Wisconsin Unions See Ranks Drop Ahead of Recall Vote

[Valin]

WSJ:

 

DOUGLAS BELKIN and KRIS MAHER

5/30/12

 

Public-employee unions in Wisconsin have experienced a dramatic drop in membership—by more than half for the second-biggest union—since a law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker sharply curtailed their ability to bargain over wages and working conditions.

 

(Snip)

 

Mr. Walker's ouster would derail the political career of a rising Republican star and send a warning to other elected officials who are battling unions. But a victory for the governor, who has been leading his Democratic opponent in recent polls, would amount to an endorsement of an effort to curtail public-sector unions, which have been a pillar of strength for organized labor while private-sector membership has dwindled.

 

(Snip)

 

Public-employee unions are under pressure elsewhere, too, as state and local officials cut spending in the wake of the recession, although the unions have won some fights. Ohio voters last year overturned a Republican law that went even further than Wisconsin's in limiting bargaining rights for public-sector unions by including police and firefighters.

 

(Snip)

[Geee]

On the Milwaukee news this morning they were speculating that the drop in membership may be due to the fact that the unions can't negotiate for as many benefits for employees any more. IMHO it could be also that these people are not forced by the unions to fork over part of their paychecks to them

[Valin]

On the Milwaukee news this morning they were speculating that the drop in membership may be due to the fact that the unions can't negotiate for as many benefits for employees any more. IMHO it could be also that these people are not forced by the unions to fork over part of their paychecks to them

 

There is a difference between Union People and Union Workers. Given a halfway reasonable management most people will choose not to give their money to someone else in order to work.

[righteousmomma]

Ditto IMHO, Geee

 

 

[righteousmomma]

You are sooooo right, Mr. Valin

 

[pollyannaish]

My husband works for the state of Washington. We are forced to give up a chunk of his paycheck every month to a CLEARLY partisan organization that demonizes everything he believes in and stands in the way of him providing good service to customers. It's so frustrating.