Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Fwd: Bob Stewart for ERS Board -- Vote today!


Subject: Bob Stewart for ERS Board -- Vote today!

Bob Stewart for ERS Board of Trustees
Vote today!
TSEU election campaign update

Ballots are out!
Don't let yours go to waste.

Use your paper ballot or vote on-line
Ballots have been mailed to every eligible voter to the address on file with ERS

Why it's so important

We need ERS Board members who will stand up for state employees. Since 2003, the Texas Legislature has approved numerous cuts and employee cost hikes in our
ERS pension and health plans. Now legislators are considering plans that include:

* slashing the state contribution to the pension plans
* converting our pensions to 401-k type "defined contribution" plans
* forcing ERS to convert our health plan to a high deductible plan
* making employees pay much more out of our paychecks for health coverage
* reducing health coverage for retirees

State employees need representatives on the ERS Board who will stand up to the
politicians, call for full funding of our pension and health care plans and who will oppose all
cuts.

When the ERS board voted in 2010 to increase employee-paid costs in our health plan,
the vote was 6 to 1. Only TSEU member Yolanda Griego voted against the cost increases. Bob
Stewart will stand with Yolanda to be a second vote on the Board who will oppose cuts.

Who can vote
All active state agency employees
All Texas legislators and legislative staff
All state judges and court staff
All ERS retirees

When do we vote?
March 4 – April 8

To use your paper ballot:
1. Be sure you write in the last four digits of your Social Security number in the spaces
2. Be sure you sign your ballot
3. Be sure you print your name
4. Be sure to mark the box to vote
5. Seal your ballot in the envelope that came with the ballot
6. Send in your ballot with other TSEU members where you work (See "Build voter turnout" below)              

You can also vote on-line:
1. Go to www.ers.state.tx.us
2. Click the VOTE NOW link at the top center of the home page
3. Type in your Employee (ERS) ID an click "SUBMIT"
4. When asked, type in the last four digits of your Social Security number
5.Follow the directions to vote

Caution: do note vote more than once.
IF YOU DO, ALL YOUR VOTES WILL BE VOID. If you vote on-line, don't use your paper ballot. If you use your paper ballot, don't vote on-line.

Work with your co-workers to win this election
Only about 12% of eligible voters voted in the 2009 election. This position is a crucial one and TSEU members are doing everything we can to increase understanding and participation.

 TSEU members in many locations are doing Get Out The Vote campaigns where they work. Members are setting up ballot boxes, organizing  ERS voting lunches, or making a chart of who has voted. Note that all ballots collected will be mailed through the U.S. Post Office, which is the only way ballots can be returned. TSEU members will also have "I Voted for Bob" stickers available for members and non-members who have voted.

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