Wisconsin Gov-elect Walker looks at showdown with employee unions (proposes abolishing state unions)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ^ | 12/08/2010 | By Lee Bergquist and Jason Stein

[SeekAndFind]

Governor-elect Scott Walker raised the possibility of essentially abolishing state employee unions on Tuesday as one option to control rising employee benefits costs and eliminate the state's budget deficit.

Walker, a Republican, said he's looking at a range of options that would weaken unions, including eliminating their ability to negotiate with the state.

"Anything from the decertify all the way through modifications of the current laws in place," Walker said at a luncheon sponsored by the Milwaukee Press Club.

"The bottom line is we are going to look at every legal means we have to try to put that balance more on the side of taxpayers and the people who care about services."

Walker's comments were an escalation of an aggressive posture he's taken with state unions as he prepares to take office on Jan. 3.

Union leaders said Walker and the incoming GOP-controlled Legislature will face a fight if they seek to rewrite a 1971 state law governing state employee unions.

"It's too bad Scott Walker wants to destroy a law that assures the uninterrupted delivery of high-quality public services and has kept labor peace for more than three decades," said Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union.

As Milwaukee County executive, Walker has had a bitter relationship with unions. More than 4,000 workers represented by AFSCME Council 48 have been operating without a contract for nearly two years.

"His union-busting attitude shouldn't surprise anybody," said Rich Abelson, president of the Council 48. "This is very much in keeping with his conservative philosophy.

"In Scott Walker's world, CEOs never make enough money, and there isn't a working person who deserves what he earns."

But Walker said the state's red ink and his pledge to focus on economic recovery require cuts in workers' health and pension benefits.

[MissH]

Bust them up Walker!!!!!!!!!!

[ari-freedom]

One of the first things Gov Mitch Daniels did was to de-certify the state unions. And I hope that our next president will reverse JFK’s executive order that allowed the unionization of federal employees.

[US Navy Vet]

He should contact Gov Christie!

[Hostage]

Governor-elect Scott Walker raised the possibility of essentially abolishing state employee unions on Tuesday as one option to control rising employee benefits costs and eliminate the state's budget deficit.

This man deserves a medal for even broaching the subject.

Carry this out in Wisconsin and let's get Walker on a presidential ticket to carry the plan out at the federal level!

[Qbert]

Thanks for posting.

[Jim Robinson]

Go, Governor Walker, GO!!

[JSDude1]

DO it!

[9YearLurker]

Woo hoo! And I didn’t know that about Daniels. Still don’t like him on immigration, but that’s a great move.

I really like what’s been happening with Scott and WI, would like to see their party chairman get traction to replace Steele.

[appeal2]

The only thing necessary to destroy the unions is to abolish mandatory withholding of union dues from employee paychecks. They can’t last more than one year on their reserves and then the unions will be gone, end of story, no decertification necessary.

[bgill]

Good for him but I doubt he’ll be able to do anything against the power of the unions.

[Personal Responsibility]

If the state unions went on strike would anyone notice?

[rahbert]

only if they wore raspberry berets!

[GeronL]

public sector unions must die so that we the people may live

[SeekAndFind]

RE: If the state unions went on strike would anyone notice?

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Can’t speak for Wisconsin, but here in NYC, if the Transport Union goes on strike, millions of commuters can’t get to work on time.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: The only thing necessary to destroy the unions is to abolish mandatory withholding of union dues from employee paychecks.

---

California had the chance to do this via referendum. Guess what the voters did ? THEY VOTED *NOT* to abolish mandatory withholding.

[I am Richard Brandon]

Does the State deduct union dues from the pay of union employees on the State payroll? Stop doing that immediately.

[burroak]

This is the first time that I am proud of my state.

[paladinan]

The only thing necessary to destroy the unions is to abolish mandatory withholding of union dues from employee paychecks. They can’t last more than one year on their reserves and then the unions will be gone, end of story, no decertification necessary.

Can I hear an "AMEN"??? :) Get Right to Work legislation passed, and the union serpent starves to death without its steady diet of blood.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Go get ‘em, Scott. I’d just love to see the public employee unions try to strike. The public and the unions just might find out that we can do without them just fine and save a lot of money along the way.