Issues

January 2007

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR WOMEN IN THE 110TH CONGRESS?

Plenty!  In our pre-election publication, "The Facts: What's at Stake for Working Women in 2006", we laid out four issues at stake in the 2006 elections: Health Care, Retirement Security, Economic Opportunities and the Right to Organize.  Thanks in large part to AFSCME volunteers nationwide, America elected legislators willing to address these matters this year.  In fact, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi included many of these issues in the "100 Hour Agenda", the slate of priority legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives. 

So, what is at stake for working women in the 110th Congress? 

  • Health Care:  As part of the 100 Hour Agenda, the House helped women retirees by passing a bill fixing the Medicare prescription drug program so that Medicare can negotiate lower drug prices.  This legislation now awaits action in the Senate.  Plans are underway in both the House and the Senate to reintroduce the Healthy Families Act, which would give all working people paid sick time to care for themselves and their families.  Some are even looking for ways to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act.  Both chambers are also considering a variety of proposals to make universal health care a reality.
  • Retirement Security:  The Democratic leadership in both the House and the Senate have pledged to oppose the privatization of Social Security - a program working women rely on to protect themselves and their families in retirement.  Legislators are also looking at ways to ensure the continued funding of Medicare. 
  • Economic Opportunities:  The House's 100 Hour Agenda included a plan to help minimum wage workers - the majority of whom are women - by raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.  An overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives approved this raise and the issue is under consideration in the Senate.  As part of the 100 Hour Agenda, the House also made college more affordable for women and their families by cutting federal subsidized student loan interest rates in half.  The student loan bill is now before the Senate.
  • Right to Organize:  House and Senate Democratic leaders have made the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) a priority for this Congress.  The EFCA will benefit working women by strengthening protections for employees who choose to form unions.  The legislation provides for the certification of a union once a majority of workers sign authorization cards. 

Want to follow these and other issues at stake for working women in the 110th Congress?  Watch AFSCME's WomENews for updates throughout the year!  Also be sure to check out GREENLINE, the AFSCME Blog, at www.afscmeblog.org.

AFSCME WOMEN LEADING THE WAY

Women made great progress in the 2006 elections.  A first-ever female Speaker of the House as well as new women Senators, Representatives, Governors and State Legislators - across the country women stepped up to the challenge of running for elected office to help change the direction of this country.  AFSCME women were no exception.

  • In Hawaii, Faye Hanohano, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Public Workers, Local 646, is proudly serving in the Hawaiian House of Representatives representing District 4.
  • In Maryland, Kris Valderrama, an AFSCME staff member in the Public Affairs Department, is representing District 26 in Prince George's County.
  • In Washington, Kandy Kraig, Executive Board member of Washington Federation of State Employees, Council 28, was elected to one of two open seats for Vice President on the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, representing 400,000 union members of District 5.
  • In Wisconsin, Dawn Sass, a 28-year member of Council 48, Local 645, was elected State Treasurer.

These women are great examples of the many AFSCME women around the country who are filling the leadership pipeline and building a stronger future for women.  When asked why she decided to run, Kandy said, "It was the natural progression of my leadership roles...a union member, trustee, shop steward, Local president, Washington Federation of State Employees Executive Board, Council 28 Women's Committee Chair, Spokane Regional Labor Council Executive board and the AFSCME National Women's Advisory Board.  The next step was being a Vice President on the State Labor Council."  Go Kandy!  And, great job to all the AFSCME women who ran for elected office.  We need more women leaders like you leading the way!

TAX CREDIT TOOLKITS

If you listen carefully, you can already hear the far-off groans as folks start to think about tax season.  Fortunately, many organizations are helping working families and individuals to get valuable tax credits this year. 

Did you have a long-distance telephone service in the last three years?  Do you qualify for the Earned Income Credit?  Did you pay for child care this year?  Even if you're unsure about your own eligibility, it is worth checking out the tax credit kits from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the National Women's Law Center, or the Internal Revenue Service.  The fact sheets, flyers and posters included in these packages may benefit you, your family, your union sisters and brothers, even your coworkers and clients.  The National Women's Law Center website also provides information about some state tax credits.

