Now Where are those Pesky Protestors

[Chris Bell]

I wonder if the union thugs will show up in Massachusetts.

"The 111-to-42 vote followed tougher measures to broadly eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in Ohio, Wisconsin, and other states. But unlike those efforts, the push in Massachusetts was led by Democrats who have traditionally stood with labor to oppose any reduction in workers’ rights."


http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/27/house_votes_to_limit_bargaining_on_health_care/

I just did a search and..not surprisingly..not a mention of this on MSNBC.

[Nate]

Yep...

[Chas H]

You're comparing apples to oranges.
The bill in Mass would limit collective bargaining on healthcare. The other states have or are contemplate eliminating collective bargaining completely.
But nice try.

[Botnst]

Distinction without a difference.

[tonkovich]

Originally Posted by Chris Bell

I wonder if the union thugs will show up in Massachusetts.

"The 111-to-42 vote followed tougher measures to broadly eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in Ohio, Wisconsin, and other states. But unlike those efforts, the push in Massachusetts was led by Democrats who have traditionally stood with labor to oppose any reduction in workers’ rights."


http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/27/house_votes_to_limit_bargaining_on_health_care/

I just did a search and..not surprisingly..not a mention of this on MSNBC.

union thugs?

where's the monthly thread showing all those individuals injured/killed by "union thuggery"? ( ala your "persecuted christians" / "muslim menace" threads? ) (don't fret; it's a rhetorical question.)

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Distinction without a difference.

Dang, that there sound erudite and stuff.

The fact that states are even considering this is an strong indication that unions already have one foot in the grave. Even 20 years ago, no one would have taken on public unions in this way. At this point, even the democrats are ignoring them on policy issues.

[MS Fowler]

Originally Posted by Craig

The fact that states are even considering this is an strong indication that unions already have one foot in the grave. Even 20 years ago, no one would have taken on public unions in this way. At this point, even the democrats are ignoring them on policy issues.

While continuing to give the lip service, and, of course, accept their donation$.
Do you think the union leadership will ever figure that out? OTOH, where else can the union thugs go?

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

While continuing to give the lip service, and, of course, accept their donation$.
Do you think the union leadership will ever figure that out? OTOH, where else can the union thugs go?

Exactly, the democrats will give them lip service without actually taking any action, just like the republicans handle their "social conservatives." Neither group has anyplace else to go and the parties still want them to get out and vote; neither group is really the "core" of the party, but never seem to figure out they are just being manipulated.

[tonkovich]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Dang, that there sound erudite and stuff.

we are in the presence of a great intellect; please genuflect to each and every post.

oh, and be ever vigilant against "union thuggery" - thousands die every day from this menacing right wing talking point.

[Pooka]

Well, I hate to be the one to point this out, but if you are referring to Teachers, Firefighters and Policemen as 'Union Thugs' you are somewhat out of touch with what a Union Thug is.

Try crossing the picket line at a Refinery when the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, also known as OCAW, goes out on strike. The last time they went out (in 1980) oil companies took steps to protect their tank farms from destruction. Not damage; destruction. At a cost of $10,000,000 per tank that's thugness.

I can honestly say I have not seen any Union violence for about 40 years, but maybe my standards of thugness are higher than all you younger folks out there who think anyone engaging in their right to peacefully assemble is a 'Union Thugs'.

[Pooka]

Well, after reading over a bit of the news on this it seems that the only change this makes is that there is a window of time in which a healthcare plan can be talked over and after that time is up the city can pick the plan they want.

The bill is supposed to mention a lot of things the Union cannot bargain over and they are all things their current contracts do not allow them to bargain over now. It just takes these items, like co-pays, out of the contract and puts them into law.

But this is not law yet. It still has to go through the Senate.

It seems that the issues in Mass are complex and there is still a lot of talking to do. Unlike WI, where the Republicans presented a back-room done deal with no input or opposition allowed, this bill still has a long way to go before it ever becomes law.

So, which approach do you think is best? Discussing this among all interested parties or just pushing through a law that many people oppose?

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by Chas H

You're comparing apples to oranges.
The bill in Mass would limit collective bargaining on healthcare. The other states have or are contemplate eliminating collective bargaining completely.
But nice try.

One is part the other more complete. More like big apples to small apples. You defend it because you're on the political left, and it makes the political left look bad.

[Chas H]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

One is part the other more complete. More like big apples to small apples. You defend it because you're on the political left, and it makes the political left look bad.

I'm not defending anything. I'm correcting a typical knee-jerk mistake.
Neither the left nor the right needs help to look bad.

[kknudson]

Most know or should I am basically anti-union.
They had their place and once were a good thing for workers.
Today they are a business the workers come out somewhat ahead, the businesses/government get screwed, and the union EMPLOYEE's make out like bandits (reminds me of politics).

Anybody who questions why many are anti-union can respond to this article.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2011/03/city-inspector-general-hits-loafing-truck-drivers.html

If you can logically justify why the union basically said Yep thats the way it is, I might consider changing my opinion.