A war on unions in Wisconsin

[Hannah Bell]

MADISON, Wis.--Newly elected Republican Gov. Scott Walker has declared open war on public-sector unions and working people throughout the state...On February 11, Walker called a special session of the legislature and proposed a budget repair bill that would destroy collective bargaining for public employees...

One of his staff told a New York Times reporter that "a few people will be upset about the contracts, but the vast majority won't care."

But it sure doesn't feel that way down here in reality. Last week, when Walker introduced the new world champion Packers football team in Green Bay, he was greeted by boos. In Appleton on the day of his announcement, 75 teachers greeted his Walker's SUV with chants and pickets decrying these new proposals--and that protest took place on an hour-and-a-half's notice...

Big rallies are planned for this Tuesday and Wednesday, February 15 and 16, at the capitol building in Madison, sponsored by all the public employees unions, including AFSCME, the Wisconsin Education Association Council/NEA, the American Federation of Teachers and Service Employees International Union.

http://socialistworker.org/2011/02/14/war-on-unions-in-wisconsin

[20score]

1. K&R

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. I suspect he's right about this part:

>>>>>.but the vast majority won't care.>>>>>.


Hope he's wrong; suspect he's not.

[Hannah Bell]

3. sounds like the protests this week will be well-attended...hope so.

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[bobburgster]

5. Seems like...

open season everywhere on unions, and collective bargaining in particular.

[Reader Rabbit]

6. War on unions is war on the commons.

Unions are the primary means by which ordinary folk can contend with the power wielded by corporations and the wealthy.

[Starry Messenger]

7. k&r

[Jester Messiah]

8. This isn't the first time unions have faced government opposition

Suffice to say the old playbook is still out there.