More Bad News for Walker

Even though recent polls continue to show disapproval for Gov. Walker and an increase in support for unions and collective bargaining, Wisconsin Republicans still refuse to negotiate amendments to the pending anti-union legislation. According to a recent NBC/ Wall Street Journal Poll, only 33% of those surveyed found it acceptable to “Eliminate public employees’ right to collectively bargain over health care, pensions, and other benefits when negotiating a union contact” while and overwhelming 62% found this unacceptable. Support for Gov. Walker has significantly decreased as a result of his recent union-busting initiative. According to polls taken by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, 53% of those surveyed have a negative view of the Governor while this percentage was only 35% in November. These numbers prove that Gov. Walker’s plans to take away collective bargaining rights are clearly not a reflection of what his constituency wants, and as this scheme continues, the Republicans in Wisconsin just continue to lose more support.

Despite recent rumors that the 14 Democratic senators will return to Wisconsin and vote on the current version if the bill, these senators have made it very clear that they refuse to return until acceptable negotiations are made. After an article in the Wall Street Journal reported that the senators would soon return to Madison, Sen. Chris Larson quickly refuted that idea, stating that the quote by Minority Leader Mark Miller that the WSJ reporter used to make such a claim was completely taken out of context. According to Sen. Larson, “Dems will return when collective bargaining is off the table. That could be soon based on the growing public opposition to the bill and the recall efforts against Republicans.” 21st Century Democrats continues to support the “Wisconsin 14” and we commend the efforts of Democratic leaders all over the country who are fighting to preserve the right to collectively bargain and sustain the necessary power of unions in the workplace.

Too Far

Earlier today Wisconsin Senate Republicans passed a resolution that gave the 14 Democratic senators who fled the state an ultimatum: return to the senate floor by 4:00 pm today or they would be held in contempt. This ultimatum gave the Sergeant at Arms the authority to "take any and all necessary steps, with or without force” in order to bring the Democratic senators back to Wisconsin so the senate would have quorum and the Republicans could pass their union-busting legislation.

This time the Republicans have gone way too far. According to the state Constitution, lawmakers are prohibited from being arrested while the legislature is in session, except for “treason, felony and breach of the peace.” Fleeing the state in an attempt to negotiate with Republican leaders and to avoid passing legislation that would drastically hurt thousands of workers does not constitute treason, a felony, or a breach of the peace. The Republicans have simply ignored their state’s Constitution and have clearly over-reached their authority in passing this resolution.

Ohio Workers Keep Fighting

Today in Ohio, Senate Bill 5 is being discussed and amended in a hearing in the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee. According to State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-33 Canfield), the controversial bill should be granted more public hearing before it is released from committee. A vote to send the bill to the Senate floor will come Wednesday or Thursday. Senate Bill 5 restrains the rights of public employees to negotiate new labor contracts, prohibits state employees from collectively bargaining, and only allows county and municipal employees and public school teachers to bargain for wages and benefits. Research center Innovation Ohio found that Ohio’s teachers, on average, saw a pay cut of 4% from 2008 to 2009, when the national average was just 2%. For the last few weeks thousands of protesters have rallied at the statehouse in Columbus to voice their opposition. Nonetheless, the thousands of protesters and a very telling public opinion poll sponsored by The New York Times and CBS News that finds 60% of Americans not in favor of repealing collective bargaining rights for public employee unions, to 33% in favor, is having a big impact. According to Plunderbund.com four Republican senators already oppose the bill, and three others are listed as ready to vote no on the current version of the bill. As rallies commenced today at 10am, Republican lawmakers are under pressure!