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MESSAGE FROM
GERARD J. MEARA - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AFSCME COUNCIL 73
This Op Ed piece appeared in the Trenton Times on Labor Day.
Labor Day 2008: What Would Peter McGuire Think?
Monday, September 01, 2008
BY GERARD J. MEARA
During the 1880s, when the battle between labor and capital reached unprecedented levels of violence, the founder of the carpenters union, Peter McGuire, began a campaign to establish a holiday to recognize the contributions of American workers and their unions. His efforts bore fruit when, in 1904, Congress designated the first Monday in September as Labor Day. For his efforts, McGuire has been dubbed by historians as the "Father of Labor Day."
One hundred and four years later, Labor Day seems to have become more about picnics, parades and the start of the school year than the celebration of American working families that McGuire en visioned. So, if he were around today (actually he is buried in Camden County), what would he think about the state of U.S. workers and the American labor movement?
Well, I think McGuire would be disappointed by the increasing gap in wages between the average working person and corporate CEOs. McGuire's optimism about and faith in the power of organized working people to change the quality of life for workers would have led him to predict that by 2008, American workers would have a much larger piece of the economic pie.
Looking back over the last century, McGuire would point to the tremendous accomplishments of the U.S. labor movement in win ning higher minimum hourly wages, fair labor standards, health and pension benefits, safety and health laws, and a voice for workers in the workplace. Certainly, he would proclaim that these great victories and the continuing productivity of the American worker are worth celebrating once a year.
However, it seems to me that he would be appalled by the attacks on these hard-won benefits. In 2008, the determined opposition to unionization by the business community, the indifferent attitude of politicians to the rights of labor and laborers and the mentality to privatize everything and ship it overseas would be anathema to the ideals of Peter McGuire. Like so many of us in the labor movement, McGuire would see Labor Day 2008 as an opportunity to decry the anti- union, anti-worker mindset so prevalent in America. As jobs and homes are lost, American working families are bearing the brunt of the current recession and do not feel much like celebrating.
Peter McGuire stated that Labor Day "is dedicated to peace, civilization and the triumphs of in dustry. It is a demonstration of fraternity and the harbinger of a bet ter age -- a more chivalrous time, when labor shall be best honored and well rewarded."
McGuire's vision, once closely realized in this country, has slipped away over the past eight years of the Bush administration. Just as the division between the "red" states and the "blue" states has polarized politics in America, issues such as broken pension promises, stagnant wages, rapidly rising health-care costs and job insecurity have strained relations between workers and employers. U.S. trade deals in recent years have cost America's workers millions of jobs and lowered living and working standards for workers globally. It's taken 10 years for America's minimum-wage workers to get a raise, and families are still struggling to get by on what they earn. America has a health-care crisis. More than 45 million Americans have no health insurance, while millions more are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing costs and inadequate coverage.
One only has to look at public employees in New Jersey and how both Democrats and Republicans have eroded their benefits, pensions and their jobs, to realize that we are going backward, not for ward. Our parents could count on jobs that paid well, secure pensions and benefits and job security. What can their grandchildren count on?
But the resiliency and idealism of organized labor that survived the pitched battles of previous centu ries is alive and well. In the face of powerful enemies, union members continue to fight back to maintain the quality of life that American workers so richly deserve. Whether it is at the bargaining table, in legislative halls or at the ballot box, workers and their unions must continue to press their demands in a unified and forceful way. We need to restore the race to the top for American workers, rather than the race-to-the-bottom mindset that has permeated society today. And by doing so, we'll make Peter McGuire proud of his holiday once again.
Gerard J. Meara is Executive Director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, New Jersey State Council 73.
August 14, 2008
To: AFSCME Council 73 Locals
From: Gerard J. Meara, Executive Director
Below are AFSCME Council 73's 2008/2009 Scholarship winners. Congratulations to this exceptionally bright and talented group of our member's children:
David Friedeborn is the son of Bruce Friedeborn. Bruce is a member of AFSCME Local 2476, Lawrence Township DPW. David graduated from Lawrence High School with a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. David is an Eagle Scout, played soccer and baseball, and was Captain of the Science Olympiad his senior year. David will be attending Rutgers University.
