News

Recent

News

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.

Call the Comptroller! Stop the Contract! #TNisNOTforSale

News

Top 10 Worst Things About This Outsourcing

#TNisNOTforSale
tnisnotforsale@gmail.com
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.

Top 10 Worst Things About This Outsourcing

News

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 melanie@ucw-cwa.org or call 877-292-3865.

Sincerely,

Diana Moyer
President
UCW-CWA Local 3865

2016 Labor & Change Teach-In & UCW Convention

News

2016 United Campus Workers Legislative Priorities, 109th General Assembly

TypeH Bill NumberSponsorH StatusS Bill NumberSponsorS StatusSummaryLast Day Checked
Diversity2066DanielEducation Administration & Planning Subcommittee1902NicelySen Ed CommUniversity 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
Diversity2063DanielEducation Administration & Planning Subcommittee2235HensleySen Ed CommEducation, 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
Tuition2069DanielEducation Administration & Planning Subcommittee2306GreshamSenate Education Committee; On calendar for 2/10/2016Education, 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
Governance2573McCormickEducation Administration & Planning Subcommittee2564NorrisSenate Education CommitteeEducation, Higher - As introduced, enacts the "Higher Education Authorization Act." - Amends TCA Title 49.4-Feb
Governance2578McCormickEducation Administration & Planning Subcommittee2569NorrisSenate Govt Operations CommitteeFOCUS 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 Comp997DurhamConsumer and Human Resources Subcommittee; On calendar for 2/10/2016721GreenAssigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee 10/26/2015Workers Compensation - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Employee Injury Benefit Alternative." - Amends TCA Title 50 and Title 56.4-Feb
Vouchers1049DunnH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 2/8/2016999GardenhirePassed SenateSchool Vouchers - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Choice & Opportunity Scholarship Act." - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1.4-Feb
Governance2559JenkinsAssigned to s/c Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee2516GreshamPassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeUniversity 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. 
Antiworker2348CalfeeConsumer and Human Resources Subcommittee2338McNallySenate Commerce and Labor CommitteeEmployees, 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 Immigrant1637JohnsonState Government Subcommitte1486GreenSenate Commerce and Labor Committee. On calendar for 2/9/2016Immigration - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Workers Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 12 and Title 50.4-Feb
Picketing1838DurhamConsumer and Human Resources Subcommittee1691BellSenate Commerce and Labor CommitteeEmployees, 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
Preemption1632CasadaLocal Government Subcommittee1636HaileSenate State and Local Government CommitteeReal 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
Preemption1674Marsh Business and Utilities Committee. On calendar for 2/10/20161621JohnsonSenate Regular Calendar calendar for 2/8/2016Public 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
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

 

2016 United Campus Workers Legislative Priorities, 109th General Assembly

News

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

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

News

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

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