Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
There’s been a lot going on in Wisconsin in the past week. I hope most Americans are aware of the reason why so many Wisconsinites have converged on the state capital to hold demonstrations.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a Republican, claims that the state is in financial trouble. He’s asking teachers, plow drivers, janitors, nurses, garbage collectors, and other public sector workers to contribute more to their pensions and to pay a larger amount of their health premiums. It appears many of those workers are willing to negotiate with the governor and to consider having more money taken out of their paychecks for their pensions and health insurance. What those employees are not willing to do is relinquish their right to collective bargaining.
I can understand why Governor Walker is asking public employees to have more deductions taken from their paychecks during these fiscally difficult times. What I question is his budget-repair bill that would strip public employees of their right to collective bargaining. If the governor believes that taking away that right will help with the state budget shortfall, why isn’t he demanding that police, firefighters, and state troopers give up their right to collective bargaining too? Could it be political payback? Does that sound like a possibility to you?
Here is an excerpt from an article that Todd Richmond wrote for Bloomberg:
Walker has introduced a bill that would strip public employees across the board — from teachers to snowplow drivers — of their right to collectively bargain for sick leave, vacation, even the hours they work. But absolutely nothing would change for local police, fire departments and the State Patrol.
The bill smacks of political favoritism for public safety unions that supported Walker’s election bid last year and sets up new haves and have-nots in Wisconsin government, said Paul Secunda, a Marquette University professor who specializes in labor law.
“That’s called ‘thank you, I got your back,'” Secunda said. “There’s no surprise there. This is the worst type of favoritism there could be.”
Well, Wisconsin firefighters are showing their solidarity with their fellow public employees. There’s a post at Mother Jones about an interview that Uptake’s Oliver Dykstra had with Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin. (Mother Jones also posted a video of the interview.)
Here are some of the highlights of that interview—which I’ve taken from Mother Jones:
- “The reason that we are here is because it’s important that labor sticks together. There was a message from the governor’s office to conquer and divide…collective bargaining is not just for us, police and fire, it’s good for all involved. It’s a middle-class upbringing.”
- “When firefighters see an emergency, one thing we do is respond. And we see an emergency in the house of labor, so that’s why we’re here.”
- “Every day, if you notice, we lead the AFSCME employees, the SEIU employees, all the public sector employees into the building, because we are here to fight with them.”
- “Collective bargaining is not about union rights; it’s about rights of workers…We ask Gov. Walker to come back and negotiate with the people, negotiatie with the state workers’ unions, and get things worked out, as opposed to just putting out this bill and we don’t hear from him again.”
- “Us as firefighters, we have been exempted from this bill…There’s a 5.8 percent pay into the pension, there’s a 12.4 percent pay into the health care premium benefits…For the betterment of the government, for the betterment of the state, we don’t mind helping to pay for that. We don’t want to price ourselves out of a job. Ever. What we want to do is have a fair and equitable treatment among our members.”
I have great respect for the Wisconsin firefighters who are supporting their fellow public employees—even though they have nothing to gain politically or financially by doing so.
“We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Sources
rafflaw,
“The only beef I have with her is taking “impeachment” off the table.”
I think that was the only beef many had with Pelosi. I know I had huge issues with it.
Well I guess we have to depend on the cliche”what comes around goes around”
The American worker, we all seem to be on our own now.
“Walker warns either pass my bill or I will stop medicaid payments to nursing homes.”A child in mans clothing.
Swarthmore Mom,
I agree with you on Pelosi. She got a record number of bills passed in the House only to languish in the Senate. The only beef I have with her is taking “impeachment” off the table.
Pelosi was actually a pretty good fighter, and I don’t think she got credit for that except among the republicans who vilified her. Maybe Wisconsin will be “ground zero”, and things will change.
” Building high speed modern rail and modern light rail in metro areas that do not have it would be a two-fold economic boon to this country. It would create jobs including many permanent ones and substantially reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
It is always subsidized and ends up costing the tax payer money, that is why the Florida governor turned it down.
Sport Stadiums as well. can you spell Boondoggle?
If you want high speed rail go find some investors to fund it. That will create jobs and wont cost the tax payer any money other than when they ride it.
Economic illiteracy is at all time highs in the democratic and republican parties.
