GOP Governors Cut State Workers' Rights

[Jon8503]

Another attack on workers rights:
Mon Mar 21, 2:49 AM ET
By ROBERT TANNER, AP National Writer

Republican governors in a few spots across the country are angering state employees by removing one of organized labor's strongest tools — the right to collective bargaining.

Governors in three states who've taken the step say it's about making government more efficient or being fair to non-union workers. Critics say it's political payback for labor's traditional support of Democrats and part of a wider shift to undermine workers in favor of big business.

Within hours or days of taking office this year, Mitch Daniels in Indiana and Matt Blunt in Missouri eliminated collective bargaining agreements for state employees, affecting about 50,000 workers. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher did the same when he took office in 2003. In each case, the agreements had only been granted by executive order, not by law.

In Mississippi, where state employees don't have collective bargaining rights, GOP Gov. Haley Barbour supports a legislative effort to eliminate existing civil-service protections. In Oklahoma, the GOP-controlled state House approved a measure to repeal a law granting collective bargaining to municipal employees.

Blunt said the union rules of the business world should not apply to government. "Fundamentally, public employees are different than private sector employees — their employer is the people of Missouri," he said on his first day in office. "Taxpayers should not be bound by collective bargaining agreements."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/20050321/ap_on_re_us/governors_unions&printer=1

[forintegrity]

1. Another blatant attack

on working American citizen's!

When and were does it stop?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

2. Blunt should give up his own perks then...

His health care plan that he gets as Governor would be a start. He's intent on dismantling health care for the poor and vulnerable... he should give up his health care - that'll save some tax money.

[Jon8503]

3. Good Point Anarcho-N/T.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

4. Thanks

:toast:

[xmas74]

5. I worked for the state for five years.

I was a member of ASCME-we fought long and hard for the right to collective bargaining. And it was taken away almost immediately by Blunt.
Also, state employees health insurance has gone through the roof in a very short amount of time. They are getting screwed all the way around.

[ikojo]

6. I'd like to know how many of those state

employees now losing their right to collective bargaining, voted for Blunt and Bush? For those who cast their vote for the pugs, they are reaping the rewards of compassionate conservatism.