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America Is Strong When Our Unions Are Strong

By Dave Johnson

America was formed as a government of, by and for We, the People. It says so right in the first words of our Constitution. To get that Constitution we rebelled against the King and England’s aristocracy and their corporations, with their concentrated wealth and power. And we continued that fight and over time we extended our system of one-person-one-vote, adding women and minorities to that equation.

The fight has gone back and forth. When our democratic government works, it pushes for increasing the protections and benefits of a strong economy for We, the People. This has included, for example, the mandated 40-hour workweek and minimum wages to fight exploitation, both pushed by labor. But at other times our government was “captured” by the power of concentrated wealth and working people are not well-represented. Even then we’re still not necessarily each on our own. During those times we have depended on labor unions to push back against that power of concentrated wealth. Working people can organize into labor unions to bargain for higher wages and better treatment than workers could obtain individually.

What difference can unions make? In 1945 labor unions represented about 1/3 of all workers. When American unions were strong working people got the minimum wage, the 40-hour week, weekends off, paid vacations, health insurance, pensions, dignity and respect. This was when America built the middle class that everyone has been taking for granted since. Even the wealthy benefited greatly over the long run as more consumers with more money to spend lifted the whole economy.

But what has happened to us since the Reagan Revolution, when concentrated power of the big corporations weakened America’s unions? Since the days of FDR membership in unions has fallen, but in 1980 unions still represented 24% of American workers. The Reagan administration famously launched an all-out assault on organized labor, resulting in membership falling to 16.4% by 1989. And the trend continued: by 1998 union membership fell to 13.9 percent. By 2009 that had decreased to 12.3%, but only 7.6% in the private sector. And here are the results:

This is a chart of working people’s share of the benefits from our economy. Note the brief return to normal under Clinton, erased by Bush II. But the assault on working people has recently been bipartisan. Clinton pushed to pass the Bush I-negotiated NAFTA treaty which hammered the bargaining position of workers, while Bush II consolidated the practice of “outsourcing” labor competition from non-democratic countries where workers didn’t have rights or protections.

As we all know, since the Reagan Revolution weakened the negotiating power of working people, wealth and income have concentrated at the top, our country’s debt has massively increased, household debt as well, the country is crumbling and everyone except the wealthy few and big corporations is generally worse off.

Unions still make a difference. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2009, among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had median usual weekly earnings of $908, while those who were not represented by unions had median weekly earnings of $710.” Union members also often have paid vacation, paid sick leave, health insurance and other benefits that non-union workers do not. The difference is dramatic. In March 2009, 78 percent of union workers were covered by health insurance through their jobs, compared with only 51 percent of nonunion workers. Seventy-seven percent of union workers participate in defined-benefit pension plans, compared with 20 percent of nonunion workers.

When you hear someone complain about unions and complain that people in unions are paid better than the rest of us, let them know that they are reaching the wrongest conclusion. They shouldn’t resent union members and complain about their pay, they should join a union and support unions, so they and everyone else can come out ahead.

 

DC Water Keeps Dangerous Spill Secret

AFGE Local 631 shares the following alert:   

Sometime on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 20, there was a methanol spill in the methanol building at the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, DC. The methanol spill could have caused a catastrophic explosion throughout the plant and beyond the Blue Plains facility.   

Plant workers at Blue Plains were put in danger because of unreported methanol spill.

 

It is our understanding that automatic shut-off valves did not work and this mechanical failure caused the underground and above-ground methanol tanks to fill and overflow.  If these mechanical failures are not fixed immediately, we will remain in continued danger of future spills. Methanol is highly flammable and combustible.    

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority did not follow safety protocols for hazardous chemical spills, including failing to call a Hazmat response team. DC Water did not take any precautions to warn employees of the dangerous spill.  In fact, the agency put water on the spill and attempted to cover it up by being silent. It was a concerned person who informed the union about this dangerous situation.    

Although it is required by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, DC Water did not inform AFGE Local 631 (which represents employees in the Blue Plains plant operations) of the methanol spill.  Once AFGE Local 631 union representatives became aware of the spill, they promptly contacted high-level managers and asked that they look into this matter and provide the union with status information.   

It appears that DC Water’s smoke screen about safety being paramount is more chatter than substance. Employees must be promptly notified of chemical spills that could affect their health and safety.

Rebuild America: Jobs | Justice | Peace

By: Roger Hickey, Co-Director
Campaign for America’s Future
 

This Saturday, August 28, on the 47th anniversary of the “March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom” and Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have A Dream” address, you will have two opportunities to stand up for Dr. King’s vision.

In Detroit at 10:30 am, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the United Auto Workers will lead the “Rebuild America March,” commemorating a new campaign calling on our leaders to unleash the skills and talent of the American workforce. Featured speakers include Rep. John Conyers, Rev. Jesse Jackson, UAW President Bob King and SEIU President Mary Kay Henry.

