DEMONSTRATION TO PROTEST UNION TYRRANY - CSEA Hqtrs, Sacramento, Thurs., 1/30, High Noon

January 24, 2003 | Saundra Duffy

[Saundra Duffy]

CA State Employees Assn (CSEA) endorses basically nothing but democrats. State workers have no choice but to belong to this union. It's like slavery; it's like extortion. You can opt out of a few dues but they force you to pay your "fair share" - money they steal from you and then turn around and use to support candidates and causes that you HATE!!! This keeps democraps in absolute power. What a racket!

Fat cats at the union are getting filthy rich on the back of working families. Meanwhile over a thousand state workers - including yours truly - are targeted by Gov. Davis's proposal for TERMINATION.

I tried to get a list of which candidates got how much money and here's the response I got from a CSEA official. I wrote back and called him a damn liar and nothing but a "useful idiot" for the democrats. Here's what that creep had the nerve to write to me:

CSEA does not distribute information regarding the individual contributions it makes to candidates and initiative campaigns. Being true to its task as a representative of state workers, CSEA supports candidates and initiatives that are favorable to state workers without regard to party or the positions candidates may have on other issues. Releasing the list of contributions only serves to anger (1) some members who are Democrats because we supported some Republicans, (2) some members who are Republicans because we supported some Democrats, (3) some pro-choice members because we supported some pro-life candidates, (4) some pro-life members because we supported some pro-choice candidates, etc. Again, CSEA's contributions to candidates and initiatives are based on its assessment of how state workers will be impacted, and are "blind" on these other issues; however the list of contributions only serves to anger some part of our constituency over issues on which CSEA does not take a position.

While CSEA does not make it a practice to distribute its list of contributions, it does comply with all the campaign disclosure requirements, and its contributions are part of the public record at the California Secretary of State's office.

[Saundra Duffy]

Don't go wobbly, you're doing the right thing! I'm praying for you.

Thanks; I needed that. For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

If I can find out how much the President of CSEA makes, I'll let you know . . . but don't hold your breath. They sure are tight-lipped about THEIR salaries. Wonder why?

[Saundra Duffy]

I'm up early so I can go and distribute my flyer to the poor schmucks (like me) who work in the various state buildings downtown. I'll report back tonight about some of the comments and reactions. Yesterday, I distributed about 250 flyers. I'd say most state workers agree with me . . . but will they come out on Thursday. We'll see. I know that I found out someone had posted one of my flyers on a bulletin board and some supervisor called me to complain but I told her it wasn't me who posted it - I'm distributing the flyer BEFORE work and during my lunch break ON THE STREET - meaning somebody was pissed enough to stick the flyer up on the bulletin board in their own building. Hope this is happening all over.

Again, my take-home pay is $2,181/month. Why are CSEA employees ashamed to tell me what they make? This union lady called me last night at home - she was so full of B.S. you can't believe it! She said the deficit is Pete Wilson's fault! I laughed really loud! Anyway, I told her my salary and asked for hers. She, of course, refused to tell me. None of them want us to know how much money they make. They're in cahoots with Gov Davis and the democRATS. They're riding this huge gravy train but it's just the top elite. Meanwhile, the lowly masses (that's me) continue to struggle and get spit on.

Have a great day! For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

Watch out for any Goons that may be imported by the union to disrupt and intimidate, Philadelphia style.

They're out there, all right. I think one of them called me yesterday. Thanks for your concern, Pal. I don't expect any trouble, though. THEY WOULDN'T DARE!! For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

Hammer down! (Can you believe I misspelled "tyranny"? Sheesh. Gotta go. Have a great day! HIT THE STREETS! For victory & freedom!!!

[Gophack]

Are CSEA staff public employees (state workers) or is it a private organization (like most associations)?

[Gophack]

I think I answered my question. They are a union organization. In one sense they are private, I believe, in that just because they work at the association doesn't make them state employees. They have a board, etc. that makes the decisions. I don't think there are mandatory dues -- correct me if I'm wrong.

If there are no mandatory dues, and they are not state employees, then I don't think they should have to give out their salary information. Why? Should everyone at Intel tell us what they make so we can judge if they earn their salary?

Of course, if they are public employees, their salaries ARE public record and you can obtain them twice yearly through the Capitol Weekly, or demand them through the Freedom of Information Act.

In a nutshell, if they are public, put your demands through via the Freedom of Information Act. If they are private, you're up the creek without a paddle. Sorry!

[MEGoody]

"CSEA does not distribute information regarding the individual contributions it makes to candidates and initiative campaigns."

Hmmmm. . .now why would they want to withhold this information from their own members?

[Saundra Duffy]

Hmmmm. . .now why would they want to withhold this information from their own members?

