For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Stand up for Public Servants Protecting Homeland from Terrorism, Working Family Representatives Urge Sens. Specter and Santorum
Civil Service Protections and Collective Bargaining Rights Are Vital to National Security
Philadelphia, PA —Public service heroes and representatives of working families today called on Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum to defend civil service protections and collective bargaining rights for tens of thousands of federal employees who will be charged with the mission of keeping Americans secure from terrorist attacks.
The Bush administration wants to eliminate these protections that have allowed federal employees to perform their jobs free of political cronyism and corruption for decades, even though the law presently allows the President the needed flexibility to meet any challenges to the nation that arise.
"A secure homeland requires a secure workforce. We cannot allow worker rights to be eliminated under the guise of homeland security. Union members aren't obstacles to homeland security — we are homeland security," said Gerald W. McEntee, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO. "Public employees across Pennsylvania are urging Senators Specter and Santorum to stand up for federal employees so they can perform these critical tasks professionally and effectively."
Under current law, the 170,000 professional workers who would become part of the federal government's new Department of Homeland Security — including 50,000 who also have won collective bargaining rights — can appeal arbitrary firings, demotions, or moves ordered from above. But the Bush administration is demanding changes.
"Civil service protections and collective bargaining rights ensure that federal employees are able to fulfill their assignments with professional integrity and a commitment to the public interest. Right now, these federal employees can refuse improper demands by managers because they have civil service protections against arbitrary dismissal and a union to back them up. But what if their ability to appeal dismissals and demotions were taken away? Would the public interest be served?" asked Thomas Cronin, President of AFSCME Council 47 in Philadelphia.
Public employees risked their lives to carry out rescue and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center, and federal workers were no exception in showing their loyalty and patriotism to the country that day. Joseph Conzo, an emergency medical technician (EMT) from New York City represented by AFSCME spoke about the heroism displayed by public service employees on Sept. 11.
"When duty called, none of us thought for a moment about our contracts or about collecting overtime. We had a job to do and we did it. Collective bargaining rights did not interfere at all with anyone's decision to climb the stairs of the World Trade Center or go into a burning Pentagon," said Conzo.
"The nation learned on Sept. 11 that public service employees are among the most dedicated and loyal Americans, yet the Bush administration insists on pushing its union-busting ideological agenda even at the expense of national security," added McEntee.
