News

UCW, Elected Officials Call for Expanded Vaccine Access

1000 CAMPUS WORKERS CALL ON GOVERNOR LEE AND COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH LISA PIERCEY TO INCLUDE HIGHER EDUCATION WORKERS IN COVID VACCINATION SCHEDULE 

UTK Lecturers Win $5000 Raise

Knoxville, TN - After more than two years of campaigning by United Campus Workers, on Monday, March 1 at the monthly Faculty Senate meeting at the Univers

Vaccinate So We Can Educate

UCW has launched an open letter calling on Governor Bill Lee to include higher education employees in COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans. 

CWA: We Reject the Hatred and Bigotry of White Supremacists

Sunday, August 13, 2017 Members of the Communications Workers of America reject the vile actions and rhetoric of the white supremacists who paraded their hatred and bigotry this weekend in Charlottesville, Va. These evil actions, which President Trump couldn’t be bothered to condemn, instead offering a weak “violence on many sides” throwaway line, resulted in the tragic death of a young woman and injuries to many more.

Call the Comptroller! Stop the Contract! #TNisNOTforSale

Share this out as wide as you can. Trouble is brewing for the contract, and we can help tip the scales in our favor. A majority of members of the House of Representatives and a near majority of Senators have signed a letter calling for a halt to the contract. Let's add more fuel to the fire!
 
Our fight continues!
 
* The comptroller's office should initiate an investigation of RFP 32110-17103, under T.C.A. 8-4-406, for improper activity. The amended RFP language (Section C.3.G) stipulates the “state shall be responsible for all sales and use taxes...,” in likely violation of T.C.A. 4-39-102. Secondly, the RFP ‘menu of services’ structure raises concerns about how responsibility for effective contract management, under T.C.A. 12-3-305, will be met. Lastly, the procurement process, which granted valuable access and data to private bidders but not to public agencies against which those bidders were to compete, violates the spirit of T.C.A. 4-51-126 and our obligation to foster a fair and competitive bidding process.  
 
** The comptroller's office should initiate an investigation of RFP 32110-17103, under T.C.A. 8-4-406, for wasteful activity. The Office of Customer Focused Government’s refusal to commission an audit of its ‘Business Justification for Outsourcing’ is unacceptable. Further, the inability of the Office of Customer Focused Government to offer any verified cost comparison between current public facilities services management and the proposed private contractor, or justify the proposed source of cost savings, is a breach of duty to steward the assets and monies of Tennessee in a responsible fashion.
 

*** The comptroller's office should decline approval of RFP 32110-17103, under T.C.A. 4-56-108. This contract’s economic impact, basis for cost savings, and legal implications have not been sufficiently examined. So far, 14 Senators and 48 Representatives, have signed a public letter calling for its halt, until it can be further examined and verified.

Top 10 Worst Things About This Outsourcing

#TNisNOTforSale
fb.com/tnisnotforsale
 
1. It will screw over workers! Despite promises of job and benefit protections, the Request for Proposal is full of loopholes and provisions that allow for cut backs and losses—from layoffs to the loss of crucial benefits like earned sick leave and a pension. It will absolutely worsen the working environment!
2. The people of Tennessee will lose control over public services and institutions as an out-of-state company takes over management of resources that belong to us!
3. The General Assembly will lose meaningful oversight and mechanisms for accountability!
4. Tennesseans will pay sales and use taxes for the company!
5. And our tax revenue will leave as the out-ofstate companies like JLL and its Alabama-based subcontractors profit!
6. There’s no evidence it will save any money, especially without knowing if institutions are “opting-in” or “opting-out.” The Office of Customer Focused Government never submitted its so-called Business Justification to an audit, and can’t even explain where some of their savings numbers come from!
7. The Request for Proposal provides for the radical expansion of the contract to additional services and institutions—from K-12 schools to municipal and county governments!
8. The contract can be renegotiated at any time after being signed as long as the state and the company agree!
9. The contract is being negotiated with JLL, a company with a long history of controversial and critical audits for its existing business with Tennessee! Moreover it’s a company that Governor Haslam was and probably is personally invested, creating a huge conflict-ofinterest!
10. The entire process for crafting this contract has been secretive and unaccountable, and intentionally left out the General Assembly and the public!
 
