DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Anti-Union Bill Set to Pass In Wisconsin; Massive Protests Move Into Day 3

**Kiliunjubl** · 02-17-2011, 11:42 AM

Wisconsin Senate to Vote on Anti-Union Bill - ABC News

Footage of the Wisconsin protests;

YouTube - Massive crowd protests at State Capitol on Wednesday

YouTube - MSNBC: 30,000 In Madison Protest Gov. Walker's Union Busting (Feb 16, 2011)

The most significant budget cut fight among budget cut fights in America today is playing out in Wisconsin, where a bill before the senate meant to cut costs has brought the state capitol to a stand-still because of an amendment in the bill that takes away the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

In the budget cuts, state workers are being asked to pay higher health care costs while being required to pay more for their pensions. Those are cost-cutting measures worthy of a discussion between employees and those managing them, but it's brand new Governor would prefer to not have to even deal with them. Ever.

Protesters numbered between 12 to 15,000 on Tuesday; those numbers swelled to upwards of 30,000 yesterday; meanwhile, schools in Madison, the state's capitol, will be closed today because of the massive union walkout. Yesterday, protesters stormed the capitol and held a rally inside. The numbers are expected to swell some more today as the state senate is about ready to vote on the legislation.

Budget cuts are one thing; taking away the negotiating rights of employees is another.

From the first article -
Unions still could represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above those pegged to the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. So state employees can no longer use union tactics to get inflated wages? And they no longer have to pay union dues if they don't want to be in the union? Sounds like a win win to me. The only union government employees should be accountable to are the tax payers.

02-17-2011, 11:42 AM	#2
Kiliunjubl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 481 Senior Member	Wisconsin Senate to Vote on Anti-Union Bill - ABC News Footage of the Wisconsin protests; YouTube - Massive crowd protests at State Capitol on Wednesday YouTube - MSNBC: 30,000 In Madison Protest Gov. Walker's Union Busting (Feb 16, 2011) The most significant budget cut fight among budget cut fights in America today is playing out in Wisconsin, where a bill before the senate meant to cut costs has brought the state capitol to a stand-still because of an amendment in the bill that takes away the collective bargaining rights of public employees. In the budget cuts, state workers are being asked to pay higher health care costs while being required to pay more for their pensions. Those are cost-cutting measures worthy of a discussion between employees and those managing them, but it's brand new Governor would prefer to not have to even deal with them. Ever. Protesters numbered between 12 to 15,000 on Tuesday; those numbers swelled to upwards of 30,000 yesterday; meanwhile, schools in Madison, the state's capitol, will be closed today because of the massive union walkout. Yesterday, protesters stormed the capitol and held a rally inside. The numbers are expected to swell some more today as the state senate is about ready to vote on the legislation. Budget cuts are one thing; taking away the negotiating rights of employees is another. From the first article - Unions still could represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above those pegged to the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. So state employees can no longer use union tactics to get inflated wages? And they no longer have to pay union dues if they don't want to be in the union? Sounds like a win win to me. The only union government employees should be accountable to are the tax payers.
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