What follows is the text of a memo sent from AFSCME COUNCIL 31 to local readers:
Our battle to overturn Todd Stroger’s proposed budget cuts is gaining
steam daily. AFSCME’s efforts helped to build great turnout at the two
public hearings held in Markham and Skokie. Those hearings featured
powerful testimony from Council 31 staff, as well as from AFSCME local
leaders and activists. There was widespread press coverage of both
events. Hopefully, you saw all of the AFSCME signs–and Local 1111
president Herdastine Williams–featured in the Channel 9 report last
night.
Now we have to focus all of our efforts on turnout for the main public
hearing at the County Building on Monday, January 29. We’ll gather
outside at 10 AM for a spirited march and rally. It is critical that
you do everything possible to bring out your members to this event.
We are joining with the Chicago Federation of Labor, NNOC and concerned
community organizations in organizing this event in order to
demonstrate
the broadest possible opposition to Stroger’s budget-cutting plan.
In addition to presenting testimony and packing the public hearings,
AFSCME has been working on many other fronts to combat these cuts:
*We have met directly with Todd Stroger, along with the leaders of
the Chicago Federation of Labor, to register the strong objections of
the entire Chicago labor movement to his proposed cuts.
*I have met personally with most members of the County Board to
urge them to oppose the cuts. In addition, Council 31
intergovernmental
affairs director, Ray Harris, participated in a CFL delegation that met
with most of the commissioners to push them to publicly come out
against
the cuts.
*We have been reaching out to community groups, churches and other
advocacy organizations to bring them into this fight. Every local
union
needs to be involved in this effort. It is critical that you reach out
to any potential allies–in members’ churches, community organizations,
professional associations, etc. Be sure to let Peter Schmalz know of
any contacts that you make.
*Council 31 has printed up AFSCME buttons and signs highlighting
our union’s opposition to the cuts. Stop by the Council office or
check
with your Staff Representative if you need more buttons or signs.
*Council 31 staff have been working with local union leaders to
document the negative impact that the cuts would have on vital public
services, like health care, the court system, and public safety. We
have been using this information in reaching out to the media, in
preparing testimony for hearings, and in lobbying commissioners.
*Council 31 is monitoring the Finance Committee’s hearings on each
county division’s budget and identifying key issues that emerge in
questioning by commissioners.
*Despite continuing pressure, Council 31 has made clear to all
elected officials that our union has no intention of reopening its
contract to take furlough days or make any other concessions. At a
meeting convened by the Chicago Federation of Labor, other county
unions
agreed with our position.
*Council 31 is continuing our work with the Center for Tax and
Budget Accountability to develop a comprehensive revenue-raising plan
that represents a viable alternative to budget cutting.
*We are fighting to prevent any layoffs of AFSCME members.
However, if the County does initiate layoffs at any point during this
battle, you can be assured that Council 31 will ensure that the
contract
is followed and members’ rights are fully protected.
We’ve made tremendous progress in this battle. Stroger and his allies
are on the defensive and most definitely feeling the heat. But we’ve
still got a ways to go to beat back these cut in any final budget that
is adopted. We’ve got to make sure that County Board members are ready
and willing to stand up to Stroger and support alternative
revenue-raising measures. It is critical that we keep the pressure
on–NON-STOP. Be sure to keep those calls going in to Commissioners’
offices. Every one of your members should call his/her County Board
member.