How About More Work for Less Pay?

Image via Wikipedia

Build the economy, Work More, Get Paid Less 

The work of government must still get done but the Governor is proposing more shut down days. I can't wait until the legislature adds more to the three the Governor (our friend) is proposing.

American workers both public and private are working smarter and doing more in the same amount of time. Last year alone, productivity rose over 8 percent in the 3rd quarter.

Even with the largest gain in productivity in years, employers continue layoffs and load more work on fewer workers. At the same time pay checks are flat lined, workers are under pressure wondering if they will see the next pink slip.

Nationally, there are more than 15 million workers unemployed, with the real figures probably closer to 21 million.

If the economy as a whole is to benefit, rising productivity must benefit not only the CEO, but must benefit the American worker. For over a decade productivity gains have not been accompanied by wage increases.

Nationally employees are constantly threatened with outsourcing, and in Maine they are told they should be grateful just to have a job while company profits are siphoned out at ten, twenty, even 60 thousand dollars an hour by the system of interlocking board directorates.

In Maine, State Employees have been aware of the rising health care premiums, for years. We have negotiated the retention of our benefits by foregoing raises. Last year the legislature listening the rabid right, said we had maintained too much, and made an attack on health care and benefits ignoring the fact that these benefits had been paid for in advance.

Our Unions and our politicians must hear us! We need those politicians we voted for to do something for the men and women working more and getting paid less. They cannot ask us to solve these financial problems alone, we have been the target of right wing idiots and talk show host for too long. We have paid enough. Our Unions must start an offensive and stop trying to pacify the right. It has never worked and it will never work.

The layers of management, contracting out, and political patronage must be the next targets. One department, OIT has laid off some contractors. This is a great first step, bad for those laid off employees but the fairest solution when there is existing talent to do the work.

These are exactly the conditions that demonstrate the need for the EFCA and strong Unions. Using collective bargaining, Unions negotiate for workers rights and fair wages and benefits. When each of us can be threatened with financial ruin only by working together can we have any power.

Enter your Email





Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz