Tag Archives: New Hampshire Senate

4-30-13 AFT-NH Legislative Update And Urgent Action Needed To Stop Or Amend HB142

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 30, 2013 - 9:10 am | , , ,
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aft sqaure

The full Senate will be voting on HB 142 relative to teacher evaluation systems, which was amended by the Senate Education committee to read:

1 New Paragraph; School Boards; Duty to Provide Education. Amend RSA 189:1-a by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:

III. A school board shall adopt, with the involvement of teachers and principals, a teacher evaluation system for use in the school district, consistent with RSA 189:14-a, I(b). In such adoption, a school board may consider any resources it deems reasonable and appropriate, including any resources that may be provided by the state department of education.
AFT-NH is in opposition to this bill as amended. It does include the involvement of teacher but it left out “Nothing in this paragraph shall supersede collective bargaining rights under RSA 273-A”. This is language that needs to be put back in; we have been working with several Senators to do just that. We need you help to make this happen so please take the action below.

With that being said we are asking that you contact Senator Stiles at 603-918-0553 and ask that she puts in or supports a floor amendment that adds this language back into the bill:

“Nothing in this paragraph shall supersede collective bargaining rights under RSA 273-A”.

FULL SENATE VOTES ON MAY 2ND

The full Senate will vote on HB 178: relative to public employer collective bargaining agreements. This bill requires the PELRB (Public Employee Labor Relations Board) to:

  • Post online training for collective bargaining.
  • Maintain a record how political subdivisions vote on collective bargaining agreements and provide the legislature with an annual report.

AFT-NH supports this amended bill and hopes that the Senate will pass it as well.

HB 187:.relative to deliberative sessions in towns that have adopted official ballot voting. This bill was submitted by retired AFT-NH member Marjorie Porter. This bill provides that the dollar amount agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and an employee organization shall not be modified by the legislative body of the public employer and that amount is what the voters should vote on.

AFT-NH supports this bill; we believe that what is negotiated in good faith should go before the voters for a vote and not be sidelined by a few. We hope that the Senate will pass it as well.

HEARINGS THIS PAST WEEK

The House Education committee held a hearing on SB 82. This bill establishes a commission for the purpose of identifying strategies for developing and implementing a competency-based public education. AFT-NH is staying neutral on this bill. We understand that moving to a competency-based system will take much time and consideration when developing this system. AFT-NH hopes that the final report will include recommendations for adequate time and staff development for the educators charged with implementing this new system.

If you are currently moving forward in implementing a competency-based system and you have concerns, suggestions and recommendations please send them to LHainey@aft-nh.org. This way we can makes sure they are passed along.

The House Labor committee held a hearing on SB 100: AN ACT authorizing electronic payment of payroll. This bill will affect all public employees in New Hampshire. This bill will do the following:

  • Deletes the requirement that an employer who pays wages by electronic fund transfer offer employees the option of being paid by check.
  • Permits an employer to pay wages with a payroll card after offering employees the option of being paid by direct deposit.

AFT-NH is opposed to this bill.  We understand that many employees do receive their paycheck by direct deposit but there are many who prefer the paper check and they should still have this option. It might be different if they were proposing the cost savings be shared with the employee.

The House Labor committee will be holding a work session on HB 100 on Tuesday, April 30th.

If you have any questions/concerns please email at lhainey@aft-nh.org

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR NEXT WEEK
Bold are AFT Priorities.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 134-FN, relative to the Division of Higher Education and the Higher Education commission,
SB 162-FN, repealing the student tuition guaranty fund and making provisions for the disbursement of remaining funds, and relative to the membership of the Higher Education commission.
11:00 a.m. Or immediately following the executive session, subcommittee work session on retained HB474, relative to eligibility for in-state tuition rates at the University System of New Hampshire.

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
1:00 p.m. Full committee work session on SB 100, authorizing electronic payment of payroll.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 48, relative to school performance and accountability.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 100, SH
9:40 a.m. HB 283, establishing a study committee to review the hearing officer’s report with regard to the New Hampshire Local Government Center and to study potential changes to RSA 5-B.

PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB
9:15 a.m. HB 269-L, authorizing a city or town to conduct a special meeting necessitated by changes in adequate education funding.

THURSDAY, MAY 2

10:00 A.M. SENATE IN SESSION

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 435-FN, relative to funding for chartered public school pupils,
HB 243, relative to the board of trustees of a chartered public school,
HB 424-FN, relative to review of chartered public school applications by the state board of education.

FRIDAY, MAY 3

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
1:00 p.m. Department of Education

THURSDAY, MAY 9

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 48, relative to school performance and accountability.

FINANCE, Representatives’ Hall, SH
3:00 p.m. − 5:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015.

HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.

6:00 p.m. − 8:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015.
HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.

Please note: The above Finance hearing will be streamed live via the internet at the following web address: mms://gencourt.state.nh.us/wmtencoder/housemedia.wmv

Money, Politics and Overturning Citizens United

  By Matt Murray | April 26, 2013 - 8:59 am | , ,
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UNH Poll supporting overturning citizens united

For as long as I can remember, the amount of money involved in politics has been an issue.  Even before the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United, there was ‘soft money’ for campaigns from the political parties.

However, the landmark decision in Citizens United didn’t just change the rules of the game – it fundamentally changed the game.

Citizens United gave individuals the ability to donate unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns.  The ruling also gave corporations the same rights as people, therefor allowing corporations to donate unlimited funds.  The worst part of the Citizens United ruling is how it allowed donors to remain essentially anonymous.  Billionaires like the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson could literally donate a billion dollars without anyone knowing.  This would be true if they did not tell everyone they did it.

We all agree that money is power in politics.  In political campaigns, money is everything – that is why the day after each election, they start begging for money for the next election. Money allows you to buy airtime on TV and radio.  Money allows candidates to send out post cards to every person in their district (my friends at the USPS thank you for that, by the way).  Without money, candidates cannot even get their names out there to the people. Money is everything in a campaign.

Once again, we are at the point where we need to reform our political contribution system.  The money in politics is giving more weight to the corporations and lobbying groups than the actual people that candidates are elected to represent.  Take the recent Senate vote on common sense gun reforms and universal background checks.  Many of the Senators who opposed background checks are also in tight with the NRA, who is a massive lobbying group for the gun manufacturers.  Even though between 80-90% of Americans believe that we should have universal background checks on all gun sales, 46 US Senators voted it down.  Why? Because they do not want to lose the financial backing, or face the wrath of the uber-rich NRA.

We must fix this system, or our democracy will completely fall apart.  This is why New Hampshire Legislators have introduced HCR2. HCR2 is a resolution urging US Congress to amend the US Constitution to overturn Citizens United.  Simple, right?

In a recent UNH poll, 72% of Granite Staters believed this we should overturn Citizens United.  This is 72% of all Granite Staters – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.

“These numbers make it clear that the political will exists to reclaim democracy from corporate and special interest spending – in New Hampshire and around the country,” said Marge Baker, executive vice president of People For the American Way. “Voters across the state are speaking out to insist that our democracy is truly of, by and for the people.”

UNH Poll supporting overturning citizens united

So why haven’t you heard about this resolution? Because it has no chance of even being debated in the NH Senate right now.  Recently Senate President Peter Bragdon changed the rules of the Senate to say that a ‘super majority’ would be required before the Senate would even consider House resolutions.  If this sounds vaguely familiar and highly dysfunctional, think: US Senate Filibuster on a smaller scale. This change means that the NH Senate is not even going to discuss the resolution.

“New Hampshire voters, like most Americans, are fed up with the Citizens United anything-goes approach to money in politics. Six in 10 New Hampshire Republicans, nearly three out of four independents, and nearly eight in 10 Democrats support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. That’s why 10 Republican Representatives joined Democrats in passing HCR2 at the state House last month, and why the state Senate should now also heed the will of the voters,” said Peter Schurman, campaign director at Free Speech For People.

These Senators are elected to represent us. When the people overwhelmingly agree that this needs to change, something should change.  The Senate should stop hiding behind this arbitrary parliamentary rule.  Bring the resolution to the floor and let’s discuss it.

Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer of Democracy Is For People at Public Citizen sums it up perfectly:

“The only question is: Are the politicians ready to follow the will of the people, rather than the giant campaign spenders?”

 

At Legislator Luncheon, NH Labor Pushes For ‘Job Creating’ Casino Bill

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 24, 2013 - 5:53 pm | , , ,
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Credit Joe Casey
Credit Joe Casey

Credit Joe Casey

Organized labor united in support of “job creating” bill, makes case for expanded gaming at legislative luncheon

Nearly 300 State Representatives packed the State House Cafeteria today for a legislative luncheon in support of SB152, the bill to create jobs and state revenue by licensing a casino in New Hampshire. The luncheon was sponsored by the New Hampshire labor community, and included presentations from Senator Donna Soucy, NEA President Scott McGilvray, SEA representative Jay Ward, Building Trades President and IBEW 490 Business Manager Joe Casey, Representative Ed Butler, and Matthew Landry of Strategic Market Advisors.

