Central Table Update 7/15/09

Legislative leaders have written to us and Governor Kulongoski [see copy of letter here] reiterating that savings from changes to state employee compensation do not need to total more than $65 million to balance the budget. Clearly, based on the latest proposal from the state during the bargaining sessions Monday and Tuesday, the Governor and his negotiators have not gotten the message.

The state continues to demand up to 22 days of mandatory unpaid time off (aka furloughs) and no guaranteed step increases. This proposal would save nearly double the target set to balance the budget, asking state workers not only to absorb our fair share of the budget shortfall but just about everyone else's, too! It is unfair, unreasonable and unnecessary.

We worked hard getting a budget passed that ensures front line workers will not have to shoulder the burden of the economic downturn alone. Now we have to turn our focus to the Governor. Governor Kulongoski needs to do his job, use the road map to a fair settlement that the legislature has provided. His negotiators shrug off the budget note set by the legislature calling for no more than $65 million in savings from front line workers. They are insisting on far deeper cuts when there is no good reason that they or anyone else can articulate for making valued state workers pay more than our fair share.

We have been willing to step up and be a part of the solution from the start of negotiations, but we expect equity: a fair contract that protects step increases and calls for no more furlough days than are actually necessary.

We need to get this message to the Governor often and loudly. Have everyone you know call the Governor at 503.378.4582 today. And see your organizer or steward for postcards you can have friends and relatives mail to the Governor.
The DAS Bargaining Team is extremely appreciative of the support we received from a large contingent of Salem-area members who converged on the union hall after work Tuesday and set up a loud and enthusiastic informational picket line to inform drive-time motorists heading south along Commercial Street. Thanks, too, to the union members across the state who held unity breaks and other actions!

Bargaining is scheduled again for Tuesday July 21, Monday July 27 and Tuesday, July 28.

Download a flyer to distribute to co-workers to urge them to call the Governor
Download a postcard for friends and family to mail to the Governor
See photos of recent informational picketing and unity breaks

More recent news about State/University bargaining