Wall Street bonuses up 17%
Number of millionaires up 16%
The top 6 banks alone paid out approximately $143 BILLION in executive bonuses and compensation last year.
The 2011 budget gap for every state combined is about $130 B
Lowe's average worker pay = $11/hr
CEO Robert Niblock = $2,295/hr; 200 times more
McDonald's average worker pay = $8.11/hr
CEO James Skinner = $2,359/hr; 290 times more
FedEx average worker pay = $11/hr
CEO Fred Smith = $5,740/hr; 521 times more
Bank of America average teller pay = $10.38/hr
CEO Kenneth Lewis = $16,200/hr; 1,590 times more
AMERICAN WORKERS:
1 in 6 has no job
Real wages haven't increased in 20 years
Every 20 seconds another files for bankruptcy
2009: Productivity up 9%; Wages down 4.5%
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
PURPLE POLITICS
Remember 2008? =) Wouldn't it be nice to to have those good ol' days back? Three years left on a successfully-negotiated contract, that guaranteed 4 scheduled pay raises not including any cost-of living increases.
Now, we're (hopefully) 2 months away from a new contract. But much has changed on the political landscape. Both on the state and national levels, the Republican/Tea
In 2009, the very-well-funded Republicans mounted their comeback in part by the emergence of the Tea
Surprisingly, this type of behavior appealed to a large enough percentage of Americans that it resulted in the election of many Republican and self-proclaimed Tea
As a result, the Republicans/Tea
A recent study also finds that the brains of liberals and conservatives are actually physically different.
"Liberals have more gray matter in a part of the brain associated with understanding complexity, while the conservative brain is bigger in the section related to processing fear, said the study on Thursday in Current Biology."So although those who supported the election of President Obama thought they were sending a message by not turning out to vote in 2010, we now are reaping in 2011 what has been sown by this political misjudgement.
America is historically apathetic, when it comes to voting. We struggle every four years to reach 50% participation for a Presidential election. Local elections are a more telling answer to the question of the level of apathy and, quite frankly, the ignorance of a large majority of US citizens. Poll results for elected officials, who most directly affect individuals, struggle to reach 35%. It could be the fluoride in the water, one's individual rat-race, education level, culture, drug use, or general disinterest.
Regardless of the reason, lack of political participation is lack of political representation and has just as much importance in your everyday life as the relationship you have with any financial institution. Remember, it's the politicians who make the laws the financial institutions must follow.
It's important to understand how politics affect you. An uneducated voter will allow the techniques of "election-politics" to achieve their intended results: get the politician re-elected. Blindly voting and not voting are essentially the same thing. Personally, it may seem that an individual vote doesn't make a difference. But those who subscribe to the political idea of "personal responsibility," by definition do not exercise their rights in such a manner. They vote.
Is it coincidence that welfare recipients (as a demographic) are registered to vote at a smaller percentage than billionaire-CEO's? The most successful in this country are aware and active in, and unfortunately many times within, politics. That's fact.
There seems to be a highly-organized agenda being executed by the newly-elected Republican and Tea
We need to be educated on these issues. In order to effectively oppose the policies, we need to understand where they are coming from and why they are coming. Unions, and their members, are undoubtedly the most organized of Democratic supporters. African-Americans are the second-most loyal.
The African-American vote has already been successfully attacked through the campaign, lead by Fox News Channel, to dismantle ACORN. Like many of FNC's smear campaigns, they lead with outrageous stories and never followed up. They continuously replayed the fake, edited video of a pimp applying for financial assistance until it became a false truth. Never mentioning that the attempt to defund ACORN, specifically, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
It's time to start paying attention to Politics. It's the biggest part of being American. It's our responsibility to hold elected officials accountable. If not us, who? We have a multitude of evidence that proves they will not act with any level of integrity on their own.
We also cannot feel secure by simply opposing Republicans. The Democrats are now beginning to commence the union-busting legislative procedures. This can currently be seen in Massachusetts.
Point being, no matter which Party is in charge, or even which Party you personally voted for, without the Constitutionally-directed accountability of the voters and citizens, they will be corrupt. Making it even worse is the too-close-for-comfort relationships between our politicians and corporations.
