“In fact, I love collective bargaining,” Christie told the crowd Wednesday, packed into a room in the municipal building. “I’ve said let’s get rid of civil service and let everything be collectively bargained, as long as collective bargaining is fair, tough, adversarial and there’s someone in that room representing you.” – Chris Christie: Collective Bargaining [...]
Tag Archives | unions
Overestimated Midterm Mandate
The New York Times/CBS Poll reveals Americans still support the notion of bargaining, but also understand that pay cuts hurt real families, especially at a time when the super rich and Wall Street aren’t being asked to do their fair share. Americans oppose weakening the bargaining rights of public employee unions by a margin of [...]
Olbermann Slaps Sulzberger Around
When I read the New York Times story last week about union bonds fraying, starting with the headline, it felt like one of those Politico stories with the set up in front. Keith Olbermann lays out the Times for it today. Few news stories better spoke to the destruction of union solidarity and the realization [...]
The Movies and Wisconsin are Union Stories
When Wally Pfister, winner for cinematography for “Inception,” thanked his “fantastic union crew!” it was a moment of solidarity last night at the Oscars. Unions got applause elsewhere when mentioned as well. Meanwhile, back in Wisconsin a small and important emotional victory: In a victory — at least a symbolic one — for Wisconsin’s public [...]
Progressive Notes: Rally to Save the American Dream Draws Tens of Thousands
Texan4Hillary offers his perspective as a movement progressive activist. What began two weeks ago as a Republican measure in one small U.S. state has turned into what could be the biggest challenge to union power since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago. – Reuters Progressive Caucus Shows Solidarity [...]
If Only Candidate Obama Would Show Up
The groups, including MoveOn.org, Democracy for America, USAction, the Service Employees International Union and People for the American Way, plan to hold “Save the American Dream” rallies in 50 state capitals on Saturday. “Instead of creating jobs, Republicans are giving tax breaks to corporations and the very rich and then cutting funding for education, police, [...]
Wisconsin Crank Call Rocks Union Story
Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, said he expects three Republican senators to come forward in the next day or two to end the stalemate and request that the budget repair bill be withdrawn, though he wouldn’t name the trio. “They may be ready to step forward,” Larson said. “That’s the way we can see this ending [...]
Walker’s Choice
**UPDATED – BUMPED** I’ve been out of the office this morning, but when my BBerry started going off I laughed so hard I almost dropped it. This is just too priceless. From Mother Jones, with more at Huffington Post: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s office confirms that the recording of a call between the governor and [...]
Basic Fairness, and Qualifying Truth
The poll found that 61% would oppose a law in their state similar to one being considered in Wisconsin, compared with 33% who would favor such a law. – USA Today You sit down across from your boss to negotiate a raise or change in your benefits. It’s basic fairness. But tonight in Gov. Walker’s [...]
Gov. Walker Won’t Ask More Of Wealthy, Just Unions
**UPDATED** Where charm is concerned Gov. Walker needs a transfusion. Compared to jolly Richard Trumka, who also once again stated the concessions Wisconsin state unions already made, Walker looked unyielding and elitist. But considering he was put in power by wealthy interests it’s expected. But they won’t have to pay their fair share, so they [...]
American Oligarchy
So will the attack on unions succeed? I don’t know. But anyone who cares about retaining government of the people by the people should hope that it doesn’t. – Paul Krugman It’s interesting to see that “moderate” Republicans are offering a compromise, proving some people understand what taking collective bargaining away from any union means. [...]
Sarah Palin’s First Ode to the Independent
Taking on birthers, then unions, Sarah Palin shoots for the… er… um… center? Just maybe, or perhaps she’s taking a stab at sounding reasonable to the Right and those fickle independents that put Tea Partiers in office last year and who will be so important in 2012. Because everything Sarah does right now is about [...]
On the Backs of the Middle Class
Walker also fired back at President Obama, who sided with the public employees, saying on Fox News Friday, “We are focused on balancing our budget. It would be wise for the government and others in Washington to focus on balancing their budgets, which they are a long way off from doing.” – Wis. governor: GOP [...]
Picture of the Week Represents Rolling World Events
**UPDATED** Oddly enough, the union battle in Wisconsin, which has the added element of Pres. Obama and the DNC entering, adds a U.S. labor element to workers rising up from Tunisia to Egypt to Bahrain and even Libya. Col Muammar Gaddafi is the longest-serving leader in the Arab world. Protests are not allowed in Libya, [...]
OfA Fighting Anti-Union Republican Plan in Wisconsin
Call it a test plan. That’s why the DNC is involved. Via Ben Smith: The Democratic National Committee’s Organizing for America arm — the remnant of the 2008 Obama campaign — is playing an active role in organizing protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s attempt to strip most public employees of collective bargaining rights. OfA, [...]
Recent Comments