United States
First off.... I apologize for going political here Sling. I'm going to vent here because It's the one place I know of that is not totally overrun with slander and a decent conversation can be had on such an issue. I realize there will be people from both sides on this, but try to hear this out or put yourself in the position of the people who will be affected here before you immediatly go all politically one sided.
The Governer of WI is putting forth a "budget repair bill" which targets all state and local unions except the police and firefighters. Not only does he want them to take concessions, but he wants to end their collective bargaining rights. This would effectively turn WI into a "right to work" or should I say "right to work for less" or "right to not work" state.
For those of you who don't know, this would encompass A FRIGGIN LOT OF PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES who's lives have been built on union wage and benefits. The governers stance is that the non-union sector is already paying more than what he is asking for towards their insurance and pensions, so why shouldn't the state union workers bear some of that same burden. Some union leaders and top Dems have already said they would be open to concessions if the gov. would just back off of the collective bargaining part of the bill and the gov. refused. That right there shows that this is not about a budget problem it's about breaking the backs of the unions so that the GOP can RETAIN power because breaking unions would weaken the Democratic party. Currently the GOP holds the majority in Wisconsin thanks to people not getting what they wanted out of Obama. In order to have a vote on a bill there needs to be a 20 person quorum and the GOP holds 19 seats to the Dems 14. Those 14 have fled the state to stall the bill.
I should note that I am typically conservative on most issues. I wont say exactly how I voted, i'll just say that I didn't vote this jerky in. Moreover I will say that this issue is making me increasingly sour at the GOP. My position is this.... people have the right to organize, and when they are smart enough to stand up together and say I will not work unlimited hours for limited pay and benefits and be subject to selective firings with no just cause, good for them. If you've been working in a non union factory for 25 years and paying 15% of your minimal pay for insurance when right down the road there is a guy running the same cnc machine as you in a union shop and gets good pay and bene's, why the **** are you still there? In my trade it is a FACT that I am more skilled than 95% of the non union sector. I will build a better product with the right materials and I will do it faster and safer. I know this because i've had years of training in school and in the field in everything from OSHA, lift training, CPR, etc... to steel stud and rock, wood framing, concrete forms, scaffolding, welding, rigging, and beyond. The fact that a few months down the road my union could have no bargaining power and the company I work for could cut my pay in half and cut all my bene's and I couldn't do a damn thing about it really burns my ass! That would mean that approx. 7yrs of my life earning where i'm at now would be in the garbage behind some *******s political motives. Bullshit!
Sidenote, yes I understand some unions are garbage and some slugs that shoudn't be protected are. My union is not one of them. With carpenters, as an individual you either produce or you're down the road. I am not defending nor do I support the slugs that give unions a bad name. They need to be addressed as well. That is besides the whole point here. For those of you out there who are union, if you are not facing it already, you will be soon because this $hit is a brewin in a lot of places. Let this be a reminder to you why you need give 110% and make your union worth every penny companies are paying for your labor. To all the union slugs out there... Tighten up. Step up or step off. $hit or get off the pot. know what i'm saying here? Union labor can't compete with guys off the street if you're not producing a better product faster. Gotta have something to bargain with.
Sling, again... if this is too much I apologize. If you feel this thread needs to go I understand. No offense would be taken.
The Governer of WI is putting forth a "budget repair bill" which targets all state and local unions except the police and firefighters. Not only does he want them to take concessions, but he wants to end their collective bargaining rights. This would effectively turn WI into a "right to work" or should I say "right to work for less" or "right to not work" state.
For those of you who don't know, this would encompass A FRIGGIN LOT OF PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES who's lives have been built on union wage and benefits. The governers stance is that the non-union sector is already paying more than what he is asking for towards their insurance and pensions, so why shouldn't the state union workers bear some of that same burden. Some union leaders and top Dems have already said they would be open to concessions if the gov. would just back off of the collective bargaining part of the bill and the gov. refused. That right there shows that this is not about a budget problem it's about breaking the backs of the unions so that the GOP can RETAIN power because breaking unions would weaken the Democratic party. Currently the GOP holds the majority in Wisconsin thanks to people not getting what they wanted out of Obama. In order to have a vote on a bill there needs to be a 20 person quorum and the GOP holds 19 seats to the Dems 14. Those 14 have fled the state to stall the bill.
I should note that I am typically conservative on most issues. I wont say exactly how I voted, i'll just say that I didn't vote this jerky in. Moreover I will say that this issue is making me increasingly sour at the GOP. My position is this.... people have the right to organize, and when they are smart enough to stand up together and say I will not work unlimited hours for limited pay and benefits and be subject to selective firings with no just cause, good for them. If you've been working in a non union factory for 25 years and paying 15% of your minimal pay for insurance when right down the road there is a guy running the same cnc machine as you in a union shop and gets good pay and bene's, why the **** are you still there? In my trade it is a FACT that I am more skilled than 95% of the non union sector. I will build a better product with the right materials and I will do it faster and safer. I know this because i've had years of training in school and in the field in everything from OSHA, lift training, CPR, etc... to steel stud and rock, wood framing, concrete forms, scaffolding, welding, rigging, and beyond. The fact that a few months down the road my union could have no bargaining power and the company I work for could cut my pay in half and cut all my bene's and I couldn't do a damn thing about it really burns my ass! That would mean that approx. 7yrs of my life earning where i'm at now would be in the garbage behind some *******s political motives. Bullshit!
Sidenote, yes I understand some unions are garbage and some slugs that shoudn't be protected are. My union is not one of them. With carpenters, as an individual you either produce or you're down the road. I am not defending nor do I support the slugs that give unions a bad name. They need to be addressed as well. That is besides the whole point here. For those of you out there who are union, if you are not facing it already, you will be soon because this $hit is a brewin in a lot of places. Let this be a reminder to you why you need give 110% and make your union worth every penny companies are paying for your labor. To all the union slugs out there... Tighten up. Step up or step off. $hit or get off the pot. know what i'm saying here? Union labor can't compete with guys off the street if you're not producing a better product faster. Gotta have something to bargain with.
Sling, again... if this is too much I apologize. If you feel this thread needs to go I understand. No offense would be taken.