It's our collective responsibility to keep those who (supposedly) represent us working for our best interest and the common good of all citizens. Without it, they will not.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
"Statement to Bradford County Commissioners; Chrystal Stroud, Towanda Pennsylvania 4/28/11"
“Thank you for allowing me to speak. My Name is Crystal Stroud. I am a formerly healthy, 29 year old Hairstylist at a downtown Towanda salon, and my husband and I are local business owners with a 4 year old little boy, who were living out “our American Dream” until 3 weeks ago on Monday April 11th, 2011. That is the day we were notified our water well was contaminated with Barium, Chloride, Strontium, Manganese, Lead, Methane, Radiological material, and Radon from the drilling of the natural gas well 1200 feet from our property — the water that we had been drinking, cooking with and showering in.
Prior to that day I, too, believed in the Goose that was going to lay the Golden Egg in Bradford County. I leased my two acres of property for $5,000 to Chesapeake. We used the money to start fixing up our house, adding a pool, and thinking we were increasing our property value. Little did I know we were signing away life as we knew it.
Three weeks prior to April 11th I became ill. My hair started falling out. I was having heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and stomach cramps. My husband feared I was having panic attacks and suggested I see a doctor. I went to my family physician and the only thing they could find was that my heart rate and blood pressure were elevated. They sent me for blood work on my thyroid, those test results came back within normal range. They then recommended I take a medication for anxiety, as they didn’t know what else could be afflicting me. Three days went by and my hands began to tremble and I would lose my balance as I stood from a sitting position. My speech started to become slurred and at that point I made another phone call to the doctor’s office. I told them, “Something is wrong, This isn’t right.” I was told to continue the medication, hoping that it would “kick in soon.”
Then on Monday April 11th, I received the phone call from Benchmark Analytics. They said my well water results were in and they were a major concern. My reply was “ What do you mean? I have been extremely ill for the past 3 weeks and we can’t figure out why” Their reply was “This could be the cause – Barium is known to cause the symptoms you’re experiencing. I then called my doctors office and son’s pediatrician who then ordered blood work, as the Lead and Barium levels in our water was a major concern
After more blood tests and research they found I had extremely high levels of Barium in my body at a range of 110 normal range being 0 or less than 10 . When Barium accumulates in the body, it usually affects the functions of the nervous system. Barium poisoning displays symptoms that are similar to flu or anxiety which is why it is not strange to find the condition misdiagnosed as flu or anxiety. Common symptoms of Barium poisoning include:
1. Muscle weakness and tremors
2. Difficulty in breathing
3. Stomach irritations accompanied by diarrhea
4. Anxiety
5. Cardiac irregularities such as abnormally high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat from profoundly low potassium levels and eventually
6. Paralysis
When I contacted Chesapeake (who I signed a lease with) and told them my well was contaminated, they sent out a Mr. Rick Hall. He came to my home and sat at the table and looked over my water results. He started by trying to explain away the substances found in my water.
When I asked him to explain the Radiologicals found in my water, he flipped to the last page and said “Oh the radon (which was 1.2 pCi/L when we purchased the house four years ago, and is now 154.5 pCi/L) ?” I said “No, the Radiologicals, Gross Alpha and Gross Beta.” His reply was “Oh I don’t know anything about them” (which surprised me as Benchmark informed me they were direct contaminates of the natural gas industry). He then asked me, “Didn’t I realize anything was wrong with my water while I was drinking it? I said. “No! Here let me show you.” I then drew a glass of water from the refrigerators’ water and ice maker, I held it up to him and said, “Clear, now wouldn’t you drink this?” His reply was “Yah, looks good to me”
This water was clear, but yet had so many chemicals in it, it required an emergency phone call from the water testing company. Mr. Rick Hall stated he would need to “Pass the Buck” to Chief (gas company), saying they were the closest well. I had to contact them. I told him they had not fracked the well next to my property and he stated, “It’s a common misconception that fracking is what contaminates well water. It’s the actual drilling process that causes the first phase of water contamination.”
However, before leaving Mr. Hall could not give me a phone number to contact someone from Chief and had no clue even who I would speak with. After 3 days of phone calls to every phone number I found online associated with Chief, I finally spoke to a Mr. Richard Adams who told me “Lo and behold” a Mr. Rick Hall had called him…. Yet, Mr. Hall told me he had no clue who to call with Chief. Since 3 weeks ago when all this transpired, I have still not seen a Chief representative at my home nor have I received a phone call. I have however had people hang up on me and tell me that they would pass on the information, never returning my calls. My well still has not been vented (with Methane levels of 32.4 mg/L) nor have I been offered water or a water buffalo, from either company.
I have gone door to door around my neighborhood warning people about my well contamination, hoping to prevent this from happening to someone else. Every neighbor I have talked to has problems with their water but they have not called anyone to test it. I was told that there is known Methane migration up the road and had one neighbor tell me that he can now light his water on fire, but that he isn’t drinking it. Only “making coffee with it.” These people aren’t informed. There are children who are showering and drinking this water around my neighborhood. They don’t know the risks and don’t understand the severity of this situation. They don’t have the money to spend $900 on independent water testing. They believe that if it was a concern, the DEP would take care of it. It sickens me to think that nothing is being done.
I have since learned that NYC DEP has posted videos on their website, and signs next to public drinking fountains, educating people of the possible contamination from hydraulic fracturing,. and what symptoms to look for.
Our plans for breaking ground on an addition on our home and to have another child have since come to an abrupt halt. That day our world spun out of control. My family physician has never seen Barium poisoning nor do they know exactly what was in the drilling mud that contaminated our well water. They don’t know how to treat for these types of illnesses, and they can’t give me any indication of what long term affects this may cause on my health.
Our Family is collateral damage!
We are just 1 of the 33% failure rate of these gas companies. The failure to keep the residents of
Bradford County’s wells contaminate free.
I fear that someday in the distant future our State and County government will “wake up” and realize that the cancer clusters, heart conditions and children with learning disabilities are too frequent to ignore. By that time it is too late!
I get that there’s a huge opportunity here for our state and our county… I get that! However, the people need to be the priority. We need to be responded to promptly in case of a contamination, Neighbors need to be notified of nearby well contaminations and their water testing should be the gas companies’ responsibility, not the homeowner. Care needs to be taken that these wells are drilled in the safest way possible, with no regard for the expense on the “poor drilling company.” It doesn’t have to be this way.
Two years ago drilling began on my grandfather’s land on Armenia Mt by a company named Talisman. This company was considerate of my grandfather’s wishes, prompt when there was an issue with the well or his land, respectful of his peace, tested all the surrounding water wells before drilling commenced and from what I have been told “Go above and beyond” to ensure their well casings are the safest possible. When My uncle, who lives nearby water well was contaminated with Manganese, they promptly brought him a water buffalo and since that date have now encased his well, preventing any further contamination from the Manganese that was leaching in. My family has only had good experiences with this company.
Something I wish I could say about Chief or Chesapeake.
I would like to read an excerpt from Article I of the Pennsylvania State Constitution Sec 27:
‘
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s natural resources are the common property of all the people including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.’
In closing. I would now like to ask my state Representative and my County Commissioners: Why have my Constitutional rights been taken from me?”
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
"Democratic Policy looking into Marcellus Shale"
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing at the Harrisburg Area Community College's York Campus today to explore issues related to the growing Marcellus Shale industry in the Commonwealth, said Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster.
State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, who requested the hearing, served as co-chairman.
“Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale formation has great potential to stimulate our nation's natural gas industry and to invigorate our state's economic recovery," Sturla said. "However, along with the positive impacts on the Commonwealth there are also risks to our environment, infrastructure, drinking water and local communities' resources. I applaud Representative DePasquale for his foresight in requesting this hearing in York to move the dialogue on this critical issue forward."
“It’s vital that we have a balanced approach to Marcellus Shale drilling,” DePasquale said. “I believe a severance tax is necessary to ensure that we have enough inspectors to keep our drinking water clean, to aid the local communities whose infrastructure is impacted by drilling and finally, to make sure Pennsylvania can maintain these items going forward. We must protect our water and land – in addition to the job creation that can come from this.”
Those testifying at the hearing included John Quigley, former secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Elam Herr, assistant executive director, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors; Sharon Ward, director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center; Kevin West, managing director of external affairs, EQT Corp.; David Masur, executive director, PennEnvironment; Tom Au, conservation chairman, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter; and Nowell Smith, member, SEIU Local 668.
"Union Busting, Massachusetts Style"
Pop quiz: What political party, in what state, this week passed a bill in the dead of night stripping public-sector unions of their collective- bargaining powers? Republicans in Wisconsin? The GOP in Ohio or Indiana?
Try Democrats in Massachusetts. Maybe the debate over public-sector benefits isn't all that ideological after all.
That would be the view of Massachusetts Democratic Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who late Tuesday led an overwhelming majority of his House in passing a bill divesting policemen, firefighters, teachers and other municipal employees of the power to collectively bargain most health-care benefits. The 111-42 vote took place at 11:30 at night, so as to avoid a mass of protesting union workers set to descend on the State House the next day. The cheek.
Then again, Mr. DeLeo (like so many Republicans) seems to understand that there is no longer a choice. The Bay State—precisely because it is the land of union power—is being crushed by its rich public-worker pay and benefits. Its several hundred thousand municipal employees have long had the power to collectively bargain key aspects of their health care—co-pays, deductibles, premiums.
Municipal health costs have as a result averaged near 11% growth annually—for a decade. The average premium is today 37% higher than in the private sector, and one-third higher than premiums for federal plans. The numbers have so exploded that personnel costs—salaries and benefits—are now eating up an astonishing 75% of local Massachusetts budgets.
That's a tipping point that threatens widespread layoffs and the end of basic services. "The huge growth in municipal health-care costs is cannibalizing everything else," Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, tells me. Mr. DeLeo and "other members of the legislature understand that what is at stake is their local schools and hometowns." The unions, in short, have walked Massachusetts so far into a hole that even Democrats can no longer ignore the problem.
The DeLeo bill is a big political event (a "wow" moment, says Mr. Widmer), and it will save cities and towns an estimated $100 million in the upcoming budget year alone. Public employees would have 30 days to discuss health-plan changes with local officials, but at the end of that period officials can set co-pays and deductibles. In a concession, the bill allows local unions to retain bargaining power over their share of premiums, which is more power than what is currently allowed state employees.
Not that this has mollified labor. Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, was so irked he forgot to stick to the union script about "rights" and a "war" on the "middle class." He skipped to the real outrage—that the 81 Democrats who voted for the bill were failing to play by the political rules. "These are the same Democrats that all these labor unions elected. The same Democrats who we contributed to in their campaigns," he complained. The unions would fight this to the "bitter end," he vowed. "Massachusetts is not the place that takes collective bargaining away from public employees."
Or maybe it is. Even as the press has obsessed about Wisconsin, Massachusetts—hitting a fiscal wall—has moved quietly on the union front. As early as 2009, Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick signed a transportation bill that stripped bargaining power from public workers for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) by moving them into the state health-insurance system.
The MBTA had been dishing out crazy benefits to its 12,000 workers and retirees, paying an astounding two-thirds more in health-care costs per employee than those paid for state workers. (Only last week, Superior Court Judge Linda Giles tossed out the union lawsuit protesting the switch.) Facing an unfunded pension liability of some $20 billion, Gov. Patrick has also been pushing modest state pension reform. It's a measure of the dire mess in other blue states that Democratic governors in New York (Andrew Cuomo) and California (Jerry Brown) have also dared murmur "pension reform."
Mr. DeLeo isn't backing down. Supported by an array of business and education groups, he applauded those who voted to allow cities and towns "to retain jobs and allot more funding to necessary services." Still, the bill is no sure thing. It now moves to the Senate, where Democratic President Therese Murray has shown no similar backbone. And while Gov. Patrick applauded the House for taking an "important vote," he won't say whether he'd sign it. He's more focused on running from Gov. Scott Walker. "This is not Wisconsin," he insisted. "That's not what the House did."
