rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/hands-off-our-pensions-vote-no-on-sb-321?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-hands-off-our-pensions-vote-no-on-sb-321' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Texas State Employees Union https://actionnetwork.org/groups/texas-state-employees-union https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/share_options/facebook_images/000/298/918/original/pension_potential_temp_1.jpg The Texas State Employees Union stands opposed to Senate Bill 321 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston. Over the weekend, a new plan was revealed to convert ERS to a cash balance plan for all new state employees. It is similar to a 401(k) plan. This will result in a benefit cut for most, if not all, state employees. The plan was pushed through the Senate Finance Committee on Monday morning with very little time for Senators to see the plan. This bill, SB 321, may come up for a vote later this week in the Senate. They are trying to pass it very quickly, so we have to take action ASAP. "For years, the Texas Legislature has underfunded our Employee Retirement System and refused to raise the starting pay of dedicated state employees. These actions have led to record turnover and a pension system in need of repair. Many state employees are choosing to change careers instead of working for Texas. In 2019, Texas lawmakers approved $1.1 billion from the state budget to fix the teacher pension fund. This action was celebrated and seen as an overall success. State workers were promised that similar actions would be taken to shore up the ERS system in 2021. Instead, we are being offered an unacceptable cash balance plan that would automatically enroll new employees into a defined contribution plan similar to a common 401(k) retirement account. The State of Texas is already struggling to compete for a competent workforce. Stripping benefits and punishing frontline workers in this way doesn't help anyone--it doesn't even help the budget." - Judy Lugo, Texas State Employees Union President, CWA #6186 As SB 321 makes it's way through the Senate, we urge all lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 321! It’s bad for state employees, and bad for Texas! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hands-off-our-pensions-vote-no-on-sb-321