Sunday, January 15, 2006
Part II - AFSCME Questionnaire – Private Sector Member Wages, Pensions & Privatization
On to pensions. Same pitch as the other two unions.
Added is the complaint that “the pension benefits themselves are about average compared to those provided by other state governments.” Then, there is the argument against two-tiered pensions, “with new hires facing lower benefits.” Defined benefit versus defined contribution again. AFSCME’s questionnaire points out, “…defined benefit programs…would place employees’ retirement security at risk.”
Specifically,
And, with regard to university funding,
As would be expected, privatization is a big “no-no” for AFSCME.
It “can lead to a lower quality of services and a loss of accountability. Cost savings are often exaggerated or non-existent. Even when there are cost savings, they are almost always achieved by eliminating decent paying jobs with good health and pension benefits and replacing them with low paying jobs with few, if any benefits.”
Privatization “often hurts entire communities…(because) the reduction in the employees’ wages hurts the local economy as well as the tax base.”
Privatization bad, just in case you have any doubt how to answer the following questions on page 3:
No mention of the key question: If we would lose members, hence, dues to pay union leaders’ salaries and benefits, will you be on our side?
State employees at the generally uneconomical state mental and developmentally disabled centers are the topic of the next questions. AFSCME is worried about their closing or being downsized. That’s what former Governor George Ryan was doing that propelled AFSCME members to attend rallies for Rod Blagojevich in 2002.
The questions:
Would you oppose legislation, such as the Community First Act, which limits options for persons needing residential services by draining dollars from state facilities, as well as form many well-regarded community service providers?
I don’t know the budget split between state facilities and community agencies, but the last time I looked 5 or so years ago, the state facilities had over half the money. But they many fewer than 50% of the patients.
To return to McHenry County Blog, click here.
Added is the complaint that “the pension benefits themselves are about average compared to those provided by other state governments.” Then, there is the argument against two-tiered pensions, “with new hires facing lower benefits.” Defined benefit versus defined contribution again. AFSCME’s questionnaire points out, “…defined benefit programs…would place employees’ retirement security at risk.”
Specifically,
Would you oppose creating a two-tier pension system for state and university employees?
Would you oppose any effort to shift Illinois pension systems, including the SERS, SURS, IMRF, to defined contribution plans?
And, with regard to university funding,
Would you support funding for the state university system that is sufficient to maintain a high quality education and pay staff fairly?
As would be expected, privatization is a big “no-no” for AFSCME.
It “can lead to a lower quality of services and a loss of accountability. Cost savings are often exaggerated or non-existent. Even when there are cost savings, they are almost always achieved by eliminating decent paying jobs with good health and pension benefits and replacing them with low paying jobs with few, if any benefits.”
Privatization “often hurts entire communities…(because) the reduction in the employees’ wages hurts the local economy as well as the tax base.”
Privatization bad, just in case you have any doubt how to answer the following questions on page 3:
Would you oppose any legislation, including budget measures, which would have the effect of privatizing public services if the result of privatization would significantly reduce the wages and benefits of the workers performing those services?
Would you support legislation establishing standards for state and local contracts to document cost savings, ensure quality, and protect workers?
No mention of the key question: If we would lose members, hence, dues to pay union leaders’ salaries and benefits, will you be on our side?
State employees at the generally uneconomical state mental and developmentally disabled centers are the topic of the next questions. AFSCME is worried about their closing or being downsized. That’s what former Governor George Ryan was doing that propelled AFSCME members to attend rallies for Rod Blagojevich in 2002.
The questions:
Would you oppose any further downsizing or closures…?
Would you oppose legislation, such as the Community First Act, which limits options for persons needing residential services by draining dollars from state facilities, as well as form many well-regarded community service providers?
I don’t know the budget split between state facilities and community agencies, but the last time I looked 5 or so years ago, the state facilities had over half the money. But they many fewer than 50% of the patients.
To return to McHenry County Blog, click here.
# posted by Cal Skinner : 9:27 AM
