Feb. 9, 2006

New name doesn’t fix flaws in “taxpayer deception act”

Would hurt quality of life without addressing the real problems

October 11, 2005

Attacks on pensions are attacks on American values

State Employees Union sticks up for retirement security

            Well-paid executives who attack pensions for front-line workers are abandoning a fundamental American value, according to an ad campaign launched by the Wisconsin State Employees Union (WSEU), AFSCME Council 24.

            Ads titled “A penny saved is a penny earned” will run in daily newspapers across Wisconsin tomorrow, countering an effort by wealthy interests to erode support for pension plans relied on by lower-wage workers, said Marty Beil, WSEU executive director.

            “We used to believe in this country that saving for the future was a virtue.  Pension plans are the most secure form of retirement savings used by generations of Americans,” Beil said.

            Well-managed pension plans work well for employee and employer.  Workers give up higher pay today in exchange for the promise of a secure retirement in the future.  For employers, putting a dollar into a retirement fund is often cheaper than putting a dollar into wages because they must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on the dollar of pay.

            While pensions, like access to health care, have become a flashpoint in public employee collective bargaining -- the assault on retirement security isn’t limited to public employees, Beil said, noting that many big corporations are reneging on pension commitments.

            “Working people have kept their end of the bargain, but now we’re being told that the rules have changed and employers aren’t going to fulfill their responsibilities.  That’s flat out wrong,” Beil said.

            “If you’re affluent, your investment advisor will assure you that abandoning pension plans for the less well off will probably help your portfolio while allowing hourly workers to invest on their own.  Of course, a worker making $12 an hour doesn’t have a personal investment counselor, much less enough income to invest.  What they have, if they are part of a pension plan, is professional money management that is not available to them any other way,” Beil said.

In the case of the state of Wisconsin’s pension system, that professional management has been extremely efficient and effective, providing a solid return for taxpayers and state retirees, who are able to contribute to their communities in retirement instead of becoming a burden.

“The problem isn’t that workers with pension plans have it too good, it is that a secure retirement is relentlessly being pushed out of reach for too many working people,” Beil said.

Critics of pension plans argue that world economic pressures mean American workers must settle for less.  “These ‘leaders’ want to lead us into a race to the bottom.  That’s simply not the American way,” Beil said.

The solution isn’t to undermine a system that works.  “A better way is to fight for the right to a secure retirement for all working people.  That’s what our union has always done and what we are continuing to do today with these ads,” Beil said.

July 18, 2005

Final four AFSCME units approve long-sought ‘03-‘05 contract

            Members of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, have ratified contracts for the two-year period that ended June 30, after more than two and a half years of on and off negotiations produced a tentative agreement last month,.

            The AFSCME bargaining units covered include nearly 20,000 front-line state employees.  These employees had been working under extended terms of contracts that expired on July 1, 2003.

            “These were difficult negotiations because of the state’s economic situation.  Even though they didn’t cause the problem, our members are being asked to be a major part of the solution,” said Marty Beil, executive director of AFSCME Council 24.

            With the requirement that employees begin paying a greater share of health insurance costs, accepting this contract means most front-line employees will see little or no increase in take-home pay.  Some will actually see a decrease. 

“This is a bitter pill to swallow for the people who are also being asked to do more with less every day as job cuts take a toll on almost every state workplace,” Beil said.

            “Obviously, our members are not happy, but most understand that it’s time to face reality and move on.  We hope that elected officials will also begin to face reality.  They need to recognize that you can’t provide quality services to citizens unless you respect and invest in the people who deliver those services.  In short, when it comes to public services, you get what you pay for,” Beil said.

            Members ratified the contracts by mail ballots that were tallied on July 15.  The narrow margin of approval delivered by several bargaining units demonstrates that many employees remain unhappy about the situation.  “But they understand that we live to fight another day,” Beil said.

            A key element in winning member approval for these contracts was legislative support for the amount of funding Gov. Jim Doyle has budgeted for the next round of contracts.  “This is a welcome and positive sign.  It shows that everyone realizes that state employees have paid a price for the state’s fiscal problems and cannot continue paying indefinitely,” Beil said. 

