Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women Call to Action!!!!
As we enter into a special session, we must pressure the decision makers to make the right decision. We need you to call members of the fiscal committees and tell them to keep Pine Lodge open. Here is the message!
Eastern Washington is apart of Washington! We want the same opportunities for citizens in Eastern Washington as in Western Washington. We want fair access to family members who are incarcerated. We want the opportunity for them to benefit from maintaining family relationships. We want children of confined mothers to benefit from developing emotional ties. We want the opportunity to break the cycle of criminal offenses. Keep families together. Give children a chance and provide optimal opportunities for change.
CALL THEM AND LET THEM KNOW. 1-800-562-6002.
Submitted by Ton Johnson
Monday, March 15, 2010
Seven Days And Counting - ACT NOW
Brothers and Sisters,
We have 6 days left to act. The legislature is even now making decisions about closures, lay offs, program cut backs, furloughs, and our healthcare costs. I know you grow weary - all people who fight the good fight do. Battles are won in the closing days of engagements. These are those days. We need every member who can to participate in events in support of our jobs, our healthcare, and the programs that service the people of Washington state. Any member who does not take the time this week to call the hotline, speak to their legislators, write an e-mail, or join in job actions is gambling their own future and the future of families everywhere.
These are the last days of this battle. DO NOT FALL ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH. It will be a trainwreck.
Think you have no time to spend? Imagine the time we'll all find when faced with unemployment. Think your seniority will protect you from this? 20 year members have been laid off as job classes are eliminated altogether. Think someone else will fight your battle? Those who have been fighting all along for you are looking to see where you are.
Many members have spent countless hours driving long distances and using their own time to get this job done. Many others have participated in every way they can find to protect state employees and the services to the public. To those who have sacrificed so much - we owe a deep debt of gratitude. It will be paid in full when every member and represented individual makes the hotline call (1-800-562-6002), or join in an event to support the effort.
They can't roll over us when we stand together - GREEN MACHINE!
We have 6 days left to act. The legislature is even now making decisions about closures, lay offs, program cut backs, furloughs, and our healthcare costs. I know you grow weary - all people who fight the good fight do. Battles are won in the closing days of engagements. These are those days. We need every member who can to participate in events in support of our jobs, our healthcare, and the programs that service the people of Washington state. Any member who does not take the time this week to call the hotline, speak to their legislators, write an e-mail, or join in job actions is gambling their own future and the future of families everywhere.
These are the last days of this battle. DO NOT FALL ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH. It will be a trainwreck.
Think you have no time to spend? Imagine the time we'll all find when faced with unemployment. Think your seniority will protect you from this? 20 year members have been laid off as job classes are eliminated altogether. Think someone else will fight your battle? Those who have been fighting all along for you are looking to see where you are.
Many members have spent countless hours driving long distances and using their own time to get this job done. Many others have participated in every way they can find to protect state employees and the services to the public. To those who have sacrificed so much - we owe a deep debt of gratitude. It will be paid in full when every member and represented individual makes the hotline call (1-800-562-6002), or join in an event to support the effort.
They can't roll over us when we stand together - GREEN MACHINE!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dire Straits in Washington State - Act Now
Brothers and Sisters,
We are being pushed hard in the direction of wage reductions, increased cost for healthcare, and job loss. The legislature will go into special session on Monday and our financial future hangs with the decisions they make.
At this point the Governor's budget underfunds our healthcare benefits and the Senate budget is even worse. We asked for 80 million. The House budget provides 65 million which keeps us even if further inflation doesn't undermine it. The result of the underfunding could mean deductibles of $3000 a year. Our members cannot withstand that kind of assault. We know that the increased costs are already causing members to stay away from office visits and stop taking certain prescribed medications.
What happens now is negotiation between the Governor's office, the House, and the Senate. With both the Governor and the Senate budgets setting the funding level so low, there will be intense pressure on House members who return on Tuesday to reduce the funding in their budget. We have had the benefit of a solid group of House members who stand up for state employees and their families. They know it was wrong for the state to divert the dollars from our healthcare plans risking our negotiated benefits.
