Musccy.. it is a good debate and one that has many justifiable layers in both camps.

I would rather see the Unions start to shape their policies and stances with an eye on the changing economic landscape than holding onto what they had in the past, at least in regards to those holding publicly funded positions governed by a union.

In private companies that have Union shops, they have to balance their operating revenue and profits verse the demands of the union, but they aren't operating on the taxpayers dollar and should be forcing their own Union reforms.

I am not a Union opponent through and through, I just see some major flaws in their approaches in today's world.

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Please keep this discussion going on. I'm learning a lot from everyone.

Thanks.

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You're right that the unions aren't exactly these benevolent entities that they want us to believe they are. With escalating health care costs, something certainly needed to be done about public contributions to plans and I truly question whether or not the WI unions ever would have conceded the pension/HC contributions were it not for Walker threatening to dissolve the unions.

With that said, thus far it does seem that the public sector and Walker opponents are being inordinately targeted...and rumors of actions that will make the budget repair bill seem like a drop in the bucket make me really uneasy. This is all speculation until March 1st (when he'll reveal his budget) but if rumors are true, the 70k protestors we saw at the capitol on Saturday could be fractions of what we'll see next week.

Regardless of whether you're a supporter, opponent or neutral towards unions this isn't the way this issue should be handled. The unions shouldn't just be completely abolished out of the blue through a bill by the governor. If it's an issue it should be talked about and focused on thoroughly like any other issue so that both parties can agree on options that are the most beneficial. I find the outright attack by Walker to be a bit disgusting.

agreed djcubez. I do not dispute the need to balance the budget either, but this my way or go fuck yourself - negotiating and collaboration is off the table - approach is deplorable. Of course to some extent it happens whether the left or right is in control, however...

Walker's most recent move is to use Wisconsin employees - citizens with families, actual working Wi citizens - as pawns in his political game. He's threatening layoffs to state employees to offset the 165 million in additional defecit the state is reportedly set to incur if they don't refinance portions of their debt by Friday - thus this is a move to strong arm the Wi 14 into returning and passing his union busting bill.

I would be on his side if he didn't pass 117 million in tax cuts 3 weeks ago and is rumored to have given his appointed staff 5% raises.

It's just absolutely maddening to see how far this guy will stretch his authority to ram rod his agenda up Wisconsin's pooper. If you didn't finance his 2010 campaign, then he's going to heap the 3.6 billion dollar burden squarely on your shoulders! Sounds like democracy to me!

its called arbitration!!!!

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plz explain why Walker had to get a new contract in 2 weeks?

The reality is Scott Walker has his own agenda. This is no longer about the budget in Wisconsin, and everyone should realize this fact.

Scott Walker wants to put an end to unions all together, and he is going to lose badly. This debate is going to define him and end his career.

The union has made financial concessions, that is a fact, the issue now is collective bargaining rights.

There should be no more whining and crying about how you all have to pay for your own retirement and healthcare, but state workers do not. That issue has been resolved.

It is a now about 1 mans political career against a right for a union to negotiate a contract with its employer.

Hasn't anyone realized how many states are getting involved and waiting to see this outcome. You do not think other states will come after state workers benefits to balance budgets????

Walker gives his staff raises, gives wealthy business owners tax cuts, and then comes gunning for the union and the people that educate, protect, and care for our families.

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dhpackr.

The fact that he is STILL calling this a budget matter insults everyone's intelligence. He's getting his 5.8% pension and 12% HC contributions from the unions but STILL has the audacity to call this a budget issue?!? He STILL could not explain the NUMBERS of how unions affect the state budget in his fireside "chat" last night other than to say they're inconvenient for him.

Understand, I'm ignorant on this and do not know. One thing that has stuck to me, was the health care stuff. I feel everyone should have to pay for it themselves, minus firefighters, police, etc who put their life on the line. I have NO PROBLEM paying their health insurance.

I also feel teachers should be paid more, after all they are charged with raising the "future of the country" and get paid even less than I do.

You said that's been resolved, how? I haven't heard anything about that. I'm also in Colorado, lol. What was the resolution?

Removing collective bargaining rights, I don't know what that all entails, but from a high level, I feel it says ... hey you can't fight for a better wage ... if that's what its saying, I feel that's wrong.

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you know, I grew up and live in Milw. At one time it was an awesome place to live, now it is becoming such a ghetto. All the breweries, tanneries, manufacturing jobs left town.

I hated Walker after the Tom Ament fiasco. He shut down county parks, bus lines, and gave tax breaks to wealthy business owners.

I do not get why Ament collects $95000 a year, after he is retired, and Walker is not concerned about that guy.

But the worker who cuts the lawn at curry park, well we need to cut his pay, pension, insurance benefits.

very interesting this is taking place where I grew up, and the outcome will affect every state in the nation.

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