Looks Like it's Over in Madison

[Bud Struggle]

MADISON, Wis. -- Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate voted Wednesday night to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers after discovering a way to bypass the chamber's missing Democrats.

All 14 Senate Democrats fled to Illinois nearly three weeks ago, preventing the chamber from having enough members present to consider Gov. Scott Walker's so-called "budget repair bill" - a proposal introduced to plug a $137 million budget shortfall.

The Senate requires a quorum to take up any measures that spend money. But Republicans on Wednesday split from the legislation the proposal to curtail union rights, which spends no money, and a special conference committee of state lawmakers approved the bill a short time later.

The lone Democrat present on the conference committee, Rep. Tony Barca, shouted that the surprise meeting was a violation of the state's open meetings law but Republicans voted over his objections. The Senate then convened within minutes and passed it without discussion or debate.

Spectators in the gallery screamed "You are cowards."

Before the sudden votes, Democratic Sens. Bob Jauch said if Republicans "chose to ram this bill through in this fashion, it will be to their political peril. They're changing the rules. They will inflame a very frustrated public."

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/09/wisconsin-gop-bypassing-democrats-on-collective-bargaining/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%7C205494

While I'm not 100% pro union all of the time I think blaiming the fiscal trouble of a state on teachers barganing together for a couple of dollars raise is crazy.

[Sentinel]

Before the sudden votes, Democratic Sens. Bob Jauch said if Republicans "chose to ram this bill through in this fashion, it will be to their political peril. They're changing the rules. They will inflame a very frustrated public."Truer words have seldom been spoken. They may have passed the bill, but this will create even more tensions and protests, and serve to radicalise the workers further.

This is why the social democrats and liberals are the smart cappies and people like Walker and his henchmen are the stupid ones, from their own perspective.

Yeah, this story is far from over.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

I don't know if this situation in Wisconsin could get any more annoying...

[Thug Lessons]

Yeah, these moves are more likely to galvanize union supporters than anything else. The best Walker and Wisconsin Republicans can hope for is that voters will have forgotten this by the time the next election rolls around.

[PhoenixAsh]

People are protesting there...

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

People are protesting there...

What I mean is that it's frustrating how easily their collective bargaining rights were taken away.

[PhoenixAsh]

Madison, Wisconsin (CNN) -- Wisconsin's Republican-led state Senate passed Gov. Scott Walker's proposed restrictions on collective bargaining for public employees Wednesday, getting around a Democratic walkout by stripping financial provisions from the bill.


"Tonight, the Senate will be passing the items in the Budget Repair Bill that we can with the 19 members who actually do show up and do their jobs," Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, the chamber's Republican majority leader, said in a statement announcing the move.


The Senate's 14 Democrats had fled to Illinois to prevent the chamber from attaining a quorum and passing the collective bargaining measures, which they have called an unnecessary attack on the rights of public employees. Republicans were able to move ahead by voting only on the nonfinancial aspects of Walker's proposed bill, which requires fewer members for a quorum.


"The Senate Democrats have had three weeks to debate this bill and were offered repeated opportunities to come home, which they refused," Walker said in a statement on the vote. "In order to move the state forward, I applaud the Legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government."
But the move drew howls of outrage from outside the chamber, where pro-union demonstrators chanted "Shame" and "You lied to Wisconsin" as the bill passed. Thousands more began to converge on the building, and a chorus of horns from passing cars echoed in the streets around the Capitol after the vote.


Walker and GOP lawmakers are trying to close a $137 million budget shortfall with a plan that calls for curbs on public employee union bargaining rights and requires public workers, with the exception of police and firefighters, to cover more of their retirement plans and health care premiums.


Public employee unions agreed to financial concessions that they say will help meet the state's fiscal needs, but Walker has said the limits on public bargaining are a critical component of his plan. His bill, which already had passed the state Assembly, would bar public workers other than police and firefighters from bargaining for anything other than wages.
Raises would be capped to the rate of inflation, unless state voters approve. The legislation also would require unions to hold a new certification vote every year, and unions would no longer be allowed to collect dues from workers' paychecks.


