e-Team Report, Nov. 10, 2011
Senate Hearing
This week the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs approved S. 1789. While this piece of legislation would give the Postal Service back approximately $7 billion in overpayments made into Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) it will not return approximately $50-$75 billion in overpayments made into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This bill does restructure payments to pre-fund healthcare benefits for future retirees into a more manageable payment schedule than currently is mandated.
There are also several disturbing sections in S. 1789. One such section would require an arbitrator to take the financial condition of the Postal Service into account before rendering a decision. This is something that has regularly been done in negotiations for 40 years. This would tilt an advantage toward management while bargaining. Also, S. 1789 would cut the worker compensation benefits of those who were injured while on the job after they become retirement eligible. Those of retirement age who are receiving workers compensation benefits would see their income reduced to 50% of their income when they were injured on the job.
To read more about this bill and the hearing on the APWU’s website click here. To read more about this legislation including the full text of the bill click here.
To read what the Hill had to say about the Senate hearing click here.
National Protests of Voter ID Laws Scheduled for December 10th
December 10th has been set as the date for national protests to bring attention to new voter ID laws that all too often disenfranchise low-income and minority voters. This national day of protest will bring attention to states and communities that will feel the effect of these new state laws the most.
To read more about the NYC rally and keep up to date as others form on December 10th click here.
Easy Voting Act of 2011 - HR 3163
Recently, Congresswoman Corinne Brown (D- FL-03) introduced the Easy Voting Act of 2011 (H.R. 3163), aimed at reversing vigorous efforts in numerous states by Republican controlled state legislatures to hinder the ability for everyone to vote. One widespread effort to stifle the ability of certain groups of people to vote are voter ID laws that have been introduced in 34 different state legislatures this year.
To read more about this bill including the full text of the legislation click here. To read more about this legislation click here.
Successful Ohio and Maine Elections
Tuesday’s elections resulted in multiple states giving strong rebukes to legislation that Republican controlled state legislatures passed into law earlier this year.
In Ohio, state Republican’s saw their Senate Bill 5 struck down and repealed. An overwhelming 61% majority of Ohioans voted “No” on issue 2 to repeal the law attacking collective bargaining rights of state public sector workers.To read more about the victory for Ohio’s workers click here.
In Maine, voters overturned a recently passed state law that would no longer allow same day voter registration in the state. Earlier this year the Republican controlled state legislature did away with the right to both register and vote on the same day. Maine has a 38 year precedent of allowing voters to both register and vote on the same day. Approximately 60% of Maine voters decided to overturn this legislation. To read more about this victory click here.