Message for SEA members to send: As a Springfield educator and a member of the Springfield Education Association, I urge you to oppose any effort by the governor and Secretary of Administration and Finance Eric Kriss to expand the power of the Finance Control Board or curtail the collective bargaining rights of Springfield’s unions. These unions represent public employees who are a vital part of the solution to Springfield’s problems and a key component of the city’s return to stability. I also urge you to provide Springfield with the financial support it needs to emerge from its current crisis with excellent public schools and municipal services to ensure a brighter future for all of our city’s people. Message for general public to send: I urge you oppose any effort by the governor and Secretary of Administration and Finance Eric Kriss to expand the power of the Finance Control Board or curtail the collective bargaining rights of Springfield’s unions. These unions represent public employees who are a vital part of the solution to Springfield’s problems and a key component of the city’s return to stability. I also urge you to provide Springfield with the financial support it needs to emerge from its current crisis with excellent public schools and municipal services to ensure a brighter future for all of our city’s people.

WE HAVE TO STOP ROMNEY FROM STRIPPING AWAY ALL OF OUR RIGHTS -- AS SEA MEMBERS AND CITIZENS OF SPRINGFIELD In the June 10 edition of the Republican, Eric Kriss, Gov. Romney’s Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, is reported as threatening that, if the Finance Control Board is not given even more power, the FCB will be dissolved and the $52 million in no-interest loans will be withdrawn.  Among the changes he is demanding, is the power to appoint a single arbitrator to decide all city labor contracts, including – of course -- the SEA contract.  Like petulant children, Romney, Kriss and the FCB either get their way on everything or they threaten "dire consequences." We need to tell our area legislators to stand up to these bullies and to take the lead in stopping any efforts by Romney, Kriss and the FCB to expand the powers of the Control Board and to undermine the collective bargaining rights of the SEA and other city employees. Please call our legislators immediately.  In addition, send an e-mail demanding action against the governor.   Talking Points: Romney’s labor proposal goes beyond bad-faith bargaining and is an assault on the collective bargaining process itself.   It is the crudest form of union-busting and is an attack on the rights of thousands of city workers. It is certain to accelerate the already devastating exodus of teachers and other valued employees from the Springfield Public Schools. Romney’s proposal also comes at a time when the city’s unions and management are engaged in mediation efforts and other potentially promising activities.   Ask them to: Actively lead in getting the legislature to defeat any proposals from the governor expanding the power of the FCB and undermining our collective bargaining rights. Work to get the Control Board under control, so that we can settle our contract and start the process of re-building Springfield’s schools. Contact every legislator that you can, but make sure you contact Sen. Buoniconti and Reps. Petrolati and Swan. Senator Stephen Buoniconti – 413-733-9991, 617-722-1660 – Stephen.Buoniconti@state.ma.us Senator Brian Lees – 413 543-2167, 617-722-1291 – blees@state.ma.us Rep. Cheryl Rivera – 617-722-2080, 617-722-2230 – Cheryl.Rivera@hou.state.ma.us Rep. Mary Rogeness – 413-567-1661, 617-722-2100 – Rep.MaryRogeness@hou.state.ma.us Rep. Benjamin Swan – 413-739-8547, 617-722-2017 – Rep.BenjaminSwan@hou.state.ma.us Rep. Gale Candaras – 413-599-4785, 617-722-2520 – Rep.GaleCandaras@hou.state.ma.us Rep. Thomas Petrolati – 413-589-7302, 617-722-2255 – Rep.ThomasPetrolati@hou.state.ma.us Rep. James Welch – 413-737-7756, 617-722-2060 – James.Welch@MassMail.state.ma.us Rep. Sean Curran – 413-885-4485, 617-722-2425 – Rep.SeanCurran@hou.state.ma.us