Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Reminder of How "We" Came to "Be"
http://nrtw.org/en/free-tagging/afscme
The alarming trend of politicians forcing workers into union ranks continues in Illinois as Governor Pat Quinn -- in order to win Big Labor's political support -- is resurrecting the sordid legacy of disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich (and Gray Davis of California) subverting workers' rights to benefit forced dues-hungry union bosses.
Quinn recently signed an executive order arbitrarily reclassifying state-reimbursed in-home health-care providers as state employees -- thereby opening them up to forced unionism under state law. Service Employee International Union (SEIU) and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union organizers, armed by the state with the addresses of Illinois's nearly 3,500 in-home health-care providers, are competing to corral home health-care providers into compulsory union membership by going door-to-door to solicit support for their respective unions.
Pam Harris, a mother who stays home to take care of her son with special needs, was visited by two aggressive out-of-state SEIU organizers at her front door. Understandably, Ms. Harris is worried that the Detroit-style labor relations that destroyed America's auto industry could also destroy her right to care for her son as she wants. (To say nothing of the union dues she will be forced to pay for the "privilege.")
Forced fees is just the beginning. WE MUST pay attention to what is in the legislature this year!!! Last year there was a bill which would have eliminated "special appointment" positions and turned them into forced agency fee paying members of AFSCME! Fortunately, we do have a few legislators that care about us and that bill was passed but will be grandfathered in so it would not affect anyone currently listed as a special appointment.
I foresee the unions trying to get this type of legislation snuck in and passed like they did with the fair share bill. It was backed doored. WE CAN'T allow the unions to dictate to management legislation that will ultimately force us to pay the unions for absolutely nothing. WE HAVE TO BE ALERT THIS COMING SESSION!
The alarming trend of politicians forcing workers into union ranks continues in Illinois as Governor Pat Quinn -- in order to win Big Labor's political support -- is resurrecting the sordid legacy of disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich (and Gray Davis of California) subverting workers' rights to benefit forced dues-hungry union bosses.
Quinn recently signed an executive order arbitrarily reclassifying state-reimbursed in-home health-care providers as state employees -- thereby opening them up to forced unionism under state law. Service Employee International Union (SEIU) and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union organizers, armed by the state with the addresses of Illinois's nearly 3,500 in-home health-care providers, are competing to corral home health-care providers into compulsory union membership by going door-to-door to solicit support for their respective unions.
Pam Harris, a mother who stays home to take care of her son with special needs, was visited by two aggressive out-of-state SEIU organizers at her front door. Understandably, Ms. Harris is worried that the Detroit-style labor relations that destroyed America's auto industry could also destroy her right to care for her son as she wants. (To say nothing of the union dues she will be forced to pay for the "privilege.")
Forced fees is just the beginning. WE MUST pay attention to what is in the legislature this year!!! Last year there was a bill which would have eliminated "special appointment" positions and turned them into forced agency fee paying members of AFSCME! Fortunately, we do have a few legislators that care about us and that bill was passed but will be grandfathered in so it would not affect anyone currently listed as a special appointment.
I foresee the unions trying to get this type of legislation snuck in and passed like they did with the fair share bill. It was backed doored. WE CAN'T allow the unions to dictate to management legislation that will ultimately force us to pay the unions for absolutely nothing. WE HAVE TO BE ALERT THIS COMING SESSION!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Boeing's S.C. jobs a setback for unions - SOME UNION NEWS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102904835.html
Kudo's to Boeing ... this article gives me hope that all is not lost yet!
Boeing's decision to open a second assembly line for its 787 jetliner in South Carolina is another blow for organized labor, experts say, signaling that major manufacturers are increasingly willing to look for non-union workforces during a time of economic stress.
Kudo's to Boeing ... this article gives me hope that all is not lost yet!
Boeing's decision to open a second assembly line for its 787 jetliner in South Carolina is another blow for organized labor, experts say, signaling that major manufacturers are increasingly willing to look for non-union workforces during a time of economic stress.
Furloughs Unlikely for Montgomery Employees, Leggtt Says
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Furloughs-unlikely-for-Montgomery-employees_-Leggett-says-8457975-67354262.html
"Furloughs unlikely for Montgomery employees, Leggett says:
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett probably will not force county employees to take unpaid leave during the current fiscal year, and instead is suggesting the county hire fewer police officers, raise fees for monthly bus passes and buy fewer office supplies to help save $30 million for the budget-deficient county.
Leggett's proposed savings » $124,440 by reducing the frequency of repainting parking lot lines.
» $247,000 by eliminating tree-planting program for fiscal 2010.
» $200,000 by reducing road and bikeway maintenance.
» At least $185,290 by reducing printing and office supply costs.
