Scott Walker, Wisconsin, and Unions
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What Walkers Budget has to do with Unions
Individuals like Megan Sampson would probably be teaching right now, if it hadn't been for collective bargaining. Ms. Sampson was laid off because the teachers union bases it's layoffs on seniority instead of merit. What is so special about Ms. Sampson? She was voted teacher of the year and ten days later let go. Now while teachers protest at the Capital in Wisconsin, Ms. Sampson sits at home wishing she could at least do what she always wanted too, teach.
This and other examples are why Governor Walker wanted what those on the left are labeling the Anti-Union Bill passed. On the Governor's website there is a litany of travesties committed by the Unions in Wisconsin at the detriment of the taxpayers. Taxpayers voted in Governor Walker, and all he wants to do is what is right. Bring his state budget under control and do so without punishing those who voted him into office. His budget proposal would cut back on collective bargaining, would take away some of the power from the Unions and hand it back to the people.
Why are people so outraged about this? Partly it is due to false reporting from media outlets like MSNBC that present this bill as an attack on the common people. When MSNBC, CBS, or ABC reports on this story they don't give the full picture. Below are just a few of the examples that Governor Walker presented when determining that the collective bargaining power of the Unions was what was crippling his state.
The Not so Violent Protests
Meanwhile reports are coming in of broken windows at the State Capitol as Protesters who clearly have no understanding of this bill await anxiously the return of the 14 cowards, um 14 Democrats.
What Collective Bargaining will get you in Wisconsin; or the top ten things wrong with Unions in Wisconsin
- An 86-year-old retired gentleman who used to volunteer as a crossing guard was told that he could no longer do so. Why? Because representatives of the local school union for Wausau county filed a grievance prohibiting volunteers from serving. The unions simple off camera statement to local news, "if a crossing guard is needed, then one should be officially hired by the city."
- Some emergency workers are required to carry a pager on them at all times. This is necessary so that when they are off duty they can still be reached. State employees, thanks to collective bargaining get paid an extra five hours of pay each week, regardless of whether or not they were paged. In some cases this compensation can add up to a total of $6000 a year, per individual.
- What about having inmates mow lawns as part of a work release program? Not in Racine County, they implemented this plan, which would not only save taxpayers money but also would help inmates repay the debt to society. However when the local union found out, they filed a grievance stating that it was the right of government workers to cut the grass, despite the fact that it would cost taxpayers a lot more.
- Green Bay School District collectively bargained their Emeritus Program. Now teachers can retire and still receive a year's worth of salary for working only 30 days. But wait it gets better, that 30 days can be stretched out over a three year period. This pay is on top of the guaranteed pension and health care payouts.
- Always wanted to be a bus driver? Well at $150,000 a year who wouldn't. The City of Madison's highest paid employee made $159,258 in 2009, of that $109,892 was in overtime wages. There were seven of these bus drivers who made more than $100,000. If you live in Wisconsin and wonder where all your tax money is going, you might look at the bus drivers.
- If its not going to the bus drivers then it's going to the corrections officers. Some of whom earned a whopping $150,000 in one year. How is this even possible? It is through a slick measure of collective bargaining called "sick leave stacking." Officers can call in sick for a shift, receiving 8 hours of sick pay, and then are allowed to work the very next shift, earning time-and-a-half for overtime. This results in an officer receiving 2.5 times his or her rate of pay, while still only working 8 hours. In 2009, 13 correctional officer made more than $100,000. The officers base wages less than $60,000 per year. Roughly this means that they earned $66,000 more in just overtime pay.
- Then there was the union members who didn't actually do any more for the City, County, or State but still got paid. It is part of Milwaukee's paid time off deal. Over $170,000 was paid out in salary for union members to attend union activities.
- WEA Trust is the union based health care for teachers in Wisconsin. Since it is run by unions, they collectively bargain to get as many school districts as possible into the program. If the school districts enrolled in the state health plan current estimates are that it would save school districts $68 million per year. That is just with the state run health care, theoretically if school districts could look for health care outside of WEA Trust or the state run health care they could save even more.
- In 1982 Milwaukee Public School teachers collectively bargained to receive two pensions instead of one. Right now this costs the taxpayers more than $16 million per year.