Citations for the Request for Proposal, which can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/generalservices/cpo/attachments/RFP_32110-17103_Release_1.pdf
1. A6.10.A.19; Tuition benefit: C.3.b 
4. C.3.g
7. “Onboarding”: 6.10.A.12.1; RFP Attachment 6.9; UTK Site Visit Agenda, Data section requests specific info on K-12 even though not in current scope 
8. C.3.c.2
9. http://bit.ly/2oVy4l3
 
NOTE: As of summer 2018, Jones Lang Lasalle, Inc / JLL is pushing the scheme to the Tennessee Board of Regent's Community Colleges. See this article for an update.

2016 Labor & Change Teach-In & UCW Convention

Dear United Campus Workers member or supporter,

I would like to welcome you to attend the United Campus Workers 2016 Annual Convention. The past year we have seen a lot of exciting activity and growth in our local. We have taken up a huge fight with our Governor to protect facilities workers in our Tennessee is Not for Sale campaign, and we’ve stood alongside students and university workers to defend diversity programs at UT.

At this year’s convention, we invite you to join us for a weekend of reflection, learning, and inspiration. UCW first began with a Living Wage Teach-In 16 years ago. As we ready ourselves to dig in our heels and keep up our fight for another year, join us to reflect on building a movement for lasting change in our state at our Labor and Change Teach-In, October 28-29, 2016. Over two days, we’ll have sessions covering topics such as solidarity, intergenerational organizing, and grassroots power. For the full program, visit: tinyurl.com/LaborandChange. RSVP here. This event is free and open to the public, and lunch is provided both days.

I’d like to highlight our two fantastic keynote speakers. Friday at 4pm, we’ll hear from Dr. Frances Fox Piven, the foremost sociologist scholar-activist in the United States. Active in working on struggles for civil rights, welfare rights, voting rights and many more across decades, Dr. Piven will talk to us about coalition building, disruptive tactics, and interdependent power. Saturday, at 11:30am, Larry Cohen, former president of Communication Workers of America, and current chair of Our Revolution, a new progressive movement organizing to support a new generation of progressive leaders, will share insights from a lifetime of organizing in the labor movement.

PLEASE NOTE: Our business meeting (the Executive Board and the Policy & Campaigns Committee/PCC, though the meeting is open to all members) for convention will be held at 8:30am on Saturday, October 28 at the CWA union hall, 1415 Elm Street, Knoxville, TN. We encourage out-of-town member guests to RSVP as soon as possible so that we can make travel and carpool arrangements. If you have questions, please email Melanie at [email protected] or call 877-292-3865.

Sincerely,

Diana Moyer
President
UCW-CWA Local 3865

2016 United Campus Workers Legislative Priorities, 109th General Assembly

Type H Bill Number Sponsor H Status S Bill Number Sponsor S Status Summary Last Day Checked
Diversity 2066 Daniel Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 1902 Nicely Sen Ed Comm University of Tennessee - As introduced, limits spending by the University of Tennessee on diversity, multicultural, or sustainability programs to $2,500,000 per year; requires an annual written report to the general assembly on such expenditures; prohibits employees working in diversity offices from engaging in certain activities; prohibits employees working primarily in other areas from working on diversity, multicultural, and sustainability programs. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 9. 4-Feb
Diversity 2063 Daniel Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 2235 Hensley Sen Ed Comm Education, Higher - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Student Free Speech Protection Act"; requires the governing boards of each state institution to adopt the freedom of speech and expression policy to protect student speech and activity. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1. 4-Feb
Tuition 2069 Daniel Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 2306 Gresham Senate Education Committee; On calendar for 2/10/2016 Education, Higher - As introduced, enacts the "Tuition Stability Act." - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9. 4-Feb
Governance 2573 McCormick Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 2564 Norris Senate Education Committee Education, Higher - As introduced, enacts the "Higher Education Authorization Act." - Amends TCA Title 49. 4-Feb
Governance 2578 McCormick Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 2569 Norris Senate Govt Operations Committee FOCUS Act Education, Higher - As introduced, restructures the board of regents; establishes state university boards; and makes other changes necessary to effectuate the restructuring. - Amends TCA Section 12-3-102; Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9. 4-Feb
Workers Comp 997 Durham Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee; On calendar for 2/10/2016 721 Green Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee 10/26/2015 Workers Compensation - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Employee Injury Benefit Alternative." - Amends TCA Title 50 and Title 56. 4-Feb
Vouchers 1049 Dunn H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 2/8/2016 999 Gardenhire Passed Senate School Vouchers - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Choice & Opportunity Scholarship Act." - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1. 4-Feb
Governance 2559 Jenkins Assigned to s/c Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee 2516 Gresham Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee University of Tennessee - As introduced, reconstitutes the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee system. - Amends TCA Section 49-9-201; Section 49-9-202; Section 49-9-203; Section 49-9-204; Section 49-9-205 and Section 49-9-206.  
Antiworker 2348 Calfee Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee 2338 McNally Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Employees, Employers - As introduced, allows all employees, not just employees who are employed in the service of food and beverages, to waive the required thirty-minute unpaid lunch break. - Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 2. 4-Feb
Anti Immigrant 1637 Johnson State Government Subcommitte 1486 Green Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. On calendar for 2/9/2016 Immigration - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Workers Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 12 and Title 50. 4-Feb
Picketing 1838 Durham Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee 1691 Bell Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Employees, Employers - As introduced, establishes certain civil remedies for an employer against any employee who exceeds the employee's authority to enter nonpublic areas of the employer's premises. - Amends TCA Title 50. 4-Feb
Preemption 1632 Casada Local Government Subcommittee 1636 Haile Senate State and Local Government Committee Real Property - As introduced, prohibits a local governmental unit from enacting zoning regulations that require the allocation of a percentage of existing or newly constructed private residential or commercial rental units for long-term retention as affordable or workforce housing. - Amends TCA Title 66, Chapter 35. 4-Feb
Preemption 1674 Marsh  Business and Utilities Committee. On calendar for 2/10/2016 1621 Johnson Senate Regular Calendar calendar for 2/8/2016 Public Contracts - As introduced, prohibits the state or any local government from requiring a company bidding on a state or local construction project to employ individuals who reside within the jurisdiction of the state or local government. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 12 and Title 62. 4-Feb
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

