On Tuesday, October 15, TSEU members across the state held a Day of Action to turn up the pressure on key state senators and representatives who have not yet contacted the Legislative Budget Board!
Members coordinated actions in their workplaces to generate phone calls and emails to targeted legislators, while ROC activists from across Texas showed up in person to hand deliver packets with ALL 60 previously written letters in hand. The overwhelming message from members was, “It’s time to hold state legislators ACCOUNTABLE for under-funding our pensions and not supporting an across-the-board pay raise for state employees!”.
Despite this action some long-time TSEU allies failed to act.
Kirk Watson’s official statement was:
“Thank you for calling and I appreciate you caring enough to be involved. State employees and retirees are rightfully frustrated and angry. I share that frustration and anger. During the last session (and in previous sessions), I advocated for increased salaries and solidifying retirement. I’m absolutely working on your behalf and will continue to do so. Seeking budget execution before a session will not be seen as credible and is not going to happen.”
This opinion was not popular within our overall TSEU targeted Representative list. Our action ended up resulting in 9 new letters and commitments from the following elected officials:
Officials who sent letters as a result of our October 15 day of action:
- Senator Royce West (Committed to writing a letter, said would be in 10-18-19)
- Representative Yvonne Davis (Letter received 10-17-19)
- Rep. Gina Calanni (HD 132) (Letter received 10-17-19)
- Rep. Harold Dutton (HD 142) Committed to writing a letter
- Rep. Jarvis Johnson (HD 139) (Letter received 10-17-19)
- Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa (SD 20) (Committed to writing a letter,)
- Rep. Oscar Longoria (HD 35) (Committed to writing a letter,)
- Rep. Poncho Nevarez (HD 74) (Committed to writing a letter,)
- Rep. Richard Raymond (HD 42) (Letter received 10-17-19)
ITS NOT TOO LATE TO CALL “THE HOLDOUTS” – DETAILS
Go to our PAY/PENSION Campaign page to find out who HAS and who HAS NOT sent a letter to the LBB. You can also find a phone script and contact information for those officials that still need to send a letter. CALL THEM TODAY!
Thanks and appreciation goes out to ALL members who made the call or showed up in person to demand the Pay and Pension issue for state employees and retirees be addressed NOW!
[below] TSEU members taking our message TO THE CAPITOL!
[below] TSEU members at state office making calls as well as helping spread the word about our Pay/Pension campaign.