NH Building and Construction Trades Council President Joe Casey issued the following statement:

“The turnout today was incredible, even though we were forced to change the venue at the last minute. It’s clear that support for SB152 is building in the House. The Representatives who attended today understand that SB152 will create thousands of jobs and create a critical revenue stream to fund our state’s priorities.

The New Hampshire labor community is united in support of this bill, and the luncheon today was a great opportunity to showcase that. I was proud to stand alongside Scott McGilvray and Jay Ward, and to speak to the importance of this bill to our memberships. For our part, the construction industry needs our legislators to support SB152 in order to create more than $425 million in private investment that will create thousands of jobs. Estimates show SB152 will create 3,165 on-site construction jobs, 567 indirect construction jobs, another 1,087 jobs through increased economic activity due to construction, and 1,949 full time ongoing jobs in operating the casino. Our legislators have an opportunity to stand with New Hampshire’s working men and women by passing SB152, and the great showing we had at the luncheon today shows that many of them are ready to do that.

The anti-gaming lobby tried every dirty trick in the book to try and stop this luncheon from happening – even stooping to bullying St. Paul’s church into canceling it. Their support is slipping every day, and they’re desperate to stop us from being heard. But we will not be intimidated, and we will make sure there is a full, open, and honest debate on this issue in spite of their dirty tactics. We expect to see more of their big money misinformation campaign in the coming weeks, but the people of New Hampshire support this proposal, and momentum is clearly building among our legislators. No amount of dirty tricks and robo calls from the anti-casino lobby can stop that. ”

Sponsors of today’s event include:

NH Building and Construction Trades Council
IBEW 104
IBEW 490
IBEW 2320
Granite State Teamsters
Ironworkers Local 7
NEA NH
NH Troopers Association
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 131
Professional Fire Fighters of NH
State Employees Association

An Update On NH School Vouchers From Bill Duncan (@ANHPE)

  By Advancing New Hampshire Public Education | April 19, 2013 - 3:00 pm | ,
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Bill Duncan

Voucher repeal remains alive after the senate vote today
You will see the Republican party crowing as if they won something today, but the reality is that they did not have the support they need to kill HB 370, the voucher repeal bill.  In a party line vote, the Senate voted 13-11 on a motion to “Lay on the Table” HB 370.  The bill can be brought back at any time.

While we would rather have passed HB 370, this is not a bad outcome.  The budget bill passed by the House, HB 2, still repeals the voucher program and repeal will be part of the final budget negotiation in June.

Most important, Sen. Nancy Stiles (R, Hampton) and others will have the opportunity to consider new information about the voucher tax credit as it becomes available.  For instance, tomorrow’s paper will have this report by Kevin Landrigan on the scholarship organization’s kickback scheme to schools that help in fundraising.  This is only the beginning for such a poorly conceived program.

Final arguments for the court case to be heard Friday, April 26
Our attorneys have filed final briefs in the court case challenging the constitutionality of the voucher tax credit law.  It’s surprisingly easy to read.  You can see it here.

The hearing (trial) will be at 11:00AM, April 26, at the Strafford County Courthouse.  Come if you can!

Private Prison Off the Table in NH a post by Arnie Alpert (NH-AFSC)

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 3, 2013 - 7:36 pm |
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american friends service committee logo (AFSC)

New Hampshire will not privatize its prisons, at least not in the near future.  That’s the decision announced by the state today with the release of a long-awaited analysis of bids submitted by four private firms in response to a 2011 Request for Proposals from the state. 

The state’s consultant, MGT of America, found that none of the bids met the requirements spelled out in the RFP.  All of them “had deficiencies from an operational standpoint.”

[Click here for the report from MGT of America.]

Specifically, according to a parallel report released by the Departments of Corrections and Administrative Services, “all were non-compliant with meeting the Department of Corrections’ legal obligations.”

“More specifically, the proposals exhibited a lack of understanding of the overarching legal requirements placed upon the DOC relating to the court orders, consent decrees and settlements which, in large part, dictate the administration and operation of their correctional facilities and attendant services to the inmate populations,” the state agencies said. 

[Click here for the report from the state agencies.]

The agencies concluded, “The immediate next step, taken in conjunction with the release of this report, is the formal cancellation of the solicitation process. This decision, based upon the detail provided above, is made in the best interests of the State.”

