This trend started a LONG time before Agenda21; it got started with Jerry Brown in the 70’s. It just took ten to fifteen years after that for the dedicated goons to take over the unions and the courts to effect affirmative action before the work force came to this misbegotten end. Agenda21 has this kind of thing as a line item, but it’s more a consequence than a cause in this instance.
After 9/11, all firefighters are heroes...beyond reproach...a good proffesion ruined by union thugs ...sad...sad...sad
When the public wizes up and cuts off their pensions, the union bosses have only themselves to blame. Here’s a little story I sent to a friend:
Mish,
I am a professional forester working in what is left of the timber industry in northern California. Two days ago I had an inspection of the logging area, and three State employees showed up, two from the Dept. of Forestry and one from the Dept. of Water Quailty. I suggested we carpool, and on the way back from the woods the subject turned to the sad state of California finances and what the unions are doing.
These guys were all in their 30’s, and it is obvious that there is a major difference between the leadership and the rank & file. One of the comments was “What are they gonna do, lay-off all the field workers and just retain upper & middle management? Like that is going to work.” Another stated, “When I go to the union meetings and I hear someone in leadership say, ‘I don’t see anything in this for me, so I am voting against it.’ or ‘ I don’t care what situation the State is in, we have a contract, and we are entitled to those benefits.’ I am simply amazed. What else can I do but finish my pizza and go home.”
I asked them if they heard about what Chris Christy was doing in New Jersey; they had not, so I explained the video you posted where he takes on the teacher in the town hall meeting. They thought for a moment and all agreed that Christy was right, the teachers unions were responsblie for the layoffs because they refused to accept concessions. The leader of our small group, a voting member of the union, stated that many his age would “take one for the team” (ie reduced wages and benefits) in order to keep others in the union for being laid off. It is the older members in leadership who refuse to concede.
The kicker to all of this is the contract negotiation process. Evidently, union members sit on both sides of the table. One union member represents the State, and the other represents the union. There was nervous laughter as we drove down the mountain. I asked if this was negotiation in name only, the reply was “The process is compromised, but works if both individuals truly believe in the process.” I had no idea it was this bad.
Keep up the good work,
Mike