I usually don’t follow politics that closely. Typically politicians will vote the way they want, and we find a way to make life work with the decisions they make. Right now there are protests going on every day at the state capitol. Gov. Scott Walker has introduced a bill that will strip unions of all bargaining rights except for pay, and even that will have limits. In addition to that, it will require employees to contribute more to retirement and health care premiums. Also included in the bill is that employees will not be required to be a part of a union. Union dues will not be taken out of the paycheck. There are other policies in the bill, but the biggest outcry is over the unions.
The Republicans are trying to push through this bill quickly. The Democratic senators have left the state in order to slow down the voting process. Teachers are doing sick-outs in protest of the bill. Madison schools have been closed for 3 days this week. DeForest was closed one. Hudson was closed one day. People from all walks are protesting this bill. People are also supporting it. I think there isn’t a lot of education going on. I don’t think there are many people that know what is included in the bill entirely. They take the points they like/disagree with and run with it without fully understanding the rest. I admit that I haven’t seen the entire bill and what is all included.
I’d say that both the unions and the government are to blame here. Unions have been known to drag out the negotiations. If I recall correctly, Robert is working the 2009-11 contract that still hasn’t been settled. The governor is wanting to get the state employees on par with the private sector. My issue is that he wants us to pay more for health care and retirement. I can live with that, but is he going to then pay us on par with what private sector employees get?
If this bill passes it would affect us greatly. Robert’s paycheck would be cut. On the other hand, we would have the option of off-setting some of the blow by not paying the union dues anymore. It is just a tough situation. Robert has emailed his opinion to our representative. At this point, we just have to live with what is voted. Doesn’t mean we have to like it. During the next election, we will vote and have our voice heard once again.