Colorado Loses

Newsletter 012  

3/7/09

The trouble with the camel’s nose

Under the tent is:

You eventually end up with the whole camel IN the tent!

Question: “The Executive Order by the Governor does not give WINS any power.  Why are you fighting them so hard?  You have stated on your website that WINS has no ability to force any decisions on the state legislature, DPA, or the Governor.”

State employees are exempt from the Labor Peace Act so…

The Executive Order by Governor Bill Ritter allowed this “partnership.”  A future governor could eliminate it by another executive order.  That means the loss of tens of millions of dollars spent to put WINS together, flushed down the drain with the sweep of a pen.

WINS is afraid of the Executive Order being retracted by a future governor, so they are working with an annual budget of $7,000,000 (dues collected from other states’ employees) with the hope of a supportive General Assembly and governor to create a law allowing the partnership.  Since the majority in the General Assembly are now obligated to the union, as is the Governor, they will work together to bring such a bill to the floor.  Watch for it…

In that bill, they will ask for WINS to be the sole representative of ALL state employees demanding dues paid by ALL state employees.  Their ultimate goal: a closed shop.  That is, YOU will have NO choice if you work for the state; you will be a union member and pay dues.  Because they were able to defeat Amendment 47 (right-to-work), they now have an open playing field.

That’s what they want…what do you want?

How do we fight it?  Start communicating with your local State Senators and Representatives.  Tell them you don’t want the Executive Order to become law. 

Then tell your US Senators and Representatives you don’t want the Employee Free Choice Act (aka CARD CHECK).  (What is that?  http://www.heritage.org/research/Labor/bg2027.cfm)

How?

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CO-Portal/CXP/1165693060260

Then tell the Governor.

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

www.coloradoloses.org

  Colorado Loses Newsletter

 009  12/2/08

 Loser’s Interview with DPA Director,

Rich Gonzales

I had a chat with Rich Gonzales two weeks ago about WINS and its alleged influence with the financial policy of the State of Colorado related to employees’ wages, benefits, and working conditions.

My first question was to find out if there have been any meetings between the State and WINS.  Mr. Gonzales stated that there was a quick meet-n-greet July 28, 2008, when they discussed TCAP (Total Compensation), health plans, and department access (to YOU that is).  He also stated that another meeting is scheduled sometime in December 4^th.  These are “business meetings” and do not include elected officials. 

The state is developing the MOU or Memorandum of Understanding that will guide the relationship of WINS to state employees. Once the MOU is established, I assume, as state employees, notified of its contents will be forthcoming.  (I hope they include a policy to not toss state employees from future meetings.) 

Director Gonzales reassured me of the following:

1.      WINS has no binding arbitration authority.

2.      NO ONE is required to join WINS!

3.      If you do not join WINS, you will not be required to pay ANY dues!

4.      WINS will ONLY act in an advisory relationship.  From Rich: “I mentioned that processes affecting compensation and benefits that are spelled out in statue and rule would not change unless there is legislative action or formal rule making.”

 He added:  “Wins is the exclusive partnership representative for state workers along with the patrol officers union.  That means, in part, that they will be meeting formally with the administration to discuss issues of concern as representatives for state workers.” 

He also stated that WINS had NO influence on the latest Annual Compensation Report and Recommendation letter for FY 09-10 dated Aug/08 sent to the governor.  (See attached.)

I asked the Director, “Just how much influence will WINS have?” He told me they will have no more influence than I have.  And he didn’t mean I have influence because I represent nearly 200 state employees who have requested to be Losers.  He expressed to me that ANY state employee is able to communicate with him concerns and desires related to pay, benefits, or working conditions.  His quote:  “The extent of influence anyone would have would be based on the quality and focus of the information that they could provide.”

I suggest that if you have a point to make to him, do so with a concise statement emailed to his office. 

·         State your point clearly

·         Offer a viable solution

·         Make sure it is well thought out

·         Give examples

·         Keep emotion out of it (vernacular – don’t whine)

I picked up from his tone that he will give as much consideration to your idea if it offers a real solution as any from WINS.  If you believe it will give your point more strength, have others sign a letter and mail it to him.  WINS has no more influence than any one of you individually or collectively.

So—WINS get its power…

…only if the governor gives them an ear.  Since Governor Ritter has allowed the “Partnership” to exist through his executive order, he may be more willing to listen to them.  BUT…that is not guaranteed.

When Governor Ritter leaves office, the next governor has the authority to rescind the order.

WHAT CAN YOU DO!!!