July 7, 2005

Social Services Unit Supports Fair Share Agreement

State social services professionals gave a big thumbs up to the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, in a vote counted by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission on Thursday, July 7.

     Members of the Professional Social Services bargaining unit voted 73% in favor of a fair share agreement.  The unit already is represented by WSEU Local 2748. 

The agreement means all members of the unit must pay for union representation, ending a period where more than 400 employees received the benefits of union representation without paying dues.

     While voter sentiment was clear in this election, the vote was not immediately certified by the WERC.  Union and commission staff still must settle questions about the eligibility of some employees to vote.

     “We’re confident that the victory will stand.  This is a very strong result,” said WSEU Assistant Director Karl Hacker. 

June 30, 2005

Enron-ization of state power plants would increase taxpayer costs

            Putting blind faith ahead of common sense, privatization zealots in the Legislature are trying to hand over critical pieces of state facilities to for-profit corporations – holding future taxpayers hostage to higher costs.

            After trying for a decade to force the state to sell heating and power plants at college campuses and other facilities, Republican State Rep. Scott Jensen slipped his pet plan into the budget under the cover of darkness during an all-night committee session.  

            At the same meeting, the Republican majority rejected an amendment that would have protected taxpayers by allowed the state to continue operating a plant if it would be cheaper than paying the new owner for services.

            “Clearly, this isn’t about saving money for taxpayers.  It’s about putting public assets into the hands of private operators no matter what it costs the state in the future,” said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24.  “Rep. Jensen has this idea that his buddies in corporate boardrooms can do no wrong.  Apparently his mind was on something else during the Enron debacle,” Beil said.

            Jensen’s pet project has been studied and rejected by previous administrations because it is likely to increase costs and decrease control over pollution.  A 1997 Department of Administration report cited higher costs for labor and money for capital projects, in addition to a private operator’s need for return on investment, as assuring higher costs for the state if the plants were privatized. 

            The “power plants” and wastewater plants covered under the proposal are integrated and intermingled into the campuses or facilities they serve.  In addition to providing steam for heating or chilled water for cooling, some produce low-cost electricity through cogeneration.  Facility staff often performs multiple duties.

            “Most of the wastewater treatment staff are cross trained and serve multiple maintenance roles at the institutions – thereby making each position more cost effective to the state,” wrote former Department of Administration Secretary George Lightbourn in a 2000 letter panning privatization.

            Beil said selling off state heating plants makes no more sense than selling the furnace in your home and then renting it back at whatever rate the buyer wants to charge.

            “It’s going to put taxpayers at the mercy of a private monopoly.  This could only make sense in the one-track mind of an ideologue, or maybe somebody with something to gain or who may be eyeing a new career in gouging the state for heating its own facilities,” Beil said.

Final four AFSCME units reach tentative agreement with state on ‘03-‘05 contract

            After more than two and a half years of on and off negotiations, the state and four units of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, reached a tentative agreement Thursday afternoon on a 2003-2005 contract.

            The AFSCME bargaining units covered include nearly 20,000 front-line state employees.  Currently these employees are working under extended terms of contracts that expired on July 1, 2003.

            Reaching agreement on a new contract has been difficult as the state grapples with a budget deficit and a slow-recovering national economy.

            “This is a historic bargain in terms of process simply because it has taken so long.  It’s been a difficult process because of the state’s economic conditions,” said Marty Beil, executive director of AFSCME Council 24.    

            Karen Timberlake, Director of the Office of State Employment Relations, said the need to solve a massive budget deficit inherited from the previous administration created a difficult situation.

“State employees did not cause the fiscal crisis the state found itself in these last two years, but they are part of the solution through agreements like the one reached yesterday.  On behalf of the state and Governor Jim Doyle, we are very pleased to have reached an agreement,” Timberlake said.

“This was not an easy process, and I appreciate the persistence that was needed on both sides of the bargaining table to get this done.  With Wisconsin’s economy now moving in the right direction, the state is eager to complete this contract and move forward on a positive note,” she said.

Union leaders will meet to review details of the tentative agreement at a June 28 bargaining conference to be held in Madison.  Union members will then vote by mail ballot between July 1 and 15.

