It’s 2009. The U.S. economy is in bad shape. The state of California faces a $40 billion budget shortfall. They’ve started laying off workers in Orange County. Other local governments are demanding cuts in health and retirement benefits … meanwhile two-thirds of SEIU Local 721 members will be negotiating a new contract. Step 1. Help President Obama get the economy back on track.
Enact an economic recovery package that will provide billions of dollars to state and local government for public services and to avoid job loss;
Fix the health care system in the U.S. to stop skyrocketing medical costs from draining resources needed for jobs, public services, and employee salaries.
Pass the Employee Free Choice Act, so that workers can make the choice to form a union without interference and intimidation from the boss. With more employees able to form or join unions, all workers will be able to share in the future growth of the economy.
Step 2. Balance the state budget without deep cuts to public jobs and services.
To close the huge state budget gap we will fi ght for both an infusion of federal dollars through Obama’s economic recovery package (see above) AND additional state revenues through specifi c tax changes.
Step 3. Negotiate new union contracts that preserve jobs, benefits, and standards of living.
By accomplishing Steps 1 and 2, we will improve the bargaining environment to make it possible to negotiate strong contracts for all Local 721 members.
Find out how you can be a part of the movement to get the economy back on track, close the state budget gap, and win contracts that preserve jobs and quality public services. Call (213) 368-8660 or learn more at www.seiu721.org.
4. Give Workers the Freedom to Choose a Union
Without a union, workers get left behind.Workers with unions average 30% higher wages and are 59% more likely to have employerprovided healthcare coverage.
SOLUTION: The Employee Free Choice Act:
• Gives workers the freedom to choose whether and how to form a union • Helps employees secure a contract in a reasonable period of time • Toughens penalties against employers who harass or fi re workers who are organizing a union
5. Fix Our Healthcare System
The average worker with health insurance now pays 117% more for family coverage than in 1999. More people than ever are uninsured, and even the insured are just one illness away from going bankrupt.
SOLUTION: Pass Health Reform Legislation that will:
Make quality, affordable health care available to all
Allow people to pay on a sliding scale
Give people the choice to continue with the coverage they have
Improve care and reduce cost by using new technology and emphasizing prevention.
6. Protect Our Schools, Colleges, Healthcare, and Other Vital Services
Most states across the nation are being forced to make deep budget cuts to schools, health care and other vital services. California is facing a $42 billion deficit in the next 18 months
SOLUTION: Steer substantial federal economic stimulus dollars to states, including $20 billion flexible block to California:
Increased help for Medicaid (in California, MediCal)
Help for higher education
Funding for infrastructure and special education.