The State Worker

Amid the accolades, a concern:

Many of us are sad to see her go. I agree she was forced out, not doubt about it! Does this mean we don't get our Encore Award??

We've heard that the fund wants to get the award controversy, which we reported here, settled before Frank leaves at the end of this month. Stay tuned.

Sept. 25 News of state worker interest from around the nation

I can't find the story about New York's Public Employees Federation, either under "Recommended Links" or by clinking on "More State Worker Links." (Am I doing something wrong?)

Nope. We goofed. We failed to post the story on Publish2, the service that this blog uses for linking to news and opinion sources. Click here for the, ahem, missing link. And whenever you see a problem like this, PLEASE, e-mail us right away so that we can address it right away.

Sept. 25 Read the Local 1000 furlough appeal brief

Would it be possible to get the brief filed for Arnold's side and post it here? I'm sure we would all like to read how his expensive legal team plans to defend their position.

We did, eventually, post a response from the governor's side in the appeal, although the brief we put up was a response to CASE's filing. The governor's attorneys had responded to the Local 1000 argument yet. (You can click here for the CASE document.) We'll put up other significant filings in this case as they become available.

Sept. 25 Columbus Day showdown coming to state workplaces

This post prompted more than 300 comments, ranging from anger at Schwarzenegger and the Legislature for pulling a fast one to anger at SEIU for being duped and then calling on members to stick out their necks to prove a point.

I don't trust DPA, but I also don't trust Local 1000. I feel a headache coming on.

So the legislature can amend a contract without agreements? Why go into contract in the first place when a contract can be changed anytime by one party without consent of another party? If a contract is useless, then I guess the State Employee can strike.

I'm tired of both sides...The Union sends emails like this to get us all fired up and pissed off. The DPA isn't following laws they are supposed to protect...

I will be working that day. I will also expect my 1.5 OT pay and another holiday later on. There's no way GAS will win this fight - it's CLEAR that taking away this holiday is breaking the law.

Is it possible that SEIU was right about the law but wrong to call on workers to press the issue? This commenter thinks so:

Dumb action on the part of the union. While many people do not agree with the three-day per month unpaid "furloughs" that all State employees are required to endure (some while still being forced to work 40-hour work weeks each week), I don't think very many people have a huge problem with those workers losing Columbus Day holiday, which not many folks in the private sector get to count as a holiday any way ...

And for a different perspective ...

Great move by the union, I will NOT be working that day nor claim time off on my monthly report. If an action is taken against me I will be forced to file grievance. If everyone does this the Administration will have to take notice. State parks gets reprieve, Family First gets reprieve, State workers don't even get consideration.

Sept. 29 CASE tells its members to work on Columbus Day

SEIU's position on Columbus Day and its call to employees to stay home that day forced some unions to react. And prompted State Worker blog users to react to those reactions:

I don't understand how my union thinks it is my ethical obligation to my employer to come to work when my union tells me the employer's order is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. I think my union needs to grow a spine and not get punked by GAS and his flunkies at DPA. I too am waiting to hear from CASE whether, in the event SEIU puts up a picket line around the State Building on Columbus Day, they believe I have an ethical obligation to my employer to cross a picket line by fellow unionists who are standing up for their rights. I can say now that I will honor a union picket line.

... I, for one, am happy to see that SIEU has shown it has a spine, and understands that there's a lot more to being a union than filing lawsuits.

Well, I for one have decided to show up for work ie Columubus day but I can promise not much will be accomplished that day. I plan to do very little in the way of work other than to show up! I plan to chat with my co-worker's and enjoy Columbus day while at work. It should be a quiet day, anyhow! I encourgae everyone else to do the same. Show up but don't work!