That the private industry leaders were not able to explain how they would actually meet the state’s legal obligations should be seen as evidence that these companies can’t be trusted to operate prisons anywhere. 

MGT also reported that the staff compensation levels built into the privatization proposals was “one-half of the current compensation currently paid to similar positions in the state.”

“The state should be concerned that this significantly lower wage may make it difficult to maintain a trained and experienced staff. This could result in high turnover and ultimately impact the safety and security of the correctional facilities,” MGT added.

“In prior MGT studies of private correctional facility operations,” the report   elaborated, “we have found private correctional facilities with annual staff turnover rates of 42 percent compared to 13.3 percent for nearby public facilities. High turnover, which can result from non-competitive compensation levels, produces a chronically inexperienced work force with direct implications for the integrity of facility security and safety. Low compensation levels can also make staff recruitment more difficult, resulting in staff vacancies and reliance on overtime, which again has a negative impact upon facility security.”

The state’s report leaves open the possibility that the state would entertain privatization as an option at some point in the future.  That would be a huge mistake.  Instead, the legislature should pass HB 443, a bill that blocks the state from considering privatization.  This measure has already passed the NH House and comes before the Senate Finance Committee next Tuesday. 

(Reposted from InZane Times)

Raising The Gas Tax To Fund Our Failing Infrastructure And Help Our Economy

  By Matt Murray | March 21, 2013 - 1:30 pm | ,
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ASCE Report NH

ASCE Report NH

There has been much debate over the last few weeks over the proposed 12-15 cent gasoline (road toll) increase.

HB 617 has been debated in every public forum and in nearly every media outlet in the state.  Many of the “No Tax” pledgelings say ‘no’ to any increase in the gasoline (road ) tax.  This is the completely wrong approach.

There is no denying that New Hampshire is failing to maintain our 16,000 miles of roads and bridges.  In fact the American Society of Civil Engineers just released their latest report on the state of New Hampshire’s infrastructure.  Surprise, it is not good.  Overall the report says as a whole the U.S. infrastructure rates at a D+.  For New Hampshire we came in a little better than average a ‘C’.  Below are a few of the items that the ASCE report found.

BRIDGES

  • 362 of the 2,429 bridges in New Hampshire (14.9%) are considered structurally deficient.
  • 445 of the 2,429 bridges in New Hampshire (18.3%) are considered functionally obsolete.

ROADS

  • Driving on roads in need of repair costs New Hampshire motorists $267 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs – $259 per motorist.
  • 54% of New Hampshire’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
  • New Hampshire has 16,006 public road miles.
  • New Hampshire’s highway vehicle-miles traveled in 2009 was approximately 9,922 per capita, ranking it 30thin the nation.
  • New Hampshire’s gas tax of 19.6 cents per gallon has not been increased in 21 years.

This additional money from the increase to the gas tax is specifically designed to combat this issue.  The increase will go directly to the roads and bridges.  This is a very important part of this bill that is being overlooked by many others.  Even on The Exchange with Laura Knoy, Senator Andy Sanborn tried to tell people that this money would not being going to roads but to State Police and others.  This was directly contrary to what Rep Campbell had stated on the show only moments before.

This increase will help New Hampshire in many ways.  It will help to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, and it will help our state economy.  By spending millions on road repair will help put more worker back to work.  Workers who earn a paycheck are not drawing unemployment and are spending money in the local economy.  This is a complete win-win.

Isn’t that our real goal, to create good paying jobs?  Then why have we not passed this already?

State Senator Pushes Bill That Could Cost You To Collect Your Salary

  By Granite State Progress | March 21, 2013 - 11:06 am | , ,
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NH House

Prime Sponsor of SB 100 – Sen. Bradley – Doesn’t Know Difference Between Payroll Cards and Direct Deposit

Bradley Confuses Forms of Payment in Committee and on the Senate Floor Despite Being Previously Corrected; SB 100 Seeks to Abolish Paper Paychecks

Concord, NH – The prime sponsor of SB 100 – Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) doesn’t know the difference between payroll cards and direct deposit. Alternatively, it’s possible he just doesn’t care.