Wrong. Wisconsin moved to rein in collective bargaining powers that are crushing the state. Massachusetts moved to rein in collective bargaining powers that are crushing the state. The only difference is that Democrats have chosen to portray Mr. Walker's legislation as "union-busting" while presenting their own as necessary reform.
The public, and the press, should take them at their word that it's the latter. The DeLeo bill is a game-changer. It's big, concrete proof that public-employee benefit reform isn't a political game. It's a modern, fiscal necessity, the only thing standing between a state and budget ruin. Just ask Massachusetts Democrats.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
"Unions rip Comcast over tax loophole"
Demonstrators said the so-called "Delaware loophole," in which Pennsylvania companies can incorporate in Delaware to avoid paying corporate income taxes, shortchanges the state from much-needed revenue that can be used to offset proposed cuts this year in funding for education and social-service programs.
Comcast Corp. is based in Philadelphia but has subsidiaries incorporated in Delaware, according to financial filings posted on its website.
A Comcast spokesman declined to comment.
Similar protests, organized by SEIU Local 668, were held in eight other cities across the state, union spokeswoman Leah Wright said.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
"Pennsylvania's proposed budget cuts bring members of state workers' union out to protest"
CHAMBERSBURG -- Workers rallied Tuesday in Chambersburg against potential budget cuts to human services.
The SEIU Local 668, which represents workers at various state agencies, is calling for a "fair budget" that includes taxing gas companies in the Marcellus Shale region, according to Steven Jarrell, a caseworker and chair of the union's Chapter 8.
A handful of workers on their lunch break held signs toward passing motorists outside the Department of Public Welfare's Norland Avenue office.
"We want the Legislature to pass a fair budget that fully funds social services for our residents," Jarrell said. "We want a budget that funds services for the most vulnerable."
Workers carried signs: "No cuts in human services," "Save the middle class ... Tax gas companies," and "You drill in PA, you pay tax in PA."
With the state facing a projected $4 billion budget shortfall in fiscal year 2011-2012, cuts are looming across the board.
Jarrell said they are asking legislators to close the "Delaware loophole" for corporate taxes and to tax companies extracting natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region.
Gov. Tom Corbett ran on a promise to not tax the gas companies. He said doing so would stunt job growth in Pennsylvania.
"We've met with legislators to get the idea across that there are multiple options," Jarrell said. "We want to see everyone pay their fair share, including gas companies. We want to do our part and find ways to come up with money that don't involve cutting jobs or services."
Cuts to human services would hurt the most vulnerable populations, Jarrell said. At the same time, demand for services has increased because of the economic downturn.
"We're a huge safety net during these tough economic times. We're seeing some people that we've never seen before," said Judy Golden, a caseworker. "It's time for big businesses to pay their share."
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
MEDIA ALERT: WIXQ 91.7
During the breakout, a member of Millersville's radio station staff got a few soundbites from some of the participating members. He said it would be aired between 6 - 8 PM on (WC)Wednesday on 91.7 FM.
WIXQ: 91.7 FM
WIXQ: 91.7 FM
APRIL 26: LANCASTER CAO BREAKOUT
Photos courtesy of Scott Celley & Matt Galen.
WE WANT A BUDGET: FAIR AND JUST! FOR THE: ELDERLY, THE NEEDY, THE CHILDREN, US!!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A CEO ASKS: "WHAT HAVE THE UNIONS EVER DONE FOR US?"
...maternity leave, pensions, worker's comp, Medicare, occupational health & safety, paid annual leave, collective bargaining, pay increases...
...child labor laws, 40-hr(37.5) workweek, overtime, respect, healthcare, political voice for working people, feel free to add on...
The Union is not about YOU or ME; it's about US.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
WATER COOLER WEDNESDAYS (IDEA)
I recently had a conversation with a member, and it was a real eye-opener for me. We obviously had differing views and that will never stop me from talking to someone because I like to find out how people come to the conclusions they do. Unfortunately, in this particular case the individual had come to their conclusions based on false beliefs and untruths. I finally had to end the conversation, after the name-calling commenced. I didn't get angry though because I'm used to this type of behavior. What I did get was inspired. And that inspiration planted the seed for Water Cooler Wednesdays.
