Voices Question

Yes I do. Public employees are both taxpayers and consumers. We generally have more direct knowledge of public works: more than elected officials and more than taxpayers who are not public employees. In short, our opinions or insights can be more informed because this is our work.

If we do nothing, the corporations win and we will lose everything that workers throughout history have fought hard for, and America will lose services that people take for granted and depend on. So young and old need to fight back for the America we all want and what the rest of the world's workers deserve.

ABSOLUTELY! As citizens and taxpayers we have an interest in ensuring that critical services are provided to meet the ever-changing needs of the public. Decision-makers also need to hear from public employees - the very same people who provide those services - about the most cost-effective and efficient ways to deliver those services. Public employee unions and their members play a vital leadership role, working with our partners in progressive coalitions, to ensure that the voice of the working class and lower-income, vulnerable groups is heard as a counterbalance to corporations and the wealthy.

Yes, I do. Public employees know best where the money should go and why. Without that knowledge elected officials could inadvertently be swayed by others (called lobbyists) and make mistakes. I feel it is part of the responsibility, to taxpayers and their own reason for pubic service, of each employee to speak up and share their expertise.

It is essential that public employees contact their elected representatives to tell them that the public services are very necessary to their state's economy. Providing a list of public services provided may help public employees write to their legislators about more than things that readily come to mind. In NYS the Department of Agriculture and Markets inspects food in supermarkets. A safe food supply is essential to to the citizens of NYS and it also benefits all of the businesses because workers sick from bad food lose time from work. The state road system is also relied upon by businesses and citizens for work, shopping & daily living.

Yes. I always encourage people to meet with their elected officials on issues that are of concern to them. Their goal is to meet the needs of their constituents.

Public employess have a responsibility to contact elected officials regarding funding for public policies. In fact, it should be our duty. I wish that our union was more active in rallying members to influence and shape public policy--and the funding of necessary services.

Of course. When in the hiring process did public employees give up their rights as citizens?

Yes. We need to tell our side as others do.

We need to contact our officals because we need the funding.

I strongly believe that it is very important for public employees to contact their elected officials. If we do not let them know how hard it is to provide good services with limited budgets, they will not do anything to protect our funding. Officials elected forget about people's needs, and they need to be aware that voters are paying attention to what they are doing.

Absolutely! Public employees know best how and why our tax dollars are spent. We have been on the front lines and see first-hand....

We are citizens as well as current or retired public employees. We have a right and an obligation to express ourselves on all public issues.

Yes, but public employees or not, every person should be involved in what's important in their hometown and nation.

These elected officials represent us. Their decisions should represent where we believe our money and our interest should go. A good portion of the time, their votes will impact our future, and our family's future.

Yes, I believe they have that fundamental right to contact our elected officials on matters pertaining to federal, state, and local issues regarding funding for schools and governmental agencies. They must comply with our demands in our culture to include in academic studies, to our funding since we pay our taxes,I would fight so that our voices can be heard. If there is no voice from our contituents than everything is all right, and it would jepordize our funding towards pubic service.

Yes. There are people in this state that need additional assistance and without that assistance their lives change drastically. It also gives public employees that work in those areas a little more job security. The first thing the Governor wants to do is lay off employees when funds are cut from those services.

Yes. To improve on our labor contract by increasing pay and benefits, especially in areas that the workers have an employment interest and to do a good job to preclude contracting out to over paid consulting firms.

It's vitally important to raise this concern with an elected official. How else will they know that there is a problem that needs addressing. Elected officials are not all knowing. It's up to the individual to share the concern and give voice to the matter.

Public employees need to remind their representatives of the important work that they do and that they expect their representative to ensure that valued public services continue to be provided.

We need to be proactive and send a clear message that election time is here, the leaders need to listen.

It's a means to influence things for the better.

I believe we should contact officials. I was nervous the first time I did by phone. But it was pretty simple. We can just follow the e-mail suggestions to call, e-mail, or write letters to officials. If we don't speak up for ourselves, who will?? I think it is important for us to fight for our rights because we are not treated as well as we should be. I am tired of being second to faculty!

No brainer.

Yes. I believe that employees who work in the public sector should contact their elected officials to tell them that they should vote for funding for public services. I always thought that is a part of government, to approve funding for services to the public. Too much of the time, these same elected officials are supporting legislation that benefits the rich and does nothing for the middle and lower classes of our population.