SB 100 seeks to abolish paper paychecks in New Hampshire, pushing employees over to direct deposit or payroll cards. Payroll cards act as a form of debit cards, often carrying a brand such as Visa or Mastercard, and are used as such – right down to the fees for withdrawals, payments and balance checks. SB 100 would allow an employee to withdraw their full salary once per pay period, but multiple withdrawals would cost an employee out of pocket to collect their salary. An amendment to SB 100 provided by a DC lobbyist from the American Payroll Association additionally removes the requirement that employers show employees a list of fees associated with the cards, and that they no longer need to collect a signed form demonstrating that this step had been taken.

In testimony opposing SB 100, the Department of Labor spoke about fees associated with payroll cards that may come at a cost to employees. It is important to note that not all cards are the same and that each card has its own rules. Examples of payroll withdrawal caps and fees can be found here and here.

Introducing the bill in Senate Commerce, Senator Bradley told fellow lawmakers that the State of New Hampshire requires state employees to use payroll cards as part of their contract; an assertion which helped secure a 5-0 committee vote.

That is simply not true. There is no such requirement in the contract – a fact which an official from the State Employees Association told Bradley the next day. In that conversation, Bradley assured the staffer he knew the difference and that the confusion had been cleared up in committee.

On the Senate floor last week, however, Sen. Bradley told fellow lawmakers the same thing regarding payroll cards – this time saying a SEA official had told him about it.

Senator Bradley’s False & Misleading Information on Senate Floor

“Now, I would just say that one of the provisions of the latest contract with the State Employees Association insisted on this provision. And it’s been implemented and accepted from what one of the representatives of the SEA has told us quite well.”

 NH Senate Session, March 14, 2013 AM at Audio Mark 1:26:16

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/Media/Session_Media.aspx

The statement was quickly corrected by Senator Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) who had a copy of the state contract with her.

“Senator Bradley either doesn’t understand how his legislation would actually work, or he just doesn’t care. In any case, the Senate should absolutely not move forward with this bill under these conditions,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Payroll cards can be a viable alternative for both employees and employers if everyone understands the fees associated with them and there are significant consumer protections in place to assist the less financially savvy. Senator Bradley’s aim, however, is to eliminate paper paycheck options and force employees without bank accounts to move to payroll cards. No one should have to pay to collect their salary or be concerned about their payroll card expiring.”

“Moreover, SB 100 removes all requirements that employees be informed of these potential fees. That alone should raise red flags about why this legislation is wrong for workers in New Hampshire.”

A Consumer’s Union analysis of the pros and cons of payroll cards can be found here: http://defendyourdollars.org/pdf/Payroll_Issue_Paper_2011.pdf.

 

Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems. Press releases and other information available online at www.GraniteStateProgress.org.

A Big Week For Governor Hassan: Budget Expected Thursday

  By New Hampshire Labor News | February 10, 2013 - 3:45 am |
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Maggie Hassan

Maggie HassanThe political news writers around New Hampshire this week were all talking about the Governor’s first budget.  What will be included, and what will be excluded?

Everyone will be watching very closely to see if Governor Hassan will uphold her campaign promises to restore funding the University Program and the CHIN’s (Children in Need of Service) programs.

I have no answers or insider information to give you. I just want to you to think about a few things that are going to dictate how this might budget come out.

Two years ago the NH GOP extremist completely destroyed our state budget.  Current State Rep Sylvia Gale went as far as to say that the GOP Leadership “raped” our budget. So what will Gov. Hassan put out to correct these draconian cuts?   The rumor is that she requested department heads to submit a budget proposal of 97% of last years budget.

WHAT? (Candidate) Hassan was quick to say how the TEA PARTY extremist’s drastic cuts to programs hurt New Hampshire families, and yet Gov. Hassan is telling agency heads that budgets will be 97% of last year.   Will this result in more State Employees being laid off like the last budget?  Where is the logic in that?

What will we see in revenues?  The House has already put forth legislation to increase fees on car registrations (a fee that was cut last session) and proposed a $.05 cent increase on the gasoline tax. Everyone is also looking forward to the end of the $.10 cent reduction in the tobacco tax.  That will increase some revenue.

I will be the first to admit that I think New Hampshire has a revenue problem.  This is no different that the wage issue facing America right now.   Wages (and NH Revenues) have been stagnant for many years yet the cost of living (or cost of running a state) have continued to rise.  This results in more and more cuts to our budgets.   We simply cannot get to the place we want to be without considering new sources of revenue.

Since Governor Hassan (and pretty much every Republican in the House and Senate) have vowed to oppose any sales or income tax where is this money going to come from?  GAMBLING!

Previously the NHLN has stayed out of the gambling debate, however that is going to change.  Gambling has proven to have some very real and significant social impacts.  If the gambling bills are written in the proper way (which the Sen D’Allesandro bill is) these  impacts will be mitigated by offsetting revenue to fund social programs.