- What about the Madison Emeritus Program. You'll remember that the Green Bay Emeritus Program required teachers to work thirty days over three years. In Madison that isn't the case, On top of their pension payouts Madison teachers also receive just under $10,000 a year for absolutely nothing. Originally they had to work 20 days a year, thanks to collective bargaining they are down to zero and still get the pay.
What else does Governor Walker say about the matter?
Well we left out Viagra for teachers, unrealistic overtime provisions, and a surrender of management rights. In short Unions have been allowed to run Wisconsin into the ground with their recklessness. Perhaps this is why FDR warned against public sector Unions, saying that while private sector unions were a good idea public sector unions could never work.
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Here's to Scott Walker - a Governor with a backbone and intelligence - something sorely missed in the federal government.
You have said it all accurately with common sense and passion. Thank you. Voted up and useful and awesome.
Old Poolman: Thank you for the comment. People will eventually have to open their eyes.
Drbj: Thanks for the comment. If Walker runs for President he has my vote.
Pop: Thanks for the comment.
Rachel, you have done an excellent job at stating WHY the people of Wisconsin voted for Walker.
HIGH FIVE!
CMerritt: Thanks for the comment.
Sir Slave: The Reason your comment was denied is that I do not allow any comments on my hub that include derogatory words. Intelligent people read these hubs and they don't want to read that. If you have an intelligent comment to make that adds to the discussion please feel free to repost.
The dem senators fled the state, union members made a mess at the capital, and sadly for America we have a president that encouraged their activities. Now I saw a report that republicans and their families are receiving death threats. Some of these threats have been very explicit. I wish the entire country could read your post. This is how public employee unions try to overturn elections.
Rommergrot: Thank you for your comment.
Lots of info here that as others have stated, the whole country should read and be made aware of. I must admit I support unions in certain areas of employment where the original intentions of the union ideals are needed, the public sector is obviously a breeding ground for union corruption. Very nice hub.
Jeremy: Thanks for the comment
Rachell, This is one great piece of work! Excellent job! your getting my vote up!
AR: Thanks for the comment. Rachel
I do not think the facts you have presented here are fair, or accurate. Of course there are nasty people everywhere. Some of them are in unions.
I don't think Scott Walker ever heard of Megan Sampson. If he did, I'm sure he doesn't care.
Seniority is an objective standard. "Merit" can be anything anybody wants. It all depends on who "anybody" is. "Teacher of the Year Award" --- from what organization or agency? What state is Megan in?
Regarding the volunteer crossing guard --- I believe the issue there was that there had to be some kind of certification to work with kids. I wouldn't want somebody with no credentials "volunteering" to help my kid across the street, would you?
But, that doesn't mean that our whole standard of living in the U.S. should drop --- even further than it already has. And, yes, it will indeed affect everyone ---eventually.
Even --- or perhaps especially --- folks in Missouri.
Thanks for including the John Nichols' article.
Huntgodess: My facts can all be verified, and the Megan Sampson was one of the people that Governor Walker mentioned as his driving motivation for wanting to deal with collective bargaining. I doubt very seriously that the unions care about the credentials of the crossing guards. The Principle verified the man's credentials however, and the only problem is the fact that he wanted to do it for free. I am not sure what your comment "especially --- folks in Missouri" was supposed to be a dis on Missourians, some of the wisest and wealthiest people are from Missouri.
If you can dispute my facts please provide proof. Otherwise, I guess we know who is right.
Rachel.
Rachel
Great hub, and to get the exposure it deserves, you should unpublish it and republish it periodically. When a hub ages most of the time it dies, and so does its message.
The message in this hub should be broadcast and re-broadcast.
Between the unions and the politicians taking control of the school systems, how is there any energy left for the task of actually teaching students.
Unions are also famous for setting the pace for their members. This has the effect of slowing down the smart ones and covering up for the slow ones.
In other words they can set the quotas so that it requires more union members to be employed or for overtime to be abundant.
The unions are about job preservation as your example on the volunteer crossing guard.
Thanks
Opinion Duck: Thank you for your comment, and suggestion.
