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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
• 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
Median Working-Age Household Income (2006 $)
$52,000
$54,000
$56,000
$58,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Wages are Declining
Income: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Census data.
Benefits are Declining
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
1980 1985 1993 2004
Medical insurance Defined benefit pension
38%38%
64%64%
3%3% 12%12%23%23%
353%353%
Wealthiest tenth of a percent average $1.3 million a year
116%116%97%97% 98%98% 103%103%
85%85%
Top 0.1%
Top 0.01%
Off the Off the charts! charts!
513% 513% income income
riserise
$5.9 $5.9 million million average average incomeincome
Household Income
1947-'73 1973-'05
Growing Together, Growing Apart
Source: Economic Policy Institute
Per
cen
t In
crea
se
Poorest20%
Second20%
Middle20%
Fourth20%
Richest20%
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
1947
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2004
Source: Economic Policy Institute.
Productivity Wages
Leaving the Rest of Us Behind
40%
20%
Unionization
Growing Gap Between Growing Gap Between Workers’ Wages and Executive PayWorkers’ Wages and Executive Pay
For large U.S. corporations For large U.S. corporations surveyed by surveyed by Business WeekBusiness Week magazinemagazine
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 Corporate Policy BoxThe Corporate Policy Box
They say: They say: ‘Globalization’‘Globalization’
They say: ‘Labor Market Flexibility’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: ‘SmallThey say: ‘SmallGovernment’Government’
What it means:Lower wages and
Job standards
Grover Norquist: DailyKos.com; Tax Cuts at Work: United for a Fair Economy.
January 4, 2007Goldman Sachs wins with Toll Road lease
Dec. 28, 2006
Daniels signs $1 billionwelfare outsourcing deal
December 9, 2006
Welfare plan takes a public beatingMany at 5-hour hearing fear privatization is a done deal
The Problem With ‘Small Government’
We Are Paying More TaxesAnd the Rich Are Paying Less
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
Lowest20%
2nd 20% Middle20%
4th 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1%
Income Property Sales
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
Yes53%
No42%
Unsure5%
Would You Join A Union?
No Right to Organize forMany 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
Business $1,504
Unions $62
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' RightsWorkers' RightsRestore Worker’s Freedom to Bargain for a Better Life
Guarantee a Secure
Retirement
Public ServicesPublic ServicesIncrease Investment in Public Services
Health CareHealth CareMake Health Care
Secure andAffordable
PensionsPensions
Knowledge Check1. The average CEO pay is how many times higher than
the average worker:o 125 timeso 255 timeso 364 timeso 420 times
2. The percentage of workers represented by unions in the U.S. is:o Risingo Decliningo About 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.o Trueo False
Answers
1. The average CEO pay is how many times higher than the average worker:
o Correct answer is 364 times.
2. The percentage of workers represented by unions in the U.S. is:
o Correct answer the declining.
3. All public sector workers in the U.S. have the right to organize a union and bargain collectively.
o Correct 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 Bargain CollectiveCollective
lyly
OrganizeOrganize
EDUCATEEDUCATEElectElectPro-Pro-
Worker Worker CandidateCandidate
ss
Change the Change the RulesRules
Demand Demand Corporate Corporate
AccountabilityAccountability
Hold Elected Hold Elected Officials Officials
AccountableAccountable
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.
Additional resources and to take actionwww.afscme.org/issues/15899.cfm
[email protected] 202-429-1215
For More Information
afscme.org/academy