Members of the Wisconsin 14 join Ed in an exclusive interview to voice their outrage over the passage of Gov. Walker's anti-labor bill.
Exclusive: WI-14 Reacts
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Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:03 AM EST
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These are the "real" people..
@!$%# republiscum!
Wisconsin state capitol building on lock down! Assembly vote on budget bill scheduled for 11:00 AM CT. A vote cannot be held until building is opened to public. Stay tuned!
I hope you people that voted the replubicans into power during the last voting cycle are really proud of yourselves, you are part of the party that is on the road of destroying this once great country! Congradulations!!!
obama has done a pretty good job of that,and if you consider unions as great then you are lost it is funny how 18% of the workforce (union) is now called the whole work force.if the work force was all union as portrayed there would not be much work done.if you cant do your work right or keep a real job join a union.
If you hate Unions u must love are great economy thanks to people on wall street. But its not there fault because we all know teachers control the economy. Please do us all a favor stop watching Fox News for 5 seconds and go outside and live in the real world.
Maybe now we'll be headed in the right direction for Wisconsin and other states again. What good are unions if the only commerce are government funded ones.
The cowards ran, they deserved what they got.
Wow so many stupid people out tonight. I guess its true stupid is what stupid does.
Ed
I don’t understand the outrage and surprise. On February 25th I posted the following, “Outstanding. They are now considering removing the Collective Bargaining segment of the Budget Bill and voting on it separately, that way they don’t need the Dems to return to pass it. Hopefully the Collective Bargaining Bill will be passed next week. The Budget Bill can wait until the Dems return.” I am not a political analyst, just a every day kind of guy, and I knew this was going to happen. If the 14 Democrats that abandoned their duties and roles in the Wisconsin Legislature were surprised by the actions of the Republicans, perhaps they shouldn’t be Senators. I am standing by for the nationwide strikes and walkout. Unions will resort to their tried and true coercive tactics before its all said and done. When a mobster commits extortion he goes to jail. When a Union extorts the public they get a pay raise and better benefits. Not this time!
You well know why the 14 left. So the world could see the quasi-criminal theft of workers rights by Scott Walker and his Cronies.
If the 14 didn't leave this bill would have been jammed through in the dark of night 3 weeks ago, with many people asking how could they do that?
No matter how many fancy PR commercials the KOCH brothers and their flying monkies deliver - the truth is out. The UNION base has been re-energized with steely determination. And the general public has now a super dim view on how republicans.
The truth is out. The Republicans have no interest in the rank and file public. They are ONLY interested in the needs of their rich buddies.
Ricky
The protestors in Wisconsin broke windows and distroyed property at the Wisconsin Capital last night. That was only the beginning of the violance to come. The Repubilan representative are receiving death threats. This is not the American way, it is the way of the Unions. Watch the public support deminish as the true nature of Unions is displayed in Wisconsin and throughout the country. Wait and see who these people you have been defending really are. They are in it for themselves and will do anything to maintain the disparity between themselves and the average citizen. They will not be successful.
The birthplace of workers rights. I wonder how much education those so-called brilliant republican reps and senators got during their educational years about unions and what they did for the average american family. I'll bet it wasn't allowed to be spoken about. Like most of the people who aren't union workers, they're quick to criticize union members for being thugs an so forth, but I have to tell you that they are anything but. Most of them go to work to do a days work for a days pay and as they see the co or corp grow they feel that they should be rewarded for their efforts. Do away with the workers and no product come off the line. It wasn't all that long ago the Co's and Corps' called all the shots. They looked down at their employees and could care less if they survived or not. It is incumbent on all of us to treat each other with dignity and respect. I don't particularly care how much or how little one has financially as long as they respect each others character and personal well being.
I was a public employee for just under 33 years. And yes, there were times when I thought we were treated as second class citizens. They treated us like we were bought and paid for. Well, there is only one Master and he owns all of us, no matter how much or how little we have. It's also been my experience that when the "S--- hits the fan anywhere in the world it's usually the low end of the spectrum that ends up doing the most for human kind.
I wouldn't mind so much except that when I asked some of these brilliant bean counters if they had any military experience the answer I usually got was no. Don't that beat all. Not only was i a second class citizen but I spent 4 years of my life defending these idiots who claim to be both Christian and Patriotic
You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves. It takes all of us. Unions are part of the balance of power. Part of the Checks and Balances. If your going to after somebody why don't you go after the greedy on Wall Street.
My pension after 33 years is $45k most of which I paid for myself. I don't owe anybody anything except to be responsible and pay my taxes and bills on time.
The damage you posters speak of was probably your governor doing his 'thing.' He was caught on so many lies and distortions, it is not possible to believe anything coming out of his mouth. This he accomplished on his own. Even this a.m., he is "rescinding the layoff notices sent out last week, 1,500 of them." Walker is under orders to not budge on any account, they're grooming him for a possible run for the presidency and he believes it. The fool! A pawn. Only the non-future will prove to all the pro-walker's the depth of his deceit and the recklessness of his pogrom.
