Friday, February 11, 2011

Bombs Bursting in (Madison) Air

Well, we're off and running, but not at full speed (see last grafs).

Gov. Scott Walker said Friday thousands of state workers would be laid off if the Legislature does not adopt his plan to repair the budget that includes cutting benefits and taking away almost all union bargaining rights from public workers. Walker also signaled that in a larger budget plan coming later this month he would cut aid to local governments and let local officials deal with those cuts at least in part through savings on their employee costs. Walker wants the Legislature - which is controlled by his fellow Republicans - to act quickly on the plan, approving it by Feb. 25.

...State unions have been without formal contracts since July 1, 2009 but have been continuing under the terms of the previous contract. That arrangement can be terminated with 30 days notice by either said, and moments after the news conference, Walker's Department of Administration alerted state unions it was doing so.

Is that perfect? Nope:

...the measure would exempt law enforcement and firefighters - groups that in many cases supported Walker in the November election - from those bargaining changes.

There's no good reason to exempt cops/firefighters from these changes. None at all.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wage slavery, compliments of bonehead Walker.

Dad29 said...

Well, I see you've read the Union Playbook.

Does it have a Page Two, or is that too complicated for you?

BTW, don't try the wildcat strike. You may be VERY surprised at how easily State employees can be replaced.

jimspice said...

And the National Guard move was really classy as well. This guy is tone deaf.

But for the first time, I think, EVER I agree with your note that exempting police and fire does not follow logically. Except, of course, for the obvious quid pro quo.

Dad29 said...

Well, Jim, you're getting smarter!

Why not the NG? Who else? County Sheriffs?

Dan said...

Slavery???LOL!!!
Yes, I know, state workers are slaves.

neomom said...

I can hear the heads exploding all the way down here. Love it!

jimspice said...

From the "Bound to Repeat it" files, here's my prediction: union workers walk, Walker replaces them Wackenhut or whatnot, and ends up double paying for services.

Anonymous said...

I'm all for Walker, but, seriously, this is his first battle?!

VOTER ID, CONCEALED CARRY. Those should be the first two things he deals with. Hands effing down.

Anonymous said...

"You would be VERY surprised at how easily State employees can be replaced".

How Stalinesque.

TerryN said...

""You would be VERY surprised at how easily State employees can be replaced"."

How true. Especially with the record unemployment in the Obama economy...

Display Name said...

jimspice, same for the power plants.

Dad29 said...

Anony, your priorities: voter id and CCW, will materialize in the very short-term.

However, avoiding BK for the State is a bit more important.

I'm sure you understand. If you don't then you're the troll I think you are.

Anonymous said...

I still think those should be the first things on his list.

I don't think I'm a troll. I typically post under Andrew, but am too lazy to log in. :)

Disgruntled Car Salesman said...

Speaking of trolls, where is Liebenthal?