In some states, lawmakers don't have a choice of whether to take their pay during a budget impasse. California voters passed a law last year that requires legislators to forfeit their pay after June 15 if a balanced budget is not in place. Minnesota has no such law-yet

 

 

 

 

To see the Latest State Contract Negotiations Report Click HERE

 

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Nationwide protests target corporate influence on elections
(01-20-2012)
WASHINGTON - Demonstrations taking place across the country are protesting the second anniversary of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing corporations to spend unlimited funds to influence elections.

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Unemployed Workers Call on Big Minnesota Banks to Create Jobs

 

 

 

Speak truth to lies

Myth: Public employees are overpaid. In fact, AFSCME Council 5 members earn $38,000 a year on average. Most of us are struggling paycheck to paycheck with frozen wages, just like the average Minnesota worker who earns $42,000.

Myth: Public employees earn more than private-sector employees. In fact, public workers in Minnesota earn 4 percent less than our counterparts in the private sector, when matched by education and experience. That’s because we’ve sacrificed wages for better benefits.

Myth: Public pensions are extravagant. In fact, AFSCME retirees have modest pension benefits of about $13,000 a year. Combined with Social Security, it’s the difference between dignity and poverty. Ninety percent of retired public workers stay in Minnesota; their pensions fuel the local economy and keep seniors self-sufficient

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Myth: Public employees drag down the economy. In fact, we buy necessities, not luxuries, and that’s the kind of spending that will pull Minnesota out of this consumer-driven recession. Every time government cuts a public employee’s job, Main Street loses a customer. As more stores shutter their doors, the last thing we need is more layoffs.

Myth: Compensation for public employees is the cause of the state’s deficit. In fact, if former Gov. Pawlenty had fired all state employees, the cost savings would have erased only 21 percent of the state’s $6.2 billion budget deficit.

Myth: Public employees are lazy. Minnesota’s state workforce is the 10th leanest and one of the most productive in the nation. Minnesota has 71 public workers for every 10,000 residents, according to the U.S. census. We’re tied with conservative Florida. We’re working harder with fewer co-workers. Since 2002, Gov. Pawlenty has cut 11% of the state workforce. As a result, AFSCME has lost 1,590 members.

Myth: Government is growing. In fact, government is shrinking in Minnesota. Yet middle-income taxpayers are frustrated that they’re paying more and getting less. That’s because they’re subsidizing tax breaks for the richest Minnesotans. The wealth of Minnesota millionaires has doubled under the Pawlenty administration, as their state and local tax rates have decreased by 4 percent.

Myth: Reforming government will erase the deficit. In fact, experts agree that making state government more efficient will cut costs by only 2 percent – at most. It’s still worth the effort because taxpayers deserve the best possible government services for their hard-earned dollars. Frontline workers know best how to do that and Gov. Dayton wants to make us part of the solution. He respects us and will partner with us to cut costs and improve efficiency and service delivery.

FACTS:

• AFSCME members earn $38,000 a year, on average. We’ve deferred our wages for a pension that allows us to retire with dignity. That pension is a contract between workers and their employer.
• Public pensions are modest. The average AFSCME retiree has pension benefits of about $13,000 a year.
• Minnesota’s pension systems pay out more than $2.5 billion, add $3.3 billion to the state economy, and create 22,500 additional jobs.
• State and local taxes collected on our pensions exceed public employer pension contributions by $80 million a year.
• 90% of retired public workers stay in Minnesota. That benefits our economy and keeps seniors self-sufficient.
  
• More than 20% of senior citizens are living in poverty with only Social Security.
• Minnesota taxpayers pay for only 15 cents of every dollar in public pension benefits.
• Most private pensions are 100% employer paid. Our members pay for half of theirs.
• Defined benefit focuses on how much is paid to the retired worker. Defined contribution focuses on how much goes into the plan.
• Defined benefit plans cost half of what defined contribution plans cost to deliver the same benefit due to superior investment management and pooling of longevity risk.
• AFSCME members have taken responsible action to ensure that there are sufficient funds to pay benefits for retirees, active employees and future hires. For example:
  • We fixed a $4 billion funding gap by raising employer and employee contributions and capping our benefit increases at 5 percent. Those fixes will maintain the financial integrity of the plans even after baby boomers retire. There’s no need for taxpayers, public workers or legislators to panic.
  • We supported legislative action to reduce our cost-of-living increase.
    See benefit adjustments recommended by MSRS and PERA.

  Source: Retirement Systems of Minnesota, “Measuring the Economic Benefits”

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February 10th - We have posted a copy of the MSOP annual performance report to the House. Click HERE to read it. It is in .pdf format so wait for it to download.

 

if you click on this site,
 
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/audio/archivescomm.asp?comm=87015&ls_year=87
 
and scroll down to February 8th, then click on listen, you'll be able to listen to Benson make presentation to the house

 

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Check out this link to read about a bill just introduced in the House which is a bill for an act relating to state government; requiring a reduction in the state workforce;
creating an early retirement program;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 43A.

Click the blue text below to read abou the bill.... pay special attention to subdivision 1 and 12 which talks about layoffs, furloughs etc and sub 12 which notes that elected officials are not considered state employees for the purpose of this bill... SURPRISE! the very people who will be voting on this bill to cut wages, pensions and layoff State of Minnesota employees will NOT have to worry about their pensions or wages being cut.
H.F. No. 4,  as introduced - 87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)   Posted on Jan 10, 2011

 

Click HERE to find out who your representatives are and contact them telling them to vote NO ON H.F. No. 4!

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AFSCME Publications
Read the latest issue of AFSCME WORKS magazine, which includes a cover story about the next generation of AFSCME activists. AFSCME WORKS

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We would like to thank www.cybertpc.com in Askov, MN for providing Local 1092 with a great deal on a laptop for the locals secretary. Please patronize this buisness for all your home computer needs.

 

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1.	Threaten or coerce employees in order to discourage support for the union.
2.	Spy on your union activities.
3.	Inquire about your union activities or opinions.
4.	Discharge, transfer, or demote employees for union activities.
5.	Deny employees the right to vote for the union.