WINTER/SPRING 2016 NEWSLETTER | COLORADO WINS | LOCAL 1876
WHAT’S INSIDE: ››Celebrate Women’s History Month by meeting a few of your union sisters ››Save the Date: Lobby Day 2016 is March 21 ››How will you build your union this year? ››Pictures from September’s Member Convention
CU-Boulder Fight for $15 heats up In June 2015, the lowest paid Housing & Dining employees at University of Colorado Boulder were finally about to catch a break: a raise had just been announced that would bring their wages up to nearly $15/hour. But about a month later, their raise was cancelled. Despite the initiative taken by their direct supervisor to find the money for raises, CU-Boulder’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kelly Fox unilaterally stopped the increases from going through. She claimed, in a letter dated Oct. 20, that the raise for housing and dining workers was stopped because it did not include workers in “other areas across campus.” “For me, the salary I earn yields me less with every year that I work here at the University,” said Manuela Corchado, a housing custodian at CU-Boulder. “Salary increases are minimal, however all the basic necessities have risen greatly. At first I lived modestly on what I earned but now I can barely cover the cost of rent and utilities and often I can’t even buy food.” Feeling betrayed and humiliated, workers decided it was time to take action. Members started talking to their coworkers about what they can do, together, to get what was promised to them. That was the beginning of the CU-Boulder Fight for $15 campaign. Starting in early October, members held various actions on and off the CU-Boulder campus. They collected more than 1000 petition signatures from workers, students, faculty and staff in support of a $15/ hour minimum wage for all campus workers. They held a call-in to CFO See “CU-Boulder” on page 2
More than 60 people attended the rally and march urging CFO Kelly Fox to approve a $15/hour minimum wage for all campus workers.
Students, staff and community members marched across campus to the Chancellor’s office to deliver petitions and a demand letter about raising campus wages.
Custodian Laurel Loesser reads the demand letter from CU-Boulder’s Fight for $15 delegation. She presented more than 1000 postcards and petition signatures to the representative from CFO Kelly Fox’s office. Laurel was one of six delegates elected by workers to represent them in negotiations. She was joined by, among others, WINS Treasurer Skip Miller and housing custodian Manuela Corchado.
Custodian Billy Villa during the postcard delivery rally.
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CU-Boulder Continued from p. 1
Kelly Fox’s office that turned out more than 70 calls over only a few hours. More than 60 people, including staff and students, rallied and marched to deliver the petition signatures and a demand letter to Fox’s office. Supported by her peers and members of the community, CU-Boulder custodian Laurel Loesser read the demand letter to a representative from Fox’s office. “We will not rest until there is a clear commitment from the University to recognize the valuable role we play on campus,” Laurel read from the letter. “We demand a $15 per hour living wage, now.” As a result of the actions, Fox agreed to meet with a delegation of six Colorado WINS members on Monday, Dec. 14, to discuss implementing a $15/hour minimum wage for all campus workers. They were told the campus administration is working on an analysis of wages and a report was to be released during winter break (as of publication date, the report has still not been released by the University). During the meeting, Fox admitted low wages were a problem on campus but would not discuss any direct steps the university could take to remedy the situation. While they did agree to meet with the delegation on a regular basis, Fox and Chief HR Officer Scott Morris said they are unable to share any details of either the report or any conversations they’ve had with CU Regents about raising a minimum wage for campus workers. With the spring semester now upon us, workers at CUBoulder are planning to continue to push the University to honor its word. The next delegation meeting is slated for February and members have more ideas about how to put pressure on the University to provide workers with a living wage.
For more about the CU-Boulder Fight for $15, visit CU15now.com. Use #CU15now on social media. 2
WINTER/SPRING 2016 | COLORADO WINS | LOCAL 1876
We must beat back TABOR During this year’s legislative session Colorado is faced with a unique budget situation. Our state’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the country, unemployment is significantly lower than the national average and private sector workers are set to receive an average 3% raise this year. However the state has a budget deficit, which is driven by both a technical snafu in the 2012 Hospital Provider Fee law and the constitutionally mandated spending of TABOR. This means no raises for state employees TIM MARKHAM Executive Director in addition to severe cuts to K-12 and higher education, rural hospitals and transportation spending. At the center of this problem is the Hospital Provider Fee, a fee paid by hospitals into the state’s coffers, which is then used to get matching funds from the federal government. Originally, the fee was not meant to trigger TABOR payments. Reclassifying the Hospital Provider fee to permanently exclude it from TABOR limits is a simple solution to an issue that is wreaking havoc with our state budget – including your raises! Any legislator who votes against a Hospital Provider Fee fix is saying that they don’t believe state workers, schools and roads are a priority. If those aren’t their priorities then what are they? By amending the Hospital Provider Fee we can bring the state’s budget nearly back to balance. Some legislative leaders, as well the governor’s office, have been working on such a fix since this past spring. A bill to fix this glitch will likely be introduced in the House this session and we’ll need all of you to call and lobby your legislators in favor of it. The TABOR-triggered spending is an issue that will require an amendment to the constitution to fix and I am hopeful that we will see a bipartisan solution on the ballot this fall. The problem is simple – the mandatory spending in TABOR prevents the state from investing in itself when times are good. Each year, just like many families, the state balances its budget and puts money away in a rainy day fund. In good years we invest in ourselves – whether that’s a new car, fixing the roof or getting that overdue medical procedure done. But because of TABOR’s mandatory spending requirements, in good years the state can’t invest in roads, bridges, schools or its biggest asset – you! Instead, it’s forced into mandatory payouts, which aren’t enough for most folks to even go out to dinner. So does it make sense that while the private sector flourishes in Colorado the public infrastructure, programs and people who make that possible are being cut? No, it’s crazy and we need to let our elected representatives know we expect them to fix the glitch and start investing in Colorado’s future.
In honor of Women’s History Month (March), this issue we’re focusing on what it means to be a woman in a union. Meet a few of our most active members.
Official publication of
Colorado WINS 2525 Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80219
For nearly 15 years, Shelly has given her time, knowledge and expertise to the people of Colorado. Five of those years she has worked in the Dept. of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families and she’s seen many state workers come and go. But one thing has been clear: most of those workers have been women. It could be because women tend to search for jobs that allow them to help others, and DHS offers a variety of such positions. “Most women are compassionate and able to work well with other people by communicating effectively,” Shelly said. “We are creative, resourceful, hard-working and aim to get the job done!” Shelly was recently elected as the District Chapter 4 chairperson SHELLY MARQUEZ and she actively encourages her coworkers to join the union. Dept. of Human Services Partly, this is because women draw some of the greatest benefits Accounting from being union members. The gender wage gap for union workers is about half of what it is for the general population (gap of 9.4 cents vs. 18.7 cents) and it’s shrinking, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Women represented by unions typically earn about 30% more per week than women in non-union jobs (men in unions earn about 20% more than their non-union counterparts), according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The advantages of being a union member extend into retirement savings (such as pension plans), health insurance benefits, access to childcare, family and sick leave, and many other areas. “I strongly believe that being in a union empowers women for the simple fact that we are in unity with one another,” Shelly said. “When we stand together on issues or concerns for a common goal, our voices and presence are heard. For a long time women have been the minority in the workplace and things are now changing. Unions protect us against biases from employers.” For Shelly, being a union member means that she has a channel to address any workplace or department issues that come up. “It is very important to have a voice because in the workplace sometimes management does not want to hear you. With the union you feel that you are heard,” she said.
303.727.8040 info@cowins.org
COLORADO WINS EXECUTIVE BOARD PATTY MOORE President
SKIP MILLER Treasurer
DAVID PERTZ Secretary
TIM MARKHAM Executive Director
VICE PRESIDENTS: PAT ROYBAL, Dist. I RITA UHLER, Dist. II DRAGAN MEJIC, Dist. III SHELLY MARQUEZ, Dist. IV JACQUIE ANDERSON, Dist. V RICH BRINKER, Dist. VI DALE O’CONNOR, Dept. Committee
RETIREE CHAIR: DAVID RUCHMAN
“Being a woman in the union, for me, is about continuing the fight of those who came before me. It’s all about making sure everyone has a voice.” - Jamie Santistevan
Registered Nurse, Co. Mental Health Institute at Ft. Logan
“More and more women are joining unions because more women are feeling empowered and want to be heard! I am one of those women!” - Rose Friend
Licensed Psych Tech, Pueblo Regional Center
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WINTER/SPRING 2016 | COLORADO WINS | LOCAL 1876
Do you know how to talk to your coworkers about joining the union? You’ve joined the union, worn the pins, signed a few petitions, attended a meeting, but the problems at work continue. “What’s a state employee gotta do to get a little respect around here?” you might wonder. At Colorado WINS, we have a saying, “more members, more respect.” When we have strong membership, people like your supervisor, your department director, the Legislature, and the Governor, have to pay attention. When there are more members in the union, your voice is louder, you’re more protected from retaliation, and you and your coworkers have more power to make changes happen. Growing membership starts with you. Asking your coworkers to join the union can be challenging, but fortunately, there are a few tips to help you out. When you’re preparing to talk with a coworker about joining the union, keep in mind the acronym, PTS: Point, Testimony, Solution. Point: the purpose for talking with your coworker. Maybe one day at lunch you overhear someone saying they feel the scheduling policy is unfair. You know members haves been working on improving scheduling practices, so you take this moment to connect that to your coworker’s concern. Approach you coworker after work and say, “Hey, I heard you talking about the unfair scheduling, I think the scheduling policy could be improved too.” Testimony: tell them how this issue impacts you. For example: “The scheduling policy means I’m never sure if I’m going to be able to leave on time. I’ve had to miss my kid’s baseball games three times this year.” Then try and find out how the scheduling issue has impacted your coworker. “How have you been affected by unfair scheduling?” Solution: present to your coworker how we can gain a voice and strength in the workplace. Here’s where you want to connect their complaint with the work of union members. You might say, “I’m a member of the union, and we have been trying to fix the scheduling problem, but we need your help. We need you to join us now, to show management that we are serious about tackling the scheduling policy.” The solution is to join together and do something about the issues at work. Next, ASK THEM TO JOIN. Don’t leave the conversation hanging. “Will you join me and your fellow coworkers by becoming a member of the union today?” They don’t get the chance to say “yes” unless you ask. Remember, though, that signing a membership card is just the first step to building power. Be sure to follow up with your coworkers. Invite them to the next membership meeting or have them wear a button to support the union. Ask them if they know anyone else who is impacted by the scheduling policy. Then, talk to those folks as well, and invite your new union brother or sister to join you in the conversation! The more we work together, the better off we are when we need to change how we’re treated at work. Building a strong union does not have to be complicated. Just practice your PTS and one by one, we can gain more members… and more respect!
As our union membership is steadily growing, so is the number of trained Union Stewards. In 2015 alone we trained nearly fifty Stewards and this year we have trainings planned on performance reviews, union strategy, and bringing new workers into the union, among others. In 2016 we will grow the power of our union by recruiting, training and electing more than 100 new Stewards across departments and facilities. As a union Steward your chief responsibility is to build a united, organized, and involved membership in your workplace. Your job is to explain what being in a union means, and sometimes that means showing, instead of telling (by, for instance, being a worker’s representative during meetings with management). To help with that, we are creating a Steward’s blog that will be housed on our website, ColoradoWINS.org. We will also send the blog to a select group of union members who have chosen to be the pillars of strength for Colorado WINS: folks who are or want to be Union Stewards. If you’d like to sign up for these emails, please visit ColoradoWINS.org/stewards. Building a union is an all hands on deck enterprise, but as a steward, you are steering the ship for your union brothers and sisters and helping them learn the ropes. Remember, we’re all in the same boat!
Register for an upcoming Steward training at ColoradoWINS.org/stewards
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Colorado WINS Third Triennial Member Convention and Reception, Sept. 11 & 12, 2015
Members from Univ. of Northern Colorado and the Auraria Higher Ed Campus during the reception.
UNC member and karaoke king Damian Macias singing an Elvis tune.
Ft. Logan member Cornelia Dockins and her daughter brought down the house singing “Stop! In The Name of Love.”
District Chapter 2 Chair Pat Roybal recognizing Higher Ed member Claudia Woodman for attending the largest number of union events since 2012.
Retiree member Russ Mayer honored for being a union member for more than 60 years. In 1954 Russ joined the Colorado State Civil Service Employee Association (CSCSEA), which eventually became Colorado WINS.
Convention Delegates Dragan Mejic (Higher Ed, CU-Boulder) and Vincent Scudella (DHS, CMHIP) during the awards ceremony at the Member Convention. 6
Western Slope and Denver members during Friday night’s reception.
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DOC member Lucretia Robinson at karaoke.
DOC member Brian Hines received the Tonja Portillos Award for recruiting the most members in 2014-15.
CU-Boulder and COPE Board Chair Ira Liss honored for completing 8 Political Action Volunteer shifts during the 2014 election cycle.
Executive Director Tim Markham gives a speech during the Convention.
SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry meeting with WINS members from Alamosa.
DHS Member Jerry Solano (Pueblo Regional Center) during the Convention.
Mary Kay Henry with Colorado WINS President Patty Moore (DHS).
Your new Executive Board (from left): Shelly Marquez (District Chapter 4), Pat Roybal (DC 2), Dragan Mejic (DC 3), Dale O’Connor (Dept. Committee Rep), David Ruchman (Retiree Chair), Skip Miller (Treasurer), Rita Uhler (DC 2), Jacquie Anderson (DC 5), David Pertz (Secretary), Tim Markham (Executive Director), Patty Moore (President). Not pictured: Rich Brinker (DC 6). WINTER/SPRING 2016 | COLORADO WINS | LOCAL 1876
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DENVER HEADQUARTERS 2525 W. Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80219 303.727.8040 ColoradoWINS.org
When state employees have a voice, Colorado WINS
Save the Date
Lobby Day 2016 set for Monday, March 21 Lobby Day is a fun union event held at the Capitol, during which Colorado WINS members can talk directly with their State Representative or Senator. For Lobby Day, the Committee on Political Education chooses a small number of issues to focus on when talking to legislators. The 2016 Lobby Day will emphasize prioritizing state employees in the budget discussions of Colorado’s House and Senate. Our goal will be to keep state employee take-home pay from taking a hit. Lobby Day will take place in Denver on Monday, March 21. All members interested in participating are required to attend the Lobby Day training, scheduled for Sunday, March 20.
Request your time off for Lobby Day today!
LET’S BE SOCIAL
If you live more than 75 miles away you may be eligible for a hotel room for Sunday night. For more information or with questions, please contact Robert Lindgren at 303.937.6452 or robert.lindgren@cowins.org.
facebook.com/ColoradoWINS @CoWINSpolitics Text “COWINS” to 787-753
To register for Lobby Day visit ColoradoWINS.org/LobbyDay2016.
For the digital edition of the Our Voice newsletter, please visit issuu.com/ColoradoWINS. To get newsletter updates through e-mail, please email ourvoice@cowins.org.
OFFICES DENVER 2525 W. Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80219 303.727.8040
PUEBLO 304 S. Union Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003 719.545.0677