Bracing for Battle
(Photo by Erick Sanchez)
Despite defeating Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to privatize prisons in his state, racking up special election wins for pro-labor candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire, and big court victories in Michigan and Arizona, the attacks on working families persist. In the first half of 2012, legislatures dominated by right-wing lawmakers unleashed a wave of harmful, anti-worker legislation. And it wasn’t just Republicans responsible. New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo sold out workers there by ramming his harmful Tier 6 plan through the Legislature, and though we defeated the worst part, it will mean cuts for future public employees. Here’s a look at some of the key battles in the months ahead:
Alaska
A top priority this year for the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA)/AFSCME Local 52, is repeal of the defined contribution, 401(k)-style retirement plan that has hurt the retirement security of state workers hired after July 1, 2006. A bill in the Senate calls for a more secure defined benefit option for employees.
Arizona
Despite being rebuffed by the courts for passing laws later ruled unconstitutional, Gov. Jan Brewer and her allies continue pushing bills designed to destroy public employee unions. In March, the House passed Brewer’s “personnel reform” bill HB 2751, which would make it easier to fire workers without cause and reduce accountability in state government. But energized AFSCME members and community supporters are determined to stand up against attempts to take away workers’ rights.
California
A Corporate Power Grab ballot initiative — which prevents workers from voluntarily having political contributions deducted from their paychecks — is slated for the November election. AFSCME is also gearing up to oppose harmful pension cuts at the state level. Meanwhile, workers in San Diego and San Jose are mobilizing community support to defeat ballot initiatives that would slash the retirement security of middle class families, and elect worker-friendly politicians for mayor and city council.
Colorado
Republicans have introduced right-to-work-for-less legislation this session. Also expected are several anti-collective bargaining bills targeting state and municipal workers. AFSCME members are also fighting layoffs of public service workers, pension-gutting proposals and increased health care costs.
Louisiana
AFSCME members led a coalition of community supporters and religious congregations to stop Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan that would hurt middle-class Louisianians. The public made the governor and his allies back down from a scheme to sell a state prison. Public service workers are also fighting back moves by the governor to gut pensions and undermine their job security.
Michigan
Lawmakers are pressing for right-to-work-for-less legislation that even Gov. Rick Snyder has called too divisive. To ensure that such anti-worker measures are blocked, AFSCME and other union members are working hard to get a proposed constitutional amendment on collective bargaining on the ballot this fall. Supporters are confident they will collect more than the required 322,609 voter signatures by July 9.
New York
This winter, Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed an agenda that hurt public workers. The Legislature passed the governor’s Tier 6 plan that targeted pensions and retirement security. Undaunted, public services workers from AFSCME Council 35, DC 37, Council 66, Council 82, CSEA Local 1000 and District Council 1707 and their allies stood strong to fight back, softening the blow to future workers by defeating the worst components of the plan. In the months ahead, we will continue to make Wall Street and the super wealthy pay their fair share to raise necessary revenue to aid municipalities and close corporate loopholes.
Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker faces a recall vote this summer, thanks to a massive petition-signing effort that yielded more than 1 million signatures. Also scheduled for June 5 are the recall elections for lieutenant governor and four Republican senators.
