Kansas Labor

KOSE Press Release

KOSEUNION — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:15:54 +0000

KOSE Executive Director Jane Carter Responds to Governor Parkinson’s Proposed Budget Solutions

“KOSE members and state employees can breathe a small and temporary sigh of relief in knowing that we will not be suffering any further cuts to the vital services we provide under the budget solutions announced by the Governor. However, with a $106 million budget gap we will remain diligent and mindful of any further action toward cutting the budget.

We agree with Governor Parkinson’s statement that; “We cannot balance the budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety-net services without new revenue.” We now urge the Legislature to implement these sensible changes the Governor outlined in his press conference because we cannot cut our way out of this current crisis.

The Governor is also correct when he addressed the recent tax cuts and how they have not affected one average citizen but have feathered the nest of special interests. Simply put, they have not generated the amount of revenue that some had hoped for and that is why we must look at real solutions such as raising revenue.

We all understand these types of cuts are designed to carry us through this crisis; however, they will only provide a temporary fix and will not solve our long term problems. When the Governor called for a revenue increase he was not only right in doing so, but he is setting the right kind of example for our Legislature. We cannot face any more devastating cuts. Raising revenue is the only option and only solution.

State Employees and KOSE members provide the vital services that maintain our roads, hospitals, and public safety—we care for the most venerable of Kansas and we know what their needs are. That is why we agree with the Governor’s sensible approach to our budget shortfalls and that is also why we will keep the pressure on the Legislature should they try once again to balance this budget on the backs of our state workers.”

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Rally for Workers’ Comp Reform

Tyler Longpine — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:56:59 +0000

After a successful increase in the state minimum wage last year, the next step is to finally repeal the $125,000 cap on worker’s compensation, which hasn’t been amended in 20 years.

The Legislature has allowed workers compensation to deteriorate to the point that it now fails to provide adequate disability protection for working families. Instead of protecting workers, work comp protects insurance companies that delay and deny needed medical care and enjoy outrageous profits at the expense of Kansas businesses and employees. The Legislature must make substantive reforms if we intend to protect the engine of the economy: our workforce.

We are close to having the votes to get the bill out of committee in the Senate. We need your help to pressure Legislators to move this bill forward in the House. To help build momentum, please join us for a rally on Friday, February 26th at 2 p.m. in the Old Supreme Courtroom at the State Capitol. (3rd Floor) Let’s spread the word that now is the time for the Legislature to stand behind Kansas working families.

If you haven’t already done so, sign the Workers’ Compensation Petition.

Workers Comp Rally

Friday, February 26th 2:00pm
Old Supreme Courtroom – 3rd Floor

Take action to fix the Kansas Work Comp system

Tyler Longpine — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:55:09 +0000

We can do better to protect injured workers in Kansas,but it won’t happen unless we take action. Please take the time to sign our online petition for Worker’s Compensation Reform. We will provide numbers on our petition signatures as Union Brothers and Sisters descend upon the state’s capitol building in Topeka, Kansas for a rally to protect Working Kansans. We are asking all of Working Families to join us as we gather the afternoon of February 26th (just prior to Washington Days celebrations) to listen to legislative leaders who support our quest for Work Comp Reform. We will have a more specific time and location of where we will gather at the Capitol soon!

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State Employees Respond to the Safekeeping of KNI and PSH for Future Generations: Governor Rejects Facilities Closure Report

KOSEUNION — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:47:43 +0000

State employees and KOSE members applaud Governor Mark Parkinson for making the right decision to save the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) soon after its 50th anniversary. The Governor also rejected the Facilities Closure report to downsize Parsons State Hospital as well. This will preserve the homes of more than 150 residents and protect the jobs of more than 500 workers. State employees and members of KOSE made hundreds of phone calls to the Statehouse and the Governor’s Office in support of KNI and PSH and the vital service they provide not only to the mental health and special needs communities of Kansas, but to the state economy as well.

According to a study commissioned last September by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, KNI not only provides 500 jobs at the hospital itself but supports more than 1300 jobs in the area. The study also found that KNI generates $8,159,976 in tax revenue for the State of Kansas and City of Topeka.

Today the communities of Kansas can give a sigh of relief in knowing that the residents of KNI and PSH will continue receiving their treatment, workers will continue providing care, and the Kansas economy won’t suffer any further hardship during these tough economic times.

