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Here is a summary of how our Knox County legislators voted during the first half of the current legislative session in regard to issues important to educators. Thanks goes to Bill Bell, Legislative Contact Team, for supplying and clarifying the list.
Most of the listings are self-explanatory; here are three clarifications:
“Repeal of Negotiations” created the Collaborative Conferencing Act (PECCA).
The “alteration of TCRS” refers to the removal of our right to elect our representatives to the retirement board (Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System).
“No Vote” simply means the legislator did not vote. It does not indicate support of or opposition to any specific bill.
| Legislator |
Diminish Tenure
|
Repeal Negotiations
|
Authorize Virtual Schools
|
Alter TCRS Board
|
Expand Charter Schools
|
Authorize
At-Will Employment
|
| Sen. Campfield, Stacy (R-7) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Sen. McNally, Randy (R-5) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Sen. Woodson, Jamie (R-6) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Armstrong, Joe (D-15) |
No Vote
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
| Rep. Brooks, Harry (R-19) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Dunn, Bill (R-16) |
Yes
|
No Vote
|
No Vote
|
Yes
|
No Vote
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Hall, Steve (R-18) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Haynes, Ryan (R-14) |
Yes
|
No Vote
|
No Vote
|
Yes
|
No Vote
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Niceley, Frank (R-17) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Rep. Tindell, Harry D-13) |
No
|
No Vote
|
No Vote
|
No
|
No Vote
|
No
|
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 WE DID IT!!!
KCEA won 81% of the total votes to represent educators the Collaborative Conferencing process!
Voting Breakdown:
There were 2,571 certified votes (about 60% of eligible voters).
2,466 (57.32% of all eligible voters) voted “yes” for collaborative conferencing. There were 105 “no” votes (2.4% of all eligible voters).
Requesting representation are the following totals:
Knox County Education Association (KCEA) – 2,073 votes for 81% of the total vote
Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET)- 232 votes for 10% of the total vote
Unaffiliated – 208 for 8% of the total vote
None of the above – 26 for 1% of the total vote
Congratulations! Thanks to all who took the time to vote!
It is clear that the majority of certified employees of Knox County Schools want a voice in how our schools are operated for the best interests of our students and employees.
We know that a lot of people worked very hard to make this happen. THANK YOU!!!
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We need to elect Gloria Johnson!!!
Election day is Tuesday . . . yep, Tuesday! There’s not much time!
1,350 TEA members + each significant other + at least one friend = 4,050 votes for Gloria – and for us!
Yes, we do have that much power!!!
But . . . not unless we use it.
Let’s vote! And, if you can help Gloria contact our members to get them to vote, please call her at 660-9800 or e-mail at glostik@bellsouth.net
There’s not much time left!
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We really do have a GREAT chance of putting GLORIA in the State Senate for District 6!!!
There are 1,350 TEA members who live in district 6, but only 51 have voted! (early voting) We can’t put her in office unless we make the effort to vote! The consequences of not voting should now be painfully obvious to us all.
Let’s vote! And, if you can help her contact our members to get them to vote, please call her at 660-9800 or e-mail at glostik@bellsouth.net
There’s not much time left!
Message from Gloria:
The campaign is going great and we are gaining momentum. The News Sentinel piece after the press conference was incredibly favorable to me and the Metropulse article was also extremely positive. I am getting great feedback on our commercial as well.
I am trying to pull together a door-to-door canvass for teachers on Saturday. We will be knocking on doors of likely voters in the 6th Senate District. We could have a brief rally then head out with maps, lists and scripts to knock on doors of folks who haven’t voted yet. My plan is to start at Fountain City Park at 10:30 am, have a brief rally and instructions, then head out and knock a few doors.
They may call me or email me for more information. We will be knocking on “friendly” doors where we know voters will be receptive to our message so it is really easy and fun to get out and meet folks and find that most people appreciate what we do!
Thanks for the support!
Gloria
660-9800
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After our Knox County Political Action Committee for Education (KC-PACE) members recommended endorsement, TEA’s Fund for Children and Public Education Counsel concurred in recommending Knox County teacher and Democratic candidate Gloria Johnson for the unexpired term of District 6 State Senate!
Our Legislative Contact Team leader, Bill Bell said, “I met Gloria some time ago and have communicated with her several times since. I have been very impressed! Gloria is a very intelligent and knowledgeable person – much better qualified than the Republican candidate.”
We are confident she will represent us well – and she will not betray us.