Where is Jean Baptiste when you need him?
Mike S,
“Had the Democrats not capitulated the Republicans would have been put in a “no-win” situation with the electorate. To further block unemployment would have exposed the party for what they are and caused national disgust, since almost all of us have either utilized unemployment, or known someone who has.
By the same token blocking payments to nursing home over this bill would be a course that is untenable to justify. If I was in a position to make the Democratic strategy I would have responded to them to be my guest and followed it up with news releases and interviews explaining what just happened. They would have folded on the threat and at the same time exposed themselves as the unsympathetic bastards they are.”
—————————–
I fully agree. The GOP gets away with it because they know when it comes to playing chicken, the Democrats will always pull off to the side.
All the GOP has to do is threaten, and the Dems just cave. They could at least put up the pretense of a fight … they can’t even do that.
I have found Tony C.
Elaine M,
“A Poll conducted by Dick Morris????? Morris is a commentator for FOX!”
LMAO!!
First of all, Dick Morris is a pile of humnan excrement. Secondly, for any journal or publication that takes any poll by Morris seriously should be ashamed of themselves. It is one of the Right’s favorite plays in their playbook. This is a guy who hired hookers so that he could suck on their toes! Why should we listen to him? US News and World Report has finally confirmed that they are a rag.
I have to agree with Mike S. that the Dems need to play “chicken” with the Republicans because to give in shows the voters that you are weak and you will never get the tough issues solved when the other side knows you will cave.
Mike S. & Swarthmore mom,
I’m with Mike on this one. I’ll put it another way: Fish or cut bait! Show the Republicans for who they really are. Someone has to stand up to the schoolyard bully–and a schoolyard bully is exactly what Governor Gumby of Wisconsin is!!!
When are the Democrats going to show some real resolve on an issue as important as fighting politicians and corporate leaders who are trying to bust unions??? I haven’t heard many Democrats speaking out loudly on behalf of the Wisconsin demonstrators.
BTW, where is President–I’ll stand with you–Obama? I’ve heard he’s not planning a trip to Wisconsin to show his support for the union workers. Shame on him!!! Yet he invites the likes of Jamie Dimon and Lloyd Blankfein to a state dinner. Color me disgusted!!!
Mike S Remember time was running out and this new crew was going to take over in January. It might have been the best deal they could get.
“Mike S. I think I would have to agree with Kucinich who voted for the tax cut in order to keep the unemployment benefits coming.”
SM,
We’ll agree to disagree. I understand the hardship that would be caused by the delay of UIB. however, the bully’s tactic is to make empty threats and seem powerful when reasonable people back down. In my mind there was no way in hell that they would have carried through on the threat and this has been the secret of success. Remember Nixon, who wanted to spread the impressions to the USSR that he was crazy and would nuke them. He wasn’t anywhere near that crazy.
Mike S. I think I would have to agree with Kucinich who voted for the tax cut in order to keep the unemployment benefits coming. I have collected unemployment benefits. The next event we will be dealing with is whether or not not the democrats compromise on the budget or let Boehner shut the government down.
“Walker warns either pass my bill or I will stop medicaid payments to nursing homes.”
SM,
There comes a point in many negotiations with irrational (evil?)
people that one must either defecate or vacate the toilet. What this crudity means to me is that there is a “dare” being put forth and it either must be answered with an invitation to proceed, or a capitulation to irrationality. A perfect example of this is the Democrats capitulation to Republican threats to block further unemployment payments, if the continuance of the Bush Tax Cut for The Rich was discontinued.
Had the Democrats not capitulated the Republicans would have been put in a “no-win” situation with the electorate. To further block unemployment would have exposed the party for what they are and caused national disgust, since almost all of us have either utilized unemployment, or known someone who has.
By the same token blocking payments to nursing home over this bill would be a course that is untenable to justify. If I was in a position to make the Democratic strategy I would have responded to them to be my guest and followed it up with news releases and interviews explaining what just happened. They would have folded on the threat and at the same time exposed themselves as the unsympathetic bastards they are.
Swarthmore mom,
Thanks for that link. I read the article. Walker (Governor Gumby) will stop at nothing!