Participants will march for jobs, justice and peace on the anniversary of that day when Walter Reuther, president of UAW, Dr. King, president of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and other civil rights leaders joined with hundreds of thousands and changed America.

Click here to learn more about the Rebuild America March.

Also on August 28th, in Washington, DC, in a powerful counter to Glenn Beck, The Other 98% and its partners will honor the anniversary with a public art installation titled “Celebrate the Dream.”

The installation, featuring a sculpture by artist Michael Murphy paired with audio of Dr. King’s greatest speeches, will provide a powerful, positive counterpoint to the words of Glenn Beck, who will attempt to co-opt Dr. King’s dream with his own nightmare vision during a rally of his own.

Supporters outside Washington can participate in the event online by submitting responses to the question “What does the Dream mean to you?”, to be streamed live at celebratethedream.org/share-your-dream.

The installation will be located on the National Mall, on 13th St., between the Department of Agriculture and the Museum of American History, and will be open to the public on Saturday, August 28th, between 8:30 am and 7 pm.

Click here to learn more about CelebrateTheDream.org.

Dr. King believed freedom and jobs were directly linked. Washington needs to hear that message again. This Saturday, let’s take a stand.

AFGE Local 1647 Tobyhanna Army Depot Builds Solidarity in Pennsylvania

AFGE 3rd District NVP Keith Hill, LP1699 Michael Evans and National President John Gage at the AFGE Local 1647 solidarity event.

 

A solidarity event was held on Wednesday, August 18, at 5 pm at the VFW in Tobyhanna, PA by AFGE Local 1647.  The Local hosted a pig roast and invited other AFGE Locals such as L1699 and L2809, as well as the Area Labor Federation (ALF) and UFCW L1776.  Distinguished speakers were National President John Gage, 3^rd District NVP Keith Hill, Local 1647 President Tony Ferreira, Congressman Paul Kanjorski, PA AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale and PA AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Frank Snyder.   Be sure to check out more photos from the event on Flickr!

Union Night at Madison Square Garden

Local 2442 wins championship round at Union Night at Madison Square Garden.

 

AFGE members turned out for Union Night at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, August 14th.  The tournament was held prior to the NY Liberty game on Saturday morning.  Nine teams participated representing Locals 862, 1667, 1988, 2005, 2094, 2245, 2425, 2442 and 3148.  The tournament consisted of round robin play, leading to the championship round which AFGE Local 2442 won.

Social Security Adminstration Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans

 

Steve Kofahl, the president of AFGE Local 3937 and an employee of Social Security Administration offered this perspective as the agency, celebrated its 75^th anniversary:   

“ On Monday, August 16, I was pleased to participate in two events in our ongoing efforts to protect, improve, and celebrate Social Security.  The day started when I joined David C. John of the Heritage Foundation and Economist Dean Baker to engage in a discussion about Social Security solvency on KUOW, Seattle’s 9 a.m NPR radio show.(Listen to Steve’s interview here) The show began with the moderator’s interview of Alice Rivlin, former Clinton Budget Director and current Obama appointee to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.  The 18-member Commission is charged with submitting a set of recommendations to reduce long-term deficits for fast-track consideration to the White House and Congress by December 1, if at least 14 agree.  A majority of Commission members are taking aim at Social Security, although it has never been the cause of deficit spending.  We are concerned that only 3 of the members appear to be strong advocates for the programs, so we are pulling out all the stops.  Rivlin suggested that both the early retirement age (62) and the full retirement age (66 and scheduled to go to 67) could be raised, and that those who couldn’t work could file for disability benefits.   

When the show was then turned over to us, we had a lively discussion.  Baker spoke eloquently on behalf of protecting and preserving Social Security, but disagreed with my recommendation to “scrap the cap,” which would extend Social Security taxation to all earnings (as Medicare currently does), not just to those at $106,800 per year and below.  He said that the rich would find ways to hide their earnings to avoid paying the tax, and instead suggested a gradual increase in the taxable limit, which he acknowledged would only close part of the projected shortfall over the next 75 years.  I noted that by eliminating the cap, we would close any funding gap, and could even improve benefits for the most vulnerable (women, poor minorities).  As expected, John favored benefit cuts, including an increase in the full retirement age, over revenue increases.  I pointed out that Social Security once paid 80% at age 62, when the full retirement age was 65, but would only pay 50% at age 62 if full retirement age was increased to age 70. I argued that any increase in the retirement age would further delay the 1.75 million backlogged disability claims and appeals, and applicants sometimes waiting 3 years or more to receive payments.   

In the afternoon, I joined my coalition partners in Social Security Works/Washington to celebrate Social Security’s 75th Birthday.  The Greenwood Senior Center was standing room only, with about 300 in attendance, and the event attracted Senator Murray and Congressman McDermott.  After three beneficiaries gave compelling accounts of the importance of Social Security in their lives, our elected representatives assured us that they would continue to protect Social Security, specifically from any schemes to privatize it.”   

