Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
LABOR WOES IN WISCONSIN
It seems difficult to be fair when the majority that makes decisions in the legislature belongs
to the party that is beholden to big corporations. The injustice is magnified when such
decisions – challenged in the courts -- are upheld by the high court.
This was precisely what happened in Wisconsin, my beloved state. As the world now knows,
our State Supreme Court on June 14 set aside the ruling of Dane County District Judge
Maryann Sumi placing a permanent injunction against the Budget Repair Bill of Gov. Scott
Walker, which directly assaults the rights of state workers to collectively bargain. This bill
caused massive demonstrations this past winter by state employees and their supporters on
the steps of the Capitol, marches along State Street and around the legislature building, and
recall efforts that effectively divided the Wisconsin population.
Why the “uprising”? Walker’s Budget Bill – now law – requires all public employees in
Wisconsin -- except police and firefighters – to pay more for retirement contributions and
health care costs. The Republican Senate’s position was that it’s necessary to control
workers’ benefits in order to close a $137 million budget shortfall. My question is: Why
sacrifice state workers’ rights and benefits; why not find other ways to balance the state budget without hurting small
people who do the dirty work? This act of Wisconsin’s legislature and approved by the Republican-majority Wisconsin
Supreme Court is a direct assault on unions and their rights.
CNN reports that “raises would be tied to the rate of inflation, unless state voters approve an exception. Unions would be
required to hold a new certification vote every year and would no longer be allowed to collect dues from workers'
paychecks.” If this is not an injustice, I don’t know what is.
As a student of labor relations long time ago, I knew in my heart why it’s necessary for unions to survive. How can the
lowly employee be protected from an arrogant employer who didn’t care for safe working conditions and livable wage, for
instance? Greed always comes first when we talk about some corporations’ unethical cultures. Now, if it’s the state
government who’s the employer, who is being protected in this case? It’s the politicians’ turf. Unions have traditionally
supported Democratic candidates. And, even in the Supreme Court, we could feel the GOP and the mighty corporations’
power. I agree with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson when she wrote that the majority of the Supreme Court justices
"reached a predetermined conclusion not based on the facts and the law, which undermines the majority's ultimate
decision. ... make their own findings of fact, the parties' arguments, misinterpret statutes, minimize (if not eliminate)
Wisconsin constitutional guarantees, and misstate case law, appearing to silently overrule case law dating back to at
least 1891."
Wisconsin’s Republican legislature and Supreme Court are not working for the masses of our people. And for this, recall
people who do the dirty work? This act of Wisconsin’s legislature and approved by the Republican-majority Wisconsin
Supreme Court is a direct assault on unions and their rights.
CNN reports that “raises would be tied to the rate of inflation, unless state voters approve an exception. Unions would be
required to hold a new certification vote every year and would no longer be allowed to collect dues from workers'
paychecks.” If this is not an injustice, I don’t know what is.
As a student of labor relations long time ago, I knew in my heart why it’s necessary for unions to survive. How can the
lowly employee be protected from an arrogant employer who didn’t care for safe working conditions and livable wage, for
instance? Greed always comes first when we talk about some corporations’ unethical cultures. Now, if it’s the state
government who’s the employer, who is being protected in this case? It’s the politicians’ turf. Unions have traditionally
supported Democratic candidates. And, even in the Supreme Court, we could feel the GOP and the mighty corporations’
power. I agree with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson when she wrote that the majority of the Supreme Court justices
"reached a predetermined conclusion not based on the facts and the law, which undermines the majority's ultimate
decision. ... make their own findings of fact, the parties' arguments, misinterpret statutes, minimize (if not eliminate)
Wisconsin constitutional guarantees, and misstate case law, appearing to silently overrule case law dating back to at
least 1891."
Wisconsin’s Republican legislature and Supreme Court are not working for the masses of our people. And for this, recall
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elections are scheduled for six
Republicans and three Democrats this
Summer. I also expect larger and more
demonstrations coming up, and probably
more intense than ever before. I just
hope this doesn’t result in violence when
heated arguments erupt, both in the halls
of the assembly and on the streets.
Whatever your thoughts on unionism are,
I feel people have the right to organize
and collectively bargain. For our public
school teachers to be treated this way, for
example, is such an abhorrent action on
the part of our governor, the majority of
the state legislature, and the majority of
the state Supreme Court. If our governor
cares for public education, he should
have negotiated with the teachers’ union
for reforms. There are many other ways
to balance the budget without creating
such a massive “revolt” from the masses.
This is an injustice. Scott Walker and his
“company” don’t deserve my vote.
Republicans and three Democrats this
Summer. I also expect larger and more
demonstrations coming up, and probably
more intense than ever before. I just
hope this doesn’t result in violence when
heated arguments erupt, both in the halls
of the assembly and on the streets.
Whatever your thoughts on unionism are,
I feel people have the right to organize
and collectively bargain. For our public
school teachers to be treated this way, for
example, is such an abhorrent action on
the part of our governor, the majority of
the state legislature, and the majority of
the state Supreme Court. If our governor
cares for public education, he should
have negotiated with the teachers’ union
for reforms. There are many other ways
to balance the budget without creating
such a massive “revolt” from the masses.
This is an injustice. Scott Walker and his
“company” don’t deserve my vote.