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Mandi Steele/FULTON SUN photo: Alexandra Townsend a member of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union, speaks out about Senate Bill 202 at a Workers Memorial Day gathering in Veterans Park on Thursday.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Members of the community and surrounding areas gathered in Veterans Park Thursday for Workers Memorial Day to sound off on issues regarding workers’ rights.
Paula Hodges of Jefferson City told those gathered that they needed to stand together against “corporate powers that are totally taking over the capitol.”
Hodges is a member of the Missouri National Education Association union. She said corporate-backed politicians in Jefferson City are pushing legislation to “suppress unions” and “mute the workers.” One piece of legislation Hodges referred to is Senate Bill 202, which requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks to make political contributions.
“This is a preemptive move to try and silence middle class Americans to make more money,” she said of the businesses and politicians backing the bill.
A coalition of labor union members and community activists organized events around the nation Thursday to honor workers who were injured or killed on the job, address concerns over continued workplace hazards, and bring awareness to legislation union members see as threatening.
“This is an annual remembrance of people who left for work and were never able to make it home to their families,” said Cathy Sherwin, field communications director with American Federation of Labor—Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Sherwin attended the state memorial event at the Capitol in Jefferson City Thursday. She said it was a chance for people to speak out on the importance of worker safety and legislation that supports it.
“Although things have gotten better, there are still far too many people who have gotten injured on the job or killed even,” Sherwin explained.
Shannon Swoboda works as a security aide at Fulton State Hospital and is a member of AFSCME. Swoboda attended the gathering in Fulton, saying she feared the intent of SB 202 was to do away with unions. She explained that AFSCME works to make FSH a safer place to work.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 there were 4,340 workplace deaths due to traumatic injuries, 142 of those in Missouri, and 4.1 million occupational illnesses or injuries nationwide, 83,600 in Missouri.
Swoboda said the number of workplace deaths in the U.S. was high enough.
“I would hate to see (the fatality number) if we didn’t have the protections of the unions,” she said.
Retired kindergarten teacher Luana Gifford of Jefferson City said bringing awareness to people about workplace safety is one of the most important reasons for Workers Memorial Day. Gifford — a lobbyist for the American Federation of Teachers union — went to the noon gathering at the Capitol. She said, as a lobbyist, she continues the fight to ensure schools are safe from hazards such as lead paint and asbestos.
“We still have schools that need to be cleaned up,” she said. “As a teacher, I always wanted to make sure the classroom was safe for the teachers and the children.”
Comments
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
If ya didn't pay union dues wouldn't you be making more money?
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
No, statistically all employees make far less in right-to-work states and those which are labor-unfriendly. Everyone, not just union workers...you too. The dues that public employees in Missouri pay are moderate, and the members who pay them see the value in the resources they are providing collectively. Without their union, they would have absolutely no voice in the workplace and no chance to improve conditions and safety. Remember, in the current economy this isn't about fighting for better pay or benefits - workers everywhere are sacrificing and taking concessions in those areas - this is about workers keeping their fundamental right to come together and organize for other improvements at work.
teamsterdriver 2 years, 1 month ago
HAHAHAHA ..............THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID rock1853.IF YOU HAD NO UNION DUES TO PAY YOU WOULD MAKE WHAT EVER THEY WANTED TO PAY, WITH OUT A SAY, UNDER ANY WORKING CONDITIONS THEY SAY OR CAN GET AWAY WITH .TOMMORROW WITHOUT A UNION CONTRACT YOU COULD GO TO WORK AND MAKE LESS OR BE LAYED OFF WHILE A NEW GUY WORKING FOR LESS PAY OR BENEFITS COULD TAKE YOUR PLACE .I KNOW OF A COMPANY IN FULTON THAT HAS HAD ONE OF THE BEST YEARS IN 2010 ,THEY ARE STILL MAKEING CUTS,EMPLOYEES DOING JOBS THAT PAY LESS THAN BEFORE, AND EMPLOYEES THAT STARTED WHEN THEY OPENED YEARS AGO LOOSE THEIR JOB BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAVE DECIDED 1 NEW PERSON MAKING LESS CAN DO BOTH JOBS..... I AM HAPPY TO PAY MY UNION DUES.....
