In the News
A Win for Jefferson Parish School Support Workers
The Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal has concluded that the Jefferson Parish School Board violated state law when it imposed an unpaid day off on the school system’s support workers. The ruling applies to cafeteria workers, custodians, clerical staff, paraprofessionals and other support employees.
To read more, click here.
A Win for Workers at the State Capitol
SEIU Local 21 LA along with labor organizations and unions from across the state of Louisiana defeated a potentially crippling clause in Rep. Tony Ligi’s (R-Metaire) HB 89 known as the “Public Employee Bargaining Transparency Act.” The bill’s original form would have forced collective bargaining sessions to follow open meetings law requirements. As originally written, the bill sent a strong anti-worker message that would have bogged down local governmental entities in their efforts to conduct the people’s business in a timely and efficient manner.
The amended version took out the part relative to bringing collective bargaining negotiations under the open meeting law and is a suitable compromise.
To read HB 89 in its entirety, please click below:
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=789336
Members meet with Kira Orange Jones to Discuss Education Reform
March 24, 2012: 21 LA members met with BESE board representative, Kira Orange Jones to discuss their education reform concerns.
21LA Members March to Montgomery with Sharpton and Jackson
SEIU 21 LA members joined other labor organizations, faith-based groups and community groups from all over the country to march from Selma to Montgomery on March 7-9 to protest voter ID laws that aim to suppress voter rights.
21 LA members with Rev. Jesse Jackson.
21 LA Members with Rev. Al Sharpton.
21 LA Members after marching more than 20 miles at the Alabama State Capitol.
John Lacour, 21 LA member from Baton Rouge, on Day 3 of the Selma to Montgomery March 2012.
Jefferson Parish owner-operator bus drivers Narda Washington (left) and Shirley Warren (right) at the Selma to Montgomery March.
21 LA Members Attend Together Baton Rouge Training in Mississippi
21 LA members Randy Zwez, Belinda Pidgeon, Leon Goudeau and Herman Branford along with Baton Rouge organizer Barbara Carter attended a three-day retreat sponsored by Together Baton Rouge. The retreat was held at the Jacobs Retreat Center in Utica, Mississippi on February 9-11.
The training was a modified version of a week-long IAF national training, which is widely recognized as one of the most effective leadership development trainings in the country. It was conducted by organizers from around the country and focused on the concepts, skills and practices we’ve found help leaders build institutions and broad-based organizations.
“I learned alot by participating in this training and working with other community leaders,” said 21 LA member, Herman Branford.
SEIU’s Henry: Contraception Announcement Right Decision for Women’s Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the nation’s largest healthcare union, representing more than 1.1 million nurses, doctors and healthcare workers. Following the Obama Administration’s announcement today on contraceptive coverage, SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement from the White House is an affirmation of President Obama’s commitment to protecting women’s health and guaranteeing that all women, regardless of where they work or what they earn, will have access to affordable contraception coverage.
“President Obama clearly listened to the concerns of faith leaders, healthcare experts, religious organizations, and women’s health advocates and identified a solution that maintains a commitment to quality healthcare for all women, and respects their personal healthcare decisions, while also respecting religious freedom. Every American, regardless of their employer, will be treated the same under the healthcare law. As a union, we bring together women and men of all faiths and all walks of life, all united by the unshakeable belief in equality and respect for every person.
“Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has manipulated this situation to launch a further assault on women’s health and workers’ rights. A bill proposed by Rubio would not only deny birth control to the millions of women who work for religiously-affiliated organizations, but it would allow any employer to deny employees birth control coverage on the basis of the employer’s personal religious belief or moral conviction.
“Let me be clear: every American has the right to make personal healthcare decisions with his or her doctor and loved ones. Employers have no place in the doctor’s office. “
IEB Comes to the SSW, Members Show 21LA is Leading the Fight for a Fair Economy in Louisiana
The SEIU International Executive Board met in New Orleans last week and were treated to some great food, a little fun and learning how 21LA is leading the fight for a fair economy in Louisiana.
21 LA Members with International President, Mary Kay Henry in New Orleans, January 2012.
21LA member Belinda Antoine met with SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and helped welcome the IEB with a gift from 21lA members. She said that, “It’s great that the IEB are in Louisiana. We did our best to show SEIU leaders both southern hospitality and how coalition building is helping to fight for good jobs in Louisiana. I think the IEB was impressed by how it’s bearing fruit in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.”
21 LA Member Herman Addision and Baton Rouge Organizer Barbara Carter present Mary Kay Henry with a welcome basket.
Mary Kay Henry talking with 21 LA members in New Orleans, January 2012.
SEIU TO CONGRESS: DON’T BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF THE 99%, SAVE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT FOR WORKING FAMILIES
WASHINGTON – As workers across the country are struggling to put food on the table, right wing members of Congress have proposed restricting critical tax credits for children in working low-income families to pay for an extension of the payroll tax cut. Eliseo Medina, International Secretary Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement urging Congress to save the Child Tax Credit to prevent millions of families from slipping further into poverty:
“Some lawmakers will stop at nothing to shamelessly protect the interests of the 1%. It’s bad enough that millionaires are not paying their fair share while everyday workers shoulder the burden of the economic downturn, but the buck stops at balancing the budget on the backs of children. Eliminating the Child Tax Credit for millions of low-income families would have a devastating impact on the very population that the policy is designed to protect – children.