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/health_med_fit/vital_signs/article_53e1409c-4076-11e0-8491-001cc4c03286.html Walker warns either pass my bill or I will stop medicaid payments to nursing homes.
eniobob,
It’s funny that some of the best journalists working today write for Rolling Stone magazine. Go figure.
P.S. I’m a big fan of Matt Taibbi.
Mrs M.:
“A Poll conducted by Dick Morris????? Morris is a commentator for FOX!
Note: The poll was conducted by telephone among 409 likely Wisconsin voters and has an error margin of 4 percent.”
From the thread about Ailes:
“Funny you mention Fox,channel surfing last night Hannity and his guest were mocking the coverage that the stations were giving to Wisconsin and what is going on in the Middle East and how they were comparing the people wanting to be free in their choices.Here it was the union busting tactics in Wisconsin.
And out of the blue he said with that SEG that he has”the coverage is so one sided” WHAT???????”
Like you said Dick Morris, LOL!!!
GET THIS:
From US News & World Report (2/25/2011)
Poll: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Winning Labor, Budget Fight
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2011/02/25/poll-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-winning-labor-budget-fight
A poll of Wisconsin voters released Thursday finds more of them support Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed reforms than oppose them.
The poll, conducted by former Bill Clinton political consultant Dick Morris, finds Walker’s reforms–as a package–are backed by 51 percent of the more than 400 likely voters surveyed while 47 percent indicated they were opposed.
**********
A Poll conducted by Dick Morris????? Morris is a commentator for FOX!
Note: The poll was conducted by telephone among 409 likely Wisconsin voters and has an error margin of 4 percent.
TPMDC (2/25/2011)
WI Assembly GOP Passes Walker Budget In Surprise Vote — Dems Chant “Shame!”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/wi-assembly-gop-passes-walker-budget-in-surprise-vote—-dems-chant-shame.php?ref=fpa
MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin State Assembly has just passed Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, including its controversial provisions to eliminate almost all collective bargaining rights for public employee unions as well as many other provisions to weaken union organizing.
After much buildup in the 61-hour debate — of Republicans wanting things to be over, and Democrats railing against Republicans who they said would cut off debate — at about 1 AM Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Kramer (R) announced that he would hear a voice vote for a roll call on final passage. Immediately, the majority Republicans shouted their ayes, and the Democrats were booing, as they tried to be recognized to demand a separate motion to cut off debate.
Then Kramer called the vote. Within seconds, the digital vote system on the wall announced 51 ayes and 17 nays, and voting was suddenly closed. With a total of 96 members, that got to a majority for the bill but left 28 members who hadn’t had a chance yet to vote.
At that point, the Democrats got up, chanting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and similar exclamations, as the Republicans filed out of the room.
There were many Democrats I spoke to and overheard in the chamber, who said they didn’t get a chance to vote, or that they were pushing the “No” button at their desks as hard as they could — keep in mind that a majority of their 38-member caucus was recorded as casting no votes at all. (Interesting to note there were also four Republicans who voted no — after having joined every party-line vote against Democratic amendments. Some Dems speculated that the GOP leadership had allowed some Assembly Republicans in marginal districts to skip the vote or vote ‘no’ on the final tally.)
Some of the Democrats I spoke to, such as state Rep. Kelda Roys, maintained that the vote was illegal. Let’s see whether they pursue such avenues in court.
Soon after the vote, as local CBS affiliate reporter Jessica Arp showed me in a video replay in the press room, an unidentified Democratic legislator could be seen throwing his papers and a beverage of some kind into the air in the heat of passion, as the booing broke out after final passage.
Afterwards, the Dems filed out into the rotunda, to cheers of “Thank you! Thank you!” from the protesters who have filled the halls of the Capitol for over a week. An interesting question has been whether the day and night Capitol building protests would end after this vote. But as I write this in the Capitol’s press room, it’s up in the air to me whether the protesters will even clear out at all. I can still hear them chanting and singing songs out in the halls — including at least one round of “Hell no, we won’t go!”
Keep in mind that this is not the end of the issue — far from it. The 14 state Senate Democrats remain in exile in Illinois, preventing the state Senate from having the three-fifths quorum required to take a vote on the budget. For now, Wisconsin has become ground zero in an unexpected but pitched battle over the political future of the labor movement and the question of whether the Tea Party-fueled GOP resurgence of 2010 will trigger a backlash all its own.