[ AFSCME Local 2349 Needs Your Help ]

Local 2349 Members,

On Thursday, April 24th, Louisiana’s House of Representatives will vote on HB293. You can read the bill in its entirety here: {HB293}.

In summary, the bill makes provisions for union members to opt out of union dues at any time, by approaching their employer’s HR department, and requesting to be withdrawn. Insidiously, it ALSO makes provisions that every union member will have their union dues payroll deductions AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATED ANNUALLY.

What does this mean for YOU, the union member. Realistically, if HB293 passes, it will force you to re-sign-up for your union benefits every year. Additionally, the bill makes no distinct description of the mechanism for renewal, further complicating the process. This bill is designed to make it more difficult to be a member of a labor union. It is designed to handicap our ability to demand fair treatment in the workplace, and negotiate for higher pay.

We need to take a stand now, and tell our state legislators to vote “no” on HB293. Below I have included a copy of the emails I sent to Senator Bouie, and Representative Knox. I hope it can be inspiration for us all to express our dismay at the state of our local government. Please use the form below to reach out and request that the people that represent us vote “no” on HB293.

It has recently come to my attention that HB293 is coming up for a vote this coming Thursday. I ask that you cast a definitive "no".

I am an EMT for New Orleans EMS. I have served the city for 3 years, and my community for just over 10. I have worked in a chronically underpaid, understaffed, and over worked industry for more than a decade because I like it, and I'm really good at it.

My partner says, "It's a good thing this job exists, because we wouldn't be much good at anything else."

While I agree with the sentiment, factually this is untrue. Against strong opposition from New Orleans City Hall and administration, we formed a union. As civil servants, we came together to demand protections that had been denied to us. We fought to form this union, and continue to fight to protect it every day.

As the vice president of AFSCME Local 2349, I feel personally attacked by the propositions of HB293. To automatically withdraw union members from payroll deductions annually is obvious obstruction to collective bargaining. It's a weak and pathetic, paper barricade to the self improvement of the working class.

This bill is a selling-out of the people to greed. It's boot-licking, and it's disgusting to watch our state representatives prostrate themselves at the feet of the corporate machine. The machine that grinds up the teachers, the builders, the truckers, the people that feed you, and the people who keep you alive. The people that move society forward. The people you represent!

Please vote "no" on HB293 this coming Thursday. It's the decent thing to do.

Sincerely,

Daniel Rokos