Gloria needs our help with her campaign. She is running against a well financed member of the anti-education machine. If you can help, e-mail her at glostik@bellsouth.net
Early voting has already begun. The traditional election day is November 8th.
This has been a low turn-out election. As such, it gives us a prime opportunity to get our votes out and elect Gloria!
We need everyone to vote, then get a friend and significant other to do the same. If we do, that may very well put her into the State Senate.
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 We Are One. We are educators, nurses, fire fighters, religious activists, union members, advocates for civil and human rights, and environmentalists. Across our country, on April fourth, we are standing together for rights of all workers to bargain for a middle class life, our right to a voice in the political process and the respect that all people deserve.
On Apr. 4, across our nation, at community vigils, teach-ins, public rallies, workplace demonstrations and many more events, we are standing together to make our country better for all working people.
The coalition of working people and allies that support dignity and rights is growing stronger every day.
Some of the events happening in Tennessee are listed below.
The march will start from L1733 at 10 a.m. to the Memphis Government Plaza, following the march a community BBQ will be held at L1733 from noon to 2 p.m. Coalition partners are invited to bring banners for the march.
485 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Nashville, TN “We Are One” Rally – April 4, 2011 5PM to 6PM – “We Are One” flyer
Today there are few protections for public workers in Tennessee, and now teachers may have their right of collective bargaining taken away. There has been a call from AFL-CIO for a National Day Of Action. We will be gathering inside at 4:00 pm. Enter through the South Capitol Entrance (facing legislative plaza). The rally will start on the steps outside at 5:00 pm.
600 Charlotte Avenue
Nashville, TN 37244
April 4th Moment of Action – Nashville 4PM – 6PM
Inside State Capitol Lobby of House and Senate Chambers
We want workers to gather in the lobby right outside the House and Senate Chambers and create a human corridor for the elected officials to pass through. The state troopers have enforced the no sign rule in the capitol so please wear your union shirts or organization affiliation if possible.We want to let public officials know that we are tax paying, hard working members of our communities.
Sponsored by: Service Employees International Union Local 205
Teach-In: University of Tennessee, Knoxville – April 5, 2011 2pm to 6pm
Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy – Toyota Room
Hosted by Fight Back USA: A National Teach-In
Frances Fox Piven (professor, CUNY Graduate Center) and Cornel West (professor, Princeton University) will host a national webcast teach-in addressing the roots of the current economic crisis and what people are doing to fight back. The event will stream live from New York City’s historic Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South , New York, NY 10012-1018
More than 150 campuses nationally are hosting viewings of the webcast from 2-3:30 p.m. (EDT); local campus “Do It Yourself Action Strategy Sessions” will follow from 3:30-5 p.m. (EDT) in each location.
The live stream event is designed to help campus and community viewers examine the connections between corporate/bank greed and tax-avoidance, personal and public debt, so-called “austerity” and the ongoing attacks on public employee unions, public education and social services to the most needy Americans.
Most importantly, the teach-in seeks to help young people across America understand how the recent actions undertaken by the brave citizens of Wisconsin are the key to turning the tide away from increasing inequality and misery, and toward the development of a sustainable and healthy American society in the 21st century. The teach-in seeks to infuse the fight back in the states with the energy and commitment of American youth whose future hangs in the balance.
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April 1, 2011
More Americans Back Unions Than Governors in State Disputes
Nearly 8 in 10 adults in union households are following the issue closely
by Lydia Saad
PRINCETON, NJ — With political battles over state budgets and collective bargaining still playing out to varying degrees in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Maine, and several other states, 48% of Americans say they agree more with the unions in these disputes, while 39% agree more with the governors. Thirteen percent favor neither side or have no opinion. Click here to read more.
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Resources on the Importance of Unions from
http://www.we-r-1.org/upload/weareone_teaching_toolkit.pdf
The Importance of Unions in Building — and Rebuilding — the Middle Class
David Madland, Karla Walter and Nick Bunker. 2011. Unions Make the Middle Class.
Washington, D.C.: Center for American Progress. Available online March 31, 2011: www.americanprogress.org.
This comprehensive report explains how unions act to raise wages and benefits for all workers, give the middle class a voice in corporate decision
making, promote greater political participation and help to build career ladders for working families.
Matt Vidal with David Kusnet. 2009. Organizing Prosperity: Union Effects on Job Quality, Community Betterment, and Industry Standards. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute. Available online: www.epi.org/publications/entry/book_organizing_prosperity.
