Union slams Gov. Nixon’s proposals to cut state workers

Press Release from CWA Local 6355

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 6355 says in a news release that its members are outraged to learn that Gov. Jay Nixon has proposed additional massive cuts to Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens in his state of the state address and initial budget proposal.

The CWA release says:

Among the wrongheaded recommendations he announced were plans to lay off nearly 500 direct service employees in Department of Social Services and Department of Health and Senior Services.

In addition to adding hundreds to Missouri’s already historically high numbers of unemployed, these cuts will:

make accessing and applying for Medicaid, Foodstamps, child support and child care services vastly more difficult for thousands of financially struggling Missouri families

reduce the number of state employees assigned to protecting children, senior citizens and people with disabilities from abuse and neglect

force families with troubled youth to travel hundreds of miles to access state mandated treatment services.

Governor Nixon is refusing to advocate for any measures that would significantly increase state revenue, even measures with support from both parties such as taxing internet retail sales or increasing the tobacco tax. Governor Nixon seems to have forgotten his promises to restore social services during his election campaign, but the hundreds of union members who devoted thousands of hours to his first election campaign have not.

By issuing this budget recommendation, Governor Nixon has decided that the entire burden for Missouri’s economic crisis should be carried by abused children, people with disabilities, and unemployed and low-wage workers. He has decided that the interests of out of state corporations and the tobacco industry are more important than the needs of the citizens of his state who are struggling the most during this economic crisis.

The 6,500 public workers represented by CWA will not forget this outrageous decision and will fight this cruel and shortsighted budget at every possible level.

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nozepicker 2 years, 4 months ago

Missouri State Workers are already 49th in wages compared to the other states. I suggest he cut the pay and per diem of state legislators. They are ranked 13th in the nation in pay. Imagine that, for 4 months of work!! Where can the rest of us get a job like that. Pay, mileage, health care, retirement (at an early age), paid housing if you live outside a perimeter line, staff and office expenses. Governor, your putting the bandaid on the wrong knee. Wake up!

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

He is working to protect every job.

It is all about jobs!

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