Rachel
No, I did not mean to disrespect people in Missouri --- or any state. I don't like bigotry. Sorry if it came across that way. I don't know what being wealthy has to do with anything. (Well, maybe I do.)
I'm not disputing your anecdotes. I'm sure they're true. That wasn't my point. The fact that Scott Walker uses Megan Sampson --- okay, he has heard of her, so --- my bad. I don't think he cares about her. He's just using this anecdote to drum up prejudice against unions.
Some unions are indeed corrupt, and some union workers are indeed nasty.
This is about more than that.
The five states where collective bargaining is illegal have the lowest SAT scores in the whole country. Those are the five states where teachers do not have a union.
The end of collective bargaining will mean a lower standard of living for everybody --- except the extremely wealthy. It already has meant that.
Sorry you are so angry.
Huntgodess: I am not angry. Which five states are you referring to having the lowest scores and no teachers Unions? Did you know that the NEA is one of the largest Unions in this country. That is the National Education Association. What I want to know is if you are going to say my hub is inaccurate or unfair where is your proof other than you disagree with me?
Rachel, Five stars. I don't disagree. I do believe. I worked for the Grain millers union out of Buffalo, N.Y. for about 8 yrs. It was before sick days, but we would call in sick, work a double the next day and make up the 8 hrs missed plus get paid the extra 4 because of the time and a half overtime pay. If we would have had sick days it would have amounted to the same described above. Ever wonder why a box of cereal costs what it does? While working this union job I had the opportunity to learn and apply the free enterprise system that is available in this country. What a difference. That was twenty five years ago and I still feel that unions are one of the saddest forms of socialism in this country today. That's my opinion. Great job with the footwork once again. Thanks, W.
W.R. Shinn: Thank you for your comment, and the personal example. I wish personal examples were enough to get people to realize that this is all true. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel
The five states are: the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Texas.
No, I didn't know that about the NEA. I checked the website of the NEA, and apparently you're correct about that. But, I don't have a problem with it, either. It's a pretty good website, and has some info and opinions about Walker and Wisconsin.
I think it's unfair to label the folks opposed to Walker's bill as "leftists". That's not true. Some of them actually voted for him, and now they're sorry.
No, I would never say an article was unfair or inaccurate simply because I disagreed with it. I love reading articles I disagree with, because I do like to challenge myself and my assumptions. And, I like to learn about things that are going on.
These stories --- about the state workers or bus drivers making six digits -- those things are not true. The only public worker who makes that much is Scott Walker.
Anyway, Rachell, I appreciate your comments. I know that you do have some really good reasons for the way you feel. I know there are definitely corrupt unions, and there are definitely some nasty teachers out there. I've had problems with many teachers, believe me. My youngest son --- now twenty years old --- was homeschooled all the way.
But, that has nothing to do with what Walker is trying to do now, in Wisconsin.
Check out my hubs about the rally and protests in Madison, if you get a chance. Thanks again for your input. I like when folks can communicate, even if they disagree.
Huntgodess: I wouldn't believe what the NEA has on their site, dig deeper. They are as corrupt as any of the worst Unions out there. What is your proof that the state workers don't make that much? Can you offer up any evidence to support your argument? What Walker has been trying to do is balance the budget. Part of that can cost the Unions money. But if you look at the bill you will see all he is wanting to do is balance the budget. What he is asking of the Unions is not unreasonable, and the only reason that they are so angry is he has given citizens the "right" to opt out of a union. Before Walker signed that Bill Wisconsin wasn't a right to work state. In certain areas you have to join a Union. Now if my passion is teaching, shouldn't I be allowed to teach, but not have to join a union if I don't want to? If unions are so great, why aren't people allowed to decide whether or not they can join. There is more to Walker than what you read online, or in the papers. He isn't looking to ruin his state, or hurt the voters. Common sense will tell you that. If that was his goal, he wouldn't be re-elected. I am not 100% positive but I would say that Walker wants to be reelected or he wants to stay in some form of politics. At the same time he wants to do what is right. Spending is out of control, balancing the budget is important. If his balancing the budget includes that state workers have to pay part of their health care and pensions, just like private sector workers where is the harm? Its not what they are losing (the workers), it is what the Unions are losing. The control. Workers no longer have to join a Union. Which is what the protests are about, which is why the unions are upset. The Union itself is going to lose a lot of money with this deal. The Union doesn't care about what is good for its workers. It hasn't for a long time. You don't have to believe me. If you dig deeper though you will find that I am neither lying nor mistaken in my facts.
