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They can't even agree on paper calendars

by: Jason Springer

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:04:48 PM EDT

You can't sneeze in New Jersey without upsetting or offending someone. The State has informed workers that they will not be purchasing paper calendars for 2009:

The move will save an estimated $180,000.
The Division of Purchase and Property has determined that, given the current budget austerity and the universal availability of online calendars and calendar software, it is inappropriate for the state to encourage continued use of paper calendars, a notice sent to state employees said.

The state didn't ban the use of paper calendars, they just said they won't be purchasing them next year for workers. This move has CWA 1033 President Rae Roeder up in arms:

Rae Roeder, president of Communications Workers of America Local 1033, which represents 6,200 state workers, said paper calendars are important for people to have on their desks to help readily keep track of what they're involved in.
She said the administration could instead save $180,000 by eliminating patronage jobs.
Instead we want to save money by not giving people paper calendars, Roeder said. Oh, whoopee. This is foolishness, absolute foolishness.

I agree with Roeder that the state could save $180 K on patronage jobs and that should be done as well, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Just because the state is cutting paper calendars doesn't mean they shouldn't also be cutting patronage jobs. The foolishness is trying to portray this as an either or choice.

At the same time, aren't there more important things to fight about? If workers don't have a computer where they can use an online calendar, then maybe they should still get them. I could see arguing that point possibly. If workers want to have a paper calendar, they still can buy one to use. The article mentions other cuts that are being made for some context:

The budget cut spending for property tax rebates, colleges, municipalities, hospitals and nursing homes, among other areas.

And we're talking paper calendars?

Jason Springer :: They can't even agree on paper calendars

Tags: Paper Calendars, budget cuts, Rae Roeder, CWA, (All Tags)

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They can't even agree on paper calendars | 6 comments

Honestly... (4.00 / 1)

Someone who really needs a paper calendar can get one from their local food store at Christmas, no?

Of all the two-bit things to hassle about...

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 16:24:56 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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I'll repost this about "patronage jobs" (0.00 / 0)

The governor slashed the number of political appointees by 50% when he took office and many more recently were let go with the new budget.

The political appointees are the blood of the state agencies, and the civil servants are the organs. The appointees circulate throughout state government to ensure that the civil servants carry out the Governor's policies.

Otherwise, it would be darn near impossible to reign in the entrenched bureaucracy to get them to carry out the Governor's policies.

Plus, many of the political appointees are actually civil servants who serve in positions as political appointees. If you cut them, they'd just bump back into their civil service positions, just at a lower pay scale.

A better solution would be to pass Sen. Sweeney's bill requiring that all state workers live in NJ.

There are thousands and thousands who cross over from Pennsylvania to work in NJ. They don't pay property taxes and do nothing for our economy. Why should our tax dollars support Bucks County's economy?

by: Anzana @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 17:16:59 PM CDT

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unions (0.00 / 0)

Argh, and Rae Roeder of course head of the union that protects waste-of-space state workers who get paid, then are "entitled" to promotions (cuz they took a test, you see, and "deserve" it.) and get yearly raises based on those promotions. Also, the work they're supposed to do doesn't get done -- perhaps someone else will get to it. So, the taxpayer gets screwed multiple ways here. Can't fire them so easily (not impossible, mind you, just not easy) it is just easier for mgmt to ignroe the problem then try to oust these bums and get into the appeals the union supports them through. So now, poeple out of work that would probably work their butts off for a state job will never get the chance while these parasites are still here. Don't get me started on myriad of abuse with sick time, vacay etc. If you could see the cunning involved, it makes you wonder why they don't start their own business, create a withdrawl plan from Iraq, cure cancer, organzie a jewel-thief ring, etc.

Why do union leaders never address this issue? All union leaders perpetuate the belief that unions foster laziness, waste, backbiting, low morale, etc.

by: duckncvr @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 19:29:58 PM CDT

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CWA Laughingstock (0.00 / 0)

CWA represents over 55,000 workers in this State.

The average worker pays $38/month in Union dues , whether they are full members or not. That is over $25 million given to this Union each year. The workers do not choose to be part of CWA , it is a job requirement.

The only return on that $25 million investment is continued embarrassment!

CWA is a dysfunctional organization run by out of touch leaders who are guaranteed a membership base by law.

Why would anyone take a CWA leader seriously ? The New Jersey CWA leadership just continues to embarrass the Union movement and embarrass its membership.

Calendars? Hard to believe........

by: firstamend07 @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:03:52 PM CDT

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Yeah, and Rae was actually with Carla on the contract too! :-) n/t (0.00 / 0)

by: Creed Pogue @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:33:08 PM CDT

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Proving? (0.00 / 0)

All that proves is that Raedor , at times, is capable of an intellegent thought.

Without Katz she is now relegated to fighting about calendars.

CWA leadership has become silly and dysfunctional. This would be comical except for the fact that the State mandates that all of its 55,000 employees give money to these fools.

A guaranteed $25 million each year to fight about calendars!

For all of you taxpayers who pay state worker salaries that is your money !

Maybe it is time to have an open election and give another Union an opportunity to represent the State Workers.

State workers deserve better then what they are getting.

Civil Wars, Coups, Calendars ! Real Unions just laugh when CWA comes up in the conversation.

This is the " state" of unionism in New Jersey? This stupidity hurts ALL Unions.

Is it any wonder why CWA gets no respect.

by: firstamend07 @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 05:34:57 AM CDT

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