Firstly, I'd like to explain what WCW is not. It is not an excuse to get together and get drunk. Although the first meeting was held on the restaurant-side of a bar, that was not the intention. The location was chosen due to it being within walking distance of the workplace. Not to say there will be no consumption of alcoholic beverages during any future meetings, but rest assured there will be no beer-pong tournaments going on.
That said, the idea of WCW is the fact that we need to communicate with one another. There's much we can all learn about many different aspects of life. No matter what level of education one has, or even in which disciplines they have it, that is only one aspect of them. Your degree is no more important than any other activity you commit time and dedication to, including self-taught hobbies such as arts, crafts, cooking, decorating, carpentry, etc. The membership is very diverse, and I think that's something that should unite us, not divide us, as it seems to be doing currently.
Aside from the individual level, there is the demographic of union members. Regardless of personal dislikings and honest disagreement on issues, there is a common interest. Whether you personally accept it or not, the actions of the collective membership will affect you personally. Frustration and fear of the unknown can be paralyzing; during the last negotiation, and even Payless Paydays in 09, the complaints have been about communications and not knowing what's going on. Not this time. The Union is here this time.
5 people showed for 4/20 WCW.
I, and the other 4, understand the hesitancy some may have of meeting on the restaurant-side of a bar. We're currently trying to address that. Another location in the same area of the workplace. We've also started this blog and welcome any comments and feedback.
WE MUST WEAR PURPLE ON TUESDAY!
Firstly, I'd like to explain what WCW is not. It is not an excuse to get together and get drunk. Although the first meeting was held on the restaurant-side of a bar, that was not the intention. The location was chosen due to it being within walking distance of the workplace. Not to say there will be no consumption of alcoholic beverages during any future meetings, but rest assured there will be no beer-pong tournaments going on.
That said, the idea of WCW is the fact that we need to communicate with one another. There's much we can all learn about many different aspects of life. No matter what level of education one has, or even in which disciplines they have it, that is only one aspect of them. Your degree is no more important than any other activity you commit time and dedication to, including self-taught hobbies such as arts, crafts, cooking, decorating, carpentry, etc. The membership is very diverse, and I think that's something that should unite us, not divide us, as it seems to be doing currently.
Aside from the individual level, there is the demographic of union members. Regardless of personal dislikings and honest disagreement on issues, there is a common interest. Whether you personally accept it or not, the actions of the collective membership will affect you personally. Frustration and fear of the unknown can be paralyzing; during the last negotiation, and even Payless Paydays in 09, the complaints have been about communications and not knowing what's going on. Not this time. The Union is here this time.
5 people showed for 4/20 WCW.
I, and the other 4, understand the hesitancy some may have of meeting on the restaurant-side of a bar. We're currently trying to address that. Another location in the same area of the workplace. We've also started this blog and welcome any comments and feedback.
WE MUST WEAR PURPLE ON TUESDAY!
PURPLE MARKETS
At the Chapter Meeting, April 19, the suggestion of organizing a yard sale (or a market in our case) was brought up. It's in the very early stages right now, but I'm reaching out for anyone who has any ideas, or would be interested in participating in any capacity. This would be an SEIU-organized and sponsored event.
My initial thoughts are:
1) We can call them PURPLE MARKETS. We're not red, like the Republicans. We're not blue, like the Democrats. We're Purple. The perfect mixture.
2) People have a lot of STUFF that they don't NEED. People need money right now. It would allow for US to keep our money between us and become self-sustaining to a degree.
3) A possibility would be the Labor building on Manor Street. All depending on a future conversation between Chapter Chair Bill Wilson and the person who runs the place. Even if we couldn't use that building, we could find somewhere else. I think we can make a campaign of it, where we can talk to the public and educate them and show them we're REAL PEOPLE!
My initial thoughts are:
1) We can call them PURPLE MARKETS. We're not red, like the Republicans. We're not blue, like the Democrats. We're Purple. The perfect mixture.
2) People have a lot of STUFF that they don't NEED. People need money right now. It would allow for US to keep our money between us and become self-sustaining to a degree.
