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About The Oregon public employe. (Salem, Oregon) 1981-???? | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1981)
mu VOLUME XXIII, No. 2 MARCH 1981 P U B L IC A publication of the Oregon Public Employes Union Combating Reagan’s budget cuts r I With Ronald Reagan’s election to the White House and substantial gains by conservatives in Congress, there was widespread concern in the labor movement over possible loss of worker rights and benefits. The President’s proposed eco nomic programs, which he outlined in an address to Congress and the nation on Feb. 18, confirmed these fears. Lane Kirkland, president of the 14-million member AFL-CIO — of which OPEU is a part — typified labors* response to Reagan’s pro posals. “ The AFL-CIO agrees with the proposition that inflation must be reduced, the number of jobs in creased and that federal programs must be made more effective and ef ficient. But we cannot agree that the measures the president outlined will achieve those goals,” he said. “ Reagan’s budget cuts would cost the economy at least a million jobs — a high-stakes gamble in which only the wealthy would win.” Thomas Donahue, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, says that de spite organized labor’s efforts to policy, unless Congress overturns many of Reagan's economic pro posals and recent administrative ac tions. He also had a caution for man agement. “ Those in management who be lieve that with a conservative ad ministration and a Republican ma jority in the Senate, that they have an ace in the whole in Washington to protect them from any ill affects caused by mistakes in bargaining strategy, had better think again. "Any negotiator who believes that the election is a mandate for him to be hard-nosed and vindictive is seriously misreading the political situation and underestimating the overall strength of the union move ment in this country.” Donahue cited a few areas where the new administration's economic policies could have a direct impact on many negotiations. “ The sudden deregulation of energy prices is creating an infla tionary pressure on the paychecks of workers. When this administra tion removed pricing regulations d e fe a t R eagan and re-elect Jim m y th e y to ld th e p u b lic th a t th e c o s t o f Carter, its response to Reagan’s economic proposals are not politi cal in nature. “ Organized labor has no ax to grind with the new admin- sitration." Even so, a confrontation between much of organized labor and political conservatives seems to be shaping up. “ Conservative coalitions are put ting substantial pressure on Con gress and the White House, accord ing to Ray Denison, AFL-CIO legislative director. He said that a conservative drive against the labor movement is showing signs of developing, but that he hopes moderate forces will prevail. “ There is no percentage to be gained if warfare in Congress pits the American labor movement against hard-nosed, right-wing zealots.” Denison said that the drive to pro tect worker rights will take place on two fronts — in Congress and state legislatures, and at the bargaining table. Labor's first move will be to gain congressional support for its legislative agenda. Denison said measures to put Americans back to work and to restore the vitality of the nation’s productive capacity will be the major thrust of organized labor in the 97th Congress. Secondly, and probably most im portant, wilt be labor’s considerable efforts to protect gains made in social programs and workers’ rights and safety; gains which Reagan’s budget-cutters are pointing a sharp knife towards. Donahue warned that American workers will be forced to press for greater gains at the bargaining table to make up for losses brought on by changes in economic or social gasoline would only Increase three- cents a gallon; already the cost has gone up nine-cents a gallon. This is an added financial burden that many unions will be looking to off set,” he said. Donahue said that Reagan's pro posed tax cuts will provide little relief for workers in terms of spend able income. “This will further in crease the gap between the wealthy and the American worker," he add ed. “ Similarly, proposals by Reagan’s Social Security advisory panel to in crease the age at which retirees can collect full benefits is simply a way of cutting benefits. In addition, this proposal will reduce the value of protection young people are now paying for. Such action will motivate unions to take steps to aid their members and retirees in union con tracts.” Donahue noted that the new president has tremendous latitude to alter programs through ad ministrative action (such as when he deregulated oil prices). He warned that any attempts to weaken occupational safety and health laws would be matched by efforts at the bargaining table to make certain that the health of union members is not endangered. “ Labor will also turn to the bargaining table to counteract Reagan’s proposed cuts in unem ploym ent insurance and any legislative or administrative moves that would weaken workers’ com pensation guarantees,” Donahue warned. “ In addition, unions will not stand stilt for any tinkering with the Consumer Price Index that might alter terms of collective bargaining agreements.” Continued on page 5 1 I I »
