AFT Online Survey

KAPE Federation Survey: Workplace Issues for Public Employees in Kansas

KAPE is a federation of 13 local unions which represent public employees across the state of Kansas. KAPE members include office employees, nurses, teachers, law enforcement, university maintenance, social workers and many other kinds of employees, all bound together by our commitment to public service. Please take a few minutes to respond to the questions in this survey so that KAPE leadership will hear about your concerns in the workplace. Your responses will be kept confidential.

Your job

Generally speaking, how satisfied are you with conditions currently facing public employees in Kansas?

Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Neutral
Somewhat unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied

Looking back over the past five years, how have conditions at your own workplace changed?

Changed mainly for better
Changed mainly for worse
Not changed much
Not sure

If you were offered a job in the private sector similar to your current position, with equal compensation and benefits, would you take it?

Yes, I would move to the private sector
No, I would remain in the public sector
Not sure

If your choice is to remain in the public sector job, tell us why. Choose all statements that are true for you.

Public sector benefits are more reliable in the long run.
I enjoy serving my fellow citizens and the public.
I have a union contract and I appreciate the security of belonging to a union.
I am close to retirement.
Other.

In which one or two of the following areas would you most like to see improvements in your job?

Salaries and wages
Opportunities for advancement
Retirement benefits
Job security
Health benefits
Health and safety
Professional development
Not sure

How satisfied are you with each of the following at work?

Safety of workplaces and equipment

Job security and protection from layoff

Health insurance benefits and costs

Flexible schedules and other policies that help employees balance work and family responsibilities

Being treated with dignity and respect

Pension and retirement benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Wages and salaries

Having a say in policy decisions that affect your job

Opportunities for advancement or promotion

What else is needed to improve conditions where you work?

How would you rate the quality of service provided to the public by your department or agency?

excellent good fair poor

What kinds of changes could be made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your agency? (check all that apply)

Hire more qualified personnel
More technology, better resources
Better management, more training for management
Better communication
More technical support
None of the above
Other

Which of the following changes would improve your agency or department? (check all that apply)

Giving employees more influence over decision-making
Improving training of employees
Providing better equipment and improving technology
Increasing staffing levels
Increasing funding
Eliminating wasteful spending
Other

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The public generally has the proper level of respect and appreciation for my work and the work of public employees."

strongly agree
agree somewhat
disagree somewhat
strongly disagree

About your union

Now that KAPE is reorganized as a state federation, what priorities should the new KAPE have? Please select three.

Advocate for fairness in the workplace.
Work to elect public officials who listen to public employees and will work with their unions.
Help to build a visible union structure in every workplace.
File grievances.
Publicize our $1 million occupational liability insurance.
Challenge abusive managers and practices.
Focus on wages and benefits in contract bargaining.

Union communications work best for you through: (check all that apply)

Newsletter
Email
Conversation at work
Informational events
Phone calls
Bulletin board at work
U.S. mail
Social events
A visit at my home

What can you do to grow your local union and the new KAPE federation? Please check all that apply.

Call a fellow union member about a meeting or issue.
Ask a potential union member to fill out a survey.
Send completed surveys to KAPE office.
Wear a union button.
Attend a social event.
Put a KAPE bumper sticker on my car.
Attend an informational event.

Other ways you can help, or other thoughts about your union.

About you

Job title/classification

How many years have you worked for your current employer?

less than one year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16-20 years
over 20 years

Age

under 21
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41-45
46-50
51-55
56-60
over 60

Do you have Internet access?

yes no

If so, is it through

home
work
both

Thank you for completing this survey. We will respect and protect the privacy of every survey, but will release the overall results without identifying individual responses. If you wish to receive the survey results, please provide your U.S. mail or email address below.

Name

Street address

City

State

Zip

Personal email