Thank you very much. Why, indeed? I pay their salaries but they don't want me to know how much they make? And they don't want me to know to whom they give political contributions? Maybe I'm crazy, but I think this is nuts. What a racket!!

[Gophack]

Are you a member of the CSEA? Is it mandatory? IF it is mandatory, you have a great case. If it's voluntary, you don't.

I work for the state and I don't belong.

[Patrick the Patriot]

Hi Saundra. That is just WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! I would be PO'ed too. In fact I am PO'ed. I hate the fact that we don't have a choice where all our taxes go. I hate the fact that I have to pay for private school, because public schools want to teach my children to hate my values. I hate the fact that I have to struggle to find a Conservative Christian workplace, because nearly all others are "Politically Correct" and hostile towards me. Oh God hear my lament. It's hard, but be strong little soldier, be strong. We will overcome the world.

[Patrick the Patriot]

Hey Gophack, no need for an apology. I started to think that there was a method there that I just didn't see.

[L,TOWM]

You may not belong to "da union", but take a look at your check stub Thursday. You pay "Fair Share" dues imposed on represented Bargaining Unit employees to compensate "da union" for negotiating the lavish compensation the State pays you.

Nice racket. Pay "da union" for doing the State a favor! Could you imagine the costs incurred by the DPA and individual Departments if they had to negotiate comp. & benefits with us individually?

The "Fair Share" was one of the first things Governor Joe slapped on us when he got sworn in. Right after that he renegged on the promises he made to the union on pay raises to make up for the budgets our a$$8$ balanced during the Wilson (ptui) administration.

Try opting out of the "Fair Share" deduction (if you can).

[Saundra Duffy]

Oh God hear my lament. It's hard, but be strong little soldier, be strong. We will overcome the world.

I hear you loud and clear, pal, and right back at you. I've been praying about Thursday's demonstration. It's kind of hard wandering around on the sidewalk in front of state buildings at 6:30 a.m. distributing my flyer. Sometimes you feel kind of discouraged . . . BUT . . . then I'll meet a fellow state worker who is every bit as angry as I. So we just keep on keepin' on. I don't know what's going to happen Thursday, but here's what I say . . . LET'S ROLL!! For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

Try opting out of the "Fair Share" deduction (if you can).

I have some info on this. Here's the only way to opt out of "fair share" giving to the CSEA:

Conscientious Objections: Any employee who is a member of a religious body whose traditional tenets or teachings include objections to joining or financially supporting employee organizations, or has religious practices or beliefs including such objections, is not required to financially support CSEA. Instead, the State Controller will deduct from the paycheck an amount equal to the fair share fee and contribute it to a non-religious, non-labor charitable organization selected by the employee from those approved by the State Board of Control. Employees with such religious beliefs must request the required forms from CSEA's Member Records Unit, 1108 "O" Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Please be advised that if such an employee requests individual representation in a grievance, arbitration or administrative hearing, CSEA is authorized to charge a reasonable fee for such representation.

Fair share = slavery. Can you believe this crap?! Like I said, union fees are MANDATORY! (That statement is from the CSEA June 2001 Notice to Fair Share Fee Payers.) Good grief!!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

You wanna get really mad? Read my post #55. You won't believe it. For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

Last news release FAX'd tonight to media and this will become a flyer to be distributed at the demonstration:

For Immediate Release Contact: Saundra Duffy, 443-6449
January 28, 2003
D E M O N S T R A T I O N
To Protest CSEA Union Corruption

On Thursday, January 30, 2003, 12 Noon, several state workers will descend on the CSEA office at 11th & O in Sacramento to protest their union’s political activities and other practices the protesters find objectionable.

Saundra Duffy, a state clerical worker, whose monthly take-home pay is $2,181, will coordinate the protest.

The following list of “demands” will be delivered to CSEA management.


LIST OF “DEMANDS”
January 30, 2003

Salaries (including benefit package) for all CSEA employees, including the President – by position.

Pay raise patterns for CSEA employees over the last five years.

Assurance that union members and “fair share” payers will be provided the right to vote on political endorsements and payments to candidates and causes.

Complete list of political contributions for 2001-2002 election cycle.

Assurance that no retaliation or harassment will be perpetrated against any state worker who participated in this demonstration. (end)

For victory & freedom!!!

[Saundra Duffy]

I called the police today to inform them of the demonstration. They gave me some advice. My big worry now is that no one will show up. I'll see if I can get on Eric Hogue 1380 tomorrow morning.

I've distributed over 500 flyers. Made two big signs; have my bullhorn all batteried up. However, I'm exhausted. Going to bed early tonight.

For victory & freedom!!!

[farmfriend]

I will not make it. I got a job this afternoon and I start tomorrow.

[Saundra Duffy]

Thanks, anyway. Good luck on your new job. For victory & freedom!!!