Source: County records
Leggett warned in July that furloughs could be necessary to help bridge a projected budget gap of $370 million during the next fiscal year. But spokesman Patrick Lacefield told The Examiner on Thursday that Leggett now believed the county could find better ways to save money, barring future cuts in state aid that are unexpectedly large.
"The county executive does not intend to do furloughs in [fiscal] 2010," Lacefield said. "[Fiscal] 2011 is another matter."
Public employees around the state are being forced to take up to 10 days off without pay this fiscal year to address budget gaps, but Lacefield said the savings generated by furloughs wouldn't be worth the disruptions it would cause in county services.
Instead, much of Leggett's wide-ranging savings plan, which must be approved by the County Council, calls for delaying new hires and putting off major purchases, including marked and unmarked police cruisers and cars for the fire department.
"There are few 'easy' reductions left to make," Leggett told the County Council in a memo, echoing what's become a common refrain in the county during the last few rounds of budget-making decisions. "We must roll up our sleeves and begin to make the difficult decisions now."
Leggett's plan also includes increasing the price of a monthly bus pass from $25 to $30, cutting cleaning services at county-owned parking lots to a point where customers "will notice lower standards of cleanliness," and cutting 24 percent of the county library's budget for new books and magazines, according to county records.
The plan would also eliminate the county's tree-planting and weed eradication program for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends in June, for a projected savings of $269,000. And the county would trim its budget for tree maintenance and stump removals by $75,000.
Leggett is proposing the county also reduce the incoming police recruit class from 47 to 36. County records show that fewer police are leaving the force because of a deferred retirement incentive program and a poor economy, reducing the number of new officers needed.
Other proposed cuts to public safety include reducing the police budget for uniforms, ammunition and other supplies by $400,000, and cutting $51,300 worth of BlackBerry and mobile phone service, psychological consultants, and other expenses at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation."
"Furloughs unlikely for Montgomery employees, Leggett says:
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett probably will not force county employees to take unpaid leave during the current fiscal year, and instead is suggesting the county hire fewer police officers, raise fees for monthly bus passes and buy fewer office supplies to help save $30 million for the budget-deficient county.
Leggett's proposed savings » $124,440 by reducing the frequency of repainting parking lot lines.
» $247,000 by eliminating tree-planting program for fiscal 2010.
» $200,000 by reducing road and bikeway maintenance.
» At least $185,290 by reducing printing and office supply costs.
Source: County records
Leggett warned in July that furloughs could be necessary to help bridge a projected budget gap of $370 million during the next fiscal year. But spokesman Patrick Lacefield told The Examiner on Thursday that Leggett now believed the county could find better ways to save money, barring future cuts in state aid that are unexpectedly large.
"The county executive does not intend to do furloughs in [fiscal] 2010," Lacefield said. "[Fiscal] 2011 is another matter."
Public employees around the state are being forced to take up to 10 days off without pay this fiscal year to address budget gaps, but Lacefield said the savings generated by furloughs wouldn't be worth the disruptions it would cause in county services.
Instead, much of Leggett's wide-ranging savings plan, which must be approved by the County Council, calls for delaying new hires and putting off major purchases, including marked and unmarked police cruisers and cars for the fire department.
"There are few 'easy' reductions left to make," Leggett told the County Council in a memo, echoing what's become a common refrain in the county during the last few rounds of budget-making decisions. "We must roll up our sleeves and begin to make the difficult decisions now."
Leggett's plan also includes increasing the price of a monthly bus pass from $25 to $30, cutting cleaning services at county-owned parking lots to a point where customers "will notice lower standards of cleanliness," and cutting 24 percent of the county library's budget for new books and magazines, according to county records.
The plan would also eliminate the county's tree-planting and weed eradication program for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends in June, for a projected savings of $269,000. And the county would trim its budget for tree maintenance and stump removals by $75,000.
Leggett is proposing the county also reduce the incoming police recruit class from 47 to 36. County records show that fewer police are leaving the force because of a deferred retirement incentive program and a poor economy, reducing the number of new officers needed.
Other proposed cuts to public safety include reducing the police budget for uniforms, ammunition and other supplies by $400,000, and cutting $51,300 worth of BlackBerry and mobile phone service, psychological consultants, and other expenses at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
FURLOUGH OWE'MALLEY ELECTION 2010 BUMPER STICKERS
IF YOU WANT THEM, WE GOT 'EM FOR YA!
Email me at mdus09@yahoo.com if you're interested and I will see that they get to you.
I'm going to lunch at my fav lil tavern near work tomorrow which is a Friday thing for me and my coworkers and the man that owns the joint is always talking about Obama and Owe'Malley. I'm taking him a stack of bumper stickers tomorrow to start circulating to his customers!
Email me at mdus09@yahoo.com if you're interested and I will see that they get to you.
