Donohue: “Don’t Zone Out” and help save lives CSEA recently re-launched its Don’t Zone Out campaign to remind the motoring public about the dangers of distracted driving, and to urge drivers to particularly be careful when driving through work zones. As roadwork season begins, we have to be even more aware of people, including many of our members, working in roadways. Four CSEA members have lost their lives in the past six months due to traffic hazard incidents, and far too many workers and drivers are injured each year in incidents involving distracted driving and work zones. These deaths and injuries are not only tragic, but preventable. You can help us save lives not only by paying attention when you’re driving, but by getting the word out. Tell your loved ones today the advice we’re telling all of our members and the public: Focus only on your driving when on the road, including obeying speed limits, moving over for amber lights or emergency (police, ambulance) lights. Put your phone down when you drive and do not use your phone for any purpose when driving. We are also promoting the Don’t Zone Out message in minor league ballparks across New York this summer through the Get Home Safe - Don’t Zone Out promotion. If you are on Facebook, please visit the Don’t Zone Out page at www.facebook.com/DontZoneOut. Most importantly, please keep in mind that most traffic zone deaths involve the traveling public, so when you pay attention, the life you save may be your own. Supreme Court case could harm public employee unions The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this spring on a case that could potentially harm public employee unions. In January, the court heard oral arguments on Harris v. Quinn, which will decide whether public employee unions can continue to collect agency shop fees from workers who are covered by public collective bargaining agreements. If the Supreme Court rules against the ability of unions to collect these fees, it will dramatically affect the unions’ ability to effectively collectively bargain. Current CSEA retirees would not be directly affected by the ruling. Under current federal law, the Agency Shop or “Fair Share” system ensures that everyone covered under a collective bargaining agreement pays dues for representation related to the contract. Agency shop fees recognize the benefit workers who choose not to join the union receive from the collective bargaining agreement. These fees entitle the worker to certain union benefits without being a member. The National Right to Work Committee, the legal arm of the right-wing National Right to Work Foundation, initially brought the case against the state of Illinois, AFSCME Council 31 and several SEIU locals and councils on behalf of a small group of home health care aides who are paid with state funds to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities. The National Right to Work Foundation counts among its supporters the billionaire Koch brothers, who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to inflict their right-wing politics on America at the expense of working people. The Koch brothers and other wealthy supporters of the National Right to Work Foundation have not only financially backed the Tea Party, but have poured millions of dollars into initiatives to eliminate unions and pass legislation that protects their industries over the good of the people. The plaintiffs in Harris v. Quinn did not want to join a union and sued the state of Illinois, arguing that requiring them to pay union fees as a stipulation of their employment violates their First Amendment rights against compulsion of political speech. The National Right to Work Committee notes that public sector bargaining falls under the umbrella of political speech as it affects state budgets. But the workers are not required to join a union and any fees are used exclusively for collective bargaining representation, not other union activities such as political action or organizing. While lower courts have ruled against the National Right to Work Committee’s argument, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case despite opposition from the Obama administration. Message from Retiree Executive Committee Chair Judy Richards Retirement…The Golden Years -- what does this mean to us? Perhaps spending time with our family, pursuing hobbies or travel. Well, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) sees something completely different: increased profit and power for their big corporations and backroom dealing politicians. Now is the time to tell ALEC that we have earned our retirement, and we oppose efforts to weaken our retirement security in the name of corporate profits and political power. For years, ALEC has fought in states across our country to destroy pension programs and in Washington, D.C. to end Social Security and Medicare as we know it. Their goals are simple: create more profit for the powerful through shady deals and ‘pay-to-play’ politics while creating less security for working families. We know we can fight back against ALEC and their allies’ policies. We’ve seen attempts to privatize Social Security and weaken it through Chained CPI, and we have stood strong and stood together to defeat them. Now is the time to not only defeat the ALEC war on retirement security, but make our retirement years even more secure through expanding Social Security and strengthening pensions. Let your state legislators know your voice and your vote depend on it. Let them know you will not tolerate the actions of a few ruining the futures of so many. Judy Oral arguments focused on whether the court should uphold several previous court rulings that supported the right of a public employee union to collect a “fair-share fee.” The majority of the Supreme Court justices traditionally rule along conservative lines and tend to favor corporate interests, and court observers contend that Harris v. Quinn is no exception. If the court rules against the unions in Harris v. Quinn, workers will still be covered by the collective bargaining agreement and receive all the benefits but non-members will not have to pay for them. Public employee unions (including CSEA) will be forced to subsidize workers who contribute no dues or fees. 2 CSEA RETIREE NEWS
Retiree News Spring 2014
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