Ø  If you signed some commitment to WINS, go to our website (www.coloradoloses.org), click on the About WINS button and follow the link “How To Resign From WINS.”

Ø  Talk it up with your coworkers…encourage them to review the website.

Ø  Attend WINS meetings to hear their promises.  Press them about:

o   How many members are currently committed to WINS?

o   Dues requirements?

o   What percentage of local dues goes to the national branch? – To what organization, exactly?

o   How long before they believe they will be fully organized and when do they believe they will begin to have any influence?

o   Ask about examples of past experiences with other states:

§  How much dues are paid by other states’ employees? (A history of how they have increased and how fast.)

§  List exact successes in other states.

§  How long did it take to accomplish their claims of success in other states?

§  Once established in other states – have they demanded dues to be paid by non-members?!

Remember…WINS exists only in Colorado.  But their backing unions: SEIU, AFSCME, CAPE and AFT, are in other states.

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

coloradoloses@comcast.net

COLORADO LOSES NEWSLETTER

007 – 10/4/08

Union Thugs Toss State Employee From

WINS’s First Convention

Dateline – 10/4/08 – 9:00 AM – The Double Tree Hotel in the Denver Tech Center.  Union organizers, under the guise of ColoradoWINS, a Partnership for state employees, held their first organizational meeting this weekend.  I arrived at 9 AM to listen and report on their conference.  I sat in the back at a table of WINS supporters and watched the first hour of presentations. 

 Several union representatives and WINS supporters spoke with hurrah and vigor as they kicked off their assembly encouraged by a ringing cowbell, banging balloons imprinted with the WINS logo, and even one air horn that sounded from the crowd of 500.  There were several videos shown, as well, decrying the need for organization.  One video was from Governor Ritter expressing his support for this effort and how he has worked to make it happen.

What I heard was mostly pomp and rhetoric that described their basic desires.  I’m sure more organizational details are forthcoming later today, but I was not allowed to stay…

 They made statements like:

·         There has been a 30-yr war against state services (no explanation)

·         The need for better insurance and pay

·         How vital representation is

·         We will take “aggressive” political action

·         That some managers want us to fail and have betrayed our trust (no examples given)

·         Don’t balance the budget on the backs of state employees

·         770,000 Coloradoans have no health care – a population greater than metro Denver

This is when they began the political Bush-bashing and booed at the mentioning of names like Mike Rosen, Bill Owens, and John Caldera.  (I’m surprised my name didn’t come up.)  One speaker said that many of us were “ashamed” to be state employees during the “8-years of abuse” under Bill Owens.

 They used examples of a major bridge collapse and the Katrina disaster in New Orleans, to show that government, under President Bush, prefers to support big tax breaks for Wall Street rather than shore up the levies.

 We were told that hundreds of state employees from other states have come here to help and have spent “millions” of dollars to put WINS together (their dues at work).  Millions of dollars have bought them 500 supporters to attend a weekend meeting.  I have spent nothing and have 160 supporters.  It would seem I am more efficient with my money.  How efficient will they be with yours?

 The kickoff meeting ended at just after 10 AM.  As I exited the main hall and stood in the corridor Greg Goldman, who identified himself as a state employee, approached me.  He informed me that this meeting was for “registered” Wins supporters and that I was not welcome.  He proceeded to escort me out the door and physically pushed me as we went down the stairs and out the west entrance.  A second fellow was behind him, but I never got his name.  They took me outside and watched as I got in my car and drove off.

 FUNNY…I thought this organization was supposed to represent 32,000 state employees?  As a state employee, I wanted to attend and listen to the specifics of their dues requirement, how dues would be used, and other vital information; I was not given that chance.

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

coloradoloses@comcast.net

NEWSLETTER

004 – 7/31/08

Greetings losers

Lots to report:

MISSING POSTER>>

As many of you know one of our posters went missing.  It was the one hung on the second floor by the elevator under the WINS poster.  Ryan, the SIEU rep who hangs out in the foyer of 251, said he didn’t take it and doesn’t know who did.  Several other WINS supporters came to me to let me know they didn’t take it.  He offered to let me post one at his station in the foyer, but I chose not to.  I didn’t want him to use it as a tool of negativity without me there to defend the statements on it.

I’m disturbed by his tactics.  I’ve had several people tell me he contacted them via email and by phone to tell them that my poster is misleading.  He named me personally in his communications.  From what I understand it is not approved for him to use business emails or our phone extensions to do this…yet he does.  I’ll be making a formal complaint about his actions Friday.

The information in the poster IS accurate.  It’s not complete in its details, only because I can’t put every disclaimer needed in it due to space restriction.  That’s why I send these newsletters…to provide more detail.