The Senate returns Monday. The House returns Tuesday. The lunchbox issues on the table are furloughs for state employees (11 days), out of reach healthcare premiums and deductibles, closures of facilities in DOC, DD, JRA and other program cuts.
We are in dire straits. The legislature closed its regular session with the music from "Titanic". The legislature will return and try to pass a budget in one week.
We have had to play defense all session. The game isn't over yet. The good news is that the unprecedented job actions, lobby efforts, phone calls, and e-mails have made a difference. If members had not engaged with such passion and energy, that list of bad proposals would have been a fete accompli. We have refused to go quietly into the financial morass planned for us. We have fought back every day in every way we know how. These actions are having a serious impact.
Yesterday, a legislative aide ran up to the Executive Director at the Capitol and demanded to know what is going on and why are state employees making these panicked calls. The answer is simple:
WE'RE MAD AS HELL AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT! We will stand up! We will fight back! We will remember! We will do something about it both NOW and LATER!
The battle is in the Senate on Monday. Will you be there? If you can come - do it! We need a solid front on Monday. If you can't - then fight with us by calling the hotline at 1-800-562-6002. We will fight to the bitter end to save our jobs, to save our wages and to save our healthcare! Green Machine - show them what we've got!
We are being pushed hard in the direction of wage reductions, increased cost for healthcare, and job loss. The legislature will go into special session on Monday and our financial future hangs with the decisions they make.
At this point the Governor's budget underfunds our healthcare benefits and the Senate budget is even worse. We asked for 80 million. The House budget provides 65 million which keeps us even if further inflation doesn't undermine it. The result of the underfunding could mean deductibles of $3000 a year. Our members cannot withstand that kind of assault. We know that the increased costs are already causing members to stay away from office visits and stop taking certain prescribed medications.
What happens now is negotiation between the Governor's office, the House, and the Senate. With both the Governor and the Senate budgets setting the funding level so low, there will be intense pressure on House members who return on Tuesday to reduce the funding in their budget. We have had the benefit of a solid group of House members who stand up for state employees and their families. They know it was wrong for the state to divert the dollars from our healthcare plans risking our negotiated benefits.
The Senate returns Monday. The House returns Tuesday. The lunchbox issues on the table are furloughs for state employees (11 days), out of reach healthcare premiums and deductibles, closures of facilities in DOC, DD, JRA and other program cuts.
We are in dire straits. The legislature closed its regular session with the music from "Titanic". The legislature will return and try to pass a budget in one week.
We have had to play defense all session. The game isn't over yet. The good news is that the unprecedented job actions, lobby efforts, phone calls, and e-mails have made a difference. If members had not engaged with such passion and energy, that list of bad proposals would have been a fete accompli. We have refused to go quietly into the financial morass planned for us. We have fought back every day in every way we know how. These actions are having a serious impact.
Yesterday, a legislative aide ran up to the Executive Director at the Capitol and demanded to know what is going on and why are state employees making these panicked calls. The answer is simple:
WE'RE MAD AS HELL AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT! We will stand up! We will fight back! We will remember! We will do something about it both NOW and LATER!
The battle is in the Senate on Monday. Will you be there? If you can come - do it! We need a solid front on Monday. If you can't - then fight with us by calling the hotline at 1-800-562-6002. We will fight to the bitter end to save our jobs, to save our wages and to save our healthcare! Green Machine - show them what we've got!
Friday, February 5, 2010
AFSCME Call To Action - Save State Jobs!
Call to Action - Now! Please call 1-888-460-0813 and ask your Senator to support an increase in Medicaid funding for the states as part of the jobs bill. Helping state and local governments saves and creates jobs. Every dollar invested in public services creates $1.41 in economic growth. Economists on the left and right agree that helping state and local governments is one of the best ways to save and create jobs.
Recommended script: Hello, my name is ____ and I live at _____. I'd like to speak to the person who is working on the jobs bill. When you are connected, ask this question: Can I count on Senator_______ to support and fight for aid for state and local goivernments as part of the jobs bill?
Recommended script: Hello, my name is ____ and I live at _____. I'd like to speak to the person who is working on the jobs bill. When you are connected, ask this question: Can I count on Senator_______ to support and fight for aid for state and local goivernments as part of the jobs bill?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Get on the bus and come to Olympia for the Presidents' Day Rally and Lobby Day
Join thousands of other public employees at noon on Monday, February 15, on the Capitol steps in Olympia to rally the legislature for revenue to protect our future.
