10/2/01
E Messenger
The Electronic Newsletter of the Florida AFL-CIO

New members according to the AFL-CIO Work in Progress
This week: 3,451
Year to date: 397,665
Everyone realizes the need for Americans to pull together during this time of crisis and it is often difficult to verbalize criticisms of the government when unity is so essential. The Florida AFL-CIO stands strong with our nation and her people during these difficult times. However, there is nothing more American than standing up against injustice in defense of the rights of our nation’s workers. The purpose of this publication is to provide our affiliates with news and views from around the nation that will help them communicate with their members about issues of vital interest. Thus, the articles and discussions presented may be critical of certain elements within our state and national government. Our hearts are with each of you as you struggle to move on after the tragedy and please understand that we too must move on in our struggle to protect Florida’s working families.

New Leadership for the Florida AFL-CIOAs you all know, the Florida AFL-CIO held its 2001 Biennial Convention last week in Orlando, Florida. We had 333 registered delegates and over 100 guests. The convention had many significant and powerful moments. The most significant event of the convention was the election and installation of our new Executive Officers. We are pleased to announce the election of Cynthia Hall, former President of the South Florida AFL-CIO and long-time member of AFT Local 1974 as the President of the Florida AFL-CIO. Dwayne Sealy IBEW Local 824 who had served as our interim Secretary Treasurer was elected to that post during the convention. We know that they can count on your support. We will bring you more information regarding other convention action and our new leaders in the weeks to come.
2) Union relief efforts continue: Union members around the nation continue to respond to help survivors, victims and their families and rescue and recovery workers following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Union members have contributed almost $1 million to the Union Community Fund, the AFL-CIO's relief fund. The Fire Fighters have raised $12 million to help the families of fallen firefighters and EMS workers. Hundreds of IAFF, IronWorkers and Steelworkers members are on the scene helping with rescue and recovery efforts. On Sept. 21, thousands of Communications Workers of America members nationwide staffed phones at local call centers for the all-star relief telethon, which raised more than $150 million to help the victims of the attack. On Sept. 29 in Noblesville, Ind., IAFF President Harold Schaitberger attended the Farm Aid 2001 concert to thank Americans for their overwhelming support. He accepted a truckload of meat products donated by Patchwork Family Farms of Missouri and Farm
Aid, which raises public awareness about the plight of the American family farmer and provides assistance to families whose livelihood depends on agriculture. The New York City Central Labor Council's Support Center is distributing the food to victims and their families. Meanwhile, the New York State Psychological Association, an AFT affiliate, has dispatched disaster response teams to help victims, workers and their families deal with the emotional reaction to events. The teams are working near the site, at the morgues and other locations. About 1,000 union members are dead or missing--including more than 400 Fire Fighters and nine members of CWA. You also can help by making online donations to the AFL-CIO's Union Community Fund for World Trade Center and Pentagon relief and also read complete updates on victims, survivors, relief efforts and other related news at www.aflcio.org.
3) Airlines benefit from workers’ taxes then turn around and cut their jobs: The unprecedented government bailout of the airline industry was welcomed by many Americans as a fiscally responsible move by our government to protect an industry of vital importance to many sectors of the economy. However, few realized that the bailout, funded by the taxes of hard working Americans, would still allow the industry to layoff tens of thousands of workers. In fact, many economists have publicly stated that the bailout would have been an eventual necessity regardless of the tragic events of Sept. 11th due to the ways in which these companies had managed their finances. As the details of the airline deal come to light this will prove to be an important and controversial issue. Here are some articles regarding this issue from the past two days.

"UAL Buying Luxury Jets Amid Job Cuts"
While United was saying that it might go bankrupt without a
bailout, its parent, the UAL Corporation, was making a
$11.25 million down payment for 30 business jets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/02/business/02UNIT.html?todaysheadlines

Airline layoffs taking shape
Seniority won't help all, unions say
INA PAIVA CORDLE Miami Herald 09/29/01
http://www.miami.com/herald/content/business/digdocs/026376.htm