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
I would like to correct one fact that was misrepresented by whoever was involved with reporting on this story.
"...One piece of legislation Hodges referred to is Senate Bill 202, which requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks to make political contributions."
That is partially true, but with about ten minutes of actual research on SB 202, it would have been revealed that this is nothing less than a Wisconsin-style attack on public employees and their unions. The House version of this bill (HB 466) is far less aggressive, but the Senate version would actually eliminate payroll deductions for union dues. Why is that so bad, you may ask. It's political maneuvering and a true starve-the-beast tactic. Anti-labor politicians and their corporate backers know that if they affect the flow of voluntary resources to a union, they can deliver a crushing blow to anyone standing in their way to unchecked political power.
So, this is not just about limiting political contributions, it's really about attempting to destroy unions - which is really the people and workers. Also, keep in mind that although Missouri is not a right-to-work state, this bill is aimed at public employee unions where membership is voluntary. These folks choose whether to pay dues or not, and this bill attacks the rights of those who have chosen to pay them. Even far-right Tea Party supporters should be skeptical of government intrusions such as these simply on the basis of infringing on a person's individual liberties and freedoms.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
God bless ignorance, I suppose.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
I would think it an easy concept to understand that if you didn't pay dues that money would be going home with you. If one is educated and has skills they don't need to worry about what an employer pays and won't need union to look after them. You keep paying your union dues. I am proud to be self reliant. If I don't like the pay or conditions I can go work somewhere else. No one forced you to work for such terrible people. If the pay is so bad and "safety" is so bad then why in heck go to work there in the first place? Unions are dying and we get to witness it.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
rock1853,
I'm not sure if you don't read what's already been posted or if you just don't care. However, it has been widely-accepted public knowledge nationwide that these union-busting attempts have absolutely nothing to do with budgets and the arguments from union members have nothing to do with money either. Allow me to briefly reiterate the facts. Workers have the fundamental right in the workplace to have their voices heard. Historically, that is the only way improvements with safety and other areas have been made. You seem to mock safety concerns, perhaps you would like to educate yourself on the history of the American Labor Movement and the countless numbers of people who lose their lives in tragic workplace incidents every year. Again, the current battles over worker rights are about keeping their voice on the job, not making more money. And as a matter of fact, that right is guaranteed to workers in Missouri by the state constitution.
In addition, I'm not sure if you're paying attention to current events. Unions are far from dying, my friend, and membership is actually growing in response to these political attacks from the far-right. Not only is union membership on the rise, but politicians across the country who are waging war on the middle class are facing severe consequences in the form of an end of their political careers thanks to the voters. Quite frankly, the more condescending you and other conservatives are in your speech about working class people and the unions they need to help them survive, the more galvanized they become. You see, your un-researched point of view and harshly apathetic words only serve to strengthen the very organizations you want to see crippled. The more people in this country feel attacked by the right, the more they will come together and fight like never before for their survival. We've seen only the tip of this iceberg.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
I hate to break it to you, but Fox News admitted back in March when I was in Madison that all this has nothing to do with budgets, lol. I'm sorry, but I think all of your "rural common sense" (ROFL...from one of your previous posts here) has clouded your ability to distinguish facts from fiction. News flash...the fight is on, and the middle class is winning, many corporate-bought politicians are being yanked out of office as we speak and that's just the beginning of what is to come. Sorry, but public employees and their unions are standing up for their survival, and they're winning. :)
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
Actually it was a Fox anchor that did, in fact, admit the truth that I described above. I'm sorry you cannot admit the same. I'm also sorry that you are so comfortable living a small-minded life in a small rural town. Have fun with that.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
Yes indeed...educated, successful, and making a real difference in working people's lives, what horror and shame to be me, lol.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
God bless ignorance. I suppose.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
it's amusing that you have no educated response to the facts I've presented. Good day, sir.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
If you didn't pay union dues would that money be going home with you? True or False? Did someone force you to work for such terrible people? Yes or No? Did the voters in WI vote for Scott Walker and his platform? Yes or No?