This proposal represents a frontal attack on Latino families and the communities where they live. More than 80 percent of the families impacted by the proposed tax policy are part of the Latino community – a demographic that is among the hardest-hit in these harsh economic times. Those who have proposed such a reduction are sending a clear message: They are willing to forfeit the financial well-being of low-income Latinos while demanding nothing of the richest segment of our society.
Families that depend on the Child Tax Credit spend their last dollars on bare necessities like childcare, groceries, and housing – vital sources of community funds. Taking this credit away from more than two million families not only takes food from the mouths of millions of U.S. citizen children, but it also stunts the ability of their local communities to function. Any consideration given to a policy that would strip funds from low income communities of color is unconscionable at a time when lawmakers should be developing and enacting initiatives that bolster local economies.
We will not be derailed by the attempts of some to make this debate about anything other than our nation’s children – the future workforce of our country. We will be watching to see who stands with working people and hold those lawmakers accountable who support sacrificing the most vulnerable members of our society for the 1%.”
Why are City-Parish workers in Baton Rouge fighting for raises?
FACT:
- Most City-Parish workers have not had a pay increase in 4 to 5 years.
- There are almost 200 full-time City-Parish workers who earn less than $10 per hour.
- The City-Parish pays its employees significantly less than workers doing similar jobs in 23 cities that are comparable to Baton Rouge. Starting pay for electricians employed by Baton Rouge is $30,754. Electricians in the cities surveyed make an average of 25 percent more.
- Health insurance premiums have increased 30 percent in the last three years.
- Health insurance deductibles have dramatically increased as well, reaching $500 for an individual.
DPW worker and SEIU Local 21 LA board member, Leon Goudeau, speaks at the Dec. 13, 2011 Metro Council Budget Meeting.
The Metro Council is beginning to address the problem of severely underpaid Baton Rouge city workers.
In a budget meeting on Dec. 13, 2011, the Metro Council granted about 70 workers in the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District and the Constable Department pay increases. Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District has a strong reserve fund of more than $8 million, which is more than its entire operating budget of $4.9 million. The department has had consistent yearly budget surpluses for years. These dedicated workers have done their due diligence to save their departments money. Why not reward them for their hard work? The amount to fund these much-needed pay increases doesn’t even equal 1 percent of the total budget.
Police officers and firefighters received raises in 2008 and 2009 when no other City-Parish employees received pay increases.
City-Parish employees do receive annual merit increases of 3 percent of their pay meaning an employee earning $12.69 per hour will receive a 38-cent per hour increase. But merit increases occur only until year 12. The average city employee’s tenure is 15 years. As a result, only 2 out of 3 employees receive a merit increase. One out of 3 receive a 1 percent per year longevity increase. Between 2006 and 2010, the inflation rate has been an average of 2.67 percent each year, for a total increase of 13.35 percent in the cost of living.
And don’t forget that the health insurance premiums have increased by 30 percent over the last three years.
FACT:
- Total cost of raises for MARC: $79,240.
- Employees in the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District Control earn $13.13 per hour. After you factor in the cost of health insurance, employees with families bring in $498 every two weeks.
MORE FACTS:
- The Director of the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District retired at grade 2320 step 12 at $95,000 is currently being paid a salary on top of his retirement.
- The Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District requested raises for one position, which was the Director who makes an average of $75,000-80,000 annually.
- In investment interest earnings alone, the Department received an additional $77,380.
- In 2010, the Department spent $142,180 on contracted employees, there are only 4.
- In 2010, the Department spent $41,800 on Travel, Magazines, and Advertisements, half the cost of raises.
FACT:
- Total cost of raises for City Constables: $135,000.
- Baton Rouge Constables have not had a pay increase in 10 years.
City Constables do not just work in the courthouse. City Constables are called in the event of fatal traffic accidents, home invasions, drug busts, and armed robberies. When the Police Department does not have the staffing, City Constables are called in first to perform the same duties, during emergencies and holidays. City Constables were responsible for serving more than 10,000 warrants last year.
FOLLOW THE MONEY:
- From 2005-2011, Mayor Kip Holden’s budget has doubled from $2.3 million to $4.3 million.
- 2011 budget expenditures include:
- $90,000 to a production company to film ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies
- $3 million to a Baton Rouge Water Company to include sewer user fee on bill. Baker and Zachary are each paid $75,000 for the same service
- $10,000 to Jewish Federation of GBR, film festival
- $4,500 per month to Eugene Ji for “liaison for economic & cultural affairs with the Peoples Republic of China. Total paid: $70,000.
Many City-Parish employees work second and third jobs. More money for City-Parish workers means more money for the Baton Rouge economy. These workers live in the Baton Rouge area and will spend their money at home, meaning the money will go right back into the local economy.