Cuts to safety net programs are unjust. Safety net programs have already been cut to the bone. We're urging legislators to support raising new revenue and closing some of the $14.8 billion tax loopholes to help save our safety net.
We must show legislators how much is at stake if huge proposed cuts go through. Anti-state employee forces will also be rallying that day, so we must be there to counter their wrong-headed message.
RSVP here - REGISTER today:Send us the letter below to tell us your plans for the day. When you RSVP, we'll arrange for your lunch and make appointments for you to meet with your legislators.
Here's what you can do:
- Attend the rally at noon on Monday, February 15 - President's Day holiday.
- Schedule to meet with your legislators while you're at the Capitol.
- Can't attend the rally? Call the legislative hotline at 800-562-6000 on February 15th and leave them a message urging them to support revenue options that include closing tax loopholes.
But if you can't make the briefing, you can join us at the rally.
Green it up! Wear your green AFSCME t-shirt. Don't have one? Pick one up at the AM briefing.
Schedule:
- 9 AM - Briefing at the Natural Resources Building Cafeteria.
- 9:30 to Noon - Opportunity for appointments with your legislators.
- Noon Rally - Capitol steps.
- 1:30 - Opportunity for afternoon appointments with legislators.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
THIS IS NOT A DRILL
SENATE BILL 6503 WILL TAKE PAY from hard working state employees. It will go through executive session today and be heard on the floor tomorrow. It has come up quickly and suddenly and must be fought quickly and suddenly. Please call the hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your Senator, In addition you may leave messages to the following decision makers on the Ways and Means committee: Prentice, Fraser, Tom, Zarelli, Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Mc Dermott, Murray, Oemig, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Regala, Rockefeller, Schoesler.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Speaker Of The House Visits SOLAs
On December 30, Representative Frank Chopp visited two SOLA homes in King County, one in Kent and the other in Renton. Representative Chopp was escorted by Matt Zuvich and I as well as other members who work in SOLA. Representative Chopp was greeted warmly by the people residing in the homes and by the wonderful state employees, WFSE members, who assist them. Residents of the SOLA homes proudly showed Representative Chopp their rooms that had been adapted to meet their needs and how the home was ADA accessible including a roll in shower for those residents requiring total care. One resident discussed her concerns regarding the denials she has received from Medicaid for a new wheelchair that she desperately needs to prevent pressure sores. She continues to appeal to Medicaid for her wheelchair. Our members talked about visits and interactions the residents they serve have with their families and friends.
Representative Chopp asked how the neighborhood has accepted the SOLA home and state employees, our members, shared their stories with him. They told him that many of the neighbors were leery at first. One neighbor came to the home and told them that they had lowered his property values. Another neighbor called the police when one of the residents was outside enjoying a picnic. This resident is non-verbal and expresses herself through loud vocalizations when she is happy. The neighbors thought this was a child being abused and called the police. This incident and others like it are what our most vulnerable clients experience when they move into our local neighborhoods. Without the specialized support the residents receive from valued State Employees, their transition into the Community would be much more difficult.
Many thanks to the Residents and Staff at the SOLA homes, for allowing us to visit your home. I had a wonderful time visiting and getting to know all of you.
In solidarity,
Sue Henricksen
Representative Chopp asked how the neighborhood has accepted the SOLA home and state employees, our members, shared their stories with him. They told him that many of the neighbors were leery at first. One neighbor came to the home and told them that they had lowered his property values. Another neighbor called the police when one of the residents was outside enjoying a picnic. This resident is non-verbal and expresses herself through loud vocalizations when she is happy. The neighbors thought this was a child being abused and called the police. This incident and others like it are what our most vulnerable clients experience when they move into our local neighborhoods. Without the specialized support the residents receive from valued State Employees, their transition into the Community would be much more difficult.
Many thanks to the Residents and Staff at the SOLA homes, for allowing us to visit your home. I had a wonderful time visiting and getting to know all of you.
In solidarity,
Sue Henricksen
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