Rally chants: “Kill the bill!â€
February 17, 2011 at 5:17 am in River Falls Journal
Protestors packed into the Falcon’s Nest at the UW-River Falls University Center the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 16 for an hour-long protest rally against a proposed budget-repair bill that all but eliminates union collective bargaining plus asks public-sector employees to pay more toward their health insurance and pension plans. Continue Reading
I’m struggling with why the students at the colleges and high schools feel that they have ‘horse in this race’.
Unless of course, through peaceful civil disobedience they simply get to take a stand and by doing so avoid going to glass and get on the good side of their teachers/professors.
The ability of teachers to collective bargain (or not)is of no consequence to students.
And after watching the WEAC members of the River Falls district apply the “work to rule” principle, when they had no contract, it showed everyone where their loaylties really lie.
Requiring teachers to contribute higher percentages to their own pensions and insurance isn’t dictatorial, its the ‘real world’! Especially when you consider that other than teachers, every other worker in America works 12 months a year!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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It’s time for public workers to give a little as well. I’ve taken a pay cut and it time for teachers to do there part and start paying there own way. I have a tough time believing that a professor working 9 months a year and making 60K+ easy is being treated unfairly. It’s time they join the rest of us and earn what you keep. Even with the changes, there getting a GREAT deal.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I also wanted to add……many professors canceled there classes to promote there own cause. REALLY!!! What other profession can you cancel a business deal or shift ( I payed a lot of money for this education) last minute and still get paid. Not to mention no repercussions for them not showing. If I skipped my job I’d have a “No Show” and be fired. Man those professors have it rough…
Hot debate. What do you think?
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One more time, this is not only about teachers and professors. I have worked for the system for 12 years. I have no vacation, no sick leave and make less than $14/hr. I’ve sacrificed as much as either of you. Does it sound like I am making too much?
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It depends on your position. I’m not sure what kind of education and experience levels are need for your job since you did not describe what you do. It seems counter-intuitive to support a union that has failed to provide you with vacation and sick pay benefits when they have 12 years to bargain for them. Perhaps your better off keeping your dues at that rate. I am willing to bet that someone would be happy to take a 14/hr job if it where available and the simple fact that your employed during an awful recession should make you grateful.
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I’m a senior designer – LTE. My position requires a degree or several years experience. I took the job knowing that it came with no vacation or sick leave. It’s non-negotiable. That’s my point. People who think that those in the public sector are living the high life with all these incredible benefits are mistaken. My contract has to be renewed every year. There are no guarantees. I’ve taken pay freezes and furloughs. I’ve sacrificed like everyone else. Now Walker wants to take more from me and I just cannot afford it. Why not go after auto workers, bankers or builders? And nothing against firefighters or police, but why are they excluded from this attack?
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Your right about LTE employment, it is what it is, take it or leave it. However, I am not sure if your position dictates that you must be in a union. If it does, then you should be in support of Walker since the union cannot and has not bargained for the right to represent you. If the bill passes you can opt out of the union dues. If your not in a union, then you should support this bill based on the fact that your making sacrifices that your fellow state workers aren’t. I will agree with you that some public workers (Teacher assistants are a good example) don’t live the high life as far as wages. However that was known going into the position. Times are tough and I’m not saying this will be easy for all workers, but it is necessary.
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Republicans just want big government controlling local school boards.
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Are you going to blame Bush for high gas prices to?
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