Sisters and brothers:
We're in the middle of the worst economy since the Great Depression, with final revenues for Fiscal Year '10 (which started on July 1, 2009 and ends June 30, 2010) now projected to be all the way down to $4.8 billion (from a high two years ago of $6.1 billion).
State employees have already sacrificed at the bargaining table, through a 1.5% paycut, and now an additional week of furloughs without pay.
We have been fortunate that the union and our allies have been strong enough to fight off any layoffs so far. In fact, to my knowledge there aren't any states with as big a revenue decrease (we've lost over 20% of our revenue) who have avoided layoffs of classified employees.
Starting in the next few days, we're going to be asking you to take a number of actions over the next 3 months (the regular legislative session runs from January 19-February 18, with the bill and budget signing period ending on March 10). Most of the actions will be very simple--emailing and phoning legislators and the administration--but we will also be asking you to attend rallies, lobby, meet with legislators, write letters to the editor, call into radio shows, and mobilize your co-workers, families, neighbors, and friends.
In the meantime, here is a list of just some of the actions your sisters and brothers have been taking in trying to minimize the damage from the Bush recession:
1. AFSCME has been the lead organization in trying to increase state revenues in New Mexico. We think there is a very good chance that we will succeed in doing so this January.
2. We have had good success in fighting to find savings other than by going after employees. The state is using a lot of money from reserves and capital outlay instead of laying people off.
3. Your union is the single biggest group in Washington pushing for stimulus money to the states. That effort alone saved hundreds, probably thousands, of public employee jobs in New Mexico, and we are trying to push for a new state stabilization program that will continue to make up for our revenue shortfalls.
4. You generated thousands of calls and emails asking the governor to veto the 7.6% cuts passed by the legislature, which he did. That veto saved at least 400 jobs.
5. AFSCME helped write and pass anti-double dipping legislation. Double dipping results in tens of millions of extra general fund dollars being spent, hundreds of millions being siphoned out of PERA, and lack of good jobs for younger, talented state employees. Our arguments have persuaded the Lieutenant Governor to make ending double dipping a major campaign promise. Even the Governor, who vetoed the bill because of legal concerns, is now advocating ending double dipping going forward.
6. We are working to soften the blow of any furloughs by spreading the days out or changing how paychecks are affected. We have fought against all furloughs, but with revenues down about 20%, it wasn't very likely that state employees would escape without any sacrifice at all. While we are fighting against any further sacrifices, and we're winning many battles, I want to be honest with you that we're also going to lose some battles in this recession no matter how hard we fight. When we do, your union will do everything we can to make sure those blows don't destroy our families.
7. Council 18 has sued the state over the plan to have employees pay more into PERA and ERA (the 1.5% paycut). That case is still pending.
8. We've done a barrage of tv, radio, and newpaper pieces. We're constantly making the case to the public and lawmakers that there has to be a balanced solution to the budget crisis, not just asking state employees to sacrifice.
9. We have sent out nearly 20 updates to members since just before the special session, and all of them are also posted on www.afscme18.org. Those updates usually have a specific plan to try to talk to legislators or others about the importance of state employees and finding new revenues. We anticipate sending out at least that many updates between now and mid-March, and hope that you will forward them, print them out, and take action.
10. AFSCME is a major player in a broad, strong coalition of unions, religious groups, kids' advocates, and progressives called Better Choices New Mexico. BCNM has changed the debate from being all about cuts to possibly raising revenue for fiscal year 2011 to avoid layoffs.
11. We are staying actively involved in the 2010 races. If politicians want our support, they're going to have to show that they are willing to be fair about balancing the budget.
12. AFSCME members and staff have a full-time presence both during legislative sessions and during interim committee hearings. We have to continue to give legislators alternatives to hurting public employees.
13. AFSCME has worked to get appointed to task forces and committees like the Balanced Budget Task Force, Double Dipping Task Force, Pension working groups, and others.
All this work by you, your fellow members, and your union is good, and helps us protect the people who deliver vital services to New Mexicans every day--public employees. But we can do better.
We're most effective when all of our members get directly involved, and I hope each of you will make it your personal mission to respond with passion to every action your union asks you for over the next three months. And to spread the word about what we're doing so others can join you.
We'll be emailing again soon with the first action for the 2010 regular session, and hope every single one of you jumps in with both feet. Gracias a todos, y Feliz Navidad! --Carter
Carter Bundy
Political Action Representative
AFSCME International
1202 Pennsylvania St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 266-2177 ext. 13 (work)
(505) 266-3155 (fax)
