Common Values

Followers of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Native Spirituality and all people of good will share common foundational values: do no harm, do not steal, love thy neighbor as thyself and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. These moral values give us common ground and remind us that it is within our means to create a society in which families of all types are honored; high-quality education and health care for all are supported, available and accessible; safe housing is affordable; workers are fairly and adequately compensated in wages and benefits; and the natural environment is protected.

Democracy is an experiment that allows people to come together to create and support political systems and social institutions that are responsive to our needs and consistent with our values. I define politics not as the “art of compromise,” or the “art of the possible,” but rather, for me, politics is the “art of creating the common good.” Creating the common good requires compromise, but compromise is not the goal. We have an immodest agenda that calls for more than “muddling through,” or “making do.” Our goal is to create a political process that is of the people, for the people and by the people. Our goal is to create a civic community in which mutual respect and environmental integrity are normative. Our goal is to create an economic system that keeps people out of poverty by sharing equitably the rewards of work and offers a safety net to help us through hard times. Our goal is to create democratic systems that invite our participation and value the contributions that each of us can make.

In this legislative season we have unique opportunities to work with our legislators and encourage them to support and enact legislation that will move us toward our goals, and to oppose legislation that hinders the realization of them. The AFL-CIO Wichita Hutchinson Labor Federation sent out an alert a few days ago urging us to contact our legislators to let them know we oppose SB 413 and SB 416. Having tried to track legislation myself, I know that it can be difficult because the numbers keep changing and it is sometimes not certain when a bill is going to come up for a vote. This is all the more reason to contact your representative directly. Our representatives have told us that phone calls are the best way to reach their office, but I know they also read emails and letters. Your representatives do want to hear from you.

Senate Bill 413 is another version of Secretary of Labor Karin Brownlee's attempt to change the composition of the panel that settles compensation and unemployment claims. Employers and labor are equally represented on the panel now. The Brownlee proposal gives employers 5 members of the 7 member nominating committee for work comp and UI judges. How is that fair?

Senate Bill 416 is now a combination of several anti-worker bills. It allows the Department of Labor to leave workers high and dry if their employer challenges unpaid wage claims in court. Under current law, the Department of Labor is there to defend unpaid wage claims under $10,000. But the proposed change would leave workers on their own. Workers would suffer the loss of wages and have to pay the legal expenses of trying to recover them. This proposed legislation is not only unfair to workers; it also puts ethical employers who do pay full wages at a disadvantage.

Senate Bill 416 also now contains a big change to unemployment benefits. It changes UI (unemployment insurance) law to treat earned wages (such as vacation time) as justification for delaying unemployment benefits. If you get a lump sum payout when you are laid off - regardless if that payout is for wages already earned - your unemployment benefits would be held back. The bill also lowers employer contributions to the UI Trust Fund at a time when the State is borrowing money (and paying interest on it) to pay benefits!

Leaders of faith communities are encouraged to talk with employees and employers in your congregation. Learn what your own faith tradition teaches about worker rights and workplace justice. Devote one or two adult education meetings to these conversations. Invite your representative, a member of the AFL-CIO and an employer to discuss workplace justice, contact Interfaith Worker Justice Kansas. We would be happy to help you find resources for your use.