On Saturday, November 16, over 30 retried TSEU members met in Austin for our statewide leadership meeting. Here’s a brief summary of the meeting:
Legislative Review
Will Rogers (retired OAG) from Austin reviewed the changes made by Senate Bill 12, which increases employer and employee contribution rates to the TRS and made the fund actuarially sound. This allowed TRS to provide the first 13th check since 2008. We also reviewed details about the additional funding for the ERS that was stripped out of the budget at the end of the session and directed toward tax cuts. This spurred our current efforts to push the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to approve emergency funding. (more on this below) Mr. Rogers also detailed legislation that would have directed additional funding to our pensions by investing a portion of the Rainy Day Fund. These proposals had widespread support in the House, but failed to gain support in the Senate.
Organizing to build our Union
Joan Barash (retired HHSC) and Arthur Valdez (retired DSHS) led our discussion about getting more non-members off the sidelines and in the union. Whether it’s other retirees we keep in touch with or employees that are still working for the state, there are plenty of people that will get involved to help us win. During the meeting, members discussed asking retirees we already know to join TSEU, as well as working side by side with TSEU organizers to talk to current employees at worksites. If you are able to join an organizer at a worksite or need information and membership forms to share with other retirees, contact your organizer or your TSEU office.
Update from the Chairwoman of the Board
ERS Board of Trustees Chairwoman and TSEU activist Ilesa Daniels (HHSC) joined us via Facebook live to provide insight on ERS developments. Ms. Daniels discussed how lowering the projected rate of return had a significant impact on the ERS. We also reviewed details on the recent ERS election, and discussed the need to educate current employees about the importance of these elections.
Mobilizing for Emergency Funding
TSEU President Judy Lugo (retired HHSC) led our discussion about the campaign to win emergency funding. To date, 70 State Representatives and State Senators have written letters to the members of the Legislative Budget Board. Our goal is to pick up more support from legislators to make ERS funding an issue that can’t be ignored. At the meeting, ROC activists made plans for contacting specific legislators to ask them to stand up for retirees and write a letter to the LBB. We also made plans to contact the 9 current Legislators on the LBB as well. Since the plans we made relate specifically to particular legislative districts, a full list is not included here. The work of coordinating these meetings across the state will be done by Retiree Organizing Committees, Area Organizing Committees, COPE committees, TSEU activists and TSEU organizers. We need your help to hold decision makers accountable! For details on how to get involved in your area, contact your nearest TSEU office or your organizer.