State Holidays and Stop and Shop

Dear Members,

     I have heard the rumors and seen the news coverage about the state holidays.  Let me assure that these are bargained issues and if the Legislature votes to change the holidays then they would have to bargain this issue with us.  I have written to Channel 22 news and tried to set them straight but who knows if they will tell our side.  I asked the question would Senator Knapik be willing to take the $5 million dollar savings and fund our contracts, reinvest in public higher education by hiring back some of the laid off employees and fill many of the positions that were lost during the last round of early retirement?  It is really easy to point the fingers at state workers when times are tough but we need to stand tough and remind them of all we  have lost in the last 10 years- higher health premiums and co-pays, cost of living increases that don't keep up with the cost of living and more work with less staff just to name a few.  It's our job to educate John Q Public and talk to our neighbors and families so they know that working for the state isn't like working for the gravy train.

     Stop and Shop employees will be going on strike March 5th at noon unless the company comes back to the table and bargains in good faith.  I ask all of you to consider not crossing the picket lines should this occur.  Bring your business elsewhere and send a message to the company that continues to make billions in profits and want's their employees to pay more for health care and to short change them in salary increases.  I personally would join the line before I ever crossed one.  Thank you for considering this. 

Solidarity forever,

Donna