May 5, 2005

Life saved by Correctional Officer highlights value of Professionalism

A Correctional Officer’s quick response recently saved the life of an inmate who was choking on his lunch at Redgranite Correctional Institution.

            The lifesaving skill of veteran Correctional Officer Dave Donovan highlights the value of professionalism during Wisconsin’s observation of Correctional Employees Week.

            The incident happened April 29 as Officer Donovan was monitoring the noon meal at the medium security facility.  He noticed inmate Anthony Price gesture with both hands toward his throat before going completely limp, according to John Kies, president of AFSCME Local 281.

            Officer Donovan rushed to Price’s aid and began performing the Heimlich Maneuver, forcing air out of Price and clearing the stricken man’s airway.  Medical personnel were summoned and once on the scene affirmed that Donovan had definitely saved Price’s life.

            Redgranite Warden Jeffrey Endicott backed up that assessment.  In a letter to Donovan that was distributed widely throughout the correctional system, Endicott wrote:

“There is no doubt that your intervention saved his life.  Your response demonstrates more clearly than anything the qualities of a Correction's professional, and serves to best represent what it means when a staff member does what it takes to meet the Mission and Goals of the Department.”

            Kies said he believes such actions deserve notice outside the system.  “We always get a lot of attention when something goes wrong, even when it’s beyond our control.  But few people realize how often our members step up and prevent a tragedy or keep a crisis from getting out of hand,” Kies said.

            AFSCME Council 24 Executive Director Marty Beil said Officer Donovan deserves praise for keeping a keen eye on the situation and responding quickly and effectively when he spotted a problem.  “We’re really proud of him and grateful for his good work,” Beil said.

            But Beil said he wants to emphasize that Officer Donovan represents a culture of professionalism that encompasses correctional employees throughout the system.  “Each one of these men and women work in difficult and dangerous situations every day.  It’s important to appreciate the contribution they make to keeping all of Wisconsin safe, day in and day out.  We should honor their efforts not just during one week, but every day of the year,” Beil said.

January 19, 2005

Governor’s rejection of mediation demonstrates disregard for workers

Gov. Jim Doyle demonstrated a callous disregard for 26,000 state employees when he flatly rejected their union’s invitation to bring in a mediator to revive stalled contract talks.

            The Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, asked the state on Friday to agree to mediation as a way to create a positive dialogue that could resolve differences.  On Tuesday, the governor rejected the peace offering while accusing the union of walking away from bargaining.

            “It’s hard to see how opening ourselves up to mediation can be seen as walking away.  We want to get this resolved and we’re saying as clearly as we can that we’re serious about finding a solution,” Beil said.

            “The governor’s comments seem to indicate he doesn’t understand the process.  Mediation is just a tool to reach an agreement.  We want to use every tool at our disposal.  We’re willing to meet and talk any time the state indicates it is interested in dialogue, not dictating its terms,” Beil said.

            By pointing out that eight of 19 state employee bargaining units have settled with the state, the governor further demonstrates that he has no concept of collective bargaining, Beil said.

             “Different groups of workers have different interests and issues.  This is not a cookie cutter process.  It involves creative give and take.  But what this governor seems to be saying is that we should just roll over and take what he’s got for us.  That’s not going to happen,” Beil said. 

            Beil said the governor’s shoddy treatment of unionized front-line employees makes a mockery of his pretty talk about state employees in his state-of-the-state speech last week.  “Apparently that was just lip service.  His deeds don’t match his words,” he said.

            “This governor seems to be taking his cues from the governors of Missouri and Indiana or the board of directors at Cuna Mutual,” Beil said.  New governors in those states have just swept aside collective bargaining rights for state employees.  Cuna is locked in a bitter contract dispute with its workers.

            “The governor has to remember that this is Wisconsin.  Our state has a long and proud tradition of collective bargaining.  We plan to honor that tradition and hope the governor will change his mind and allow us to move forward,” Beil said.

January 18, 2005

State employees propose mediation to revive stalled contract talks

The Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, has asked the state to agree to mediation to help resolve differences that have prevented settlement of a contract for most of the 26,000 employees represented by the union.

