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Don’t Let Them Fool You!
What’s REALLY Behind
the War on Unions

Message from the Director, Jack Seddon

They say their financial woes are because unions are too extravagant with their wages, pensions and benefits. But don’t let them fool you!

This “we’re broke” theme being used by anti-worker governors and legislatures across America is built purely on rhetoric that is being force-fed to the public to disguise the fact that what they’re really trying to do is make sure that unions don’t have a voice anymore. All across America, the largest assault on workers’ rights is being fueled by a well-funded network of conservative front groups that you’ve probably never even heard of and exist for one thing alone - to derail unions.

Union busting is a dirty business, a billion-dollar industry sympathetic to corporate interests that has been around for decades, centuries even. And with politics in the United States being what it is, a game played on multiple levels, what we really have here is a renewed Republican fight to not necessarily advance the party’s agenda but to actively undermine the infrastructure that allows the opposing party to even exist at all. I know, pretty scary!

But what this current anti-labor conservative movement didn’t count on was the absolute resolve and tenacity we unions have. You saw rallies occur all across America, heck, still going on even. And poll after poll shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose taking away some of the collective bargaining rights that public employees unions now have and almost as many oppose cutting the pay or benefits of those workers.

Such a backlash has occurred that the effect has actually boosted working America and union support. And PATCO/AFSCME will continue its own fight against an anti-labor legislature right here in Florida. In fact, labor won big here as efforts failed to cripple public service workers’ dues deduction ability. So, know this - we will not let up on the pressure. As legislators head home for the summer, we will continue to make sure they know that we know that while they say it’s our fault they’re “broke,” we know they’re just really trying to get rid of us all together. And that just ain’t happening!

Stop Blaming Us and Start Working With Us!

If Wisconsin can reverse Wisconsin’s labor history inside a couple weeks, think how devastating and far-reaching the consequences will be across the country! State politicians across the country are proposing similar solutions to their budget crises, pushing legislation to cut good jobs and benefits, lower wages, threaten job safety and weaken unions. The AFL-CIO’s new States of Denial web site gives you the latest news on these state-level battles and what you can do to fight back.

Stay on top of this and don’t give up your rights so the government can solve its own budget woes. State politicians across the country keep using the phrase “shared sacrifices.” Giving up your rights to collectively bargain is supposed to be your share - what’s theirs?

MONEY SAVING BENEFITS PUTS YOUR
UNION MEMBERSHIP TO WORK FOR YOU RIGHT NOW!

PATCO/AFSCME
1310 Cross Creek Circle, Suite C2 • Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (800) 373-5777 · Fax: (850) 942-6722
fpd1@prodigy.net · www.PATCO1199.org

In order to streamline certain sections of our web site and to avoid redundancy, we have reorganized some of the information that used to be on some of your web pages. Please note that access to stuff like legislative information (ie., Acts, Statutes, Laws, etc.), information about the 2010 health care law, and other valuable resources can now be found by clicking on our new “Resource Center.”

So, if you want to know more about, say, the FMLA, or Whistleblower Protection, or what health care law provisions are currently in effect, or what corporate spin and governmental propaganda to watch out for, check it out.

Jack Seddon, Executive Director

The NLRB
Now Requires Private Employers
to Post “Unionization Rights”

Notice

... and they must
be in place by

November 14, 2011

Midwest Air Traffic Control Service Violates NLRA!
Settlement Agreement Processed!

Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are automatically provided to members, and members can request a copy by clicking on our email address below.
fpd1@prodigy.net
PLEASE SPECIFY which CBA you need.

In The Spotlight

Learn More
About It Here

New Expose Finds ALEC’s Fingerprints All Over
Assault on Workers and Unions

Home Heating Oil $100 Rebates

It just turned Fall, but you could start saving money this winter if
you heat your home with oil and live in

a qualifying area.

Find out more at

Union Plus Home Heating Oil Savings

Anyone Can Be
A Victim Of

Identity Theft!

To learn more about what you can do about identity theft and how Pre-Paid Legal’s Identity Theft Shield can help, call our agent today!

Mary Remson
(321)946-2290

NOTICE

In addition to the requirement for Midwest to post “The Notice,” certain financial conditions have been imposed that “will make employees whole for any losses suffered as a result of the unilateral changes in the health plan that were implemented on or about June 1, 2011.”

It has now been agreed to by both parties that all PATCO Midwest Towers, if you were covered before and are still on the Midwest health plan, will be reimbursed the difference between the old and new premiums!

Extension Granted!
New Deadline:
January 31, 2012

Learn More

About It Here

NATCA Lawsuit Dismissed!

After seventeen long years of litigation, the lawsuit that NATCA had filed against the FAA for the privatization of 115 low-level activity air traffic control towers back in 1993 has been dismissed.

NATCA originally filed suit in 1994 but after years of back and forth between district and appellate courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed just this past August that NATCA lacks standing to maintain its suit. It further affirmed that the FAA does have authority to contract for air traffic control services at relatively low activity towers.

The dismissal of this lawsuit is good news for contract tower controllers and protects their jobs in the private sector. Here at PATCO/AFSCME we protect the rights and jobs of our members. So join us today to make sure you stay safe in your jobs for years to come.

Postponed AGAIN!

Newest Deadline:

April 30, 2012

PATCO/AFSCME welcomes the
Weather Observers
employed by IBEX
at

Fort Yukon, Alaska

and
employed by CSR
at

Honolulu, Hawaii

WELCOME ABOARD!

2012 is Your Year

to Get Fit!

Through the Union Plus partnership with GlobalFit, get the lowest rates on new memberships at your choice of over 8,000 fitness clubs!

Find out more at
Union Plus

Health Club Discounts

Put Your Membership Dues
to Work for You Right Now!

Did you know that you and your family can save up to $3000 per year simply by using your Money Saving Member Benefits & Union Plus benefits? Thanks to the collective buying power of millions of union members, Money Saving Member Benefits &Union Plus is able to offer valuable, discounted products and services exclusively for working families. Start using them today and every day!