The only thing I know for sure is that state workers have a far superior benefits package compared to private workers. Right now they only contribute .2% of their pay to their pension.Originally Posted by bu villain
The only thing I know for sure is that state workers have a far superior benefits package compared to private workers. Right now they only contribute .2% of their pay to their pension.
I agree that is extremely low but it has to be looked at in the context of total compensation. I was under the impression that public employees generally get lower salaries than private sector employees but it is balanced out with better benefits than private sector employees.
Also I have done a bit more reading on the topic and it seems the protesters are much more upset about restricting the collective bargaining rights than the increase in pension contributions.
In the past you would be correct. Gov workers used to be paid less but had superior benefit packages and job security. That has changed as Gov workers tend to be paid as well or more than private sector equivalents.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...eral-pay_N.htm
A lot of the protests are because of collective bargaining rights. The union mindset is so ingrained in these people that they are unable to fathom things without the union. Listen to the chants and slogan the unions are using in the press. Scott Walker has been called Hitler and a Nazi and it gets worse from there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcDnKQul_c8
The first 10 seconds say everything about the people protesting.
BTW, that lady is a teacher. Guess what she is teaching her students.
What is she teaching them? Go on, I'm listening.
Here's the thing. This isn't about budget shortfalls or anything like that. It's about union-busting.
The public sector unions have already agreed to all of the cuts proposed in Walker's bill, and he won't compromise until they lose their collective bargaining rights, which is the entire point of a union. It's bullshit, and Walker knows it. He's a union-busting fraud.
Now, let's talk about the more interesting part of the bill.
Let's first assume that we are all well aware that Gov. Walker was largely funded by the Koch Brothers, the billionaire energy moguls who fund everything from Tea Party rallies to Republican Campaign Rallies (this is a matter of public record.)
Then, let's look at this: (emphasis mine)
For those of you who don't speak "Politician," let me translate.16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state −owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).
Walker, who got a large chunk of his funding from the owners of an energy company, wants to sell the ownership and operation of all state-owned energy facilities (heating, cooling, and power plants) to any energy company he wants, for whatever price the company wants. This is called a "no-bid contract." He also adds that last little bit in: "any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest," as a real slap in the face: that means that no matter what happens, it will legally be declared to be a good thing. These people could say "Hey, that's a cool power plant the taxpayers just funded for $10 miollion. We're going to buy that shit off you for $150, take over the operations, and then the taxpayers are going to pay for it, cool? Kthx" and it would be automatically approved as being in everyone's best interest.
But sure, let's just blame unions, right?
Correct Fitment Crew CEO2012 Hyundai Veloster / 1960 Fiat 600D
Because Only Turds Should be Dumped and Flushed.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote