2009 February |

Archive for February, 2009

Newsletter 011

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Colorado Loses

Newsletter 011

2/25/09

WINS’ LATEST RALLY

and what happened there:

Today (February 25, 2009) I attended the WINS rally where Governor Ritter spoke to about 150 people. In our voice (the WINS newsletter), February 10, 2009, Update #5, an open invitation was made to all state employees to attend their first Lobby Day. So I went.

I followed them over from the capital to the Knights of Columbus building where they held a rally and the governor spoke for about 45 minutes. Ryan Webber, a union organizer, immediately came to me and asked, “You’re not going to say anything, are you Dave? I’ll have to toss you out of here if you do.” Another security-type person came over and stood behind me. Ryan then asked, “You’re not going to write more lies about me, are you Dave?” (Don’t think I ever have!) I assured him I was not there to make a scene.

Governor Ritter spoke about how pleased he was with the, “feedback from all of you” about the current economic condition. He then said something I didn’t fully understand. He told them that he was pleased that he used WINS to communicate to the state employees why there was a hiring freeze. Why would he use WINS for that when he has full access to us all via email?

He pandered to them further when he thanked them for their “two-way conversations.”

Why is it so difficult for the governor to have a conversation with state employees? Why does he need a union to do so? All he has to do is walk into ANY state building and start an open conversation with anyone of us.

When he opened the floor for questions, Ryan leaned over to me again and said, “You’re not going to ask a question, are you Dave. I’ll walk you out of here if you do.”

Besides that…I heard some very interesting comments from the audience. One guy asked if WINS could have a column in the monthly StateLine Newsletter sent to all state employees.

One woman suggested that some of us take a pay decrease so lesser paid employees could get a pay raise. That received a “polite” response from the crowd for her generosity.

I did hear one really great point made: We are asked to take breaks during bad times, but when the economy is up, no one runs to compensate us for our sacrifice. I applaud that gentleman for making an excellent point!

Immediately after the Q&A I had the feeling I should leave, so I did. I was not welcomed, so why overstay it? I thought WINS was for ALL of us – representing 32,000 employees. I guess, from my past two experiences at WINS rallies, they only represent 31,999.

I must report one incident prior to the meeting. As I was about to enter the building a gentleman exited it to have a smoke break. He recognized me and asked me a question: “What did WINS do to make the governor back down on his desire to furlough us?” I told him about a letter written by a fellow employee to the governor that challenged his furlough idea. The letter, which I read, explained that it was against several laws to furlough state employees. Two days later, the call to furlough was rescinded.

No, Johnny, WINS did not change the governor’s mind…ONE, non-union employee did! YOU have POWER and don’t need a union!

It’s time we spoke up.

Please notify the Governor that you want Colorado Loses’ voice heard:

Let Governor Ritter know about us via this link:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovRitter/GOVR/1177024890452

…and ask that Colorado Loses receive the same courtesy as WINS.

· Call his office

· Send an email

· Send a letter

Here are four articles about the WINS rally that took place yesterday:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/state-union-seeks-more-access-to-employees/

http://www.coloradosenatenews.com/content/view/951/26/

http://www.examiner.com/a-1871676~Union_gears_up_to_negotiate_for_state_employees.html

http://www.facethestate.com/buzz/14542-colorado-wins-still-silencing-its-opposition

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

Posted in Newsletters, Uncategorized | No Comments »

WINS attack LOSES

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

I wish to respond to an attack against me by WINS in relation to a recent Newsleter.

Recently I was provided this message from a representative of Colorado WINS regarding my most recent Newsletter: IMPORTANT NOTICE. Here is the entire response, unedited:

This is a ploy put out by a group that calls themselves “colorado loses.” Following the elections, a group of anti-union state employees, working closely with the Independence Institute (a conservative think-tank), formed this group in hopes of spreading anti-union feelings across the state.

Although there are states that have “fair-share fees,” meaning even non-members have to pay a percentage of the dues since they reap the same rewards of a collective bargaining agreement as members, Colorado is not one of those states. Colorado WINS is an “open-shop” union, meaning anyone can join or not join by their own choice. Nobody is “forced to pay dues,” as this email says, although we will continue to encourage employees to join to strengthen your power as an organization.

These emails are similar to junk mail that you might get on your personal email, and they are a joke. The people who put out these emails will stretch the truth any way they can to push their own agenda. Only emails from the Governor’s office or Colorado WINS itself will give an honest description of your organization.

I’m disappointed that this email is being circulated, but we have to realize that there will always be a force working against you in anything you do.

Thanks for the heads up,

Justin Parker

719-320-3419

My response:

1. Colorado Loses was not started by “a group of anti-union state employees…” It was started by ME and me alone. I am Colorado Loses. There are about 200 people who are interested in what I say, but I am solely responsible for all the content.

2. I do NOT work closely with the Independence Institute. They did not HELP me create Colorado Loses. Yes, I have had correspondence with a couple of I.I. people, but that is all. They do not provide funding, only moral support.

3. ‘Nobody is “forced to pay dues,”’ That is true…at THIS TIME non union members are not being forced to pay dues. At THIS TIME we are an open shop. I am only showing where other states have been forced to pay once the union was in place. In FACT…the latest NOTICE I sent only related a decision by the US Supreme Court to allow the Maine state employees’ union to force non union members to pay “fair-share fees,” and I was only sharing that with others as a warning. Trust me…it is coming here once WINS is fully established.

4. I did not send that notice as “junk mail.” It was sent to a select group of about 200 people who have requested that I keep them informed. (My junk mail is being sent later) J

5. Notice how they attack me calling me a liar: ”Only emails from the Governor’s office or Colorado WINS itself will give an honest description of your organization.” I have had people who have attended WINS meetings tell me that the issue of forcing everyone to pay dues had been discussed.

6. [One WINS person] also said this: ”I’m disappointed that this email is being circulated, but we have to realize that there will always be a force working against you in anything you do.” Why? What are they afraid of? The potential of truth getting out? Of real questions being asked? I don’t care if you (or anyone else) want to join a union. Go ahead. Just keep ME out of it. I don’t WANT to join. Don’t force me to join and don’t force me to pay ANY kind of dues.

David Ohmart

The Biggest Loser

www.coloradoloses.org

Posted in Notices | 5 Comments »