Rachel
Fabulous hub with lots of great information. I agree with the comment above that it is sad that so many will not see the facts that you have prevented and know the whole story. Our media outlets create a spin that makes finding out the facts more and mroe difficult!
MyJourney: Thank you for the comment. I try to research and make sure all of my facts are verifiable before I post anything. I don't like being caught having made a mistake or posting something that isn't accurate.
Rachel
The unions did NOT start the rallies or protests in Madison. People did. The unions didn't have anything to do with it at all. It's about the people --- and they do pay taxes.
I know public workers don't make that much because I live in a city --- Madison --- where there are a lot of public workers. Further, there are many articles citing how much people make. I will probably just write a new hub about this, and cite them in there. Or, I can place links in my comments here. Public workers actually make less than private sector workers when you adjust for education and experience.
A while back, there were some articles around essentially trying to encourage people to scapegoat public workers. One of the workers for a county agency that helps disabled folks was driving some clients in a state van to the grocery store. A lady --- or man, not sure --- ran up and started yelling at the driver of the van, regarding what she'd read about these allegedly disgusting state workers --- like him --- who are allegedly robbing our state government.
The person was actually quite abusive, and the van driver was crying. This all happened in front of the disabled clients who were getting a trip to the grocery store. And, this was NOT an isolated incident. The same thing happened to several state workers in those few weeks.
I do not think Walker is a politician, and he does not really care about any career in politics. Not that politicians are great, but they do at least manage to be charming and to reason and communicate with their constituents.
As far as comparing himself to Reagan --- Yeah, right. I did not agree much with Reagan, but who didn't love the guy? He was the epitome of the Benevolent Father. I'd been in love with him all my life. I remember watching him on Death Valley Days when I was but a tot, and TV was new.
Walker isn't going to be re-elected. He just got elected in November of 2010, mostly because he promised to create 25k new jobs. He forgot to mention that those would all be low-wage, no-benefit, part-time jobs, and that he'd destroy 50k good jobs to do it.
There is a huge recall move going on right now, and they almost have about one third of the signatures they will need. He can't be recalled until he's been in office for a year, but they can start in November.
Walker is not a conservative, either.
I do not post anything inaccurate. I check my facts, too.
Do you know about the prank phone call from the alleged billionaire campaign contributor?
Huntgoddess: What are you talking about? Your comment is all over the place. Who compared Walker to Reagan? Walker is not a conservative? Seriously your comment is pretty out there. I want to understand what your rant is, but you spew off a bunch of stuff that is unrelated and then claim you have links. If you want to publish a hub with the links post a link to your hub here and I will check it out.
So far all you have done is state that I am wrong, but where am I wrong and what is your proof? I think I have asked that you provide some evidence. I have, now it's your turn. If you want to proof that my hub is rubbish, show me some evidence. Otherwise all you have is a disagreement with the facts. You don't have to like them, but the facts are just that facts. Disagreeing with them doesn't make them not true.
When you can formulate a coherent response please let me know.
Rachel
I've not stated that you were wrong. I think you do have a right to your opinion. That's what democracy is about.
Rant, spew, rubbish, incoherent, out there . . . ? These words and phrases are not very nice.
If you want to read my hubs, just go to my profile and click on them. I have many links in my hubs. I don't know if it's okay to post a link in a comment. That's why I'm not posting a link here.
God bless.
Huntgoddess: I am not trying to be mean, I am sorry I hurt your feelings. Your comment just didn't make any sense. If you could clean it up a bit... but then that probably doesn't seem very nice. I don't know how to nicely put that your comment isn't well structured. You go off in several different directions that have nothing to do with either my hub or my comments to you, I would appreciate a way to respond but since your comment is just your opinion unless you want a simple thank you I can't respond.
If you want to comment with something that makes more sense I will try to address your issues. If that hurts your feelings I am sorry.
It is okay to post links in comments if you read other hubs you will see where people do so. Posting links is the best way to back up your side of the argument. Usually the only reason someone doesn't post links is because they can't back up their side of the argument.