Brittney Griffin is the daughter of Dave Griffin. Dave is President of AFSCME Local 3440, Middlesex County employees. Brittney graduated from Edison High School with a 4.1 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Brittney is an accomplished athlete in both soccer and basketball and was Captain of the basketball team her senior year. Brittney was the business manager of Edison's yearbook and an academic mentor for freshmen. Brittney will be attending Montclair State University.
Denna Markey is the daughter of Fred Norway. Fred is President of Local 3487, Somerset Roads and Bridges. Denna graduated from Manville High School. Denna graduated with a 3.1 GPA and was a varsity cheerleader for 4 years. Denna is a future business leader of America and was also a member of the Key club. Denna will be attending Rider University.
Beth Osipowitz is the daughter of Alice Osipowitz. Alice is President of Local 2426, Franklin Township Supervisors. Beth graduated from Saint John Vianney High School with a 4.0 GPA. Beth is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the Key club. Beth is an accomplished athlete and played 4 years of Varsity Tennis. Beth will be attending Arcadia University.
Alex Schecter is the son of Amy Schecter. Amy is a member of Local 2287, Mercer County employees. Alex graduated from Hightstown High School with a 3.6 GPA. Alex is an accomplished musician and spent 4 years with the Brass Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band and Marching Band. Alex also volunteers with the East Windsor Rescue Squad. Alex will be attending Montclair State University.
Anupam Sharma is the daughter of Kiran Sharma. Kiran is a member of Local 2285, Mercer Board of Social Services employees. Anupam graduated from Lawrence High School with a 4.2 GPA. Anupam is a member of the National Honor Society and was President of the Interact Club. Anupam was vice president of Operation Smile and a member of the math league and science Olympiad. Anupam will be attending the College of New Jersey.
STATEMENT OF Gerard J. Meara, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 73
(AFSCME Council 73 represents 11,000 public employees in Central New Jersey)
Governor Corzine's Budget is "The Best of Times and Worst of Times" for Public Employees
"For public employees, the budget proposal is the best of times and the worst of times. The vital public services we perform are dependent upon a sound fiscal foundation that starts with a balanced and stable budget. The Governor is working hard to correct the mistakes of past administrations and get us to a point where New Jersey's state budget is balanced and fair. The health and pension benefits earned by most public workers are obviously covered by revenue that is identified in either local or state budgets, so sound budgets protect future benefits.
On the other hand, it is the worst of times for public employees facing layoffs and demotions. Cuts in state aid to municipalities and other program eliminations and reductions mean not only fewer government services and workers but longer delays in receiving services from an already stretched thin workforce.
The Governor is proposing more cuts in state aid to municipalities. At least $100 million less from the State for cities and towns already struggling to maintain basic government services, while at the same time attempting to stabilize property taxes; an almost impossible task.
Public employees (who are your neighbors, family and friends) can tell you first hand how they are stretched to the limit to fix and plow roads, maintain recreational facilities, pick up trash, care for the indigent and sick, respond to emergencies or perform any of the hundreds of tasks that keep our communities safe and running. Corzine's proposed cuts will only make a bad situation worse as municipalities will be left with little choice but to eliminate programs and services to their residents, as painful as that will be.
Asking a resident to wait longer for an ambulance, or do with fewer trash collections, or to drive around potholes which cannot be repaired until next year are not the easiest explanations for elected officials to give or for taxpayers to receive. But less help from Trenton, especially given the size of this year's proposed cut, will absolutely have this kind of devastating impact. The math is simple, cuts in State aid equal higher property taxes and less public services.
Of course, the vocal anti-government crowd in our state, which seems to want no taxes and zero public services, will be screaming for more and deeper cuts. And some politicians, those who offer no solutions other than cut, cut, cut and then refuse to say where, or grab headlines by bashing public employees, will be looking to gain a political advantage.
Let's hope that reasonable minds will prevail and that by June 30th , we can turn this budget crisis around for New Jersey residents who are entitled to, and need, high quality and efficiently delivered public services. Public employees need to be an integral part of this conversation and AFSCME Council 73 is prepared to work with those in the State fighting for a fair and just tax system that generates sufficient revenue to fund our necessary government services."
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