Teachers, Firefighters, Cops Target M&I With Boycott (Union Goons Threaten Bank)

Journal Sentinel ^ | Thursday, March 10, 2011 | Patrick Marley

[kristinn]

Madison -- Teachers, firefighters and police officers said they would begin a boycott of M&I Bank if the bank does not begin publicly opposing Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to curtail collective bargaining for public workers.

Unions representing those groups said they would start other boycotts of businesses that backed Walker in his campaign.

The letter to M&I President Tom Ellis said the boycott would begin March 17 if the bank hasn't opposed Walker's efforts by then.

"In the event that you cannot support this effort to save collective bargaining, please be advised that the undersigned will publicly and formally boycott the goods and services provided by your company," the letter says. "However, if you join us, we will do everything in our power to publicly celebrate your partnership in the fight to preserve the right of public employees to be heard at the bargaining table."

The letter was sent by the heads of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 311, Madison Teachers Inc., Green Bay Education Association, Dane County Deputy Sheriffs Assocation and the Madison Professional Police Officers Association.

SNIP

(Link to photo of union goons massed at bank branch's entrance)

[Hamilcar_Barca]

You are not taking these people seriously enough. Tens of millions have died under communist rule. Know what hunts you.

[Tucsonican]

Funny thing is M&I Bank was just sold to Canadian bank BMO and is no longer a WI bank

That's absolutely hilarious! Wisconsin Union Brats Attack Canada!

Heck, the sale went down in December....after the election. These morons weren't even going after the people that supported Walker.....and didn't know it. I suppose that's just Liberal "collateral damage".

[terycarl]

If the unions win, Wisconsin will just be a union thug state. Taxpayers will be the new serfs bowing to the union aristocrats

I'm from Wisconsin originally and I can't see, for the life of me, Walker backing down. When you are elected to do something, do it....unlike "hope and change" we need real results and he seems like he's up to it!!

[Rembrandt]

“Taxpayers will be the new serfs bowing to the union aristocrats.”

If the unions win, buy stock in companies running moving services.

[MissMack99]

Sounds like Racketteering

[griswold3]

Uh Oh!
This is just too funny!

[Mygirlsmom]

Sounds close to extortion

Close, nothing! It's flat out extortion!!!!!

We've heard word of the police and fire unions asking businesses to display a Wisconsin-shaped raised fist in their windows to (ahem) show solidarity (translaton: to indicate that if fire or police services are needed they will be delivered in a timely fashion).

How are these people still holding their positions? This has to be illegal.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Read the comments, most support the bank and it is a Canadian-owned bank.

[kanawa]

bullies...

[Future Useless Eater]

Let them try their best. It only gives free advertisement to M&I for those taxpayers who like the idea of fiscal responsibility.

I just looked it up and there is an M&I bank near me, so I might be switching banks to them (but ONLY if they stand their ground and not cave to the union thugs)

[VideoDoctor]

These STUPID union bastards obviously didn’t read the text book on “How to WIN Friends and INFLUENCE People”.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Here’s my fantasy:

Layoff 20% of the police. Take 1/2 the savings from those layoffs, buy firearms and give the firearms along with firearms training and self defense training to all willing adults. When the news media reports the massive growth of the trained, gun owning population the crimes against persons and property will probably go down enough that those cops are not needed anyway.

[6323cd]

I swear, if I was unfortunate enough to have a fire break out, I'd let the house burn to the ground and sow the lot with salt before I'd call in those thugs to put it out.

My poster of the firemen raising the flag at the World Trade Center site gets shredded this weekend, too. I have no respect for them anymore.

[Eldon Tyrell]

Has anyone on this thread ever had a positive experience with a policeman?

Outside of touring the police station as a cub scout -

I’ve had my share of BS tickets, and of course, the police assaulted a few friends of mine - so net - I’m well in the red as far as cops go.

Give me concealed carry, and the rest of our population the same, and a bunch of the bad guys end up with lead poisoning - what do I need cops for?