4) George W Bush and his Allies using crisis to push "Fast Track" trade legislation: The topic of today’s "Talk of the Nation" on National Public Radio was how individual citizens are managing their finances and their spending behaviors in light of the economic downturn due in part to the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. One of the callers to the program was Congressman David Dreier (R-California) who called in to discuss the importance of passing the fast track legislation during this time of tragedy to help the nation’s economy. Expect to see more of this. President Bush and his big business partners will certainly use the people’s fears about the economy and the current spirit of unity to pass this incredibly bad legislation. Check out this article from the AFL-CIO’s work in progress:
[At a time when the nation needs to focus on cooperation and bipartisanship, attempts by some congressional Republicans and Big Business to use the tragedies of Sept. 11 as the rationale for pursuing the highly partisan Fast Track trade legislation are "opportunistic" and "offensive," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said. "We strongly support stimulating the U.S. economy and responding to the tragedies of Sept.11, but Fast Track does nothing to achieve either of those aims," Sweeney said. Meanwhile, in a letter to congressional leaders, Jeff Faux, president of the Economic Policy Institute, said that Congress should take time to examine the impact of trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement on our trade deficit, rather than responding to the crisis by giving President Bush Fast Track trade authority.]
5) Florida’s budget woes continue: During the past several weeks, many have been calling for a Legislative Special Session to address the estimated $673 million budget shortfall that was predicted early last month. At that time the Bush administration dismissed those concerns as mere partisan politics. Since the attacks on Sept. 11th and the resultant drop in tourism that figure has climbed to an estimated $1 Billion. Now, Jeb has decided to act. His public relations machine is in full swing, diverting the people’s attention away from the fact that Florida was in dire financial straits before the terrorist attack making it look like this budget crisis is the result of the attacks and not due to his own administration’s fiscal policies. We now know that a special session is eminent and there are many different approaches to shore up the economy that will be discussed in the media in an effort to gain public support. Already media "trial balloons" are being floated. We will monitor the state and national media closely on this issue and try to keep you informed about this critical situation.

Budget cuts could nick elderly, poor Education program trims also are among the ideas for digging out of a $1-billion hole in state receipts. By ALISA ULFERTS
© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 2, 2001 http://www.sptimes.com/News/100201/State/Budget_cuts_could_nic.shtml
State budget could face $1.6 billion in cutbacks
By Linda Kleindienst
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
September 29, 2001
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/search/sfl-fbudget29sep29.story?coll=sfla%2Dflorida%2Darchives

GOP looks at raiding state reserves to plug budget gap
BY JONI JAMES Miami Herald 09/30/01
http://www.miami.com/herald/content/news/local/dade/digdocs/066238.htm
Democrats Blame Florida Budget Crisis on Bush, Not Terrorists
By Brent Kallestad Associated Press Writer
Published: Sep 30, 2001
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGAIVV2A9SC.html
6) The economic impact of the tragedy hits some of our workers the hardest.
Florida layoffs worst in 10 years By Amy Martinez, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 2, 2001http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_1.html
Safety Net for Jobless More Porous
By PETER G. GOSSELIN, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 10/01/01
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-100101net.story
7) Newspapers discuss taxes in light of the state’s economic problems
Editorial: The tax taboohttp://www.gainesvillesun.com/EDITS/articles/2001-09-29edit1.shtml
Gainesville Sun 09/29/01
Broader tax base: We were warned
Mark Silva, Orlando Sentinel
September 30, 2001
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpsilva30093001sep30.column?coll=orl%2Dopinion%2Dheadlines

8) Some Floridians are doing quite well…
20 Floridians make list of wealthiest that’s four more than last year's total.
By KRIS HUNDLEY © St. Petersburg Times,
published September 29, 2001 http://www.sptimes.com/News/092901/Business/20_Floridians_make_li.shtml

9) What do we do with politicians who misuse their office for personal gain and political patronage? Well if its Florida you carve them out a seat and run them for Congress!
Official in Election Battle Turns Eyes to Florida Race by DANA CANEDY
New York Times 10/02/01
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/02/politics/02HARR.html
A critical audit, a fired inspector: The secretary of state's employees bought first-class foreign air travel and misused cell phones, state auditors find.
© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 29, 2001
http://www.sptimes.com/News/092901/State/A_critical_audit__a_f.shtml
10) Politics as usual in Tallahassee jobs shuffle:
Ex-elder affairs secretary says she was let go
Gema Hernandez says Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan arranged for her to get an FSU teaching job.
By JULIE HAUSERMAN © St. Petersburg Times,
published September 29, 2001http://www.sptimes.com/News/092901/State/Ex_elder_affairs_secr.shtml
Editorial: A degree of patronage
The Palm Beach Post
Tuesday, October 2, 2001
http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/tuesday/opinion_4.html
11) As if the anti-public school forces weren’t having enough success in the Legislature…