Unions mobilized their supporters to oppose the bill, drawing tens of thousands of workers to rallies opposing Walker and supporting the fugitive Democrats. Many of them camped in the halls of the Capitol until police began closing the building after business hours.


Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the state AFL-CIO, said Wednesday night's maneuver "shows that Scott Walker and the Republicans have been lying throughout this entire process."


"None of the provisions that attacked workers' rights had anything to do with the budget," Neuenfeldt said. "Losing badly in the court of public opinion and failing to break the Democratic senators' principled stand, Scott Walker and the GOP have eviscerated both the letter and the spirit of the law and our democratic process to ram through their payback to their deep-pocketed friends."


The vote in the Senate was 18-1, with Republican state Sen. Dale Schultz -- who earlier had floated a compromise that neither side bought into -- the lone opponent. Outside, state Rep. Peter Barca argued that Republican leaders violated state open meetings laws by calling the chamber into session without proper notice -- a move he called "a naked abuse of power."


"The gig is now up. The fraud on the people of Wisconsin is now very clear. They are now going to pass a bill to take away people's rights," Barca, a Democrat, said.


And Sen. Mark Miller, the Democratic Senate leader, said Republicans "conspired to take government away from the people."


"In 30 minutes, 18 state senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin," Miller said in a statement condemning the vote. "Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten."

[PhoenixAsh]

What I mean is that it's frustrating how easily their collective bargaining rights were taken away.

O yes..no...I wasn't really reacting to you. But I agree...it was waved away like it was nothing. What I meant to say was that people are protesting and thousands of people are going to the capitol building now.

[T-Paine]

I don't know the exact details about this, but wouldn't the bill have passed even if the 14 democrats were there? What exactly could've been done to stop the bill?

[B5C]

I don't know the exact details about this, but wouldn't the bill have passed even if the 14 democrats were there? What exactly could've been done to stop the bill?

According too the state Constitution. Certain finical parts of bills require a certain number of senators to start a vote. The GOP cut parts of the bill that require the Democrats.

Oh the people's reaction:
r3b-bS7BGoE

[psgchisolm]

in 50 years time this will be in textbooks and teachers will be telling how the politicians represented corporations and not the people. I just wonder what chapter it will be.

[T-Paine]

According too the state Constitution. Certain finical parts of bills require a certain number of senators to start a vote. The GOP cut parts of the bill that require the Democrats.

Oh the people's reaction:
r3b-bS7BGoE

I understand that attendance is required to pass the bill, but surely the democrats didn't plan on hiding in Illinois forever. If the Republicans have the votes with everyone in attendance, then they can pass the bill. That's how representative democracy works, the people of Wisconsin voted for all of those Republicans and now they're getting what they voted for. Preventing the vote wasn't going to defeat it.

I'm sure this will enrage enough people that a recall of Scott Walker might actually happen.

[B5C]

I understand that attendance is required to pass the bill, but surely the democrats didn't plan on hiding in Illinois forever. If the Republicans have the votes with everyone in attendance, then they can pass the bill. That's how representative democracy works, the people of Wisconsin voted for all of those Republicans and now they're getting what they voted for. Preventing the vote wasn't going to defeat it.

I'm sure this will enrage enough people that a recall of Scott Walker might actually happen.

Yet, the people just can't just accept the idea that they must deal with it.

Also note that Walker only won by 128,000 votes. Not a big support.

[psgchisolm]

I understand that attendance is required to pass the bill, but surely the democrats didn't plan on hiding in Illinois forever. If the Republicans have the votes with everyone in attendance, then they can pass the bill. That's how representative democracy works, the people of Wisconsin voted for all of those Republicans and now they're getting what they voted for. Preventing the vote wasn't going to defeat it.

I'm sure this will enrage enough people that a recall of Scott Walker might actually happen.He's supposed to represent the people. We all know how much representation for them he's done.

[T-Paine]

He's supposed to represent the people. We all know how much representation for them he's done.

He's representing the majority of voters. He won the election (52%), even if it was close.