3) A possibility would be the Labor building on Manor Street. All depending on a future conversation between Chapter Chair Bill Wilson and the person who runs the place. Even if we couldn't use that building, we could find somewhere else. I think we can make a campaign of it, where we can talk to the public and educate them and show them we're REAL PEOPLE!
APRIL 26: STATEWIDE BREAKOUT
On April 26, we will be having our first statewide breakout. It will be happening between 12-1 in front of LCAO (and your building for those not from LCAO).
I am working on getting some more purple paraphernalia and will disseminate when I get anything. We will continue with PURPLE TUESDAYS until we have a contract/budget signed.
The following week, on May 3, there is a rally at the state capitol. We need maximum participation, as this will show the governor and many other lawmakers the opposition to immoral cuts, both to our pay and benefits and those within the budget itself.
We are seeing the wealth gap continue to widen, both on the state and federal levels. As union members and workers, we are vital to the future of workers' rights, wages, benefits, and safety.
To put it in perspective, please watch this video. It illustrates how large the wealth gap is, without boring you with the figures.
...the focus on these first breakouts should be their location. They should be held where local management can see them and give a count to their managers on how many workers are taking part in them and how many are wearing purple. These breakouts will also give us an idea of member mobilizing levels. Once we have that, we can start inviting media to our breakouts.
I am working on getting some more purple paraphernalia and will disseminate when I get anything. We will continue with PURPLE TUESDAYS until we have a contract/budget signed.
The following week, on May 3, there is a rally at the state capitol. We need maximum participation, as this will show the governor and many other lawmakers the opposition to immoral cuts, both to our pay and benefits and those within the budget itself.
We are seeing the wealth gap continue to widen, both on the state and federal levels. As union members and workers, we are vital to the future of workers' rights, wages, benefits, and safety.
To put it in perspective, please watch this video. It illustrates how large the wealth gap is, without boring you with the figures.
LET'S TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW
There are serious issues going on right now, both locally and nationally. Many of my CAO brothers and sisters have become desensitized to annual budget stresses and have adapted themselves to accept it as part of the job. I have not, and I will not allow anyone else to succumb to this train of thought. Instead of sitting back and seeing what happens, this year we will be proactive and exercise our rights within the contract, along with state and federal government.
What is happening in our various local levels is happening on the state, national, and global levels. Workers, unionized and not, are aggressively being attacked around the globe. There has always been the battle between "the boss" and his workers since the beginning of Capitalism, but we have reached a stage within both our governmental and economic systems where something has to give.
By that, I mean Capitalism is not an economic model that can last forever. Due to the fundamental mission of corporations to do whatever they can to maximize profits, there inevitably will come a point where the profits are maxed out. Then, the very workers providing the service cannot afford to buy the services they provide.
The most important obstacle preventing this from happening right now is Unions. A lot of what's happening right now is the direct result of policies and ideologies implemented during the 1980's, under President Reagan. I won't bore you with the concept of projection, and how the Republicans use it brilliantly as a political tactic, but that's the reason for all of the "Reagan-mania" we hear so much in the media from members of Congress. One of Reagan's most notable moments is when he busted the air traffic controllers union. And more than the effect that had on the actual individual people, what it did was make it acceptable for future leaders to attack and attempt to bust unions. In addition to that, Reagan was also famous for discrediting the value of government, while decreasing the tax rate on the rich from somewhere in the 70% range to the 30% range. Since his presidency, the gap between the rich and poor has widened to the largest since the Great Depression.
One could say that it is only coincidence that the drastic decrease of unionized workers happened during the greatest increase of wealth in history, but I would say to them to pass that this way. LOL!
The government and its regulations is the only protection provided to those not exclusively chasing a profit, workers and consumers. Knowing that, the profit-chasers have systematically integrated themselves into government and lawmaking. This revolving door between private corporations and agency-level positions that directly regulate the same industries of the corporations has resulted in corporate welfare and total disregard to any environmental repurcussions or accountability.
