A Five Alarm Threat
The Fight Against Paycheck Deception
California Professional Firefighters
The National Assault on Labor
• Nationwide, more than 1,600 anti-labor bills
have been introduced in state Legislatures
• Collective bargaining under direct attack in
Wisconsin, Ohio and over a dozen other states
• Mandatory retirement rollbacks in New Jersey,
Florida, and a dozen other states.
• Union PACS restricted -- corporations
untouched
• Union busting linked to staff/station cuts
California ... Different, But Not
Immune
• Strong firefighter political action has built a
bipartisan, pro-firefighter Legislature
• Strong labor political action has kept majority of
lawmakers who stand up for employee rights, workplace
safety and respect for working families
• Strong, united political voice turned back hostile ballot
attacks, such as Arnold’s 2005 Special Election
• Wisconsin-style curbs on retirement, collective
bargaining rights and public safety staffing have
been introduced in Sacramento.
Strong Political Action is the Only Thing
Keeping California from Becoming “Wisconsin”
The California Strategy
Think Globally, Attack Locally
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Attacks on Pensions
Attacks on Arbitration
Privatization Threats
Imposed Contracts
“Just Say No” Bargaining
Wisconsin isn’t “coming to California” …
it’s here!
Paycheck Deception
“What we would like to see is to take the unions out at the
knees, so they don’t have the resources to fight these battles.”
-- Scott Hagerstrom, Americans for Prosperity
History of Paycheck Deception
• 1998 -- Proposition 226
– Restricted dues deductions in order to silence labor’s
voice.
– Co-written by Orange Co. activist Jim Righeimer who is
currently trying to privatize Costa Mesa fire service.
– Promoted by out-of-state special interests (Americans for
Tax Reform). Backed by anti-labor Gov. Pete Wilson.
– Defeated by voters
• 2005 -- Proposition 75
– Targeted public sector unions -- firefighters, teachers,
nurses etc. with ban on payroll deduction
– Promoted by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of
“reform” agenda. Arnold raised and spent over $20 million
– Narrowly defeated by voters
Paycheck Deception 2012
• Who Is Behind It
– Orange Co. Lincoln Club: Pro Tea Party group identified with
ultra-conservative anti-labor efforts
– Nat’l Tax Limitation Coalition: Major backer of Prop. 75; head
of NTLC is consulting for pro-Paycheck forces
– Wilson/Schwarzenegger Team: Campaign team for hostile
former governors providing communications support
• What It Does
– Bans any payroll deductions for union purposes -- public- and
private-sector unions; local as well as statewide
– Offers false “balance” by imposing same restriction on
corporations (corporations don’t use payroll deduction
– Redefines unions as “government contractors” to
permanently silence labor voice
– Imposes mandated cost (possibly in millions) to enforce
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Restricts union political fundraising by prohibiting use of
payroll-deducted funds for political purposes”
What It Means
As a union firefighter, you will no longer have the choice
to deduct dues from paycheck, the same provision twice
rejected by voters (Prop. 226 and Prop. 75)
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Same use restriction would apply to payroll deductions, if any, by
corporations or government contractors”
What It Means
Since corporations don’t use payroll deduction for
politics, the initiative is intended to specifically target
only unions. This is a gaping loophole that gives big
money all the power.
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Permits voluntary employee contributions to employer or
union committees if authorized yearly, in writing.”
What It Means
Before you can even give your PAC any money, your
local union will need to get a signed authorization every
year. No other individual or group faces this kind of
restriction … but you will.
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Prohibits unions and corporations from contributing directly
or indirectly to candidates and candidate controlled
committees.”
What It Means
Even if you jump all the other hoops, your union PAC
still can’t contribute to a candidate. The initiative also
restricts union participation in ballot measure and
independent expenditures.
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Other political expenditures remain unrestricted, including
corporate expenditures from available resources not limited
by payroll deduction prohibition.”
What It Means
The billionaires, Wall Street and big corporations can
still spend freely on candidates, ballot initiatives and
independent expenditures. Only you are restricted from
participating through your union.
Breaking It Down
Official Title and Summary: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll
Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates, Initiative Statute
What It Says
“Limits government contractor contributions to elected
officers or officer controlled committees.”
What It Means
Who’s a govt. contractor? You! Unions are specifically
defined as “contractors”. Practical effect could impact
your ability to participate in any local (or state) election
... through your union or possibly even as an individual.
Paycheck Deception 2012
A “Balanced” Reform? Hardly
Corporation
PACs
Labor Union
PACs
Allowed to Contribute to Candidates
Yes
NO
Allowed to Make Independent Expenditures
Yes
NO
Allowed to Contribute to Ballot Measures
Yes
NO
None
Every Year
Key Provisions
Mandatory written consent for PAC participation
Paycheck Deception silences the voice of working
people but leaves big corporations untouched
Deceptive Language Spells Trouble
It Starts Out Bad …
• Voters like initiative on first blush
• Many voters buy idea that it is “balanced”
• Union households are far from a slam dunk
It Gets Worse …
• No visible “bogeyman” like Arnold in 2005
• Public safety image has taken a hit
• The opposition is using “class warfare” to drive a
wedge between public and public safety
A “Make or Break” Fight
“What they tried to do was to dry up the money to the
unions, to put the unions out of business.”
-- Joe
Conway, President of Madison (WI) Firefighters
A Threat to Your Job ...
A Threat To Your Future
• Silence Your Voice ... Steal Your Future. Paycheck
Deception is part of a two-step process: First, they come
after your political and financial strength. They take that
away and everything else goes.
• Public Safety at Risk: Our most effective tool in advocating
for staffing and safety is our public voice. If we can’t speak
out effectively, nobody else will ... and that’s a disaster for
public safety.
• Scapegoating Public Service. The money and messaging
is coming from the same people who have attacked your
pay and pensions and blamed you for the state’s problems.
• It’s Not What It Seems: It takes away your right to
participate through your union, but leaves a loophole for
employers. Management gets an open field ... we get
trampled.
Who Wins If Our Voice Is Silenced?
• Wealthy Corporate Special Interests. A strong labor voice
is a threat to unchecked corporate power, outsourcing and
outrageous corporate pay and perks
• Private Retirement Funds: A privatized retirement system
in California means tens of billions in fees and profits for the
same investment houses that caused the economic
meltdown.
• Private Fire Service Providers. Private fire companies are
openly courting public agencies in California. Under this
measure, public firefighters would lose their voice, leaving
the field open for privateers.
• City/county/state management: Labor’s strong united
voice -- through politics and bargaining -- has stood in the
way of ever-deeper slashing of public safety and services.
Silencing Our Voice -- What’s At Stake
• Public Safety Staffing: Firefighters and police are the
public’s voice in making sure that public safety is properly
funded. Losing our voice puts public safety at risk.
• Negotiated Contracts: Wisconsin/Ohio-style bargaining
rollbacks have been introduced in Sacramento
• Secure Retirement Pensions: Pension “reformers” have
lined up a series of legislative and ballot proposals.
• Presumption Laws. Cities and counties have opposed
every single presumption law to protect firefighter families
from job-related illness and injury.
• Workplace Safety: Corporations and local management are
united in a desire to weaken basic on-the-job safety
standards
• Even Your Job Itself: Private companies are coming, with
lower standards, less training, lower pay.
A Fight We Can’t Afford to Lose
“Anyone who thinks that we’re still ‘America’s Heroes’ and
that they won’t do this to us is a fool.”
-- Ray Snodgrass, retired firefighter, CAL FIRE
The Landscape Heading into 2012
Polling reveals depressed, desperate electorate
• Voters are angry and frustrated about
economy
• Voters are extremely mistrustful of
government
• Voters increasingly negative toward
public workers
• Hostility is keenest toward any
“special interest” ... including unions
• “Class warfare” pits “haves” vs.
“have-nots”: Firefighters are being
depicted as “haves”
Where We’re Stronger
• Identifying with the Middle Class: If Wall Street is
seen as a beneficiary, it helps our cause.
• Our messengers still resonate: Key players –
firefighters, nurses, teachers, cops – still strong.
• Suspicion of “hidden agenda”: Distrust of Wall
St., government confirmed by title and summary
• Working together: Solidarity with teachers,
nurses, police and other workers were the
difference in past victories, and will be the
difference again.
Our best chance to succeed is if
we talk to voters first!
What It Will Take To Win
• Money: Defeating Prop. 75 in 2005 cost labor more
than $30 million. Overturning the Ohio bargaining
ban took a national effort. Winning in 2012 will
require a full commitment from all of us.
• Manpower: The sight of firefighters “Chasing
Arnold” in 2005 was a difference maker. Winning
will take boots on the ground like never before.
• Unity and Commitment: This is not just a
firefighter fight ... it’s everyone’s fight. It’s about our
families and our future.
Our Statewide Effort through
CA Professional Firefighters
• Leading partner in Alliance for a Better
Coalition, as well as pension protection
and labor imaging coalitions
• Legislative support for SB 202, to move
all ballot initiatives to November ballot
• Produced viral video: CPF Firevision –
Labor Under Attack
(www.cpffirevision.org)
• Organized 2012 Special Convention to
mobilize resources to fight the battle.
Alliance for a Better California
• Labor-backed coalition, headed by CPF, CTA,
SEIU
• United public-private sector labor involvement
• The coalition is the same one that beat Prop. 75
in 2005
• Current Activity:
• Polling
• Opposition Research
• Coalition building
• Messaging
What You Can Do Today
• Talk to your brothers and sisters
in the firehouse, and your
neighbors on the street
• Talk to people about what you
do and your value to the
community
• Stand up for everyone ... not just
firefighters
• Be mindful of the public’s
attention -- you are under a
microscope
Get Informed ... Get Involved
• Watch for updates from CPF and
the Local (www.cpf.org)
• Sign up to receive email alerts
(info@cpf.org
• Get involved with local labor
campaigns
• Talk with each other
• Attend union meetings
Paycheck Deception:
A Fight We Can’t Afford to Lose
• Everything you have -- staffing,
benefits, everything -- is built on
a foundation: your strong voice
in political action.
• Paycheck Deception takes away
your voice, so the special
interests can take away
everything else. It’s that simple.
There is no more important issue for
firefighters and their families in 2012 than
defeating Paycheck Deception