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I liked your article. I believe that all public sector unions need to be destroyed. I believe we need to defeat the democratic party. I believe we need to return to constitutionally-based, limited government.
I see that many of the posts here are weeks old. If you will allow it I shall begin asking questions of those who oppose your position, as well as those who approve of your position.
Nice job.
sn53Anon: Thank you for the comment. Question away.
Rachel
I appreciate the concern for my well-being, but I have a job. I was laid off from MPS last June, and I was hired as an English teacher at Wauwatosa East in August. I'm not sitting at home wishing I had a job.
Megan: My apologies then for not including that in the hub. Thank you for your comment, and that correction. I do hope that you don't mind the inclusion in the article.
Rachel
How is cutting 1.6 Billion from the education budget and giving it to the rich in the form of tax breaks going to help?
Walker never even wanted to talk and that is why he will be recalled. You can't just tell people it my way or the highway. Americans won't stand for it. He wants teachers to make less while giving his staff crazy salaries? At taxpayer expense. Come on its about busting unions to weaken the dem base so his master the Kochs can do what they want in WI. Pollute and control the politicians so they can make more money. I know you saw the prank call.
Do you have any proof to back up your rant or did you just get on the lets blame the Koch brothers bus? I did like the my way or the highway part of your rant if you're right about that then Obama won't be in office much longer since that has been his mantra since getting elected.
Rachel
Look this is simple, Unions exist to benefit their members, it is what they are paid to do out of their members pocket, that means the union has the job of doing anything possible to improve the lot of its members, that doesent make it evil it, just means its doing its job, if anything it appears this union has been too succesfull, having said that I allways find it funny when politicans have the nerve to complain that a bus driver is making 150 000 a year (most of it working his ass off in overtime) when he gets paid a lot more to do a lot less, my father has been a bus driver for 6 years (in Australia) he has been stabbed twice, beaten several times and shot at, he works irregular hours and shift work often having to get up at 11pm to go to work, because of this sleep schedule and because bus drivers can't have any blood alcohol level it means he can't ever relax with a drink or anything of the sort. My father worked full overtime one year when my brother suffered a serious accident overseas and we had to pay his enormous medical bill, he worked the maximum allowed over time (11 hours a day) for a full 8 months before his doctor told him he had to stop because it was killing him, he had lost 12 kgs (not a big man) and his heart and mental health were starting to fail due to sleep deprivation. Anyone who thinks a bus driver doesen't earn their money doesen't know what its like to be one.
Josak,
You are talking about what it is like to be a bus driver in Australia, it's not the same as being one in Wisconsin. And if you honestly believe that there is no corruption in Unions then I feel for you because you have the wool pulled over your eyes. There is a lot of corruption in Unions. Basically what it comes down to is the right of each individual person, no one should be forced against their will to join a Union in order to provide for their families. It's that simple. If Unions are so great then membership should be voluntary, and if they are so great then they shouldn't have a hard time getting people to join. When it becomes a matter of join or you cannot work, then this is no longer a good thing.
Rachel
Firstly where exactly did I say there was no corruption in Unions? offcourse there is, there is corruption everywhere, also please don't be deceptive union fees are voluntary in Wisconsin now and more importantly union membership was never compulsory anywhere (that is called closed shop indistry and its illegal)what was required was (until 2005) that you pay the union fee reagardless of whether you were a member or not, which sort of makes sense since both union and non union workers get the benefits of union actions, you dont even have to pay them so you may as well be a member, besides it sounds like the union is doing a great job by its members (perhaps too good) judging by some of the breaks they have won. As for where you are a bus driver I sincerely doubt its much different in Wisconsin, Australia is a whelathier per capita nation with a lower crime rate and where guns are illegal, if anything it sounds like it would be worse in Wisconsin.
Josak,
"if anything it sounds like it would be worse in Wisconsin." sounds like, but you don't know. Where do you get your information that Unions are voluntary? Wisconsin is now a Right to Work State, thanks to Gov. Walker. Still most states, are not Right to Work States, meaning if you get a Union job, you are required to join, that or work some where else.