In particular, be sure to check out the Telephone Excise Tax Refund, which the IRS says is the most wide-reaching refund in its history - chances are, you are eligible for this one-time payment on your 2006 federal tax return.  At least this once, be sure to be there when the federal government is deliberately handing money back to you!

AMAZING AFSCME WOMEN

AFSCME women are often conquering great odds and then offering a supportive hand to their union sisters.  After beating cervical cancer, Tamika Felder, a member of AFSCME Council 20, did just that - she formed a non-profit organization to raise awareness about the disease, the link to the human papilloma-virus (HPV) and the importance of regular screening.

At the age of 25, Tamika was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  At that time in her life, it didn't occur to Tamika that she might be at risk for cervical cancer let alone that she would be faced with having radiation, treatments and a hysterectomy in order to fight this disease.  Cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening and is almost always caused by HPV.  After beating the disease, Tamika realized that many women were unaware of cervical cancer, HPV or even the location of their cervix.  "I started talking to anyone who would listen. I needed to make sure I said something because what happened to me didn't have to happen to other women."  At the encouragement of her friends, Tamika decided to take action and help educate other women.

She founded Tamika and Friends, Inc., which provides a network for survivors to connect and educates women through intimate "House Parties of fiVe".  Tamika says she was always a social person, and frequently had her girlfriends over for dinner and a game of "Taboo", Tamika's favorite.  After her surgery and treatment, her friends continued to come over her house.  Always the conversation turned to cervical cancer and HPV.  Together, they spoke openly and honestly about Tamika's experience and the need to educate other women.  The "House Parties of fiVe" grew from those gatherings.  They created a relaxed environment, used games to educate, even a HPV-themed game modeled on "Taboo", and had attendees pledge to get screened.  Tamika and Friends also created a guidebook on hosting a house party of their own, complete with the game instructions and party ideas.  Since launching, house parties have taken place across the country.

This month, Tamika is taking her message to the U.S. Congress as part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Month and will tell her story during a congressional briefing.  Tamika also recently teamed up with another cervical cancer survivor to launch the "Say Something" program to educate even more women about HPV and its link to cervical cancer.  Check out the website and watch the video (produced by Tamika) about their inspiring stories at www.say-something.org.

WHAT HAS FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE MEANT TO YOU?

Send us your family and medical leave stories! The U.S. Department of Labor has requested information about employee experiences with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  AFSCME needs stories about your personal experiences to demonstrate why FMLA is important and must be protected. 

Have you ever used FMLA?  Have you tried to use FMLA but were denied?  How has this leave helped you or your family?  How have you arranged the leave, e.g. consecutive or intermittent leave?

The AFSCME Women's Rights Department is collecting your stories.  Please share your personal FMLA experience by sending your anecdotes to Shannon Garrett, Women's Rights Specialist, at sgarrett@afscme.org by January 26, 2007.  We need your stories to demonstrate the need for FMLA, but vow that we will not share your names or any identifying information with the Department of Labor.

As you may be aware, AFSCME was a driving force for FMLA's passage in 1993.  Since then, FMLA has helped America's working men and women to care for themselves or their loved ones while protecting their jobs.  AFSCME continues to fully support FMLA and pledges to fight any attempt to limit FMLA's scope, protections or coverage.

Help us to show the Department of Labor that FMLA is necessary.  Please email your experience to sgarrett@afscme.org by January 26, 2007!

AFSCME WOMEN'S RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

1625 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 429-5090
womensrights@afscme.org

AFSCME WomENews is produced by the Women's Rights Department and written by Shannon Garrett and Karen Swift Wick.

Print Version
 

Mary Goulding
Council 40, Wisconsin

Mary Goulding

"AFSCME women are a force. We push hard for pay equity, economic security, funding for child care and on-the-job training. With our union, there is no stopping us!"