Let them strike,then hire people that will actually do the work.I would love to see the unions response.
I really think that everyone knew this. I knew it and I am sure that most seen the same senario on FOX.....Do you really want to equate unions with Mobsters????? Really, think again!! When your kids don't get the education that you think that they deserve or your streets are not taken care of to your perfection, etc. Just look in the mirror and say we done it and SMILE!!! Nothing like Corporate America controlling your life and I hope you enjoy it! By the way if you don't believe that Walker isn't for Corporate America listen to the phone call again, "He isn't one of us is care for what is right and not for political gain". Come on argue with me you will lose!!!
State capitol building open again ahead of assembly vote on budget bill. Watch on wiseye.com. I have been trying to call my state rep., who is a nopublicon, but no answer. Imagine that. For anyone who is in Wisconsin state assembly district 45, amy loudenbeck is your state rep. Her state office number is 608-266-9967.
Walker is nothing but a common thief. Collective bargaining rights were fought and won by the Wisconsin grandfathers, then passed on to their sons and daughters, and to their grand children. He stole the workers of Wisconsin's inheritance. Walker should be throw in jail for theft.
Dr. Ann
The Government gave the Collective Bargaining Rights and the Government took them away. “The Government giveth and the Government taketh away.” Look to everything else the Government has given us, Social Security, Medicare, Public Education, Welfare, etc… If the Government gave it, the Government can and will in all probability take it away. The Progressives in their pursuit of “Change” have enslaved the population with social programs that cannot be sustained. The programs will eventually be terminated as the tax base can not longer support them, and those addicted to them will rise up. The Progressive elites will then take advantage of the ensuing riots to seize power and all will be lost.
The tax base may not support programs that we have paid into for over 40 years because the Republicans give too many tax breaks for too long to the rich and corporations at the expense of the middle class. The Republicans idea of shared sacrafice seems to only apply to the middle/working class. We don't need to riot. We can get results at the voting polls. The Wisconsin Republicans have finally energized the 98% of Americans to stand up against the injustices.
NEM/NY
7.5 cents of every dollar comfiscated by the Federal government is spent on welfare. 35% of the population receives a check from the Federal government and the number is growing. Revenue in not the problem, spending is.
Without us fighting, which we will continue to do, the goal of the Koch brothers is to make this country into a Monarchy. With Koch and Koch as the Kings; the Republican officials as the servants (responding to their Master or King); and lets just say, the rest of us, well, we need to continue to fight and win.
I agree...or we will become the THIRD WORLD AMERICA. I live in the south and do not belong to a union, but there are alot of us here watching closely and praying for you all up there...the possibility of a "union" here was our safety net...we're all heading for dictatorships if this goes on.
An as Oklahoman I can tell you we are anti-union and have been a third world country for a long time.
We've been headed there for some time. The progressive liberals just take a faster shutle to our demise. Are you ready for hyperinflation?
Isn't it ironic that other countries are fighting in the streets and facing death to become like the United States, the ability to form unions, better jobs, better pay, etc. and here we are tearing down our systems.
Best you turn off Fox and get up to date on what's happening. And, take a look at socialism--you're mouthing Beck.
It amazes me how the Republican Party has brainwashed a whole class of "regular" people. My husband has been a public school teacher for 20 years. I work in the private sector as an office manager for a small business. We live in the same 1200 sq. ft. modest ranch-style house we bought almost 16 years ago. He drives an 11 year old truck, and I drive a 13 year old SUV. Guess what, people? We are not living high off the hog. We both go to work every day and EARN our living. Where do you think we spend our earned wages? The answer is: at local businesses. If I saw a sign in the window at a local business that read "We Support Public Employees", you can bet I would happily spend our $ at their establishment. Wake up! Why don't you try redirecting your anger at Corporate America? Ask Wisconsinites with income in the top 2% what kind of effect Walker's Budget Bill will have on them. Less than 2 weeks into his term as Governor, Scott Walker pushed through $117 million in tax breaks for business allies of the GOP. So much for his self-proclaimed "crisis". You, my middle class friends who THINK you are Republicans, are having the proverbial wool pulled over your eyes. Scott Walker is treating you like idiots, and his corporate bosses are laughing at you all the way to the bank.
Angela, what you seem to not understand is, conservatives are not against public employees, we are against them unionizing. It's a conflict of interest when the unions use dues to help elect politicians that they will negotiate contracts with in the future. How would you feel if you were forced to be in a union, pay dues and have them donated to a political party that you disagree with? It is not freedom to have to join a union just because you decided to become a teacher is it? Public employees only have the right to unionize because a law was passed years ago that that allowed them to do, it's not a right! Whether you like it or not, law are passed, changed or abolished all the time that change certain rights we have. Why should public sector employees pay less for their healthcare & pensions than most private sector employees when the private sector pays for it? Is that social justice?
