Trans-Pacific Partnership a bad idea for retirees, workers Retiree, labor and community activists are standing together to derail a trade agreement that would potentially harm local economies and drive up prescription costs. The Obama administration is seeking to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal with a dozen other countries that make up 40 percent of the world’s economy. The partnership is a free-trade deal between the United States, Canada and 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region that would eliminate tariffs on goods and services and end other barriers. The pharmaceutical industry, for example, would get stronger patent protections which will delay cheaper generic versions of drugs. That’s a good deal for Big Pharma and bad news for people who need medication. The deal also places barriers on the government’s ability to regulate drug prices and impede access to generic drugs. Budget funds new positions in agencies The recently enacted 2015-16 New York state budget includes improvements in several areas that CSEA helped fight for, most notably increased funding for vital services. Additional state agency positions CSEA member lobbying led lawmakers to add direct care jobs in the final state budget. It’s something union leaders have long insisted on to alleviate constant mandated overtime in the state Office of Mental Health and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. CSEA leaders applauded state legislators for adding 320 jobs in OPWDD and 219 positions in OMH, saying those hires will help preserve quality care for individuals with disabilities and mental illness and reduce stress on staff. The hires also represent a commitment from lawmakers to preserving state-operated services in the wake of the “Retirees are deeply concerned about the TPP and the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation,” Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Richard Fiesta said in a recent news release. “Unfortunately, the fast track procedures of TPA would enable changes to prescription drug prices to occur without open and full debate.” Fast track is a process used to negotiate huge trade deals that will not only drive wages down and ship jobs overseas, but will weaken regulations that keep our food safe and our financial system fair. Negotiations on the TPP have been secretive; corporate interests and their lobbyists have been working on the plan behind closed doors. And it’s another way to undermine retired and working people. Not only will this deal kill good-paying American jobs, but could endanger working conditions and the environment. state’s plans to shift delivery of care to some individuals with disabilities to a new independent living model. CSEA also succeeded in lobbying against a further reduction in beds in OMH facilities. A portion of the jobs allocated for OPWDD will be part of a state-operated pilot program for self-directed care that resulted from negotiations between CSEA and state officials. “We’ve said all along that even with a shift toward independent living for people with disabilities, the state has a moral responsibility to remain involved in this process,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “I am confident this pilot program will reinforce the importance of state services. The need for helping people is not going to go away, so we need good people available to provide that help. Infrastructure, library funding The budget provides funding for municipalities to improve water and Save on your next membership enrollment to BJ’s Discount Club! Get $10 off a two-card, 15-month membership to the club! CSEA Retiree members in New York AND Florida are eligible for this discount! This offer is available to CSEA members through the BJ’s Corporate Sales Rep Program via CSEA for limited time periods during CSEA’s Quarterly Open Enrollment Periods ONLY. Access applications for the 2015 special enrollments at: https://cseany. org/bjs-discount Enrollment is only available online. If you have questions about the program or do not have Internet access, call: 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1359. The following dates are the 2015 open enrollment period for the BJ’s Discount: • July 1-14 • Oct. 1-14 sewer infrastructure and for economic development. This funding is crucial because much of New York’s infrastructure is aging, as evidenced by numerous municipal water breaks in recent years that have been attributed to aging infrastructure. Libraries received an increase of $5 million, a nearly 6 percent increase over last year. SPRING 2015 3
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