This book tells the story of how unions have improved living and working conditions for workers in multiple industries, from hospitality workers in Las Vegas to technology workers at AT&T and child care workers in Pennsylvania.
AFL-CIO. What the Freedom to Join Unions Means to America’s Workers and the Middle Class. Available online: www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/upload/freedom_union.pdf.
This fact sheet shows the way out of the economic crisis must include restoring workers’ freedom to form unions, speak for themselves and negotiate for a fair share of the wealth they create.
Harley Shaiken and David Madland. 2008. Issue Brief: Unions Are Good for the Economy and Democracy. Available online: www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/12/efca_brief.html.
This brief statement summarizes how unions are beneficial to the economy and are good for democracy.
Lawrence Mishel with Matthew Walters. 2003. Briefing Paper: How Unions Help All Workers. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute. Available online: www.epi.org/publications/entry/briefingpapers_bp143/.
The economic analysis in this report shows that unions reduce wage inequality by setting a standard many nonunion employers follow and by playing an important role in securing labor protections through legislative action.
Lawrence Mishel. 2007. The Right to Organize, Freedom, and the Middle Class Squeeze.
Available online: www.epi.org/publications/entry/webfeatures_efca_testimony_20070326.
In this testimony to a U.S. Senate committee hearing, an economist explains how unions promote opportunity and fairness in the workplace while reducing income inequality in the national economy.
Workers’ Rights as Human Rights: The State of Our Freedom to Join Unions and Bargain Collectively
International Commission for Labor Rights. 2011. Collective Bargaining Rights are Fundamental Human Rights—Denying Them is Illegal. Available online: http://nlg-laboremploy-comm.org/media/ICLR_legal_analysis_on_collective_bargaining_rights_.pdf.
This brief statement documents how courts and agencies around the world have held that collective bargaining in the public sector is a fundamental right and essential element of the freedom of association guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and international law.
Human Rights Watch. 2000. Unfair Advantage: Workers’ Freedom of Association in the United States under International Human Rights Standards. Available online: www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/2000/uslabor.
This comprehensive report provides greater detail on the freedom of association under international law. It provides case studies of how employers have violated the freedom of association in U.S. workplaces that employ service workers and manufacturing employees.
Fighting for Workers’ Right to Organize & Collectively Bargain. Tools and resources by Jobs with Justice. Available online: www.jwj.org/campaigns/workers.html.
Hart Research Associates. 2009. Public Opinion Regarding the Employee Free Choice Act, National Survey Results.
Available online: www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/upload/Employee_Free_Choice_Act_polling_memo_1.pdf.
This poll shows the vast majority of U.S. adults agree it is important to have laws that give employees the freedom to join a union and bargain collectively with employers.
Richard B. Freeman. 2007. Do Workers Still Want Unions? More Than Ever. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute.
Available online: www.sharedprosperity.org/bp182.html.
This briefing paper by a Harvard economist shows that 85 percent to 90 percent of workers want to have more say in their workplaces, with the proportion of workers who want unions increasing significantly over the previous 10 years.
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Please call and/or email your Representative before Tuesday! They deserve to hear from each of us.
If you have friends and relatives who live in other representatives districts, please ask them to call and write as well.
From TEA:
“Come to Nashville Tuesday, March 22, for the noon meeting of the House Education Committee. On the agenda will be HB130, Rep. Maggart’s bill to repeal professional negotiations and Amendment 1, Rep. Dunn’s amendment rewriting HB130 to substantially diminish bargaining rights. Be sure to wear red, or buy a red t-shirt at the TEA building before the hearing.
On spring break next week? Take the opportunity to make a difference for your profession by coming to Nashville. Not on spring break? If you can take a personal leave day, you too can be heard before your voice is silenced by HB130. Let’s see just how many teachers and retired teachers dressed in red it takes to fill Legislative Plaza to capacity.”
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| House State & Local Government General Subcommittee: |
| Member (Party & District) |
Phone
(615) |
E-Mail Address |
| Chairman Bob Ramsey (R-20) |
741.3560 |
rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov |
| Vice Chairman Ryan A. Haynes (R-14) |
741.2264 |
rep.ryan.haynes@capitol.tn.gov |
| Tommie F. Brown (D-28) |
741.4374 |
rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov |
| Jim Cobb (R-31) |
741.1450 |
rep.jim.cobb@capitol.tn.gov |
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