{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/write-the-state-comptrollers-office-about-union-rule-changes?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-write-the-state-comptrollers-office-about-union-rule-changes' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Texas State Employees Union",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/texas-state-employees-union",
	"title": "Write the state comptroller&#x27;s office about union rule changes",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/share_options/facebook_images/000/273/558/original/tseu_letters.jpg",
	"description": "State employees rights to join a union are under attack. We have repeatedly defended the right of state employees to join their union at the Texas state legislature, and defeated laws that would make joining a union even more difficult. Since our opponents failed to pass laws that would weaken our union, they are now changing tactics, and seeking to make it more difficult for state employees to join their union through bureaucratic rule changes. We urge TSEU members and allies to write a letter to Rob Coleman, Director of the Fiscal Management Division and Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar stating your opposition to this undemocratic rule change that will make it more difficult for state employees to join their union. Some background information: Indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion earlier this year which stated that the supreme court case Janus v. AFSCME applies to public employees in right-to-work Texas, despite the fact that the supreme court&#x27;s ruling was meant to bring right-to-work laws to states that did not already have such laws on the books. The comptroller is following Ken Paxton&#x27;s misinterpretation of the law with these proposed rule changes. These rule changes would: Require a state employee to submit their union authorization form to their employer&#x27;s human resource or payroll officer (currently, state employees submit union authorization directly to TSEU) Require the following new language on all union authorization forms &quot;I understand that I cannot be compelled to be a member of a state employee organization or to pay dues to a state employee organization as a condition of employment with the state. I also understand that I may change or cancel this authorization at any time by providing written notice to my employer. I voluntarily authorize a monthly payroll deduction in the amount shown above from my salary or wages for membership fees to the state employee organization listed above and agree to comply with the comptroller&#x27;s rules concerning this deduction. Additionally, I agree that my name, social security number, personal contact information, and the amount of my payroll deduction for membership fees may be provided to the state employee organization listed above only for the purpose of informing the state employee organization about the payroll deduction.&quot; (Currently, no such language is required. We feel strongly that this language is designed to undermine our flawless record of data security.) Require a state agency to inform TSEU if a state employee cancels their union membership (Currently, members wishing to end their membership can do so through TSEU&#x27;s membership coordinator.) It is not a surprise to us that Texas&#x27; scandal-prone Attorney General is comfortable bending the law until it breaks, but we hope to avoid costly litigation with the state by pressuring them to drop this rule change before it goes into effect. Write your letter urging them to do so today!",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-the-state-comptrollers-office-about-union-rule-changes"
}