What Happens Next?

by: southernbluedog

Thu Jun 23, 2011 at 04:27:11 PM EDT

I support the NJEA, CWA, PBA, FOP, and other unions that may be in Trenton today protesting the pension/benefits reforms. They are standing up against the bullies in the legislature and the governor's office. They are doing their best to defend collective bargaining and standing up for the working class.

Let's assume the legislature passes this legislation tonight. What happens tomorrow?

There may be legal challenges to the entire law or certain parts of the law. Some may challenge the fact that two topics were placed into one law, which many would argue is unconstitutional. Some may challenge the freezing of COLAs for retired pensioners. Some may lobby the legislature to make more changes to the law. Some people may decide to retire. Some may decide to try to find work in the private sector.

But what happens to the rest of us that have to go back to work for the government?

When this is all said and done, I call on ALL the unions and their locals to take some time to explain, in detail, how this legislation will affect each of their members. They have done a pretty good job of explaining that their members will have to pay more money. But they have done a poor job explaining details beyond that.

I call on the unions to create programs for their members that promote good financial decisions. Since members are losing a significant amount of money, I would love to see a program that teaches members how to create a family budget and how to abide by that budget. You would think that every family should know how to do that already, but with a sudden loss of income, they may need a refresher course.

I call on the unions to promote programs that would assist their members financially. That could mean an expansion of their scholarship program. That could mean that unions use some of their union dues for a financial-hardship assistance program.

There are a lot of positive things the unions can start doing tomorrow. Naturally they will still be involved in political activism. We still need someone to finance the voice of the working class. But what else will the unions do tomorrow?

southernbluedog :: What Happens Next?

Tags: pension, health benefits, reform, legislature, unions, NJEA, CWA, PBA, FOP, (All Tags)

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What Happens Next? | 5 comments

You Are Amazing! (0.00 / 0)

I have been asking the same questions to my union reps since this chaos started. I want some details so that I can move on with my life after this bill has passed but the union refuses to help. I thought their job was to help their members but now I am wondering myself if they are doing the right things for us. We need information. Thank you!

by: nkromann @ Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 14:02:12 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Mushroom Members (0.00 / 0)

You know the punch line!

Keeping you in the dark is the strategy!

by: firstamend07 @ Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 20:44:25 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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Unions (0.00 / 0)

The union leadership did what they thought was best for us. They tried fighting for the workers. Obviously they failed for one reason or another. I don't know how successful they will be. But I know right now I don't want to start a debate about the failures of union leadership vs. the failures of Christie Democrats.

My union rep is telling me that the implementation of most or all of this bill will either be voided or delayed due to litigation. I find it hard to believe a judge will put a restraining order against the state, preventing them from implementing this bill.

I understand it's tough to explain how the health benefits reform will affect employees since the plans haven't been designed. When they are designed, I hope the unions are honest about the future inflation of insurance premiums. It's easy to say an employee will pay $2,000/yr by year 4, but that may be closer to $2,500 (regardless of % of the premium) if inflation has it's say.

One reason the unions can't help is because they don't understand what the bill actually says. Heck, even a lot of politicians don't even understand what it says. My chief shop steward thought there was a third house of the legislature that had to approve the bill before it went to the governor. And before anyone yells about that, yes, we have been trying to get rid of him for years but no one wants to stand up and fight for his spot.

One problem I found with unions is their lack of communication. I used to be a shop steward for my agency, but resigned because the chief steward (who works at the same time/place as I) would not communicate with other stewards. And because of that, they could not communicate with the other members.

Another problem unions have is that they don't stick together. I have members telling me they will lose their houses under this law. I have other younger members who live with their parents and say they don't care what the state does because they are young making more money than all their friends. I have other members who didn't even know this was going on. I have other members who feel they're getting screwed and there's nothing they can do about it. And I have other members that hate politics and want to stay out of it. Unions can't survive when all these different types of people are its members.

by: southernbluedog @ Sat Jun 25, 2011 at 12:15:56 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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People are different everywhere (0.00 / 0)

Not everyone has the same level of knowledge, or interest, or concern. It's like that in any large group. It's unfortunate, but a fact of life. Particularly in the U.S. where there has always been less class consciousness. And there are good shop stewards and bad shop stewards.

The greatest likeklihood of litigation success is with the pensions, particularly with the elimination of the COLAs. An injunction might not even be needed since I believe they're givven at the start of the year. So, a court would have 6 months to decide without the need for an injunction.

by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Sat Jun 25, 2011 at 13:31:30 PM UTC

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