Who Has the Power? Fighting for Economic Justice afscme.org/academy

Workshop Objectives  Know what is happening in today’s economy.  Understand how the corporate agenda impacts public budgets and public services.  Learn what we can do to fight for an economy that works for us. Brendel, Free Software Foundation afscme.org/academy

Why is it so hard for so many workers to make a decent living in the richest country in history?

Are the most productive in the world Work longer hours than in any other developed country Are struggling to make ends meet Workers in America

Wages are Declining Income: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Census data.

Benefits are Declining

38% 64% 3% 12% 23% 353% Wealthiest tenth of a percent average $1.3 million a year116% 97% 98% 103% 85% Top 0.1% Top 0.01% Off the charts! 513% income rise $5.9 million average income Household Income 1947-' '05 Growing Together, Growing Apart Source: Economic Policy Institute Percent Increase Poorest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Richest 20%

Source: Economic Policy Institute. ProductivityWages Leaving the Rest of Us Behind 40% 20% Unionization

Growing Gap Between Workers’ Wages and Executive Pay For large U.S. corporations surveyed by Business Week magazine Source: Institute for Policy Studies and United for a Fair Economy. In 1980, CEO pay equaled 42 times the average blue collar worker’s pay. By 2006, CEO pay had grown to 364 times the average blue collar worker’s pay -- by far the widest gap in the world.

Workshop Objectives  Know what is happening in today’s economy.  Understand how the corporate agenda impacts public budgets and public services.  Learn what we can do to fight for an economy that works for us. afscme.org/academy

The Economy is NOT Like the Weather…

Boxing Workers Into The Corporate Agenda

The Corporate Policy Box They say: ‘Globalization’ They say: ‘Labor Market Flexibility’ What it means: Take Aways, Union Busting, You’re On Your Own What it means: Privatization, Deregulation, Tax Cuts for the Wealthy They say: ‘Small Government’ What it means: Lower wages and Job standards

Grover Norquist: DailyKos.com; Tax Cuts at Work: United for a Fair Economy. January 4, 2007 Goldman Sachs wins with Toll Road lease Dec. 28, 2006 Daniels signs $1 billion welfare outsourcing deal December 9, 2006 Welfare plan takes a public beating Many at 5-hour hearing fear privatization is a done deal The Problem With ‘Small Government’

We Are Paying More Taxes And the Rich Are Paying Less Federal deduction of state and local taxes taken from income tax share. Source: Citizens for Tax Justice. State and local taxes as a % of income, by income quintile.

No Right To Organize in the Private Sector 60 million Americans would join a union if they could Employers deny the right to organize by illegally firing and threatening workers NLRB process fails to protect workers’ rights Would You Join A Union?

No Right to Organize for Many Public Sector Workers Laws provide collective bargaining rights to a majority of public employees Kansas law covers local governments only if they opt in. Maryland has no state law covering local employees. The largest local jurisdictions have their own laws. No comprehensive bargaining laws. Some of these states have laws covering various groups of employees. In some states, local jurisdictions have passed laws. STATES WITH COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LAWS

2004 Campaign Contributions in Millions Source: Center for Responsive Politics. Political Cash Fuels The Corporate Agenda

AFSCME’s Agenda to Rebuild the Middle Class Workers' Rights Restore Worker’s Freedom to Bargain for a Better Life Guarantee a Secure Retirement Public Services Increase Investment in Public Services Health Care Make Health Care Secure and Affordable Pensions

Knowledge Check 1. The average CEO pay is how many times higher than the average worker: o125 times o255 times o364 times o420 times 2. The percentage of workers represented by unions in the U.S. is: oRising oDeclining oAbout the same as ever 3. True or False: All public sector workers in the U.S. have the right to organize a union and bargain collectively. oTrue oFalse

Answers 1.The average CEO pay is how many times higher than the average worker: oCorrect answer is 364 times. 2.The percentage of workers represented by unions in the U.S. is: oCorrect answer the declining. 3.All public sector workers in the U.S. have the right to organize a union and bargain collectively. oCorrect answer is false. There are many states in which public sector workers do not have the right to organize and bargain.

 Know what is happening in today’s economy.  Understand how the corporate agenda impacts public budgets and public services.  Learn what we can do to fight for an economy that works for us. afscme.org/academy Workshop Objectives

Putting the Pieces Together Bargain Collectively Organize EDUCATE Elect Pro-Worker Candidates Change the Rules Demand Corporate Accountability Hold Elected Officials Accountable

Pass the Employee Free Choice Act! Organize

Change the Rules Fight for Fair Taxes  No more tax cuts for the wealthy  Sunshine on tax breaks  Scrutiny for contract deals

Demand Corporate Accountability Corporate Reform –Shareholder power –Attacking excessive CEO pay –Exposing insider deals Home Depot rally photo: Reuters.

Elect Pro-Worker Candidates Learn about AFSCME PEOPLE.

Additional resources and to take action   For More Information afscme.org/academy