IEA update. How your dues are being used. Part two.
Mary is an IEA member concerned about her pension. Mary has heard from me that she should go to the IEA website for current information.
That’s what Mary does.
There Mary finds a featured video of Government Relations boss, Jim Reed, giving a legislative update for October, 2011.
Anxious about what to do to save her pension and fired up after hearing me the other morning, Mary leans in to the computer to hear every word Jim says.
Not ever hearing Jim before, she is a bit disturbed by his low-key way. Mary is not only looking for information. Mary wants to hear from her union leadership that they are ready to fight any pension killer that the General Assembly might come up with.
“There are currently no pension cutting bills before the legislature that would affect current members,” says Jim.
“Really,” says Mary to nobody in particular. “But I’ve seen those TV ads from Illinois is Broke attacking public employee pensions and asking others to call legislators to support bogus pension reform.”
You know. The ones with the teacher and the mom with the baby in her arms. And that giant billboard on the Kennedy Expressway when you exit O’Hare.
“Senate Bill 512 is unlikely to be called in the veto session,” says Jim.
Mary thinks, “Well what the hell was that Klonsky talking about? He was just trying to get us all worked up over nothing. I’m glad I listened to this guy Jim. He seems to know what he’s talking about, even if he never does make eye contact with the video camera.”
“The reason we’re not asking you to call is that there is no specific bill to call about,” continues Jim.
“Ah,” says Mary. “There you go.”
Then Jim adds, “We know your time is valuable.”
Mary thinks, “This guy Jim is so considerate. Klonsky told me I should be emailing my House and Senate Representative every morning. He must think I have all the time in the world to be fighting for my pension.”
But then Mary hears Jim tell her to update her profile, contact her legislators by email and call them using 1 888 412 6570.
Mary thinks, “Huh? Call and email them about what? I thought there was no pension cutting bill. What is this guy Jim telling me exactly? What happened to my valuable time?”
Yes. Mary is confused.
And who wouldn’t be?
“There is no bill. We’re not asking you to call or email your legislators. But you should call and email your legislators about a bill that isn’t there,” says our Director of Government Relations.
Another fine example of your IEA dues at work.
My head hurts.
I made a comment on the IEA website in the “IEA rebuts Tribune” story asking about this very issue; why has there not been more direction down through the locals about what we should be doing about this.
I received a reply email asking if I have been receiving the email updates, but naturally my comment was removed. YES I get the email updates, every week I get coupons in my email. I notice plenty of generic comments on the story, but mine was not allowed. hmmm…..
Illinois union leadership is becoming oxymoronic. Their inability to rally their members is truly sad. This notion that nothing is happening now (pension wise) or we have to be at the table (when giving away our rights) is as shitty as when at the last RA, some members had the temerity to say “those people” when referring to undocumented workers (dream act discussion). The IEA leadership just let those horrible comments slide. They could not lead their way out of a paper bag.
I also will fight as hard as possible at the next RA to not give Charlie Mcbarron any more money to help him produce these snooze fest videos. For him to let Cindna or Jim Reed sit there looking like their Valium just kicked in is inexcusable. Does he watch them before they are posted? If so, do our dues actually pay his salary?