A light at the end of the tunnel.

E.T.I. 2009
2009 looks a long way away right now. We just finished a contract last July. Remember while you are looking down that long dark tunnel and if you think you see light at the end, it may be a train heading right at you.

It is October and getting time for scary stories. Tell me if any of this article sounds like it could be happening in the legislature now.



I hope this article is just an exercise in creative writing, as I am trying to picture what twisted ideas will be floated by parts of the legislature to balance the budget at the expense of the employees that support the public. My fear is that too much of it is already happening for real.

1. 2008 Secure Retirement Attacks - The Legislature proposes a constitutional amendment to outlaw public employees' defined benefit pensions and permit only a defined contribution plan.

2. 2008 State Budget Revenues - A deficit is projected for the next biennium and the legislature is proposes cuts to education, employee benefits, aid to local governments, human services and health programs.

3. Outsourcing (school, local government, state) - It is anticipated, given some of the proposals that we will have to wage a defensive effort against privatization.

4. 2008 Outsourcing of DHHS Eligibility Services. The Governor's plan would transfer eligibility processing from the State by contracting out. This could cut hundreds of jobs in DHHS.

5. 2009 Social Workers, Eligibility workers, Staffing Child Welfare Caseloads, - The social worker caseload ratios are more than four times what they should be in providing services to at-risk children. SEIU members have tried for 25 years to get the standards changed. The government answer will be outsourcing.

6. 2009 PUBLIC/STATE
State Employee Budget Cuts - The Governor's budget proposes to increase employees' contribution to retirement and allow employees to opt out of the current retirement system exchange for cash and prohibit the state from offering the current secure retirement plan to new employees. On health care benefits, the Legislature is developing a budget that would eliminate the state's contribution to health care for new employees until they have passed probation and freeze the state's contribution to health care for all employees regardless of the cost. Other cuts include furlough days, reduction of overtime, and elimination of two holidays.

7. 2007 There is talk about continued restructuring of State Services and restructuring state government into a few "mega-agencies". The Governor's Office would replace the current structure of the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Employee relations DHHS,the Turnpike Authority and Human resources. A performance review proposal to eliminate merit salary adjustments and institute "pay for performance" is already a rumor going around.

9. 2009 A proposal to do away with all health care and put the burden on the members and the Union following the model of the UAW talks is being floated. The following year the legislature, starts crying poor, and cancels it's promise and refuses to fund the plan.

. At least the UAW will be able to sue if the contracts are not met.

E.T.I. 2009

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