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I had no idea how many worker compensations we take for granted in our daily working lives that were fought for by unions in Wisconsin.
Just the idea of the weekend alone is enough reason for us to rush to support the union workers now standing up for their rights in Wisconsin. Could you imagine NOT having the weekend to look forward to?
I shudder at the thought.
@colindalelondon
ReplyDeleteAIPAC, not the American electorate, now control OBAMA, the U.S. House & Senate & the UN Security Council, OK? Is bloody well NOT OK!!
We owe them a debt of gratitude mainly because their battle with the Teabagger Scott Walker shows exactly what unionized workers everywhere in this country are up against. Walker is only one of many GOP politicians who want to bust unions, and it was a truly sickening spectacle to watch him rationalize his mindset by citing nonunion workers in Wisconsin who agree with him. As a public service employee myself, my sentiments and loyalties are with the good public servands of Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteStrawbs' Part of the Union:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdOCWUgwiWs
Great song!
We need to also remember that most workers contribute somewhat to their pensions and health care. I contribute 800$ a MONTH for my family of 4 benefits (MY part, not the total cost!!), and I am a nurse in a huge hospital , not in a union, for slightly shitty benefits. So, while I agree we can't bust the unions, the free ride many people get IS bankrupting counties, states. If we do not want single payor healthcare in this country, then it is a for profit situation, it is corrupt and it costs alot of money in the long run. It is totally unfair for some to get a free ride and others pay out of the wazoo.
ReplyDeleteAlso, too did this governor who WAS ELECTED by the people of Wisconsin show his plan in his platform? Did anyone read it or ask? Are the people getting what they paid for? They did elect him. Remember this.
40 hour work week, sick time, no child labor, worker's compensation, OSHA, etc.
ReplyDeleteBefore Republicans start balancing their budgets against public unions rather than corporations, they better understand what the hell they are doing.
The buses arriving in WI today are all Koch paid for buses. This should be interesting.
By the way, a lawsuit should be filed immediately in WI. By exempting the more male dominated state jobs, police and firefighters, the predominantly female occupations, teachers and nurses, are hit much harder.
Thank you Gryphen for posting this. It is an eye opener. We owe Wisconsin a debt of gratitude, but also Rachel Maddow who presents information so well.
ReplyDeleteThe Koch Brothers front group Americans for Prosperity is the one that is organizing buses of tea partyers to show up in Wisconsin. http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/02/18/koch-brothers-behind-wisconsin-effort-to-kill-public-unions/
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to greet these damn fools with a sign that says "Bussed In By Billionaires"!
Anon at 4:55: " So, while I agree we can't bust the unions, the free ride many people get IS bankrupting counties, states."
ReplyDeleteNo, that is not what is causing state deficits. Have you really forgotten already the grand larcency banks committed on America just a few short years ago? Their crappy gambling sprees have resulted in wide spread unemployment and tanked housing markets which have shrunk state tax revenues. Republicans are aggravating this situation with their tax cuts for the rich.
I LOVE it when non-union employees blame union employees for the problems in this country instead of the corporations that are outsourcing jobs to other countries and have huge tax loopholes. These companies also have larger profits off the backs of non-union employees, and that's where they need to direct their ire. The fact that some non-union employees want to focus their ire on unionized employees are identifying with the people who caused the nation's economic problems is a testament to the effectiveness of the Pary of No in inducing them to vote against their own best interests and therefore fomenting divisions among America's workers.
ReplyDeleteNo, that is not what is causing state deficits. Have you really forgotten already the grand larcency banks committed on America just a few short years ago? Their crappy gambling sprees have resulted in wide spread unemployment and tanked housing markets which have shrunk state tax revenues. Republicans are aggravating this situation with their tax cuts for the rich.
ReplyDelete6:09 AM
No i haven't. The disparity in those middle class workers nonunion who have been paying out the wazoo vs middle class union workers who have not, predates the bank larceny.
We need single payor in this country. Bottom line.
Why did Wisconsin elect this guy??
40 hour work week, sick time, no child labor, worker's compensation, OSHA, etc.
ReplyDeleteMuch needed back in the 1920's. No question.
Times have changed. Unions need to change with it.Not be busted and disappear, but evolve.
verything is corrupt though. Everything.
The free ride in this company is Corporate Welfare. Businesses like GE outsource most of their jobs, pay CEO's obscene salaries who pay taxes at lower rates that middle and lower class folks whose companies get huge government subsidies, no bid contracts, no accountability and often pay ZERO (0) taxes.
ReplyDeleteIf you took all the welfare payments, it would be nothing compared to the corporate welfare.
And it is not like these rich b*st*rds are better educated or more intelligent than you and i.
Is Sarah Palin deserving of what she has been paid? No the sob's give to $$$ to entertain them they can afford it.
Much needed back in the 1920's. No question.
ReplyDeleteTimes have changed. Unions need to change with it.Not be busted and disappear, but evolve.
verything is corrupt though. Everything.
6:58 AM
Scott Walker didn't try to negotiate with unions. He is trying to off them! He gave coprporations big big tax breaks and then like an idiot tried to try poor.
Yeah times have changed! Corporations are robbing the country blind! In the past the purpose of a business was to make goods and provide jobs. Now it is to overpay CEO's and to make stockholders money. Stockholders biggest talent is that they have more money than they need!
The Koch suckers bought the last election with lying advertising, so they could make even more money!!
Our cops, firefighters and teachers took a stand at the State House yesterday, too, but nobody cares about Ohio. Our new Tea Party governor wants to kill our state.
ReplyDeleteAnon, Anon, Anon... Sorry, but if you can't leave yer name, its all pops and buzzes from here. I got hurt on the job, lost a finger and a huge part of my hand, working in knee deep mud, with a circular saw. I was lucky to have workamns compensation, otherwise I'd have gone bankrupt. The company paid premiums, not the settlement. If the GOP had it their way, I'd have to pay the bills. Keep that in mind, and they were non-union.
ReplyDeleteAnd even more than weekends is worker safety, and workers comp. Those came from union pressure, and mostly from Wi.
ReplyDeleteI usually worked weekends, over-nights and many holidays.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the unions, I was well-paid for choosing to do so :)