For Pennsylvanians, we don't have to look far to see it in full operation. The ex-Vice President, Dick Cheney, was the CEO of Haliburton, and was head of the committee to research the environmental effects of gas-drilling. Their findings resulted in whats known as the "Haliburton loophole," which prevents drilling companies from having to disclose any data regarding environmental effects, or even the chemicals used in the procedure itself. After receiving numerous no-bid federal defense contracts, they moved their headquarters to Dubai in 2007, where they pay no US tax.
Now Governor Corbett does not want to tax them whatsoever. This corporation does not pay Federal tax, while extracting the natural resources of Pennsylvania and not even hiring Pennsylvanians to do the work. Meanwhile, the people who unknowingly leased their land to a foreign corporation are now encountering the environmental effects, which although were known weren't required by law to be disclosed, the government cannot conclude that the cause of people's faucets catching fire is not the direct result of fracking.
Needless to say, I have a lot on my mind right now. =)
ALL THAT BEING SAID, THE POINT IS MAY 3 AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE MUST BE AT THE RALLY!!!
IT IS VITAL THAT WE SHOW UP AND PROVE THAT ACTIONS ARE LOUDER THAN WORDS!
I GOT TWO SIGNS ALREADY MADE. MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A CONTEST FOR BEST SIGN OR POSTER???
What is happening in our various local levels is happening on the state, national, and global levels. Workers, unionized and not, are aggressively being attacked around the globe. There has always been the battle between "the boss" and his workers since the beginning of Capitalism, but we have reached a stage within both our governmental and economic systems where something has to give.
By that, I mean Capitalism is not an economic model that can last forever. Due to the fundamental mission of corporations to do whatever they can to maximize profits, there inevitably will come a point where the profits are maxed out. Then, the very workers providing the service cannot afford to buy the services they provide.
The most important obstacle preventing this from happening right now is Unions. A lot of what's happening right now is the direct result of policies and ideologies implemented during the 1980's, under President Reagan. I won't bore you with the concept of projection, and how the Republicans use it brilliantly as a political tactic, but that's the reason for all of the "Reagan-mania" we hear so much in the media from members of Congress. One of Reagan's most notable moments is when he busted the air traffic controllers union. And more than the effect that had on the actual individual people, what it did was make it acceptable for future leaders to attack and attempt to bust unions. In addition to that, Reagan was also famous for discrediting the value of government, while decreasing the tax rate on the rich from somewhere in the 70% range to the 30% range. Since his presidency, the gap between the rich and poor has widened to the largest since the Great Depression.
One could say that it is only coincidence that the drastic decrease of unionized workers happened during the greatest increase of wealth in history, but I would say to them to pass that this way. LOL!
The government and its regulations is the only protection provided to those not exclusively chasing a profit, workers and consumers. Knowing that, the profit-chasers have systematically integrated themselves into government and lawmaking. This revolving door between private corporations and agency-level positions that directly regulate the same industries of the corporations has resulted in corporate welfare and total disregard to any environmental repurcussions or accountability.
For Pennsylvanians, we don't have to look far to see it in full operation. The ex-Vice President, Dick Cheney, was the CEO of Haliburton, and was head of the committee to research the environmental effects of gas-drilling. Their findings resulted in whats known as the "Haliburton loophole," which prevents drilling companies from having to disclose any data regarding environmental effects, or even the chemicals used in the procedure itself. After receiving numerous no-bid federal defense contracts, they moved their headquarters to Dubai in 2007, where they pay no US tax.
Now Governor Corbett does not want to tax them whatsoever. This corporation does not pay Federal tax, while extracting the natural resources of Pennsylvania and not even hiring Pennsylvanians to do the work. Meanwhile, the people who unknowingly leased their land to a foreign corporation are now encountering the environmental effects, which although were known weren't required by law to be disclosed, the government cannot conclude that the cause of people's faucets catching fire is not the direct result of fracking.
Needless to say, I have a lot on my mind right now. =)
ALL THAT BEING SAID, THE POINT IS MAY 3 AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE MUST BE AT THE RALLY!!!
IT IS VITAL THAT WE SHOW UP AND PROVE THAT ACTIONS ARE LOUDER THAN WORDS!
I GOT TWO SIGNS ALREADY MADE. MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A CONTEST FOR BEST SIGN OR POSTER???
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