Well I am sure neither of us knows exactly what its like to be a bus driver in Wisconsin but having a bus driver father I am sure I have a better idea.
As for unions being compulsory... NO its against the law:
Question: Can I be required to be a union member or pay dues to a union?
Answer: You may not be required to be a union member. But, if you do not work in a Right to Work state, you may be required to pay union fees.
Employment relations for almost all private sector employees (other than those in the airline and railroad industries) are covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Under the NLRA, you cannot be required to be a member of a union or pay it any monies as a condition of employment unless the collective bargaining agreement between your employer and your union contains a provision requiring all employees to either join the union or pay union fees.
Even if there is such a provision in the agreement, the most that can be required of you is to pay the union fees (generally called an "agency fee.") Most employees are not told by their employer and union that full union membership cannot lawfully be required. In Pattern Makers v. NLRB, 473 U.S. 95 (1985), the United States Supreme Court held that union members have the right to resign their union membership at any time.
What you are saying is plain wrong, it looks like you being misinformed severely clouded your judgement, indeed you can't make a judgment on this if your understanding of the basic facts is so poor.
Josak
In my lovely state of Missouri, in order to work for any number of places one has to join a Union. If that is the only kind of work you can get then in order to work at that job you are forced to join a Union. Missouri is not the only state that is not a Right to Work State. Perhaps rather than tell people they are plain wrong or misinformed you should research what you are talking about.
Rachel
Non right to work states dont make you join a union! They make you pay the union fee, its different see? Please read the legislation as stated above.
So in order to feed my family I should have to pay fees and oh yeah go on strike when the Union makes me go on strike... but no worries even though I am forced to pay these fees and forced to go on strike that little piece of legislation means I don't actually have to join the Union, I just have to pay them my hard earned money, and do what they say, even though I don't belong to them, and all this to get a job.... yeah you're right Unions are great, they take our money and force us to do stuff even though there is legislation that says we don't actually have to join.... are you for real???
Rachel
No you don't have to go on strike you aren't a member nor do you have to do what they say, how long is going to take you to get this? All you do is pay the fee, the reason being when the union does get benefits (and judging by what you have written its been rather good at this) you will get the benefits too.
If you are not a member, you are still fully covered by the collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated between your employer and the union, and the union is obligated to represent you. Any benefits that are provided to you by your employer pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement (e.g., wages, seniority, vacations, pensions, health insurance)are not affected by your nonmembership. (If the union offers some "members-only" benefits, you might be excluded from receiving those.) If you are not a member, you may not be able to participate in union elections or meetings, vote in collective bargaining ratification elections, or participate in other "internal" union activities. However, you cannot be disciplined by the union for anything you do while not a member.
From the above it actually seems to me like the union is getting the short end of the stick.
Josak,
How do you breathe with your head buried under the sand?
Rachel
Way to answer the points :P you were wrong, your premise was wrong, you did not and do not have to become a member, you do not have to strike with the union bu the union does have to represent you in a dispute but can't tell you what to do. Oh yeah union is ripping you off.
Josak,
I am thinking you've never worked for a Union company and not joined, because your argument is full of crap. I know lots of wonderful people who can only find work at Union companies, who are forced to do what the Union says in order to keep their job. You can quote whatever legislation you want the truth of the matter is you have your head buried in the sand. In Right to Work states, Unions cannot force you to join, but in every other state that isn't a right to work state they can force you to join, pay dues and do whatever they want, and that is the sad fact about Unions in this country. Get your head out of the sand and start listening to what people who are living through this hell are telling you and experiencing.
Rachel
Rachel,
Here is a news clip from Indy, earlier this past year.
News Release
Union Forced Dues Threats against WRTV Anchor
Indianapolis, IN (May 19, 2011) – With free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation, WRTV anchor Patricia Shepherd has filed federal unfair labor practice charges against the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) union.
Shepherd’s charges allege that AFTRA officials demanded she pay dues despite the fact that she is not a union member and the union has not had a contract with her employer for the past two years.
Because Indiana lacks a Right to Work law, employees can be forced to pay union dues for the purposes of workplace bargaining just to get or keep a job. In recent months, Indiana legislators were considering a law to make union dues payments strictly voluntary, but Governor Mitch Daniels and House Speaker Brian Bosma, despite strong majorities on record in favor of a Right to Work bill in both chambers of the state legislature, ultimately killed the legislation.