This decision is a testament to all the hard work state employees and KOSE members accomplished by contacting their legislators and the governor on behalf KNI and PSH in the past few months. We dodged a bullet for now, but the decision does leave the possibility for future closures. Shutting the doors of these and other state institutions is unacceptable. We will continue fighting on behalf of our vital institutions.

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URGENT: CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!

Tyler Longpine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:00:48 +0000

Call your legislators and tell them to stop cutting our critical state services!

Kansas Legislative Hotline:1-800-432-3924

Talking points for calling your legislator:

I am calling to urge you to act now to save our state.Kansas is in serious trouble. And it is not trouble caused by overspending; it is caused by over cutting.

Cuts made by the state in Medicaid have caused Kansans with disabilities to lose services and low-paid care-givers have seen their pay decline.

Our schools have cut employees and for the first time in generations, the educational opportunities available to our children are at risk of being cut and lost.

The safety of our communities is at risk as you approve cuts that will turn prisoners lose and close down correctional facilities.

Repairs and reconstruction on our highways will come to a halt if the state doesn’t get serious about these funding challenges.

For too long the legislature has been handing out corporate tax cuts while vulnerable programs have to cope with fewer and fewer resources. A legislature that is more interested in protecting corporate tax cuts than the vulnerable citizens of this state is a legislature that has lost its moral compass.

We have long enjoyed life in a state that knew how take care of its people, educate its children, and build great roads and highways. That quality of life is being eroded right now.

Please support a revenue increase to protect the lives of Kansas citizens!

For more member information please visit the KOSE web site: www.koseunion.org and register for our “Members Only” section to get legislator vote records and other important information.

AFL-CIO Legislative Update #1

Tyler Longpine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:57:00 +0000

January 25, 2010, from Andy Sanchez, Kansas AFL-CIO:

Just over 2 weeks in to the 2010 Sate Legislative Session it is easy to see that it is much too early for legislators (the majority of whom are up for re-election) to seriously consider taxes. We encourage you all to call your legislator and “wake them up” to the needs of our state. Going in to session, a $400 million shortfall was projected. Still, poor economy or not, Governor Mark Parkinson made it clear in his State of the State Address that this budget crisis is but a “snapshot” to measure our State’s character by. The thing is, he has a responsible solution.

The Governor acknowledged the challenge that Labor knows all too well, our sagging economy. With a sagging economy comes sagging revenues. The Governor proposed an increase in cigarette tax from .79 per pack to $1.34. Also, to temporarily raise the sales tax for a period of 36 months by 1 cent, then continuing that .2 (that’s 2/10 of a cent) for a moderate Highway Program. Remember, a highway plan has not been passed going forward after trying to do so the last two years. Previously we had 2 ten-year very successful highway plans dating back to 1989. This is critical to maintaining our infrastructure and puts union people to work.

This will be another year where budget balancing will dominate the legislative session. Two things are important here. First, state legislators will want to wait for the latest revenue projections. The budget bill is a work in progress and some dangerous legislators want cuts now. These numbers won’t come till April so it is foolish to cut now. We should get to work on discussing solutions to make sure we solve the budget woes. Second, state legislators will keep an eye on any possible federal help coming to states.

Our Sisters and Brothers at KOSE and KAPE have the most to lose when things are put on the chopping block for cuts. Beware of those legislators that say government is too big and we can always cut more out of state government. State employees provide valuable services at compensation levels proven to be below market. It makes no sense to cut part of our state’s infrastructure that works. When we think of the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Division, Social Services, KBI and Correctional Facilities. This is exactly the wrong time to hedge on safety nets such as unemployment benefit that put money right back into the economy. Likewise this is a terrible time to cut law enforcement, correctional staffing levels and shorten sentences as a remedy to incarceration costs. Public education is also one of the first areas of the budget ultra-consrvative legislators will look to cut. Well excuse us for trying to get an adequate education for our kids! Call your legislator(s) to make sure we maintain valuable state agency budgets and services to the public.

In light of the budget it will be challenging to get legislators to look at other issues. Unemployment Benefits will likely demand much of our time this session as we will want to make certain that those who need access to this safety net can get it on in to the future.

