Education Funding & Worker Power in Washington Whats at stake for our students, our families, and our jobs Where does Washington stand when it comes to investing in education? Funding per pupil: 40 th in the nation % of taxable funds spent on education: 38 th This means we COULD be doing much better What it means for our kids and our members? 47 th in class size 46 th in % of HS grads enrolling in college Our members see whats happening every day Children with severe challenges arent getting the help they need to succeed in life Workers must choose between walking away from kids who need their help or working for no pay There are lots more stories like these Too many In every corner of our state Our job is to make sure these stories get told 1 student or 1 worker cant get her story heard if shes alone Together we can Thats why we say, Belong and Be Strong! But WHY is education under- funded in the first place? Who wins when education is under-funded? Not children Not workers Not a state that needs educated workers and citizens Giant Corporations Oppose Paying Their Fair Share Boeings 2013 tax break: $8.7 billion Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella makes more in 1 year than the whole company pays in state business taxes! Washington Ranking in Tax Fairness 50th! Share of family income paid in state & local taxes IS this FAIR? It all comes down to this: Whose got the POWER? Corporations? Or Working Families? Whats happened to fairness in America? 1935: Wagner Act Deregulation of trucking & airlines Privatizing in Public Sector 1981: Reagan Fires PATCO Strikers Private Sector Union busting 1947: Taft- Hartley Act Friedrichs v. CTA ? Big Money Corporations Have Been Attacking Unions for over 40 years How have they done so far? Who do they want to target now? 6.6% 35.7% We have implemented a plan to bankrupt SEIU, our states largest union. -Tom McCabe, CEO, Freedom Foundation The Olympian October 3, 2015 The Freedom Foundation claims to be concerned about workers who pay union dues. They are so concerned that they sent some SEIU members Christmas cards. Mailing sent Dec 2014 followed by door knocks January 2015 What is the Freedom Foundations real agenda? What is the goal of the corporate executives who fund their operation? The Freedom Foundations real agenda: Against smaller class sizes Against spending more on education Against raising minimum wage Against paid sick time for public workers They want to take away workers power because workers are starting to win again. Underfunded schools, lower pay & benefits Merry Christmas from the Freedom Foundation: For more information about the Freedom Foundation So what is their next move? Corporate-backed groups like the National Federation of Independent Business, Freedom Foundation, and many others are backing the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case as a way to destroy public sector unions. Working Definition of Right-to-Work Legislation, policies, or decisions that allow a person to work at any place without having to become a full member of the union or pay representation fees (fair share provisions). Who wins if unions disappear? Who loses if unions disappear? What do they lose? Crystal Lee Sutton (Norma Rae in the movie) stood up for her union in 1974 What will it take to win in 2016? There are many examples of strong local unions that fight effectively for workers that have membership of 95% or higher in Right to Work states. Whats their secret? Member Engagement When every worker is personally connected to the union, the union will stay strongregardless of what the courts say. Member Engagement Were all in this TOGETHER! A strong union is like a family We might not always agree, but we always stick together. Does every member feel like they are part of the union family? Were all in this TOGETHER! Are there new hires who think the reason you pay dues is to keep your job? Or someone who never comes to a meeting and never talks with a steward? Does she feel like shes part of the union family? What will she do if someone tells her that she could save hundreds of dollars a year if she drops out of the union? My family at home could sure use the money Id save Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! How are you doing? Lets talk Member Leader In Action Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! OKbut I could use a raise Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! Were all in the same boat. Thats why we need to stick together in our union. Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! Were all in this TOGETHER! Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! Were all in this TOGETHER! Now is the time to make sure every member knows they are part of our union family! Were all in this TOGETHER! Im so glad we had a chance to talk. Now I understand that our union fights for things that really matter to me. We have to keep it strong! Member Engagement 3 conversations make all the difference 1)Welcome conversation with co-workers on her first day at work. 2)Check-in conversation - with a union activist at least once a month 3)We need to stick together conversation If a member drops out (or is thinking about it.) 1. A workers first day at work Hi! 1. A workers first day at work Welcome! We work here too. Everything going OK? Got any questions? 1. A workers first day at work Not right now, but its really nice to meet you. The first day on a job can feel lonely 00000sometimes 1. A workers first day at work One of the good things about working here is that we all stick together 1. A workers first day at work Thats good to know 1. A workers first day at work So here is your union card to sign. 1. A workers first day at work You definitely want to be part of the union. We all pay our dues, and its really worth it. 1. A workers first day at work OK 2. Every few weeksat least once a month Hey, hows it going? 2. Every few weeksat least once a month OK 2. Every few weeksat least once a month I wanted to get your thoughts on something our union is looking into 3. Very rarelybut well need to be ready They said you wanted to drop out of our union. Whats going on? 3. Very rarelybut well need to be ready You and I are good friends. You know if you drop out it hurts all of us. It hurts you. It hurts me. We need to stick together. 3. Very rarelybut well need to be ready Heres a new card you can sign and date today. That way youll still be in the union and well all be together. If theres a problem, lets talk it over. 3. Very rarelybut well need to be ready OK Member Engagement When every worker is personally connected to the union, its rare for someone to drop out. If they do, a conversation with co-workers they know personally will usually convince them to stay. Member Engagement Were all in this TOGETHER! Can we build a network of member leaders who will: 1)Welcome every new hire and sign them up? 2)Check in regularly with every worker? 3)Be ready to talk with any worker about sticking together with their co-workers if they consider dropping out? What leaders can do: 1)Engage the folks who we talk to now they need to be clear on what weve won, what we are fighting for today, and how corporate interests plan to stop us. 2)Look at our lists and figure out who we need to start talking with. Who can help? (See #1 above) 3)Get out and talk with everyone. -We cant afford to wait till they come to a meeting. Member Engagement in PSE Average for all of PSE is 28% Member Engagement in PSE Activists in PSE by Seniority 50% Activists in PSE by Seniority 50% 34% Activists in PSE by Seniority 50% 34% 8% Activists in PSE by Seniority 50% 34% 22% 8% Discussion