The democrats legislators walked out this morning to once again avoid a vote on the right to work bill.
They should be fired for not doing the job the were hired to do.
I wrote a hub regarding this Indiana Bill.
CMerritt: Thanks for this information, correct me if I am wrong but Union companies require membership in order to work there? My father in-law works for a Union company and has had to pay Union dues and be a member for a dozen plus years even though he doesn't want to be part of the Union. The same for a former client of mine who works at a different Union company. She didn't want to go on strike and was forced to do so when her company striked last year. The way I've always understood it is that if you work for a company that is Union you have to join, pay dues, and be part of that Union or you are ineligible to work there.
Rachel
Well, I do know if you go against those who ARE pro-union, there is an enormous amount of intimidation to be dealt with. I have witnessed this first hand, by working as a non-union person on a union ran job, years ago. I had my tires slashed, and had items stolen. I was called names and threatened with physical harm. All because the owner hired a non-union labor to do a job, they could NOT do.
Many of them are corrupt and overpaid. They abuse their own system.
Right to work is vital to turning this nation around and allowing us to be competive once again, and offer good pay, good benefits for millions, instead of GREAT pay and GREAT benefits for a few.
CMerritt:
Thanks for the comment, and the information, it helps to get different information.
Rachel
People understand the concept of dishonest gain, but perhaps figure everyone is doing it so why not me. The employees in the public sector unions, as well as many other unions realize what they are receiving is wrong. Union leaders know when they are doing wrong just as business leaders know when some employees are overpaid at the expense of those earning too little. Anyone who attempts to say anything about any individual group will be blasted. We live in a seriously crazy world.
Charles I agree with you that this is a messed up world. What I don't understand is when things are as bad as they are why we still have all these holidays where everything closes down. It seems like as a nation we tend to look more for a day off then work harder at getting out of this mess. Don't get me wrong, I respect Martin Luther King Jr. but do we really need entire towns to shut down and businesses closed for the day in his honor?
Rachel
I realize that you asked me to post links in my comments, and I never did --- which probably makes it look like you are correct when you say I have no foundation for my statements. So far --- I've never had the time to post links here. I'm homeless, and representing myself in two lawsuits at the same time. One is in the trial court, and one is at the appellate level.
As far as the comment about Walker being similar to Reagan --- Walker said that himself. I will find a link to that and post it. Sorry I did not get back to reply for so long.
I'm sure everybody knows by now that the recall effort got almost twice as many signatures as they needed.
Huntgodess,
I didn't make any assumptions about right or wrong when you didn't post your links, I just stand by my personal belief that without physical proof then there is no way to know whose statements are correct.
I am sorry you are going through this difficult trial in your life. When and if you have the time post your links, until then we are at a stalemate.
Rachel
Okay, no problem. Thanks for not making assumptions, though. And, thanks for your kind words.
And, yes, of course, I agree. I'm all about citations and sources.
Huntgoddess:
I am taking Media Writing this semester in college and one of the first questions that our Professor asked was how do you know if something is legitimate on the internet. My response was of course if I could see the source, and verify that. What is unfortunate is there are a lot of sources of misinformation out there, so while you or I think our information is legitimate, the next step of course is looking at the source and whether it is legit.
Rachel
We learn today that the Union forced the transportation board to rehire a known mobster that gets a six figure salary!..........when will these libs learn???
AR: That is a good question.
Rachel
Haha This morning we find out that the average salary in Chicago is 55K, average union teachers salary in Chicago is 77K, average superintendent over 6 figures! Would anyone like to guess what the graduation rate is in Chicago?? How about 56%!........Right accross town is a Charter school with a 98% graduation rate...Oh and did I mention non UNION!
AR: More good information, thank you.
Rachel
Old Poolman Level 7 Commenter 14 months ago
rachel, it is a shame everyone in American won't see this hub you have written. This is clear examples of waste and corruption at its' finest. Perhaps a few will be able to stand back and take a clear look at what is really going on. But many will just go on believing the lies and mis-information that is being circulated by the slanted news media.