No Cuts in Services - No Layoffs of Workers

A big mobilization is underway in Connecticut to stop dire cuts in services and layoffs of state workers proposed by Gov. Rell. One state union, SEIU, called together 200 members for a legislative accountability session. The meeting was led by Carmen Boudier, President 1199 New England Health Care Employee Union and Paul Filson, SEIU State Council Director. Five State Legislators attended the meeting and promised to work with SEIU and the coalition of unions and community groups.

Carmen Boudier noted that a series of legislative accountability sessions are planned for all over the State of Connecticut. She said that SEIU will join with others to fight for a budget that defends jobs and services in these bad economic times. There was a clear message to pass a progressive income tax and to close tax loopholes. All the state unions are meeting with their members to mobilize for a budget that meets peoples needs. It is past due time for a progressive tax structure in our richest state so that the needs of all those who live in Connecticut are met.

-- Tom Connolly

No Benefit Cuts to Auto Workers

The American auto industry problems are not due to the wages, health benefits and pensions that Union auto workers have fought for through the UAW for many years. These benefits helped to create a broad, diversified, and healthy working and middle class. They enabled millions of workers to raise and educate their families, unlike the benefits provided by the newer foreign-owned companies.

To enable the American-owned manufacturers to compete in the future, government assistance must include two major items:
1. The government should take over the automakers future payments to the auto industry health benefit plans, with no cuts in benefits or increased cost to present and future autoworkers. The plan should be governed by a board made up of UAW and government representatives. This would also be a big step towards health care for all.
In addition, foreign-owned automakers must immediately be required to either provide equivalent health benefits to their workers, or to pay into the UAW-sponsored fund to provide benefits for their workers. The workers in the home countries of these automakers receive health benefits through social insurance paid for by general tax revenues; their U.S workers should have the same benefits!

2. The pension liability of the U.S auto companies should also be taken over by a government assisted fund, again governed by a joint Union and government Board.

There must be no cuts in benefits earned by these workers.

-- Bill Morico