 86 - 86 Avenue E, Geneva, NY

CASH BAR

Hors d'oeuvres at 5:30p.m.

Dinner at 6:00p.m.

You must RSVP to your unit president by October 28th

Gift cards will be handed out after dinner by you unit president

There will be a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!!

This Week in Albany

Hunger Games Plans Are In

The seven regions competing in the Hunger Games-style Upstate Revitalization competition submitted their plans to the state this week. Under the program, three regions will each receive $500 million in economic development funding over the next five years, while the other four regions receive nothing. The winners of the competition will be announced this fall.

The regions eligible for the competition are the Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, North Country, Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

Deal Reached on TPP

The United States and 11 Pacific Rim nations have reached a deal on the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement that will impact 40% of the world economy. CSEA has long opposed the deal, known as “NAFTA on Steroids,” because of weak labor protections that will make it much easier to outsource jobs overseas.

The deal must now be approved by Congress, which may only take an up-or-down vote after approving Fast-Track authority for the measure.

Confusion Within House GOP

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), the favorite to replace John Boehner as speaker, abruptly withdrew from the race this week. The House’s “Freedom Caucus,” a group of roughly 40 ultra conservative members, influenced Mr. McCarthy’s decision to drop out by announcing their support of one of his opponents, Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Florida).

Speaker Boehner decided to postpone the vote while efforts are made to reach a consensus within the fractious Republican caucus. It is unclear if any additional candidates will emerge.

WE HAVE A CONTRACT!!

Barbara Garman, Sheri Scherbyn, Dave Dawson counting ballots.

Good Morning Everyone,

I just wanted to let everyone know that the contract vote passed overwhelmingly. Our Unit members have spoken! 

Your Union Leadership Team  will now work with the County to come up with an accurate final contract to distribute to all CSEA members. Please help pass the word. 

Thanks,

- Steve

VOTE COUNT TODAY!

REMINDER: Ballots will be picked up today in Rochester and counted by members not on the negotiating team at 3019 Complex Drive at 5:30pm. 

ALL CSEA Members are welcome to observe the vote count.

____________________________________

This Week in Albany

October 5 , 2015

Cuomo Wants to Hold Funding Flat Again

After years of cuts and artificially restrained budget growth for state agencies, Governor Cuomo is again asking agencies to propose zero-growth budgets for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Instead of disparaging state workers (and all public employees) and the services they provide, the Governor should actually be managing the state workforce and looking at the needs of agencies. The State’s over-reliance on temporary, per diem, and part-time workers has reached a critical mass, all while overtime is on pace to reach an all-time high this year. Services are suffering because employees can no longer do more with less.

Our state should be investing in the services our communities depend on instead of bleeding them dry year after year. CSEA is prepared to fight to ensure that state agencies get the resources they need and deserve.

Elections

The deadline to register to vote in the November 3 General Election is next Friday, October 9.

Please visit our website to see the list of CSEA-endorsed candidates.

Federal Shutdown Avoided

Last week, Congress avoided a federal government shutdown by approving temporary spending legislation on the last day of the fiscal year. Despite efforts by House Republicans to force a shutdown if Planned Parenthood wasn’t defunded, the government will be funded through December 11.