Amuse yourself and answer simple questions.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
no response eh? I'll help you with the answers. True, False, True.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
I thought you would understand my "Good day, sir" as my end to this one-sided debate. Clearly, I was wrong. I was also incorrect in my assumption that given enough time you would actually read what was posted previously, do your own research (not Fox News), and stick to the topic at hand.
Since you insist on derailing the debate off-topic, I'll give factual answers to the questions you asked. Although, I must caution, we do not live in a black and white world as you have obviously been led to believe, so these answers have some explanation.
1) Yes, a person would have more take-home money in their paychecks without paying union dues, however without their voluntary choice to pay the dues they would not have any type of protection or ability to defend their rights at work. So, because union membership in this state has been on the rise along with nationwide averages, the logical conclusion is that people place job security and rights over an extra $20-$30 each month. For that little money, it's really a no-brainer.
2) No, nobody held a gun to these people's heads and forced them to work where they do. Some are stuck because of a lack of other opportunities, but the vast majority enjoy the work they do and the services they provide to their communities. It's not correct to assume that just because someone wants to make improvements at their job that they do not enjoy it currently. Everything can be improved, but not everyone has a backbone to put the work into making changes.
3) Yes/No. Yes, Wisconsin voters obviously elected Scott Walker to the position of Governor. No, they did not vote for his hidden-agenda platform to wage war on the working class in his state. I know you won't believe that claim, so I cam prepared with facts which you won't be able to dispute. Nationwide, public opinion polls overwhelmingly side with the workers versus Gov. Walker in light of his attacks, and the recall efforts in Wisconsin are already way over the numbers necessary to remove several of his neo-conservative Senators. In a few months after they're out of office, the citizens there will recall Scott himself.
I'm sorry the world isn't as black and white as you once thought and questions need a bit more than a simple yes or no in order to be completely factual.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
What ya think? Alexandra Townsend aka workingclass. Did I pin the nail on the DONKEY?
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
Wow, you must be a detective! lol, sorry but guess again. I like how your mind went straight to the person mentioned in the news article, despite the thousands and thousands of union-supporters in the state.
rukindalso 2 years, 1 month ago
workingclass....I think you're wasting your time. lol
Ron White was right.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
According to U.S. Dept. of Labor the percent of wage and salary workers who were members of a union in 2010 was 11.9 percent, down from 12.3 percent a year earlier. The other 88.1 percent of us are under paid and work in an "unsafe" environment.
In late October 2010, Walker told the Oshkosh Northwestern that he would "ask all state workers" for wage and benefit concessions in the collective bargaining process. But yes your are closer to right on this than I.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that a total of 744 bills targeting public-employee unions have been introduced in virtually every state across the nation. Better get on your walking shues and go see WI, NJ, FL, OH, LA, ID, OK, TN, NH, your already in MO so that's a good start.
You've got to ask yourself; if your in the minority, maybe the other 90 percent could be right couldn't they. Good day Ma'am.
workingclass 2 years, 1 month ago
It's funny, sort of, how you just can't grasp the concept of research. You cite research from over a year ago when trying to explain current events. Sorry, but that doesn't work by anyone's standards.
According to a February 2011 poll conducted by Pew Center Research (a conservative think tank), public opinion sided with public employees over governors who are attacking their rights. In 2010 I may have been in the minority, but it appears I am now in the majority. One other interesting fact...the poll numbers also scaled with median household income. The richest favored the governors attacks and the working middle class sided with public employees. It's just interesting to see who supports the attacks and who really supports the working class. Not surprising, but interesting to point out.
In addition, I am no longer in Missouri and I would prefer not to be referred to as ma'am since I am not a female. Thanks again for the laughs with your attempt to discover my identity...while preserving your own anonymity I might add. lol Good day, sir.
rock1853 2 years, 1 month ago
grin
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