I'm going to lunch at my fav lil tavern near work tomorrow which is a Friday thing for me and my coworkers and the man that owns the joint is always talking about Obama and Owe'Malley. I'm taking him a stack of bumper stickers tomorrow to start circulating to his customers!
Thanks
I just want to thank you all for signing up as followers. Doing this blog and managing that stupid thread for all of these months has taken a good bit of my time. It is nice to know I can count on my friends, my coworkers, yes, you guys, to share the pain with me. I never knew any of you until I met you on the thread. There may only be a few of us right now, but that is how lifelong friends are made. When things get tough, like what we are all enduring right now, that is how you find out who your friends are and I just wanted to take a minute to thank you because all of this really has disgusted me, especially the whole fair share thing.
The Rumor Mill
You know how it goes ... you hear something, it makes you mad and then it never happens. However, I am starting this particular post for anyone who hears a rumor related to the budget to post it here. Please post it as a rumor unless you know for sure it is occurring otherwise we'll create a panic.
The rumor I have been hearing is that they (the unions) are negotiating for a 2.5% across the board pay cut for the state workers that they represent. I do not know if that is on top of what we are already paying back for FY2010 or if that is what they are going to do to us in lieu of furloughs in FY 2011.
I am also beginning to hear layoff rumors and I know for a fact that Director of the department next to mine has met with each of his Chiefs to discuss if and when it comes to layoffs, who could they do without.
This is all I have heard for now but look at this post particularly for any rumors as to where we are going to go from here with the budget.
The rumor I have been hearing is that they (the unions) are negotiating for a 2.5% across the board pay cut for the state workers that they represent. I do not know if that is on top of what we are already paying back for FY2010 or if that is what they are going to do to us in lieu of furloughs in FY 2011.
I am also beginning to hear layoff rumors and I know for a fact that Director of the department next to mine has met with each of his Chiefs to discuss if and when it comes to layoffs, who could they do without.
This is all I have heard for now but look at this post particularly for any rumors as to where we are going to go from here with the budget.
One Snowstorm Away from Financial Calamity (Western MD)
http://mddailyrecord.com/2009/10/27/harsh-weather-to-be-harsh-on-western-md-budgets/
Moyer said although his workers are under a union contract, “the county has the right to schedule the work day, so we make adjustments.”
That plan could reduce overtime payments by up to $300,000 this winter, according to Glotfelty.
Other counties, such as Allegany, are unable to redefine overtime because of union restrictions.
I imagine this is going to be the scenario all of the State should a heavy snow storm occur this winter. I wonder if they took that into consideration when they recalculated the budget. If not, the first snow storm we get, we'll be doing more furlough days to pay for.
Moyer said although his workers are under a union contract, “the county has the right to schedule the work day, so we make adjustments.”
That plan could reduce overtime payments by up to $300,000 this winter, according to Glotfelty.
Other counties, such as Allegany, are unable to redefine overtime because of union restrictions.
I imagine this is going to be the scenario all of the State should a heavy snow storm occur this winter. I wonder if they took that into consideration when they recalculated the budget. If not, the first snow storm we get, we'll be doing more furlough days to pay for.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fair Share, Budget and Everything Else
I know that we State workers have alot to worry about right now as does anyone who is working for a government locality in MD, Montgomery, PG County, Baltimore City, etc. All government workers are taking the brunt of budget cuts and it appears that that will not end anytime soon. Maryland faces at $300 million dollar deficit for FY 2010 and a nearly $3 billion deficit in FY 2011. How are they going to fix this and what is going to happen to the workers? That is the typical question being asked in State Offices and I am certain it is being asked all over Maryland by workers who are worried about the stability of their jobs.
It is time for government workers to wake up, to speak out and to try to do whatever they can to help themselves because if you depend on someone else to do it, you are not only disappointing yourselves but you will be disappointing that person that sits next to you, your friend at work.
I'm not sure what we can do but I do know that to do nothing is to allow yourself to become a victim of all of this. The only way that WE will survive this is to be there for each other and to get involved in the legislative session that begins in January and keep abreast of all legislation that will affect us. This is something that I never did until last session when I heard about the Fair Share Bill. Fair Share for what is what I ask, what is being done for us? We cannot depend on unions to do it, we must be vocal and we must keep updated on that which is going to affect us.
Management needs to stop spending and start cutting the fat in the State system and in all of the localities. Anyone who works for a government entity knows that there is much waste. For the State to spend money it does not have right now to purchase land is ridiculous and I, for one, do not appreciate having to take a furlough day to pay for that. For the City to buy a theatre with money it does not have is ridiculous and firemen and policemen should not have to do a furlough day to pay for it when it is their jobs to protect citizens.
I am open for any suggestions. We need each other right now.
It is time for government workers to wake up, to speak out and to try to do whatever they can to help themselves because if you depend on someone else to do it, you are not only disappointing yourselves but you will be disappointing that person that sits next to you, your friend at work.
