Standing for What's Right

Don't be confused by the talk concerning the reasons why Wisconsin public employees, including teachers, are protesting enmasse in the state capital of Madison. Too many news agencies lead with the point that the public employees are unhappy with Governor Walker's plan to increase the amount of money the employees would have to contribute to their pension and health insurance plans.

Passage of the legislation would raise both of these costs. That is a fact. The larger and more important issue revolves around public employee unions losing the right to collective bargain. Once anyone loses the right to talk with, discuss, and voice ones concerns then you might as well 'throw in the towel.'

Look, most union workers and their leadership are looking for ways to make their membership more productive. If you don't believe this then think about it another way. What union wants to have a bunch of unproductive members? What union wants to have an uneducated group of people? Why would a union want overworked or ill members on the job?

The answer to the above is that no union would want the above work/worker conditions in the job place. It's in the best interests of the work place and workers, whether among firefighters or teachers, to make sure that they optimize the work environment.

Employees and employers are better off, working together, to make sure maximum conditions exist to get the best possible result. Take away the right to bargain and the chances of realizing those conditions is lost. Collective bargaining has much upside and that's what Wisconsin public employees are really fighting for.

Dick Flesher