[WeAreReborn]

He's representing the majority of voters. He won the election (52%), even if it was close.
No he isn't. Just because you vote for a politician doesn't mean they represent you. It just means they, foolishly, think that the politician will have the change that they want. Politicians have never represented the majority.

[B5C]

No he isn't. Just because you vote for a politician doesn't mean they represent you. It just means they, foolishly, think that the politician will have the change that they want. Politicians have never represented the majority.

They only represent the people who donate the most money. The Classical Republicanism is dead.

The only two politians who really are true representatives of the people are Ron Paul and Bernie Sanders.

[T-Paine]

No he isn't. Just because you vote for a politician doesn't mean they represent you. It just means they, foolishly, think that the politician will have the change that they want. Politicians have never represented the majority.

His campaign slogan wasn't "I'm going to take away public unions!" but from what I can tell he was pretty frank about being the typical Republican who wants to somehow balance the budget through cutting taxes and making up for lost revenue by cutting everything else. I see no reason why anybody against that would vote for him. He's doing exactly what people should expect him to do.

I think what he's doing is atrocious, but who's fault is that?

[#FF0000]

His campaign slogan wasn't "I'm going to take away public unions!" but from what I can tell he was pretty frank about being the typical Republican who wants to somehow balance the budget through cutting taxes and making up for lost revenue by cutting everything else. I see no reason why anybody against that would vote for him. He's doing exactly what people should expect him to do.

He never, ever, said anything about getting rid of the right of collective bargaining. And regardless of having the majority, he certainly didn't have a mandate to do away with it.

[Os Cangaceiros]

It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

And the fat lady ain't even on stage yet!

[Os Cangaceiros]

Unless you're talking about the actual bill. Then it does indeed look like it's over.

The struggle on the other hand (i.e. the important aspect of the events in Wisconsin) is far from over though.

[RGacky3]

His campaign slogan wasn't "I'm going to take away public unions!" but from what I can tell he was pretty frank about being the typical Republican who wants to somehow balance the budget through cutting taxes and making up for lost revenue by cutting everything else. I see no reason why anybody against that would vote for him. He's doing exactly what people should expect him to do.

I think what he's doing is atrocious, but who's fault is that?

The main brunt of these protests are against the collective bargaining.

Also its not 51 or 52% of the population, because the voter turnout was'nt that big. (republicans generally do well in low voter turnout).

But no, its not over, theres gonna be recall attempts on the senators, there's even been talks of a general strike.

[Rocky Rococo]

Yes. Finally real politics have returned to the US. It took the blunt stupidity of the Koch-head Class of 2010 to obliterate the carefully controlled narrative hegemony of capital. All they had to do was be p[atient, continue with the slw squeeze of the past 30 years, Obama sure wasn't going to kick against that. In fact his regime offered the ideal time for the final permanent varnishing of the Reaganite Restoration. Instead they got greedily impatient and brought at least sections of the working class from the hypnotized trance they've successfully placed 95% of the nation in. The great question now is whether we are already too far over the cliff for even a suddenly waking working class can stop a plunge into the total abyss. Let's not forget that the German workers suddenly woke up and got militant in late 1932, but it was too late even though the final deal hadn't been sealed yet.

[Sasha]

@ bud struggle, this was never about balancing the budget:


PoliticsThe Truth About the War in Wisconsin

Posted by Goldy

on Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 3:18 PM

In a "wait, did I say that outloud?" moment, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald explains the real motivation for crushing public employee unions:

"If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much difficult, much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin."


This is, of course, all about defunding Democratic constituency groups so that the Republicans' corporatist patrons, post-Citizens-United, can dominate the airwaves unchallenged.


Source: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/03/09/the-truth-about-the-war-in-wisconsin

[Bud Struggle]

I really don't know what is going to happen here. We are at a crossroads--if there is a backlash I think unions still have a chance, but if this turns into yesterday's headlines and people forget about this--this is the end of unions as we know them inthe US. One by one the states will remove collective bargening for governments unions. And if the government unons fall--the other unions will be right behind.

I'd be very proactive on this if I were you guys.

