Union Misconceptions

I think some people need to do a bit more research on unions and not accept everything that comes out of the mouths of Beck & company.

Many locals have "fair share" agreements that requires people to pay their fair share. (Interesting how Republicans talk about public servants paying their "fair share" for health insurance and pensions but do not want "free loaders" -- to use their term -- to pay their fair share in a union setting). But, I digress.

The fair share agreement is negotiated between the school board & the local association in collective bargaining. The rationale is all teachers receive the benefit of collective bargaining (increase in pay if there is any, benefits, contract language, etc.). Every teacher benefits from collective bargaining and therefore everyone should take part in the cost. If a teacher wishes to not become a member, they can get back a portion of their dues. This is not much different that a real estate agent getting back their R-PAC dues.

I will admit it has been some time since I was involved in negotiating but I don't think it has changed substantially and there may be some locals that do not have fair share agreements. If people would also check with the WERC, they would find out that teachers do not win every time during bargaining. Some people think that the teachers' union is somehow dictating terms to school boards. If teachers & other public sector employees were dictating contract terms, I would think the pay scales would be much different.

It is interesting how people who have no experience in union membership are somehow experts on labor issues.

If Walker and the Republican legislature get their way and bust public sector unions what do people think will happen next? Do they honestly think Walker & the Republicans will stop there? Private sector unions will be next. What then for a decent working wage? Wages are competitive, if we get to the point where there are no unions then we will see all wages kept low. And that is not to suggest they are high by any means. Look at the history of the pay gap between workers and the rich. The gap continues to get wider as the wealthy increase their wealth with exorbitant bonuses and the pay of the workers has remained relatively flat.

What will happen to consumer spending when wages continue to decline relative to the cost of living? People will cut back, which will lead to more layoffs as consumer demand falls. The classic "death spiral" we saw during the Great Depression.

Look at who is behind this movement across the United States to bust unions. People like the Koch brothers are pushing this agenda because it will further enrich them and their friends.