Lisa Dixon's Letter To The Statesman Journal

Lisa Dixon is a strong union leader at the Department of Consumer & Business Services. She had the following letter published in the Statesman Journal on the 23rd. She speaks for many state workers: after awhile it does feel like a dance that gets done every two years, and especially so with governors and legislatures who take drop the ball and negotiators for DAS who seem less than competent. And it remains an incomplete struggle for the workers. Too often the energy is not there for rallies and strikes and the kinds of dramatic actions that caused public worker unions to turn the corner and become centers for organizing. The workers become easily isolated from one another and from a larger political fight for all programs and services and political alliances and coalitions replace a real people's fight, led by labor, in the halls of the legislature and in the streets. Every two years we get further away from being a people's and worker's movement, even when we hold the line and win something great for ourselves.

August 23, 2009

I signed up with the state for stability and eyes open to take a 50 percent cut in pay. In return for that, I show up and do a good job at work every day and I expect the state to keep their end of the agreement.

Why every two years we have to start at ground zero in bargaining here is embarrassing for the state, the governor and their bargaining team. DAS comes to the table every two years unprepared, with "no clear direction." Ridiculous. Bargaining has been every two years for the past 40. Don't they remember the drill?

Why go through these machinations? We want a living wage, fully paid health care and healthy working conditions for everyone, not just state workers.

Lastly, we wouldn't have to be in this feast/famine situation if a true rainy day fund existed to use in these harsh times when the economy goes south. (It will happen!)

Please e-mail and write your representative. We need leaders at the table with conviction and consistency.

— Lisa Dixon, Salem