Passing a Transportation Plan is another priority of ours, but that takes money. The good thing here is that there is bi-partisan support on this issue. How it is funded and how many years of funding they will be willing to commit to a decent project will be the question. Three years of funding is the direction they are going and that just maintains. Legislative Committees are looking at 2 options to this point. The first would eliminate the sales tax exemption on fuel purchases while also reducing the fuels tax by 5 cents per gallon. The net result is a gain for a transportation plan. The second option would utilize a 7 cent increase in Motor Fuels tax (and increase as with the Consumer Price Index) with implementation delayed till 2013. Registration for cars and trucks would also increase in this option.

Watch for our next Legislative Update to see how a “Rainy Day” fund proposal could be utilized to save these headaches every year. But is it possible in the climate of our state legislature.

State Employees Respond to the State of the State: KOSE Applauds Governor Parkinson’s Courage

KOSEUNION — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:09:51 +0000

The other night Governor Mark Parkinson addressed the harsh realities of this past year’s budget cuts that he declared as “brutal.” He also made it clear that it is not responsible governing to cut “beyond the point of waste.” This is heartening news since Kansas state employees and KOSE members know all too well how brutal these cuts truly have been. The Governor has also shown great courage by calling for modest tax increases to preserve vital state services and avoid outright catastrophe for education, public safety, and aid to our most needy.

It is well known that Governor Mark Parkinson has faced the worst crisis Kansas has ever seen since the Great Depression and cut more waste from the state budget than any of his predecessors. That is why his remarks are a sincere reminder that we cannot afford anymore devastating cuts.

Governor Parkinson must be applauded for his perseverance and courage as we try to salvage our economy and learn from this crisis.

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Tune in Tonight: State of the State Address!

KOSEUNION — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:49:39 +0000

Tonight Governor Mark Parkinson will be delivering the 2010 State of the State Address to the Citizens of Kansas. This address will no doubt be a somber one with high unemployment, a budget shortfall of nearly 400 million, and the continued threats to further slash our vital state services and the workers that provide these services.

KOSE Executive Director Jane Carter and KOSE Government Affairs Liaison R.J. Wilson are continually monitoring the situation for state employees on a daily basis. They will maintain a presence at the Statehouse to relay critical information to KOSE members. However, as state employees and KOSE members, you are charged with the most crucial act of making your voices heard loud and clear to your legislators when our livelihoods are under attack from budget cuts, privatization schemes, or facility closures.

It has been an intensive 4-year budget crisis here in Kansas and that is why the KOSE 2010 Lobby Day on March 17th will be a major event for us in the fight to keep our vital services, our jobs and livelihoods. However, we simply mustn’t wait for March to begin the fight to protect our livelihoods. KOSE will provide a Shadow Lobby Day program in February to build pressure and keep it on our legislators till March.

If you are interested in participating in our Shadow Lobby Day program in February as an individual or small group please contact Gus Froemke, KOSE Communications Specialist: gus@koseunion.org

The State of the State Address is Today at 7 p.m. central and can be viewed statewide on Sunflower’s Broadband Channel 6.

Kansas State Employees: Critical Condition

KOSEUNION — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:15:56 +0000

Brother and Sisters!

Kansas state employees are under attack; there’s simply no other way to put it. Whether it’s our jobs, pensions, or paychecks we are under constant assault. Privatization schemes are being considered for our jobs and pensions and there are even calls to underfund our paychecks.

They want to privatize our jobs!

Under a privatization scheme for any one state agency or service, the KOSE protected employees involved will certainly lose their rights under our union contract and be forced to adhere to the whims of some private contractor that will typically provide less pay and poor benefits. Of course, most workers affected by privatization schemes are not guaranteed to keep their jobs once an agency or service is outsourced.

They want to privatize and underfund our pensions!

Threats to our pensions by way of privatization or the lowering of the multiplier would be outright detrimental to our retirement security. For example, the state of Nebraska decided to privatize its public employee pension system thirty years ago and it resulted in mass hardship for its public employee retirees. Most were left with nothing from the mismanagement of their investments or high consulting fees from financial investment firms. And lowering the multiplier would mean that employees must put more money into KPERs without getting more compensation in return.

They want to underfund our paychecks!

When we fought hard to protect our paychecks at the legislature last session some legislators must have missed the point! The calls now to underfund our paychecks would result in more Kansas state employees falling even further behind the market rate putting us at the bottom of our regional pay scale.

Now is the time to act!