Voucher supporters try new method:
Those who back school choice hope legislative action will succeed where voter referendums have failed. By STEPHEN HEGARTY © St. Petersburg Times
published September 29, 2001
http://www.sptimes.com/News/092901/State/Voucher_supporters_tr.shtml
12) More questionable dealings in Tallahassee
Technology office audited: Comptroller says investigation planned before director's arrest
By Nancy Cook Lauer
DEMOCRAT CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF 09/29/01
http://web.tallahasseedemocrat.com/content/tallahassee/2001/09/29/local/0929.loc.audit.htm

Dáte: Slippery Thrasher gets mere slap from pals on 'ethics' commission
By S.V. Dáte, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 30, 2001
http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/sunday/opinion_8.html

Editorial: No security for Florida if state closes meetings
The Palm Beach Post
Monday, October 1, 2001
http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/today/opinion_2.html
13) An outsider’s look at Florida’s Governor’s race
Changed Political Climate May Aid Florida Governor
By DANA CANEDY
New York Times 9/28
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/28/national/28FLOR.html?searchpv=past7days
14) The AFSCME Green Machine fights back in Minnesota
Minnesota State Employees Strike
By ASHLEY H. GRANT
Associated Press Writer 10/02/01
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's employee relations commissioner says he doesn't expect the state to add much money to its offer to striking workers whose walkout raised concerns about the state's economic health. ``To go much higher could be characterized as irresponsible,'' Julien Carter said Monday after Minnesota's two largest employee unions went on strike in a dispute over pay and benefits. It was the first such walkout in 20 years. With nearly 28,000 workers eligible to strike, more than half of the state's work force could be sidelined. If all workers went on strike, it would be the biggest state walkout ever in Minnesota. Gov. Jesse Ventura said the state has offered workers all it can. In a written statement, he said a bigger offer would have led to service cuts and layoffs. John Wodele, a spokesman for the governor, said there was no immediate indication of any major problems resulting from the first day of the strike. Among the workers affected were Capitol security guards, highway maintenance workers, tax collectors, clerical workers and parole and probation officers. State troopers and prison guards were not part of the walkout. National Guardsmen were called up to work in veterans homes, treatment centers and other institutions. Nonstriking managers from various agencies were reassigned to help with food service, housekeeping and other basic needs, and hundreds of temporary workers were being hired. The strike closed at least one branch of the office that issues driver's licenses. The Minnesota Zoo was also closed to the public. In addition, the Teamsters said their truck drivers would not cross the picket lines and deliver goods to state buildings. In attendance reports submitted by agencies that employ 20 percent of workers eligible to strike, state officials found that a quarter of the employees didn't honor the picket lines. Union leaders authorized the action after a weekend of talks failed to bring new two-year contracts. It's the first walkout since 1981, when some 14,000 public employees struck for 22 days. Members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 6 and Minnesota Association of Professional Employees delayed their action for two weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but said they couldn't wait any longer. Both sides said they were ready to resume negotiations, but their differences seemed broad. The state offered AFSCME members a 3 percent pay hike in each of the next two years, and members of MAPE a one-time, 4 percent increase. AFSCME leaders wanted 5 percent increases, MAPE about 4.5 percent each year of a two-year deal. Health benefits were another sticking point. The state hoped to reduce insurance premiums for most by asking people who use the services to take on higher co-payments and deductibles. Deborah Schumann, a 47-year-old Minnesota Pollution Control Agency worker, said the state was actually wasting money by trying to keep wage increases low. ``Our not working is going to hurt the economy a lot more than them giving us a pay increase,'' she said. A University of Minnesota professor said a prolonged strike would have a substantial impact on the state's economy. Alfred Marcus, a professor of strategic management and organization at the Carlson School of Management, said he was most concerned about the sheer number of potential strikers. ``I think it will hurt if these people hold back on spending,'' he said. ``It's a lot of people.'' If the strike drags into the holiday shopping season, the negative results could be even more pronounced, Marcus said. The strike comes on top of layoffs across the state, including roughly 10,000 positions at Northwest Airlines because of the falloff in air travel following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, in which hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Bureau of Mediation Services Commissioner Lance Teachworth said channels of communication remain open between his office and all of the parties. He said he won't rush to reconvene talks there's signs of movement, and he wouldn't predict how long things will drag out. ``There is no cookbook approach and no prescribed amount of time that would have to elapse,'' Teachworth said. ———
On the Net:
State of Minnesota: http://www.state.mn.us
AFSCME Council 6: http://www.afscmecouncil6.org
MAPE: http://www.mape.org