Governor Haslam cuts promised pay raises, higher education funding

Hundreds of campus workers, students, and allies rallied on Nashville on March 11 as part of our Lobby Day. 

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Sadly, this is not an April fool’s message...

Yesterday afternoon Gov. Haslam axed your raise, and slashed much needed funds for higher education.

“Despite assurances that higher education would be fully funded, that real resources would couple the ‘Drive to 55’ rhetoric, and that Tennessee would lead the country in improving salaries for educators, once again our governor has failed to make good on his promises,” said Tom Anderson, UCW-CWA President and UT Knoxville Facilities Services employee. “It’s the saddest of ironies that his budget amendment comes the same day we learn that he and his staff used a $300 million slush fund to bully Volkswagen workers rights.”

In response, we're calling on members and supporters to step up our game: sending emails, making phone calls, and speaking with friends, coworkers, and community neighbors about what is happening and how we can change it.

Nationally the economy is growing, but in Tennessee the vision pushed by Gov. Haslam, the majority in the General Assembly and their elite allies has failed working people. Our state is facing another budget shortfall, but this time it is not because of a national financial crisis. Instead, it’s because of the Haslam’s scheme of massive giveaways of public money through business incentives and tax-breaks, and creating a low-wage economy; attacks on our public education system from K-12 to higher education; and attacks on our democratic rights to vote, organize, and have a voice. 

It’s time to fight for a vision for what our state should be, a vision of Tennessee that puts the people first! Our vision is one where there are good jobs that pay us decent wages, provide benefits and health care; where we and our kids have access to free, quality, equal public schools that are directed by educators, not corporate lobbyists; a vision where all of us can participate.