The upcoming legislative session starts on January 11th and we need to make a stand now and keep the pressure on these legislators who want to play games with our livelihoods. Below is a list of legislators from key committees that affect our jobs, pensions, and paychecks. Please take some time while you are on holiday vacation to contact these people and tell them not to play games with our livelihoods!

Writing a Letter or Email to a legislator:

Identify yourself: Name, address, and phone number.

Get to the point: Tell the legislator what your position is on an issue and explain why.

Use your personal background: Relate your position on an issue to your background or life experience.

Be professional: Address legislator by title, write legibly or type and be courteous.

Calling a legislator:

Be professional: Ask for the legislator by title and be courteous.

Identify yourself: Name and address.

Get to the point: Tell the legislator what your position is on an issue and explain why.

Use your personal background: Relate your position on an issue to your background or life experience.

Stay Positive: If the legislator does not share your views or fails to be sensitive to your issue, do not get argumentative. Please stay focused on your issue and why it is important to you and if the conversation needs to end please remain courteous.

Always leave room for a follow up conversation.

Key Legislators

House Speaker Mike O’Neal: 8 Windemere Ct. Hutchinson, 67502 Phone: (620) 663-9181 Email: mike.oneal@house.ks.gov

House Appropriations Committee members:

Rep. Kevin Yoder, Chair: 5817 W. 100 Terr. Overland Park, 66207 Phone: (913) 341-1028 Email: kevin.yoder@house.ks.gov

Rep. Barbara Craft: 110 S. Garfield. Junction City, 66441 Phone: (785) 238-1384 Email: barbra.craft@house.ks.gov

Rep. J. David Crum: 2903 Lakeshore Dr. Augusta, 67010 Phone: (316) 775-6826 Email: david.crumb@house.ks.gov

Rep. Peter DeGraaf: 1445 E 119th. Mulvane, 67110 Phone: (316) 777-0715 Email: peter.degraaf@house.ks.gov

Rep. Owen Donohoe: 6265 Arapahoe. Shawnee, 66226 Phone: (913) 441-9042 Email: owen.donohoe@house.ks.gov

Rep. James Faber: HC 2, Box 130. Brewster, 67732 Phone: (785) 649-2619 Email: john.faber@house.ks.gov

Rep. Mitch Holmes: 211 S.E. 20th Ave. St. John, 67576 Phone: (620) 234-5834 Email: mitch.holmes@house.ks.gov

Rep. Kasha Kelley: PO Box 1111. Arkansas City, 67005 Phone: (620) 442-2460 Email: kasha.kelley@house.ks.gov

Rep. Bill Light: PO Box 287. Rolla, 67954 Phone: (620) 593-4749 Email: bill.light@house.ks.gov

Rep. Peggy Mast: 765 Road 110. Emporia, 66801 Phone: (620) 343-2465 Email: peggy.mast@house.ks.gov

Rep. Joe McLeland: 431 S. Westfield. Wichita, 67209 Phone: (316) 722-8804 Email: joe.mcleland@house.ks.gov

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: 7075 122nd St. Ozawkie, 66070 Phone: (785) 945-3808 Email: lee.tafanelli@house.ks.gov

Rep. Jeff Whitham: 1308 Cloud Circle. Garden City, 67846 Phone: (620) 275-5417 Email: jeff.whitham@house.ks.gov

Rep. Bill Feuerborn, Ranking Member: 1600 Park Rd. Garnett, 66032 Phone: (785) 448-6457 Email: bill.feuerborn@house.ks.gov

Rep. Barbra Ballard: 1532 Alvamar Dr. Lawrence, 66047 Phone: (785) 841-0063 Email: Barbra.ballard@house.ks.gov

Rep. Tom Burroughs: 3131 S. 73rd Terr. Kansas City, 66106 Phone: (913) 375-1956 Email: tom.burroughs@house.ks.gov

Rep. Sydney Carlin: 1650 Sunnyslope Ln. Manhattan, 66502 Phone: (785) 539-6612 Email: sydney.carlin@house.ks.gov

Rep. Jerry Henry: 3515 Neosho Rd. Cummings, 66016 Phone: (913) 296-2050 Email: jerry.henry@house.ks.gov

Rep. Harold Lane: 1308 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, 66612 Phone: (785) 232-3610 Email: harold.lane@house.ks.gov

