This morning, December 1st, Governor Kulongoski released his recommended budget for the 2009-11 biennium. Even a casual glance through the 31 page document shows what dire straights the economy is in. Massive cuts will affect all SEIU members, and the Oregonians we serve.
What are some of the things that stand out?
- No Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) for both years.
- Covers health care increases of 5% per year.
- Still covers the current salary step system.
- Funding is still there for the salary schedule increase at the end of the biennium.
- Union HQ says that this doesn't cover the Oregon University System. Which is funny given the Governor's high-level focus on the education system.
- Forces all employees to take 8 unpaid furlough days (1 per quarter).
- Looks to increase the corporate minimum tax above the current $10 per year that was set back in 1931.
This is going to be a very hard year for bargaining. Even though this is not the final budget, the Governor's budget sets the stage for what will come. If something isn't funded, it will be difficult to negotiate for it. Now we'll see if the much-touted bargaining skills we heard about during the campaigns for SEIU elections will have a pay-off.
This brings up another point for everyone to consider. Earlier this year, we were all asked to fill out Bargaining Surveys. Those surveys were completed before the bottom fell out of the economy. With that in mind, how are we going to determine what we should be bargaining for, given the current economic outlook?
What are your bargaining priorities?
Post your suggestions below, or use the contact form to let us know. Eye On The 503 will collect any information gathered and pass that information along to the bargaining delegates.
You can read the full Governor's Recommended Budget 2009-11 here.