Tennessee is NOT for Sale! What We’ve Done to Fight Governor Haslam's Outsourcing Plan

Since first learning of the previously secret push by Gov. Bill Haslam's administration to outsource the facilities maintenance, management, and security of every piece of state-owned real estate in Tennessee, United Campus Workers - CWA members, leaders, organizers, volunteers and our numerous allies have tirelessly worked to stop these efforts in their tracks. Below is a partial list of actions UCW-CWA has taken over this semester:

August 17: UCW issues Press Release, "State Workers Scrutinize, Worry About Haslam’s Newest Privatization Scheme"

August 18-20: Every regional paper of record across Tennessee learns of the news from United Campus Workers and begins reporting on it

August 31: 1st State-Wide Membership "Town Hall Call" with many hundreds of higher education employees logging in to learn more

September 3: Public Demonstration at UTK with rallies at Cumberland Ave. Pilot Gas Station & UT Knoxville School of Law Building

September 11: UTK action @ Student Union dedication ceremony

September 15: Press Release, "After Damning Revelations, Haslam Should End Outsourcing Push"

September 18: Memphis sign holding; Sierra Club quoted

September 22: Sign holding at Johnson City, press coverage

September 24: UTK action @ Presidential Court & Haslam Business Building, attracting students and community partners

October 6: UTK hosts Lawmaker Fact-Finding Tour, press coverage

October 9: UTK Sign Holding in Front of Board of Trustees Meeting at UTK, press coverage

October 20: Public Hearing Against Outsourcing in Spencer, TN, press coverage (Van Buren County; County Commission previously passed resolution on September 15)

October 26-31: Statewide Week of Action

Monday, October 26: 2nd Town Hall Call, press coverage

Tuesday, October 27: Phone In – Hosted by Progressive Student Alliance in Knoxville and Memphis

Wednesday, October 28: ETSU, Johnson City: Forum on Privatization, press coverage

Memphis: Employee Appreciation BBQ tabling, press coverage

Thursday, October 28: Prayer Vigil for Working Families, Memphis, TN, press coverage

Thursday, October 28: Press Release, "Outsourcing and the Threat to Tennessee’s Democracy & Economy"

Friday, October 30: Delegation to Governor’s office – delivered 6,368 petition signatures, delivered pamphlet "Outsourcing and the Threat to Tennessee" to legislators, press coverage

Saturday October 31: Jobs with Justice of East TN/JWJET Annual Meeting on privatization

October 30: Meeting with University of Memphis President

November 2: UTK Faculty Senate passes resolution on outsourcing

November 3: Tabling at UTM with Initiative for Civic Engagement

November 3: UTC hosts Lawmaker Fact-Finding Tour, press coverage

November 4: Rally in Memphis, press coverage

November 7: Sierra Club Conference writes 100+ letters against outsourcing

November 11: League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox Co hosts first in Privatization series, press coverage

November 16: Dyersburg State Community College Hosts Town Hall

November 17: UTK Student Government Association final approval of resolution opposing privatization

November 18: Rally in Memphis, press coverage

November 19: UTK workers tweet Kenny Chesney video asking for support

November 24: UT Martin Hosts Rally, press coverage

November 18: APSU Staff Senate passes resolution against Outsourcing, press coverage

November 30: League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox Co hosts second in Privatization series, on Open Government

December 3: UTK Member watchdogs at Higher Education Budget Hearing, Nashville; Deliver Haslam Scholars letter opposing outsourcing

December 7: Jackson Central Labor Council meets with Sen. Ed Jackson, discusses privatization and letter Sen. Jackson sent on the issue to Gov. Haslam

December 9: UCW Presentation on Outsourcing at APSU Staff Senate

December 10: Open Forum with Sen. Mark Green to discuss outsourcing at APSU

What are YOU doing to halt Governor Haslam's statewide outsourcing scheme?

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, we're taking our message direct to the Governor's office at the State Capitol in Nashville. Request a day of annual leave now, and make plans to join us! Already some five-thousand Tennesseans have signed petitions calling on Gov. Haslam to cease his efforts to sell out our state. We will be delivering those signed petitions and sharing testimonials from state residents. #TNisNOTforSale! If you are interested in attending this important day of action next Friday, October 30, please complete the RSVP form here, and ride the bus! Here is a flyer you can print to spread the word.

PLEASE READ/WATCH AND SHARE THIS STORY from Nashville's NewsChannel 5 about the outsourcing: http://www.scrippsmedia.com/newschannel5/news/newschannel-5-investigates/questions-of-influence/Internal-Data-Fails-To-Justify-States-Outsourcing-Plan-327516951.html
Here is a page with frequent updates: https://www.facebook.com/TNisNOTforsale
Here are links to reports on outsourcing: http://ucw-cwa.org/outsourcing-resources

In the meantime:
Call the Governor at 615-741-2001
Call your legislators (put in your address to find them, then click on their photo to find their info)
Here is the Governor's Request For Information
Sign and share the petition
Here is the hard copy petition to print and get signatures on
Here is a flyer about this
Join the union and get your coworker to join - fight and stay in this fight
Check out the Tennessee is NOT for sale Facebook page

UT Employees Take to the Street Against Haslam’s Outsourcing Scheme

While Haslam has repeatedly urged critics of his plan to remain calm and denied any decisions have been made, WSMV Channel 5 News in Nashville discovered a pre-existing, accelerated timetable for implementation of the expected contract. Haslam evidently wants to have completed the outsourcing scheme as soon as summer of 2016.

“It looks like his mind was made up all along to sell our jobs and our public services to the lowest bidding corporation as fast as he could,” said Tom Anderson, a purchaser in UT’s Facilities Services department and whose job is part of the purview of Haslam’s effort.

United Campus Workers, the union of employees who work on Tennessee’s higher education campuses, exposed the Haslam plan to the media after a Request for Information (RFI) was released on August 11. Prior to that, there had been no public knowledge, input, or oversight of the program, which if implemented would represent the most significant reorganization of state services in decades. As the story broke, it was revealed Haslam was giving personally guided tours of state parks—which he is also attempting to privatize—to interested corporations.

Demonstrators hope to call attention to Haslam’s potential personal stake in outsourcing by locating part of their protest in front of Pilot Gas Station, the Haslam family business. Indeed two years ago, Haslam was embroiled in a scandal for his previous outsourcing push in state buildings when a no-bid contract was awarded to multinational giant JLL, in which the Governor was personally invested. Haslam is the country’s wealthiest elected politician.

“And we’re the ones who are going to lose if this happens,” worried Josh Smyser, a custodian at the university and a member of the Employees Relations Council there. “I could lose my pay, my benefits, everything, all so that some major corporation can make a profit at the taxpayer’s expense.”

Haslam, whose personal fortune tops one billion dollars, has cited his previous outsourcing efforts’ success in generating savings of some $5 million a year, but those savings average to roughly $0.75 per Tennessean—who pay the highest sales tax, including on food, in the country in a state where business taxes are among the nation’s lowest—all at the expense of people’s jobs and livelihoods.

Elizabeth Owen, a clerical worker at UT and vice-president of UCW’s Knoxville chapter, wondered: “When’s it going to stop? This is a race to the bottom for workers, all while the people on top—folks like Haslam—continue to make more money than they have ever before in history. These are our lives we’re talking about.” ###

For more information:
Tom Anderson, 865-934-7373 | Josh Smyser, 865-964-2996
Cassie Watters, UCW organizer, 617-304-1108

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