06/05/2009

Let me start by stating that I do believe in sacrificing in order to save my coworker’s job, my job… to benefit the agency I work for and ultimately to benefit and assist the State of Maine in escaping the incredible deficit that exists. That being said, I also expect the people that supposedly negotiated my “donation” to the state to make the same sacrifice. A union representative was asked recently if they were taking a pay cut. The answer was that it was up to the “board”. Let me propose on the spot right here and right now that the board require a pay cut from their employees. It would be absolute hypocrisy for the actual representatives of the State of Maine employees not to do so. It would absolute hypocrisy for the union that holds the future of mine and your jobs to not reduce the amount of dues as well. Forced or voluntary dues. As far as getting my money’s worth for the forced negotiation fee I pay, I have received nothing. Yes I have a job, but I believe I have a job because I prove myself day in and day out. Merit should count for something in this equation. Not just because I pay the union some of the money I work to earn. I propose that MSEA take a pay cut to cover the amount reduced out of employee’s required dues for the next two years. Times are tough? Show us how committed you are to the employees of the State of Maine. If you do not follow through, you have failed. You have failed the people you supposedly represent and you have failed the supposed reason we have been asked to take a pay cut and pay for insurance in the first place. The fact that we are at this point…negotiations are a done deal and what’s this? A bill floating about to lower income tax? Where in the hell were the negotiators when this idea came to light? We are doing this to fix the fiscal plight the State of Maine is in. Right? Well, maybe not. Yes, I know that it is proposed that other taxes are supposed to cover the loss in income tax, but will it truly cover it all? Have we been hoodwinked into subsidizing this possible move? Give the State in general an income tax break at the State of Maine employee’s expense? Just something to think about. I found a union flyer in my break room the other day, encouraging all to attend and create a “tent city” in the park below the capital to show our displeasure. What the hell is going on? The negotiating is over. How can one not feel like a foolish puppet doing what these fine negotiators propose on a regular basis? It seems to me they blur the reality of the circumstances. They create this fervor and ask you all to go out and “fight in the hallways”, “fight in the streets” let the man know how mad you are, how unfair things are. Shouldn’t this anger, this fight be steered towards the ones who have failed you? These little scenes are nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The union says fetch and the little hoard of purple dogs chase from supposed cause to cause. Rather than attending a “tent city” in the park on the 10th, I suggest we all attend a “tent city” in front of MSEA. It is time to put the pressure on those who have failed you and me. It is time to demand that THEY give something up. Times are tough. Right?