Got taxes?

I have three points I'd like to make…

One, we need to reorient ourselves and our attitudes about taxes. We need to remember the good that taxes can do for us, has done for us and will continue to do for us.

Second, we have undergone in the past ten years an erosion of that good collective common wealth and we are now in a position to see the results of that bad advice and bad actions in cutting our tax rate from 5.9% to 5.3%

Third, the days of laissez-faire of citizenship is gone. Putting our collective monies into a coffer requires, REQUIRES us to be informed, engaged and outraged when those collective funds are used in a manner that does not promote the common good of our state or our nation. 

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Members go to the Statehouse

This was my second journey to the Statehouse to lobby our legislators regarding important matters concerning both students and employees.  My husband, Donald Pipczynski accompanied me (he's a councilman from Belchertown on the Hampshire County Board of Government).  The three of us (including Deb Warner from UHS) had to skip the march due to the cold, windy weather. We did participate in the rally and were energized by the speakers, including Aggie Mitchkoski, as well as the student speakers. My husband was interviewed by ABC 40 from Springfield while we were at the rally.

We went inside the Statehouse and headed for Sen. Rosenberg's Office.  Fortunately, we caught him just before he left for a caucus.  Channel 22 actually followed us into his office and he spoke with us and they televised his comments and we were shown shaking hands with him on TV.  He is very much pro higher education of course and didn't need much convincing from us!  We met many students and employees from other state colleges and shared our opinions and thoughts with them.  We also participated in the debriefing in the Gardner Auditorium after we met with the legislators.

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What role models we have...

"You never come back. I say goodbye when I see you going in doors, the hopeless open doors, that call and wait and take you then for -- how many cents a day? How many cents for the sleepy eyes and fingers?" Carl SandburgMarch is National Women's History Month and March 8th is the anniversary of several women's labor actions. In 1857 women garment workers from New York City took to the streets, picketing for better working condtions, a 10 hour day and equal rights for women. They were attacked by the police.Two years later, again in March, these women workers formed their first union to try and protect their rights.

On March 8, 1908 15,000 women again took to the streets in New York City demanding shorter work hours, better pay, voting rights and an end to child labour. These were the women who created the slogan "Bread and Roses", with bread symbolizing economic security and roses a better quality of life.

Here we are again in a time of great challenge. The benefits we today take forgranted were won at great cost and risk to those who came before us.  We have very big shoes to fill.

Rally for Understanding the UMASS Budget Crisis

Updated on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 6:23PM by Web Administrator

I cannot believe we didn't plan for taking any pictures of the all Union, all student event at UMASS! The Labor Coalition pulled this lunch event together in just under 2 weeks and had a great turnout. Many thanks to Karen Markham, Rich O'Rourke and Linda Fish of USA who helped to make this event happen.

Unfortunately the music we hoped to play at the event didn't happen but you can see it here. Thanks to Sue Randall in psych for bringing it forward.

Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"

Donna Johnson, president of the University Staff Association union of classified staff emceed the event. Randy Phillis, president of the Massachusetts Society of Professors union gave a sharp and clear outline of the budget situation. Dominique Cambou from the Graduate Employee Organization union spoke to the potential increase fees and reduction in positions affects that group. Francis Martin of the AFSCME union of blue-collar workers on campus spoke to the poor performance of previous attemps at privitization. Dale Melcher from the Professional Staff Union began the final portion of the program which was aimed at alternative solutions to the traditional avenues of layoffs and fee increases.  Examining the President's office and the $19million of University funds that are siphoned theree each year, looking at the high-level adminsitrative staffing that has swelled over the past 10 years,  as well as looking for increased revenues.

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Governor Patrick Visits the MTA

Linda Hillenbrand and Aggie Mitchkoski took a trip last Thursday to Natick to hear Governor Patrick speak to the Massachusetts Teacher's Association (MTA). Even though Governor Patrick was with President-elect Obama earlier in the day, he arrived at the meeting early. He made his way around the room, stopping to see and warmly greet Cathy Boudreau as well as a host of other MTA members. 

When MTA President Anne Wass came up to the front of the room where Governor Patrick was waiting, the Governor dropped onto one knee, put his hands together in supplication and greeting to Anne. It was quite humorous but I wasn't fast enough to catch in on film!

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