IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE CSUEU ADMINISTRATOR

CSUEU OFFICERS AND ACTIVISTS
I am attaching information about the attempt to dismantle our pension system. I know you are ready to attack this issue now. Please make this information widely available so that we can educate as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Your Labor Relations Representative will be attending "train the trainer" sessions in March, and will bring that information out to you in the field. CSUEU is a member of the group California Families Against Privatizing Retirement, and we will be joining them in this critical campaign every way we can.

Materials for distribution are in the works and will be mailed to you as soon as we can get them printed.

We are joining CFA in support of the visits George Diehr, CSU faculty and PERS Board member, will be making to your campuses. Here is his schedule:

Diehr's meeting schedule is as follows:

• Feb. 21, 2:30 pm - Cal Poly Pomona, Building 98, Heritage Room (8th floor)
• March 2, Noon-2 pm - Cal State Los Angeles, Roybal Center
• March 3, Noon - Fresno State, Student Union Room 317
• March 7, 1 pm - CSU Bakersfield, call for location 661-664-2480
• March 8, Noon - San Jose State, call for location 408-924-6501
• March 9, Noon - San Francisco State, call for location 415-338-6232
• March 10, 11:30-1:30 - Sacramento State, University Union/Foothill Suite
• March 17, 4-6 PM - Cal State Long Beach, call for location 562-985-5165
• March 21, 11:30 am - San Diego State, Scripps Cottage
• March 28, TBD - CSU Northridge, call for location and time
• April 7, Noon-2 pm - Cal State Fullerton, call for location 714-278-2827

Rally the troops! Join the fight!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Virginia Watts
CSUEU Administrator

Attachments

• Talking Points
• Myths and Facts (Short Version)
• Myths and Facts (Long Version)

I pulled a post

After reconsideration I pulled a post because I am still hopeful that we can look forward and build an organization focused on defending the rights of, and promoting the welfare of, university employees at SJSU. At this time it seems my post may not do that. I am considering reposting it, but I want to think about it more.

Bargaining Update

CSUEU Senior Labor Relations Representative Teven Laxer wanted me to forward the following information to all of you:
http://www.calcsea.org/csu/bargaining/20050218-update1.pdf

The Pension Battle Heats Up!

CSUEU President Pat Gantt wanted you all aware of the following
information:

Dear CSUEU Activist,

I have tried to add some of the most recent information on the Pension Battle we all face.  Please make an effort to give this information to as many employees as possible.  All of the public sector unions in the state are now trying to inform all of their members on the issue.  This is the first phase in the process. We will send out more specific talking points. Here is a brief fact sheet:
http://www.calcsea.org/president/pension_docs/csea-factsheet.pdf

We will keep you posted on the latest developments.

In Union,

Pat Gantt, President
CSUEU/CSEA

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CSEA adds website dedicated to the pension battle
To keep members of all affiliates and the public advised on the issues surrounding the proposed changes to the CalPERS system, CSEA has created a new webpage:
http://www.calcsea.org/president/pension-index.asp

The memo dated 2/15/05 is an analysis of the proposed changes.  It is worth reading:
http://www.calcsea.org/president/pension_docs/20050215-calpers-item03.pdf

CalPERS votes to oppose pension reform
The full CalPERS board voted 9-3 to oppose the bill for a constitutionalamendment to change the pension system to a defined contribution 401(k) plan.  The dissenting votes were cast by the three board members appointed by the Governor.  The comments made by some of the Governor’s representatives indicate that the vote removes the opportunity for
compromise with the retirement system. You can read the following article for more details:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/12376741p-13232730c.html

George Diehr brings pension fight to CSU campuses.
Please take the opportunity to encourage CSUEU members and co-workers to attend these presentations on your campuses.

This will be no easy fight, and George Diehr, an elected member of the Board ofAdministrators of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and an active CFA board member and former chapter president, intends to lead CFA’s charge against the campaign to weaken the system that has been public servants’ safety net for decades.

Diehr’s meeting schedule is as follows:

Feb. 21, 2:30 pm • Cal Poly Pomona, Building 98, Heritage Room (8th floor)

Feb. 22, noon • CSU Stanislaus, JSRFDC 118

March 1, noon • CSU San Marcos, room location TBA

March 2, noon-2 pm • Cal State Los Angeles, Roybal Center

March 3, noon • Fresno State, Student Union Room 317

March 7, 1 pm • CSU Bakersfield, call for location 661-664-2480

March 8, noon • San Jose State, call for location 408-924-6501

March 9, noon • San Francisco State, call for location 415-338-6232

March 10, 11:30-1:30 • Sacramento State, University Union/Foothill Suite

March 17, 4-6 p.m. • Cal State Long Beach, call for location 562-985-5165

March 21, 11:30 a.m. • San Diego State, Scripps Cottage

March 28, noon • CSU Northridge, call for location and time

April 6, 11:30 a.m. • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, room location TBA

April 7, Noon-2 p.m. • Cal State Fullerton, call for location 714-278-2827

See details about the debate over our pension plan’s future on the CalPERS Pension Debate Information Center at:
http://www.calpers.ca.gov/index.jsp?bc=/about/press/news/definedplans/home.xml

Apathy feeds corruption

In my opinion apathy is the growth medium for union corruption. Union leaders who don't care about following the rules or protecting all the rights of workers are empowered by workers that don't care enough about their rights in their union to speak out, or even to find out what their rights in the union are. Employees have rights regarding their relationship with the union and the union is supposed to watch that those rights are protected. But, if folks do not get involved, who watches the watchers?

Cutting corners, cutting too much?

It is not easy being a union officer. There is a lot to balance. You have a lot to do with almost no resources. You have a lot of people who make a lot of demands, but only a handful offer to help out. It seems you have an impossible mission and you do not get paid for all the work you do. It often is a thankless job and it is a source of a lot of heartache. Is it any wonder that union leaders can be very tempted to take short cuts? If nobody is paying any attention, it may seem, who would notice?

But, there are some places where you can never cut corners. You can't cut corners when it comes to democratic principles. If you don't adhere to strict compliance to fair election procedures, honest reporting of union funds, and communication to your constituents of what the union is doing, how can you claim to have a constituency?

In my opinion you cannot cut corners on organizing. If you are not recruiting new members and not seeking to include folks from all over your workplace in the functions of your union, how can you claim to be an organization that bargains collectively and represents equally?

I believe you cannot cut corners on communication. If you can E-mail 70% of your employees but 30% of the employees are in jobs that don't have E-mail and you just write those folks off, these are lower paid mostly minority workers without computers, how can you possibly claim any legitimacy?

I believe you cannot cut corners on representation. It is the union's responsibility to represent employees, to defend the contract through aggressive grievance handling and professional bargaining that includes work site organizing to win better rights as well as improvements in wages, hours and working conditions. Otherwise, why even have a union?

A union is not a monarchy or a secret society. Sometimes, when faced with a lot of work and an apathetic constituency it is easy to cut corners. It is hard being a union leader. But, I believe, if you cut corners on what it means to be a union then you have cut out too much. If you cut corners too deep, you will cut out the union's soul. Then, I believe, you are no good for anybody!