[RGacky3]

It was'nt the headlines that made the movement, it was the movement that made the headlines.


I'd be very proactive on this if I were you guys.

Absolutely.

[Rowan Duffy]

Public Policy Polling (PPP) largely confirms other recent polls showing public support for collective bargaining rights for unions

"57 percent say Wisconsin's workers should have collective bargaining rights, 37 percent say the should not and 7 percent are unsure."

That doesn't seem like much of a mandate to push this through to me.

Bourgeois republics are not very democratic even if one ignores the influence of money through campaign contributions and the manufacture of public opinion through propaganda.

[Dean]

I really don't know what is going to happen here. We are at a crossroads--if there is a backlash I think unions still have a chance, but if this turns into yesterday's headlines and people forget about this--this is the end of unions as we know them inthe US. One by one the states will remove collective bargening for governments unions. And if the government unons fall--the other unions will be right behind.

I'd be very proactive on this if I were you guys.

I'll tell you what will happen, in WI at least. The lawyers, outside consultancy and pr firms will be raking in cash. This is because the public sector will have a major policy deficit which will have to be filled.

This is because so much policy in the unionized public sector has been developed and implemented under the auspices of labor negotiations. Everything from scheduling to "rules of engagement" with students, constituents are heavily influenced by this process - a process which often bears little legal weight, but many municipalities / organizations follow the collectively-bargained policies since this negotiated stance allows for all sorts of perks,not the least of which is the reduction of overhead and grievances. When labor has a voice, the whole organization works better.

What is being done is to expand the democratic deficit in the workplace. The power which was partially vested in "democratic" labor organizations is being transferred to a legalistic class of bureaucrats.

Its worth noting, however, that a lot of policies probably wont change, due to the comfort level that a lot of other firms have with the set-up. You don't have the same system for decades in capitalism without firms exploiting the system and then hedging their positions to maintain them. Unless the workers can really hold their own, labor democracy will be swiped from this equation, and we will see the steady transition to the workplace autocracy so popular these days.

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

i_Z_TVrBUtw

Wisconsin general strike (http://www.facebook.com/wigeneralstrike?sk=wall)

Nationwide general strike (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Call-for-a-Nationwide-General-Strike/150601308334693#%21/pages/Call-for-a-Nationwide-General-Strike/150601308334693)

[Che a chara]

Let's hope these revolts encourage workers to group together to form groups that educate on class politics and expand union membership so that local struggles can become more centralised.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Egypt_Supports_Wisconsin_Protest_Sign.jpg

[RGacky3]

Class consciousness is higher than its been for a long long time (it was always there just not in the mainstream), now the mainstream can't ignore it.

[Bud Struggle]

Class consciousness is higher than its been for a long long time (it was always there just not in the mainstream), now the mainstream can't ignore it.

Time to send the troops into Libya focus attention there.

[RGacky3]

That would be hard to do politically, but who knows, maybe. Or maybe time to hold anti-muslim hearings to try make a boogieman.

[Sasha]

i_Z_TVrBUtw

Wisconsin general strike (http://www.facebook.com/wigeneralstrike?sk=wall)

Nationwide general strike (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Call-for-a-Nationwide-General-Strike/150601308334693#%21/pages/Call-for-a-Nationwide-General-Strike/150601308334693)



In the video above, Joe Conway, the president of the Madison firefighters union, is seen calling for a general strike, a labor action that technically is not legal under the odious Taft-Hartley Act. In fact, public employee unions were already barred from striking in Wisconsin under existing law, so talk of a strike of any kind is dramatic in itself.
But this just shows you the level of anger on the ground in Wisconsin, that even firefighters—who are exempt from the governor's union-busting bill—would embrace a strike that could ultimately cost them their jobs, since workers engaging in a general strike have no legal protections. Gov. Walker could unilaterally fire all striking workers and move to decertify their unions. And given what an asshole he is, workers should expect exactly that, which is just one of the reasons why a general strike is so unlikely.
That said, personally, I could never bring myself to work for a boss who so openly despises and disrespects me, so I myself would vote for a strike, as self-destructive as that decision might be.