DUES…I can’t get anyone to tell me what the dues will be.  I’ve heard stories from other states (from people who actually were members there) that they had a two-tier dues schedule: one for members and a lesser dues from non members – because they were benefiting from the actions of the union.  SO…I had to chose a number and I chose something in the middle of numbers I have heard bantered about.  If they want to provide me with numbers…I’ll print them in my next newsletter.

FORCED JOINING…The poster doesn’t say that everyone needs to join the union.  It does say that a majority of minority votes could force a union upon us.  That is also true.  You don’t have to join, but it will be there.

PRESS RELEASE>>

I sent notices of our activities to all the news venues in town, but have heard nothing from them.  They have run articles on WINS, but must not care about an alternate view.  You’re welcome to write and call them if you wish.

EMAIL BLAST>>

I’ve requested all state employee emails from DPA…This was their reply:

Mr. Ohmart,

That information is available under the open records act – work email addressees for all state employees.  I will treat your email and an ORR request and will send your requested record within the three working days mandated by statute.   Please note that no personal information such as employee’s home email address will be provided and we do not have access to the work email addresses of employees working for any of the 4-year universities in the state.

Finally!!!  I’ve been seeking this for over a week, now.

 REPRESENTATION>>

If you want true representation…why not push to have a state employee represent us all at the governor’s cabinet meetings instead of a union.  A union representative is looking out for the union.  An employee rep would have OUR concerns in mind.  Let me know what you think of the idea.  If the union fails, I’ll press the issue to the governor.

Thank you for your support.

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

coloradoloses@comcast.net

COLORADO LOSES NEWSLETTER

001 – 7/11/08

Greetings Losers!

You are receiving this missive because you have shown an interest in Colorado Loses.  Everyone’s name and email address will be protected as I will always send these out as a blind copy.

If you wish to not receive these newsletters, my apologies.  Please send an email with Remove in the subject line and I’ll take you off the list.  ANYONE is permitted to receive them…union supporters are welcome.

Home EMAIL>

I would prefer to send these to your home email.  Please provide that to me with EMAIL in the subject line and I’ll make sure you are part of the group.  I wish to avoid any impropriety that could be associated with business email restrictions.

Good news!!! I have been approached by a few dedicated losers who have provided enough funding to set up a website.  Look for that soon.  The site will have all the newsletters, informational links, news, events, and a place for you to blog.

POSTER…We have a commercial artist working on the poster.  Lord knows I ain’t no arêtes.  I have been promised by the WINS representative that I may post them next to any WINS posters.  Please keep me informed if any go missing or are defaced.  People will hear about that!!!! I promise!

Who Are WE?

Colorado Loses is an anti union association with no formal organization, as yet.  We are thinking of forming a 501(C)(3).  Details to follow, if we do.

This concept was established by me, David Ohmart, the biggest loser, to provide an opposing voice to Colorado WINS.  My goal is to make you think.  I did not form this to try and convince you not to join the union.  You are welcome to vote for the union and, if you are so moved, I encourage you to follow your convictions.  I just want to make sure you have ALL the information available about what the union may or may not be able to do for you, and that you are not just swayed by the emotion of “Look what we will do for you.”

I will be posing questions to Colorado WINS and posting their answers (or non answers) in this newsletter and on the website.  I will be asking you for input, as well. 

LOSES stands for Lousy Options Steal Employee Salaries.

SO FAR…

I have already riled some feathers.  WINS people are challenging me because of the poster…attached.

DUES >  No one will tell me what the dues will be.  So…I had to come up with a figure.  I have heard people say that dues may be anywhere in the range of $15 to $75 (you do the math).  So I chose something in between…fair enough, I thought.  Whenever the dues figures are published, I will be more than happy to post them and change the poster.

I used the example of 32,000 employees paying dues.  This is, of course, the perfect scenario for WINS.  They would love it if all state employees joined.  Favoring their desire, I used that number.  I will use more accurate figures if they provide them.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO JOIN…It’s true that if a union of state employees is formed, you will not be forced to join.  You cannot lose your job because you do not join.  That is good news.  BUT, as the poster states, it only takes a majority of votes…not total employees…to bring a union.

If you don’t want a union…VOTE and vote against it.

Thank you, you few brave souls who have joined with me.  Let’s get the word out.  Tell your friends to send me an email so they, too, can receive the latest news about Colorado Loses.

Your non union rep,

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

Other non Union Websites:  See for yourself

www.seiureform.org    www.ServingEmployersInsteadofUs.org    www.seiuvoice.org