Wisconsin Labor Fight Spreads to Ohio, Oklahoma and Indiana

[lostinblue 1,989]

Many unsettled Wisconsin teachers returned to work today after more than a week of protests against Republican Governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal to increase benefit costs for public-sector employees and put an end to unions’ collective bargaining rights.

With states like Wisconsin facing multi-billion dollar budget shortfalls, it is easy to see that something has got to give. It is even clear to public employees in Wisconsin who agreed to work with Gov. Walker in closing that state’s $3.6 billion budget gap by paying more for pension and healthcare benefits.

But, the labor fight in Wisconsin is far from over and it’s spreading to states like Ohio, Oklahoma and Indiana where protests protecting public -- and private -- sector employee unions have erupted. The labor disputes have become less about money, and more about the rights of employees to unionize.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's plan to eliminate the collective bargaining rights of public workers fueled protests in the Columbus statehouse yesterday and will likely do so again today. In Oklahoma, state workers are on the offensive as lawmakers there have made pension reform a top priority, but have made no formal proposals. And in Indiana, the labor fight is over bill in the state legislature that would end a law requiring private-sector workers to pay dues and belong to a union that bargains on their behalf.

In recent years there has been much debate over the salaries and benefits of public employees, but it looks like the real fight is just getting started.

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/wisconsin-labor-fight-spreads-to-ohio-oklahoma-and-indiana-yftt_535948.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Employee rights are a real hurdle in our race to the bottom. Why delay the inevitable?

[Pooky 3,825]

And the unions are happy to run there hand-in-hand with the politicians.

The USA is only 30 years behind the UK getting there.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And the unions are happy to run there hand-in-hand with the politicians.

You may not have noticed but broad prosperity flourished when workers unionized and, reversely, it is being dismantled as workers don't. You see, unions don't fuel the race to the bottom. They have historically done the exact opposite. But do continue to buy into the fallacy sold by those that want to see unions eliminated to be able to accelerate the race to the bottom.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

You may not have noticed but broad prosperity flourished when workers unionized and, reversely, it is being dismantled as workers don't. You see, unions don't fuel the race to the bottom. They have historically done the exact opposite. But do continue to buy into the fallacy sold by those that want to see unions eliminated to be able to accelerate the race to the bottom.

The problem with unions is they don't account for 'hard times' economically.

Even when a company is losing money, they still want more money.

If unions were more apt to adjust with the current scenario, then perhaps there would be a lot less disdain for them.

When profits are up though? Ask away.

[Zero Sum 305]

I thought there was a difference between public and private unions. Now the problem seems to be that collective bargaining in itself is the problem. Forget those budget problems right?

Besides, the private sector seems to be doing just great now, profits and CEO pay continues to go up and up. Its the lack of employment that seems to be an issue. And the GOP has had some time to draft job bills since taking office in the House.

Unionized workers asking for more pay? The nerve!

[Pooky 3,825]

You may not have noticed but broad prosperity flourished when workers unionized and, reversely, it is being dismantled as workers don't. You see, unions don't fuel the race to the bottom. They have historically done the exact opposite. But do continue to buy into the fallacy sold by those that want to see unions eliminated to be able to accelerate the race to the bottom.

Historically, maybe. Right now? The unions are more interested in politics. Their members have become almost a side issue.

If the unions got back to looking out for their members' interests, then I could see their continued relevance. They need to get back there before the last vestiges of their credibility remain.

As an ex-union member in the UK, I have experienced at first hand how little regard a union can have for its individual members. That came as a real kick in the teeth at a time when the union could and should have been supportive. A lot of people I knew got the same kind of treatment, so I know it wasn't just an isolated occurrence.

[james&olya 1,121]

The problem with unions is they don't account for 'hard times' economically.

Even when a company is losing money, they still want more money.

If unions were more apt to adjust with the current scenario, then perhaps there would be a lot less disdain for them.

When profits are up though? Ask away.

You really don't pay attention well! The Wisconsin teachers ARE willing to meet the demands from the governor for wage and benefit concessions! But don't let actual facts get in the way of your tightly held preconceived but wrong ideas!

Historically, maybe. Right now? The unions are more interested in politics. Their members have become almost a side issue.

If the unions got back to looking out for their members' interests, then I could see their continued relevance. They need to get back there before the last vestiges of their credibility remain.

As an ex-union member in the UK, I have experienced at first hand how little regard a union can have for its individual members. That came as a real kick in the teeth at a time when the union could and should have been supportive. A lot of people I knew got the same kind of treatment, so I know it wasn't just an isolated occurrence.

So all those people in Wisconsin braving the cold weather are just union officials? I think you are wrong on this one!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

So all those people in Wisconsin braving the cold weather are just union officials? I think you are wrong on this one!

you're right. They are mentally ill. Aka: Liberal. Aka: Cheap money-grubing thieves who cry "where's my free cheese" every moment they can get.

[Zero Sum 305]

Yay, more substantive comments.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Yay, more substantive comments.

how about you go stand in your bread and cheese line and be happy?

[Zero Sum 305]

Yay. After you go to your corner.

[Danno 1,228]

You may not have noticed but broad prosperity flourished when workers unionized and, reversely, it is being dismantled as workers don't. You see, unions don't fuel the race to the bottom. They have historically done the exact opposite. But do continue to buy into the fallacy sold by those that want to see unions eliminated to be able to accelerate the race to the bottom.

-Unions played a part in driving all those Union job up north, first down south..and then overseas.

It would be sweet if we could control the whole world but since we can't we are a slave to market forces.

Fact is, all those "union heavy" urban areas have not only lost jobs, they have been bleeding people as well, the only Northern city to not loose population is NYC. It';s not that people are not leaving but immigration has offset it.

- The last and fattest cow left to milk "is" the Govt. after all, we know they are not moving to China ... and what are the odds they can go belly-up?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The problem with unions is they don't account for 'hard times' economically.

Bullshite! Remember the airlines? Unions gave concession after concession when the airlines fell on hard times while the fcukcing executives fattened their compensation and retirement packages. Already forgotten who looked out for the airline companies and who didn't? It hasn't been that long.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Bullshite! Remember the airlines? Unions gave concession after concession when the airlines fell on hard times while the fcukcing executives fattened their compensation and retirement packages. Already forgotten who looked out for the airline companies and who didn't? It hasn't been that long.

That's the fault of the Unions there again.

Had they been satisfied with a longer term contract before, they wouldn't have to re-negotiate. The mechanics could have been happy with their $38/hr. Instead a lot would rather the laid off and be replaced by someone who will work for $25/hr.

Either way though, Executives do much more for these companies than dispensable workers. Sorry to break that to you. Now whether the things they do is helpful or harmful to the company is dependent on who it is.