It is a thin line to walk pushing for expanded gambling to increase revenues to pay for schools.  We need our schools and other fundamental programs to be funded by solid revenue sources not vice spending.  However the infusion to the states revenue stream would be greatly appreciated.  The gambling bill will also help many of our brothers and sisters in the building trades.  Expanding gambling will create new ‘casinos’ and that means millions of dollars in new construction.

The other big question about the budget is what money will be pushed out in this bill to help repair our crumbling infrastructure?  Everyone agrees that our roads and bridges are falling apart, some are literally crumbling.  What will Governor Hassan’s budget do for our infrastructure?

These are all questions that will soon be answered when Governor Hassan releases her budget proposal. Just like hundreds of economist have been staying out the Federal Budget, austerity is not the answer.  Cuts do not promote economic growth.  Given that NH must pass a balanced budget, until new revenue sources are discovered, the Governor is handcuffed to a set dollar amount.

NH Senate President Writes Legislation To End Collective Bargaining

  By Matt Murray | January 20, 2013 - 10:01 am | , , ,
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NHhouse

After enduring two full years of constant attacks on the collective bargaining process, we thought that after the elections we would be safe.  We were wrong!

Senate President Peter Bragdon, who is a strong supporter of Right To Work legislation, has introduced a bill that would effectively end collective bargaining for public employees, without actually saying it.

The bill, Senate Bill 37, is a very sneaky and underhand way of removing items from the collective bargaining process to effectively destroy it.  (Bold are proposed changes)

The phrase “managerial policy within the exclusive prerogative of the public employer’ shall be construed to include but shall not be limited to the functions, programs, and methods of the public employer, including the use of technology, the public employer’s organizational structure, [and] the selection, direction and number of its personnel, and the right to determine standards for evaluation, compensation, selection, layoff and retention, discipline, assignment and transfer, and other traditionally accepted managerial rights, so as to continue public control of governmental functions.

This change means that unions are no longer allowed to negotiate over wages, evaluations, reductions in force, or disciplinary procedures.  I would be the first to say that a contract is more than just pay and time off, however taking these above items out would destroy our collective bargaining process.

To me this appears to be going right after our state’s teachers unions.  Restricting their rights to bargin over seniority based layoffs and classroom evaluations.   In going after the teachers this legislation will decimate the collective bargaining process that has worked so well in NH for the last 50 years for all public employees.

I will not stand idly by and let them take away my rights to collectively bargain.  The first committee meeting for this bill is at the State House on WEDNESDAY January 23  at 9:30 am in room 100. Can I count on you to be there too?

If you cannot be there you can still help.  The American Federation of Teacher (NH) have created an online action page for you to send a message directly the Senate Committee.

We must work together to stop the attacks on our police, fire, educators, and public servants.  They have dedicated their lives to serving the public and deserve the rights to have a voice in their workplace.

Democratic State Senator Martha Fuller Clark files legislation restoring UNH cuts

  By New Hampshire Labor News | December 6, 2012 - 2:50 pm |
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NH House

Sen. Clark, who represents UNH’s main campus, believes that cuts harm community, economy

(Portsmouth, NH) After being sworn in yesterday for a two-year term representing a new district that includes both her hometown of Portsmouth, UNH’s main campus in Durham and the surrounding communities of Newmarket, Madbury, and Lee filed legislation today to restore the cuts made to the University of New Hampshire during the last session.

“At a time when NH and the rest of the country is challenged to compete globally for good jobs, nothing is more important than having a well-educated workforce. We owe the opportunity for all of New Hampshire’s young people to access such an affordable quality education through our university system,” Fuller Clark said, adding. “That is why today I filed legislation to restore the millions of dollars of cuts from the University’s budget that occurred under Republican leadership in the state’s budget for 2012-2012.”

During her campaign to return to the Senate after a two-year absence, Fuller Clark repeatedly heard from voters that they were outraged by the cuts the GOP legislature delivered to the University of New Hampshire.

About Martha: Martha served terms in both the New Hampshire House and Senate since the ‘90s. A two-time candidate for the U.S. Congress, she currently serves as Vice-Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, a member of DNC and, in 2008 and again in 2012 served as co-chair of the New Hampshire Committee to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.Martha participates on many different boards and commissions in her community. She presently serves as President of the Board of Strawbery Banke, as an advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and is the past President of Scenic America.