“Colorado state jobs pay 6% more” is the title of the Denver Post article on 6/9/09 by Tim Hoover:
http://www.denverpost.com/firstinthepost/ci_12549542?source=rsshomefirst
He article went on:
“Colorado state employees make an average of 6 percent more than workers who do the same jobs in the private sector or for other governments, a private audit of the state’s salary system released Monday found.”
So…why do we need a union? The 6% doesn’t even include PERA…which would push us up even higher.
So, again I ask, why do we need a union if we are already among the best-paid employees on the planet? Why do they need $420 from me each year?
Do you honestly believe WINS will bring greater then
a 1% increase annually to your life?
There are three reasons they want you to join:
1. Money
2. Power
3. Money
Look here, do some research people! Look at the connections and where OUR money will go. This is NOT an organization of, for or even by the State of Colorado Workers. OUR dues will go out of State to pay off debt and fund other activities as decided by the OUT OF SATATE Union Bosses, not us.
I STRONGLY FAVOR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS on compensation packages. But WE NEED TO DO IT, JUST AS IN THE PAST, our own people did the SALARY SURVEY, we should do that again and hire OUR OWN lobbists and save MILLIONS of our money!
DO IT RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE, of the State and For the STATE WORKERS!
Look at these links;
YOU DECIDE!
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org
http://www.waderathke.com/
http://dirtyharrysplace.com/?p=5062
I’m shocked, shocked! The salary survey says we’re overpaid. At least our pay won’t be frozen for the 10-11 FY. Where are our WINS protectors now? Probably a contribution increase for PERA and a pay cut in the same year.
The story in our Department is that the furloughs will continue through FY 10 and then an across the board pay cut of 5-10% of all State Employees.
Pay freeze for maybe two years after the cut.
Positions are and will remain vacant from a rush to retire before the wage/HAS cut comes about.
Also hear that the SEIU dues are up 1/2% closer to the intended target of 3% as other workforces “Contribute”.
Someone needs to pay the way for out of town organizers to travel in here and get us onboard.
They also have a program for taking over PERA.
This is an Email from WINS to a union member;
Yesterday, the PERA Board of Trustees concluded its deliberations and adopted a final recommendation for the legislature to consider as it works to the fix damage from the last economic downturn.
To see their recommendation, click here. Make sure we hear your voice — contact your CoWINS organizer and let them know what you think.
For the past several months, you have been at the forefront of the effort to save Colorado PERA. Thousands of state employees turned out to the PERA Listening Tour to make their voices heard. We made it clear that our priority was to protect the defined benefit system for current and future state employees. We made it clear that that there needed to be shared responsibility in the solution and that the State needed to pay its fair share. As you can see, some of our principles are reflected in the plan they proposed.
But we all know that the devil is in the details.
At Friday’s meeting, the Colorado Coalition for Retirement Security cautioned PERA Board against over-reaching in their recommendation. We explained that a plan that aimed for 30-year amortization of all unfunded liabilities required too much from members who are already under severe economic strain. We warned against letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Colorado WINS Executive Director Bob Gibson was quoted in today’s Denver Post coverage voicing preliminary concerns. “Our ultimate goal is to protect the defined-benefit plan; we don’t think we need a 30-year amortization,” Gibson said. “We’re willing to pay the mortgage, but we’re not willing to build a new addition.”
The ball is now in our court as the Colorado General Assembly begins their process. They can either choose to adopt the PERA Board’s recommendation or alter it based on what they hear from you.
In Round Two of this fight, we will need to make our voices heard in every legislative district across the state. We will have to remind our elected representatives of the huge challenges facing state employees and public services in Colorado.
Our workforce is among the leanest in the nation and our task is to remind communities around the state of the value of the services we provide when they are needed most.
As you look at the board’s recommendation you should consider whether or not it meets your criteria for a fair and balanced solution. To give your feedback online, click here.
Beginning next week, you will have your chance to hear directly from the PERA Board and Staff about their recommendation at the PERA Shareholder Meetings. Click here to find out about locations and times in October and November.
For us to shape PERA legislation, we must be unified and vocal across the state. That’s why it’s critical we turn out in large numbers at PERA shareholder meetings and future legislative committee hearings. We must also educate our friends, families and neighbors on the local level.
Everyday that our membership grows, the voice to protect quality jobs and services grows stronger. Our work on PERA is essential to that effort.