AFSCME at the Legislature: Lobby Days
When it comes to raising our voices in the halls of power and holding politicians accountable on issues that are vital to working families, no one does it better than AFSCME members. From West Virginia to Washington state, from New York to Iowa, AFSCME activists organized at the grassroots and the capitol to champion adequate funding for public services, improved staffing levels and other critical issues.
Iowa
HERE WE COME | Local 2840 (Council 61) members (from left) Celia Robertson and Denise Allan prepare to meet their representatives at the state capitol.
Photo Credit: Mark Frymoyer
Winning fair share — which would allow unions to charge non-members a fee (in lieu of dues) for the valuable services they receive, such as negotiating contracts and workplace representation — topped Council 61’s 2007 legislative agenda. While the measure passed in the state Senate, unfortunately it did not have enough support to be voted on in the House. Activists have vowed to continue the fight next year. Nonetheless, the council scored major victories, including a one-dollar cigarette tax increase to fund vital state services, a fully funded salary bill for state employees and a measure that prohibits private, for-profit prisons in Iowa.
Maryland
BUILDING A STRONGER MARYLAND | AFSCME Local 1319 (Council 92) Pres. Sheila Hill, a corrections officer, addresses the crowd. Next to her is a sign laying out AFSCME's top priorities for "Building a Stronger Maryland": quality public health services, fair compensation for skilled employees, fair share and better security at state prisons. On March 29, Governor O'Malley took steps toward the latter goal by closing the Maryland House of Correction, a 129-year-old, 840-inmate facility that has been the site of repeated violence, including the fatal slayings of two officers.
Photo Credit: Jon Melegrito
The fight for fair share will continue in Maryland, where nearly 300 activists showed up in full force on March 12 for a massive, statewide “Lobby Night” rally in Annapolis to push the union-building initiative. Members met with legislators to also demand protection of state jobs and improved staffing levels and benefits.
The event was the high point of a sustained, two-month lobbying campaign — one that came on the heels of working families electing more pro-worker, pro-union candidates to the General Assembly and sending AFSCME friend and fair-share-supporter Martin O’Malley (D) to his first term in the governor’s mansion.
AFSCME members turned out like clock work every Monday — showing up weekly from January until the General Assembly adjourned in April. Their efforts paid off. In spite of a tight 2008 budget, the Legislature approved cost-ofliving and step increases. They also gave the nod to an employer match of up to $600 when state employees in the state employee pension system contribute to their deferred-compensation plan.
New Mexico
Over 100 Council 18 members descended on the state capitol in Santa Fe on Feb. 27 for Lobby Day — one of the highlights of a legislative session that reaped excellent results for state workers. Contract raises for Council 18 members were fully funded by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Bill Richardson (D). In addition, lawmakers passed an AFSCME supported tax expenditure bill to increase government transparency. Council 18 was successful in defeating yet another so-called “right to work” bill to undermine unions in the state, and played a key role in passing legislation raising the state’s minimum wage to $7.50 per hour by Jan. 1, 2009.
In spite of the wins, Council 18 is not resting on its laurels and is now preparing for the next legislative session, where one of the main goals is to pass a child care organizing bill — allowing providers to form a union.
WE STAND UNITED | Council 18 members deliver their message at the New Mexico state capitol during Lobby Day. Photo Credit: Christ Chavez
New York
RALLYING THE TROOPS | AFSCME DC 1707 president and Local 253 Pres. Kim Medina address members.
Photo Credit: Neal Tepel
Lobby Day for AFSCME District Council 1707 took place on March 27 as nearly 150 activists took their message to Albany and the New York State Legislature. DC 1707 is advocating for retention and training funds for teachers and staff working in community-based organizations. In addition, members are supporting a bill to combat violence in the workplace, including providing much-needed security staff for day care centers.
Washington
Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)/AFSCME Council 28 made their voices heard at the state capitol in Olympia during a “Budget Lobbying Blitz.” Foremost: securing full funding for negotiated state employee contracts and improving safety at the state’s mental hospitals. Standing 40,000 members strong, WFSE claimed victory in both instances. The state budget will fund pay raises of 3.2 percent as of July and 2 percent in 2008. The Legislature also passed a $3.3-million hospital safety bill, which slated $250,000 for safety equipment, 12 additional food service aides and other needs. In addition, Council 28 won passage of a measure granting bargaining rights for adult family home providers and allowing them to negotiate reimbursement rates, health benefits and training.
WORK SHOULDN'T HURT! | The toll of assaults on staff at Washington state's mental hospitals - employers of over 2,600 Council 28 members - has grown alarmingly, putting personnel at risk while costing millions in workers' compensation claims and lost workdays. To raise awareness of their demands of safe staffing and safety equipment, many of the nearly 100 activists at the "Budget Lobbying Blitz" wore bull's-eyes on their chests and carried signs declaring: "Work Shouldn't Hurt!"
Photo Credit: Tim Welch
West Virginia
MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD | State Sen. Finance Chair Walt Helmick (D) answers questions from an audience of over 100 AFSCME Council 77 members.
Photo Credit: Carolyn Johnson
"For 15 consecutive years, members of Council 77 have gathered for Lobby Day, held on the President’s Day holiday, at the state capitol in Charleston. Over the last few months, the council’s members lobbied for a long-sought wage increase. Their sustained grassroots campaign, which culminated on Lobby Day, resulted in the Legislature
approving across-the-board pay raises for all of West Virginia’s state workers.
AFSCME members continued to make big strides in April as Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) announced a two-year pilot project allowing some 5,000 workers from different state agencies to “meet and consult” with management to address issues such as staffing, wages and bene- fits. Since West Virginia does not permit formal collective bargaining, this initiative marks a landmark gain for Council 77 members, granting them a voice to improve working conditions and the services they provide.