Rep. Tom Sawyer: 1041 S. Elizabeth St. Wichita, 67213 Phone: (316) 265-7096 Email: tom.sawyer@house.ks.gov

Rep. Jim Ward: 3100 E. Clark. Wichita, 67211 Phone: (316) 683-3609 Email: jim.ward@house.ks.gov

Rep. Jerry Williams: 21225 Kiowa Rd. Chanute, 66720 Phone: (620) 431-0172 Email: jerry.williams@house.ks.gov

Senate Ways and Means Committee

Se. Jay Elmer, Chair: 1457 Shawnee Rd. Lindsborg, 67456 Phone: (785) 227-2887 Email: jay.elmer@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Carolyn McGinn, Vice Chair: 11047 N. 87 West. Sedgwick, 67135 Phone: (316) 772-0147 Email: carolyn.mcginn@senate.ks.gov

Sen. John Vratil, Vice Chair: 9534 Lee Blvd. Leawood, 66206 Phone: (913) 341-7559 Email: john.vratil@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Ty Masterson: 5 Flannigan Dr. Augusta, 67010 Phone: (316) 775-1228 Email: ty.masterson@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Vicki Schmidt: 2919 SW Randolph Ct. Topeka, 66611 Phone: (785) 267-4686 Email: Vicki.schmidt@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Jean Schodorf: 3019 Benjamin Ct. Wichita, 67204 Phone: (316) 831-0229 Email: jean.schodorf@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Mark Taddiken: 2614 Hackberry Rd. Clifton, 66937 Phone: (785) 926-3325 Email: mark.taddiken@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Ruth Teichman: 434 E. Old Hwy 50. Stafford, 67578 Phone: (620) 234-5159 Email: ruth.teichman@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Dwayne Umbarger: 1582 70th Rd. Thayer, 66776 Phone: (620) 839-5458 Email: Dwayne.umbarger@senate.ks.gov

Sen. David Wysong: 6630 Indian Ln. Mission Hills, 66208 Phone; (913) 384-9700 Email: david.wysong@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Laura Kelly, Ranking Member: 234 SW Greenwood Ave. Topeka, 66606 Phone: (785) 357-5304 Email: laura.kelly@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Kelly Kultala: 12232 Hubbard Rd. Kansas City, 66109 Phone: (913) 721-0055 Email: Kelly.kultala@senate.ks.gov

Sen. Janis Lee: 2032 90th Rd. Kensington, 66951 Phone: (785) 476-2294 Email: Janis.lee@senate.ks.gov

Trumka on Health Care Reform

Andy Sanchez — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:02:58 +0000

Just Wanted to Forward this AFL-CIO Press Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Amaya Tune/Eddie Vale 202-637-5279

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

On Health Care Bill

December 17, 2009

The labor movement has been fighting for health care for nearly 100 years and we are not about to stop fighting now, when it really matters.

But for this health care bill to be worthy of the support of working men and women, substantial changes must be made. The AFL-CIO intends to fight on behalf of all working families to make those changes and win health care reform that is deserving of the name.

The absolute refusal of Republicans in the Senate to support health care reform and the hijacking of the bill by defenders of the insurance industry have brought us a Senate bill that is inadequate: It is too kind to the insurance industry.

Genuine health care reform must bring down health costs, hold insurance companies accountable, assure that Americans can get the health care they need and be financed fairly.

That’s why we are championing a public health insurance option: It is the way to break the stranglehold of the insurance industry over consumers that has led to double digit premium increases virtually every year.
Employers must pay their fair share.
And the benefits of hard-working Americans cannot be taxed to pay for health care reform—that’s no way to rein in insurance companies and it’s the wrong way to pay for health care reform.

Those are the changes for which we will be fighting in the coming days.

The Senate bill does some good things: It will provide health insurance to 30 million more Americans and provide subsidies to low income individuals and families. Benefits will have to meet minimum standards and insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or impose lifetime or unreasonable annual limits. The bill also includes some relief for plans with early retirees as well as delivery system reforms that may lead to lower costs over the long haul. And Senate leaders have made a commitment to close the Medicare prescription drugs donut hole which is so costly to seniors.

But because it bends toward the insurance industry, the Senate bill will not check costs in the short term, and its financing asks working people and the country to pay the price, even as benefits are cut.

The House bill is the model for genuine health care reform. Working people cannot accept anything less than real reform.

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