Wisconsin Protests

DirtySanchez

State employees in Wisconsin are right to point out that in the past labor unions fought for great and laudable goals and that, moreover, without their efforts workers today would undoubtedly be worse off — mostly likely working longer hours in more dangerous environments for less pay [“Workers expand budget war in Wisconsin to more states,” News, Feb. 23].

Even so, the contemporary complaints of government employees betray a lack of perceptive. That so much outrage is displayed in Wisconsin over so little by way of comparison to that tradition and more importantly to what is being experienced by the general public is disingenuous.

Unemployment stands at nearly 10 percent. Our homes are not worth the value of the loans that we are paying off and yet paradoxically homeowners continue to pay even more in property taxes each year, most likely so that a state employee can continue to draw a paycheck.

In attempting to connect their own circumstances with the broader history and laudable efforts of the labor movement in general, members and supporters of public-sector unions are missing the essential point: They don’t work for an overly greedy business, bent on maximizing profits on the backs of their workers — they work for us, the taxpayers, and taxpayers are hurting.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestvoices/2014313189_protestsinwisconsincontinueoverantiunionbill.html

What are your thoughts on this? I think that the republicans attempt to take away collective bargaining rights and trying to oppress the unions is despicable. This is an attack from the Bourgeoisie. Unions are vital to preventing abuse from the corporations. Of course Obama being the spineless shit he is refuses to stand on the side of the workers. This is an attack on the middle class and an attempt to say the middle class is responsible or the deficit when in reality the banks and government were responsible.

Darth Beaver

I think that the unions have outlived their usefulness. They have done so in large part due to their own corruption. They only exist in this day and age to further their own existence. If the people were smart they would ditch the established unions and start a non-profit collective bargaining unit for the State of Wisconsin. The only reason the unions have any power is the fact that politicians pander for their support during campaign time.

As far as Wisconsin goes those people have a choice to make, layoffs or no union benefits. So if they all want to keep a job they can just shut up and get back to work.

uofmcamaro

TheDarkRodent wrote: »

I think that the unions have outlived their usefulness. They have done so in large part due to their own corruption.

This.

But the Unions purpose as shifted and they are still fulfilling their purpose. The new purpose is to make money for themselves while screwing things up for everyone else. Anyone who disagrees with this needs to wonder why cars are so expensive yet the guy that turns a bolt 1 time gets $50 a hour to do so. Do away with the unions and that job becomes a normal job instead of a overpaid one.