source: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/03/10/madison-firefighters-union-president-calls-for-general-strike

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/files.posterous.com/jackdean/JrJqdEzAwooBFuBzGixuyBthGvzicvgoqBByyygoAwpyydnuHA jcfvEukoDn/media_httpi1007photob_jEhng.jpg.scaled500.jpg?AWSA ccessKeyId=AKIAJFZAE65UYRT34AOQ&Expires=1299871012&Signature=zwaccXx8oNfX29lVg8Ugw8iwVCI%3D

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Not over by a long shot -- but in order to win this now, the workers will have to take on the State, and challenge this 'law', which will raise the stakes and introduce the sort of political issues that have not been aired by the mass of workers so far.

Enter Marxism...

[Ele'ill]

From what I hear there's a lot of buzz surrounding upcoming labor action- all over the country. Madison isn't over in any way shape or form- Madison is now everywhere.

[Che a chara]

The republicans claim they have the legitimacy to do this because Walker was elected by the Wisconsin electorate solely to cut the deficit there. They are making all these promises that this bill will save money and create jobs and make the system all round more efficient and transparent. So From a Democrat/union perspective, how can they argue against the bill and combat against republican false promises ? I have heard very little response from them so far that would merit any debate on the issue. Can Walker be recalled ?

Also, It was inspiring seeing the protesters singing 'Solidarity Forever' in unison as a number of them where being dragged out of the building last night by security. :thumbup1:

[Dimentio]

The republicans claim they have the legitimacy to do this because Walker was elected by the Wisconsin electorate solely to cut the deficit there. They are making all these promises that this bill will save money and create jobs and make the system all round more efficient and transparent. So From a Democrat/union perspective, how can they argue against the bill and combat against republican false promises ? I have heard very little response from them so far that would merit any debate on the issue. Can Walker be recalled ?

Also, It was inspiring seeing the protesters singing 'Solidarity Forever' in unison as a number of them where being dragged out of the building last night by security. :thumbup1:

Does it really saving money?

[nuisance]

Enter Marxism...
I wouldn't count on thatl.

[RATM-Eubie]

Strike now! recall the senators and walker!

[Che a chara]

Does it really saving money?

Well I believe this is one of the promises they have made and I think it might have something to do with benefit contributions and the health care plan.

The problem I see though is if it cuts the deficit, I don't see how Walker or the bill can be recalled after he was on the ticket to cut it. Don't get me wrong, i'm all for the unions and they have my support and I hope the bill is whitewashed, but if Walker was elected on what he promised and he delivers, how can he be opposed other than by Democrat/Union rhetoric and strike threats ? they aren't offering anything.

[RGacky3]

ultimately it won't cut the deficit, in the short run it will, but as the economy crashes (which is inevitable with these policies) revenue will drop even lower.

He'll get recalled because people hate him.

[Bud Struggle]

ultimately it won't cut the deficit, in the short run it will, but as the economy crashes (which is inevitable with these policies) revenue will drop even lower.

He'll get recalled because people hate him.

They have to wait 9 months.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

EP:


I wouldn't count on that.

I don't count on anything; what I meant was that Marxism was needed to take this forward.

Of course, as an anarchist, you might disagree with this, but that does not automatically make what I say false.

[RGacky3]

Its a MINISCULE part of the budget (about 2%) thats being cut, its not actually gonna cut the buget, infact ultimately it will damage it, you take away those pensions you cut their pay your cutting demand, public workers are still workers and consumers and it has a social effect, you cut demand in the state all sorts of retail like industries will drop off, sales will drop, which means loss of tax revenue from everyone.

Sure maybe he'll attract some industrialists like the cock brothers or whatever to get cheaper labor and non union labor, but I doubt it.

ALso the long run, you cut public education your gonna have an education deficit and good jobs that require an education will leave wisconsin, meaning those industries won't be paying taxes to wisconsin.

The democrats, are being tough now, but thats nothing to thank them for, it took hundreds of thousands of protesters for them to grow some balls.