            “We want this resolved.  It’s gone on long enough,” said Marty Beil, executive director of the union.  Negotiations have stalled on the contract covering July 2003 through June 2005.

            While economic issues aren’t the only factor holding up a settlement, they are a major factor.  The state’s offer of no raise in the first year and 1% in the second, coupled with substantial increases in insurance premiums, would amount to a pay cut for most state workers covered by the contract.

            “We understand the economic realities facing the state.  All we’ve been asking is that the employer recognize the economic reality facing the families of our members. We hope an independent mediator can help create a more meaningful dialogue,” Beil said.  

            There have been many bargaining sessions between the sides, but recently the dialogue has trailed off.  Meanwhile, frustration is growing in the ranks of state workers, as demonstrated by statewide informational pickets held by correctional officers last week.

            “All we want is a fair deal and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get one.  If bringing in a third party can help, we’re eager to give it a try.  We hope the state will see this as a positive step and will agree to move forward with us,” Beil said.

The union hand delivered its request for mediation to the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission on Friday.  State employees do not have the option for binding mediation and arbitration allowed for most other public employees in Wisconsin.  The mediation requested by the union requires voluntary cooperation on both sides.

             Council 24 represents a wide range of front-line state employees, including those who maintain universities and state facilities, protect public safety and natural resources, keep prisoners behind bars and care for the profoundly disabled.

December 22, 2004

A little sunshine not enough to stop contracting abuses

            Quick and professional response from correctional officers kept a bad situation from getting much worse on Thursday at the New Lisbon Correctional Institution.

            “Officers on the scene deserve praise for their quick and professional response.  They kept the lid on a dangerous situation,” said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24.

            Beil commented Friday on incidents that produced nine injuries, eight of those being staff members.  All staff members have been treated and released from the local hospital.  The injured inmate also was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

            Early reports say that two incidents occurred within an hour beginning shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday.  Whether the incidents were linked or coordinated in any way remains under investigation.

            “The department has done a good job of restoring order I am confident they will do a good job of getting to the bottom of this and preventing future disturbances,” Beil said.

While details remain under investigation, Beil said some things are clear.

“Staff responded with skill.  They kept their cool and quickly handled the situation without allowing it to cause serious injury or escalate into a security breach that could endanger others,” Beil said.

“This kind of incident underscores the danger of this very challenging work.  It highlights important role professionalism plays in keeping our communities safe.  Trouble like this demonstrates why it’s so important to invest in good training and in fostering a positive work environment that rewards dedication and experience,” Beil said.

After being sharply critical of state leaders for showering top bureaucrats with raises of up to 12% and then seeing legislators reward their aides with raises of up to 70%, Wisconsin’s largest state employee union has found some state policy leaders it can agree with.

            “We want to be reasonable, so clearly we need to fall in line with the most reasonable bunch of thinkers in the state, the UW Board of Regents,” said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24.

            The Regents recently approved a plan to provide pay raises averaging 5% for faculty, staff and administrators.

            “We think if 5% is good enough for UW staff, it is good enough for other hardworking state employees,” he said.

            “Clearly the Regents are being more responsible than the Department of Administration with raises of up to 12% for 822 top bureaucrats.  And they look like pikers next to legislators, who have handed out raises of 20% or more to 35 aides, and found money to give 10% to 19% raises to 25 others,” Beil said. 

            Meanwhile, the state is attempting to force its lowest paid employees to settle for 0% and 1% over two years while the same workers are forced to pick up additional health care costs – which essentially would mean a pay cut for most employees.  The majority of AFSCME-represented state employees have resisted these punitive terms and have not agreed to a new contract.

            “The Regents correctly argue that they need to improve pay so they can attract and retain high quality employees.  We agree that it is in taxpayers’ interest to employ the best possible people, whether they are strolling the halls of academia, protecting abused children or securing a cell block,” Beil said.

            “But there appears to be a double standard at work here, even to a casual observer.  Let me assure you, there’s nothing casual about the way our members see this.  Our members are watching of these developments very closely.  They are reasonable people.  All they ask for is fair treatment,” Beil said.