Seriously - are they stopping gangs? No. Are they stopping drugs? No.

Who has actual experience of them doing SOMETHING.

This is extortion. We should welcome the fight.

[redpoll]

>>>Has anyone on this thread ever had a positive experience with a policeman?<<<

I worked alongside policemen and police women for almost 20 years. I went on many night rides. I watched them sitting around relaxing and in situations where their lives were threatened.

Yes, there were a few bad cops. But most of them were good, decent people with a powerful love for their country and community. I don’t know the reasons for your sour attitude, but as someone who has literally sat next to dozens of local police, country sheriffs, and state troopers, I’d say you’re far off the mark.

I can either believe your words or my eyes.

[Eldon Tyrell]

Really?

I note - you didn’t answser my question. I didn’t ask “are they all evil bastards” - I asked “have you ever had a positive experience” - relating to their POLICE WORK not their ice cream eating.

Mistake number 2 - You didn’t read what I wrote. I didn’t say “I think I’ve seen some act illegally” - I said “I SAW THEM assault my friends.

So - let’s have it - what crimes in your 20 years did you see them prevent. Because as for me - they need to prevent three violent assaults - on me or my friends - just to break even.

As for their “love of country” can it. Normal Americans have plenty of the same - cops have no monopoly on this. And yet - we manage to survive without being rude little schmucks, hiding behind badges, while we pay their salaries. The armed forces take volunteers every day - real heroes sign up.

And - now that you’ve got me started - I really don’t like being pulled over by a brand spankin new police car while I’m driving my 12 year old car. For a seatbelt infraction. In a 25 mph zone, 1,000 yards from my house.

No - I do not respect them. I do not value them. It is THEIR job to provide value, and to make a positive impression on those who pay their salaries. They used to have respect. Now they just look like clowns - pigs, with their noses in the trough. Their old nickname is starting to be earned.

[kearnyirish2]

The spineless/compromised ones could put up the “fist” sign, then vote your true thoughts in the ballot box. If you’re asked to sign a petition, draw the fist mext to your signature to let the recipient know it was coerced.

Just a thought; the problem with the “withholding services” tactic is that people might start to count the actual number of fires and go all-volunteer, or see the actual crime rate and just loosen up gun laws. Also, there are many laid-off civil servants all over the country that would be happy to work as scabs for less money; they are already trained, with few other job prospects.

[kearnyirish2]

“My poster of the firemen raising the flag at the World Trade Center site gets shredded this weekend, too. I have no respect for them anymore.”

It should have been shredded when after they insisted a group of firemen be kept at Ground Zero for removal of firemens’ remains, they’ve brought suits against the city claiming all kinds of ailments from exposure to Ground Zero. They viciously attacked the mayor for suggesting that detail was not necessary (they were “on the clock”), and they’ll cost us millions for years to come. The disgraceful behavior of the firemen who survived 9/11 overshadows the true heroism of those who died on that day, and any subsequent attempt to ease the taxpayers’ burden in terms of costs associated with firefighting is answered with signs bearing silhouettes of the Twin Towers. Something so horrible has become a sick joke; we are supposed to be permanently indebted to people who just happen to work in the same field as dead firemen we could never pay our debt to.

[kearnyirish2]

Five years ago banks would have done anything to keep this business; public servants were the gold standard for borrowers as they had a unique financial stability. Nowadays, not so much; layoffs have already started, and many places that have laid off are preparing for round 2 as another year’s worth of pay increases come due...

[BetterSafeThanSorry]

I am a member of one of the cop unions that had signed the letter to M&I bank. I was NOT asked if I agreed to this. I was not informed of this letter and found out about it after it hit the press. There are many that I work with that are as angry as I am about this letter and the boycott. I for one will open an account with M&I bank, and am going to write Tom Ellis a letter informing him that our Union as a whole was not asked about this boycott and that it was a decision made by a few radicals on our department. Please don't judge all cops according to the few that make decisions with their emotions rather then their brains.