I'm not sure what we can do but I do know that to do nothing is to allow yourself to become a victim of all of this. The only way that WE will survive this is to be there for each other and to get involved in the legislative session that begins in January and keep abreast of all legislation that will affect us. This is something that I never did until last session when I heard about the Fair Share Bill. Fair Share for what is what I ask, what is being done for us? We cannot depend on unions to do it, we must be vocal and we must keep updated on that which is going to affect us.
Management needs to stop spending and start cutting the fat in the State system and in all of the localities. Anyone who works for a government entity knows that there is much waste. For the State to spend money it does not have right now to purchase land is ridiculous and I, for one, do not appreciate having to take a furlough day to pay for that. For the City to buy a theatre with money it does not have is ridiculous and firemen and policemen should not have to do a furlough day to pay for it when it is their jobs to protect citizens.
I am open for any suggestions. We need each other right now.
SB 264 and those who voted for it
Senate Bill 264: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/chapters_noln/Ch_187_sb0264E.pdf
Find your Senator and how he or she voted on SB 264: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/votes/senate/1262.htm
Find your delegates and how they on SB 264: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/votes/house/1321.htm
Remember this when you go to the polls in 2010!
Find your Senator and how he or she voted on SB 264: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/votes/senate/1262.htm
Find your delegates and how they on SB 264: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/votes/house/1321.htm
Remember this when you go to the polls in 2010!
The Sun Paper Thread
Those of you who are familiar with the Sun Paper thread that about 5 of us have clung too since March, probably are aware that I had the thread locked last night. It was not my intention to do that but the in-fighting was just getting too bad and comments by Aboutwell were never backed up and I felt that all of that was not helping our cause any.
The purpose of this blog is to keep in touch with one another on what is happening with our jobs and the budget. Feel free to give the addy out to any government worker who may be interested.
The Fair Share is not forgotten and that is something I will fight tooth and nail til the end. However, there are much worse worries for us at the moment.
Thanks.
The purpose of this blog is to keep in touch with one another on what is happening with our jobs and the budget. Feel free to give the addy out to any government worker who may be interested.
The Fair Share is not forgotten and that is something I will fight tooth and nail til the end. However, there are much worse worries for us at the moment.
Thanks.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Too Rich for Furloughs
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/10/too-rich-for-furloughs.html
Andy Harris is anti-spending except when the state’s money is headed into his pocket. Like Pipkin and McConkey, he has not given back furlough days to the state last year or this year.
Some legislators who have not given back furlough days say they will donate their pay to charity instead. Delegate H. Wayne Norman (R-35A) made that argument while comparing his state government to the bankrupt General Motors. There are two problems with that position. First, payment to a charity is inherently unverifiable unless the legislator produces a copy of a canceled check. Second, conservatives like Pipkin, McConkey, Harris and Norman rant endlessly about the need to reduce government spending. Paying a charity rather than returning furlough money redirects spending rather than reducing it. It’s a hollow argument with little credibility given that the legislators’ wallets are involved.
So why make excuses? Act like a conservative, give back the money and cut the budget. Otherwise, these fellows are conservatives only with regard to other people’s needs and are free-spending liberals when it comes to their own.
Andy Harris is anti-spending except when the state’s money is headed into his pocket. Like Pipkin and McConkey, he has not given back furlough days to the state last year or this year.
Some legislators who have not given back furlough days say they will donate their pay to charity instead. Delegate H. Wayne Norman (R-35A) made that argument while comparing his state government to the bankrupt General Motors. There are two problems with that position. First, payment to a charity is inherently unverifiable unless the legislator produces a copy of a canceled check. Second, conservatives like Pipkin, McConkey, Harris and Norman rant endlessly about the need to reduce government spending. Paying a charity rather than returning furlough money redirects spending rather than reducing it. It’s a hollow argument with little credibility given that the legislators’ wallets are involved.
So why make excuses? Act like a conservative, give back the money and cut the budget. Otherwise, these fellows are conservatives only with regard to other people’s needs and are free-spending liberals when it comes to their own.
Comptroller’s report: Retail, finance firms would have paid more
http://mddailyrecord.com/2009/10/27/comptroller%e2%80%99s-report-retail-finance-firms-would-have-paid-more/
Combined reporting, a controversial corporate income tax proposal now under study by a state panel, would have had a broad effect on businesses around Maryland had it been in effect in 2006, creating thousands of corporate “winners and losers,” according to a report issued this month by the state comptroller’s office.
Combined reporting, a controversial corporate income tax proposal now under study by a state panel, would have had a broad effect on businesses around Maryland had it been in effect in 2006, creating thousands of corporate “winners and losers,” according to a report issued this month by the state comptroller’s office.
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