For up-to-date issues involving the Social Security Administration and how it may affect you, visit www.preserveyoursocialsecurity.com .

TSA ADMINISTRATOR HOLDS FIRST UNION MEETING WITH AFGE

AFGE stresses bargaining rights and better working conditions  

 (WASHINGTON) - In his first formal meeting with union leadership, TSA Administrator John Pistole met today with American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage to discuss collective bargaining and other workplace issues including PASS.  

“On behalf of our more than 12,000 dues-paying members, the entire 40,000 Transportation Security Officers, 262,000 AFGE members, and 13 million AFL-CIO union members, I was very pleased to sit down with Administrator Pistole and share with him the role that collective bargaining plays in stabilizing the federal workplace,” President Gage said. “AFGE’s long history of representing federal employees in a variety of agencies and law enforcement jobs is unprecedented. I truly hope that our meeting has helped the administrator recognize how much value is added to workplace efficiency and stability when the employees have true input into the process.”  

President Gage emphasized the need for due process as it is the foundation for stability that allows employees to do their jobs. He also stressed the urgent need for collective bargaining rights for the entire TSA workforce. As he promised the Senate in his confirmation hearings, Pistole is conducting animpact assessment of how bargaining rights would impact the agency?s ability to perform its mission.  

“I encouraged Pistole to look closely at the other areas in the government – Bureau of Prisons, DOD police and firefighters and Border Patrol Officers – where collective bargaining has been in place for decades,” President Gage said. 

 ”There is simply no evidence to support the notion that collective bargaining has a negative impact on national security. When the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked, it was unionized firefighters and police officers who rushed into harm’s way to rescue as many people as they could. These brave public servants did not pause or hesitate.  They did not consult their union contract.  They did not give the first thought to their own health or safety.  They did their jobs and they did so with pride and professionalism. As the union of choice for TSOs across the country, AFGE looks forward to many more productive meetings with Administrator Pistole.” 

AFGE has represented the TSA workforce since the agency was created in 2001. The union currently has more than 12,000 dues-paying TSA members in 38 union Locals nationwide. AFGE is the only AFL-CIO affiliated union that represents TSOs.

AFGE LOOKS BACK: HURRICANE KATRINA

On the morning of Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Southeast Louisiana, causing catastrophic destruction along the Gulf Coast.   

The Coast Guard rescued more than 33,500 people stranded during Hurricane Katrina.

 

Five years later, the American Federation of Government Employees is paying tribute to the courageous federal workers who were among the first to respond to the crisis. In the first two weeks after Katrina struck, more than 70,000 federal employees from across the country were deployed to the region to assist in relief and recovery efforts.   

Among their efforts:   

• The Coast Guard deployed more than 5,600 active duty personnel, civilian employees, reservists and volunteers and rescued more than 33,500 people from rooftops and flooded homes.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs treated patients, assisted families in locating evacuated VA patients and helped affected veterans receive benefit checks and prescription drugs.
• The Navy sent 20 ships to the region to provide medical support, humanitarian relief and transportation.
• The Environmental Protection Agency deployed teams to conduct aerial assessments of damage and support clean-up efforts.

AFGE National President John Gage commended federal employees for their heroic efforts during that difficult time.   

Five years ago, tens of thousands of brave federal workers risked their own health and safety to help the people of the Gulf Coast in the face of the biggest natural disaster this country has ever seen. Their heroic efforts continue to serve as a vivid reminder of the valuable work federal employees perform each and every day.   

After the jump, current and former AFGE members share their recollections about Hurricane Katrina:   

ASSAULT AT FCI RAY BROOK VALIDATES NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT BOP

By Steve Bartlemus, President
AFGE /CPL-33 Local 3882
FCI – Ray Brook

The latest outbreak of violence at Federal Correctional Institution – Ray Brook in upstate New York has put the spotlight back on a very serious situation at the Federal Bureau of Prisons: Overcrowded, understaffed, and underfunded prisons. We recently had two gang-related incidents which led to the hospitalization of one inmate and the near-assault of a correctional officer. Despite the violence, prison management mostly kept operations running normally.

 As president of the local union at FCI – Ray Brook, I have witnessed this type of violence first-hand. We are understaffed, without protection, and facing a more aggressive inmate population. We are headed down a dangerous path by ignoring common-sense approaches to safely and securely operating our prison. The time to act and reform FCI – Ray Brook is now, before it’s too late.

In addition to fully staffing and funding our prison, we’d like the agency to responsibly issue stab-resistant vests and other non-lethal weaponry such as batons and pepper spray. This would give correctional officers working in understaffed prisons a means of protection until help arrives, when such violent outbreaks do occur.

We can no longer afford to “do more with less.” If management continues to operate the BOP under its current conditions – understaffed, overcrowded, and with an increasingly aggressive inmate population – more violence is sure to follow.