Boy, what is lost in all this is that we have a 3.6 billion dollar deficit. No deficit, none of this would be goiing on . I am a puiblic worker in Wisconsin and to be honest my union told Walker to shove his proposal. I just can't blame him for trimming collective bargaining after that. And it would have been a waste of taxpayer money and time to discuss the budget repair billl afcter that and considering the unions attitudes when he was county exec of Milwaukee and they told him to lay-off workers rather than negotiate.
I don't want to be tied to the union and now welcome the option of choosing. In fact many of my fellow workers don't have a problem with that. What they don't understand is that not having forced contributions for the unions is a HUGE deal. That is where the disconnect is between the workers and the union.
This is not that complicated. The majority voted in a republican senate, assembly and governor. That needs to be respected. The recalls simply will fail against any republicans. There are 3.6 billion reasons why it will. A fact that has not escaped the majority as they are going to give our govenor a chance.
David - if a person has such disdain for unions, why would that person even apply for a job where the place of employment is unionized? And take a look at the top 10 political campaign contributors. Yes, there are 3 unions in the top 10, but take a good look at the remaing 7! Or - do you choose to ignore the facts? The conservative big $ wins every time. I guess you don't mind being a pawn in their political game - that's your business, and I feel sorry for you. And as far as our governor is concerned, Sam 2617783 - how can you be o.k. with tax cuts of $117 million (which is actually a conservative number - it's actually more like $137 million) if we are $3.2 billion in debt?! What about "SHARED SACRIFICE"?! What about big Corporations? What is wrong with you people? And "annnottheman" - it is "you're" not "your", and actually, we BOTH have retirement accounts. Conservatives act like public workers should get NOTHING and be grateful they even have a job. Why is it a crime to EARN wages, health benefits, and retirement? And - by the way - teachers have agreed to the cuts Walker proposed for their health care and retirement, but that wasn't good enough. And, did any of you know that teachers' retirement is 100% completely funded by deferred compensation? Open your eyes, people! The public workers are not the problem, no matter what the Republicans say. The middle class takes the hit, while the rich get off scott-free. Sickening!
Angela, no need to feel sorry for me, I'm quite comfortable with my understanding of what's going on and I'm nobody's "Pawn". I'm an Independent/Libertarian and belong to NO PARTY and believe both the Dem. & Rep. are responsible for the mess this country is in. You on the other hand place the blame only on Rep. and buy into the whole class warfare garbage. The Corporations & the Rich that you say get off scott free is liberal nonsense for the most part. Go ahead and raise taxes on big business so they can pass it right onto the consumer, WE PAY THE TAX NOT THEM! The Rich you want to demonize pay the majority of the of taxes in this country, go to the IRS website and see for yourself! The problem in our country is government spending not lack of tax revenue. You are one that believes you have a right to someone else's wealth which is truly pathetic. Here's another little fact for you, a tax cut lets you keep what is rightfully yours where as entitlements are paid by confiscating someone wealth by force and giving it to another that did not earn it. If you believe in the latter you are un-American, that is not the foundation upon which this country was founded and you probably should think about moving to France as they would welcome your ignorance!
I really don't care to which party you belong. If you think the majority of the wealthy and big corporations are Independents who have no political party affiliation, with no special interests, then it is you who are ignorant. And, I don't think it is unreasonable to raise taxes on corporations who give executives $25 million bonuses. I am sure you have been led to believe that if these corporations are taxed more heavily, they will have no choice but to pass this onto the consumer. What a scam! You may call it "liberal nonsense", I call it TRUTH.
I believe this shows all intellegent voters that the GOP will stop at nothing to give power to te rich . The Bush administration gave us this deficit and now they want to give it to the poor to pay off. ( I don't believe there is such a thing as middle class). I can't believe that there are people that don't realize that the GOP is ruining this country!
Thank You for posting my comment, above.
Republicans got voted into office by the people of WI. They took over as the majority party as well. They are now pushing their agenda just as Democrats did when they had the majority. We also had two years at the Federal level of Democrats shoving their agenda down everyone's throats and the Republicans didn't run and hide? The beauty of a Federalized Republic is, if you don't like the laws in a particular state MOVE! This is how our form of democracy works, if they don't like what the ruling party is doing vote them out in the next election. All of you that favor the thuggery and "Mob Rule" mentality put forth by the unions in WI are fools and the Dems that fled the state because they lost their majority and can't have their way should be put in a timeout with other 2yr old's. As for the ridiculous statement in the above comment about Bush giving us this deficit, Nancy Pelosi and Democrats have controlled the purse strings since 2007 increasing our debt by more than $4 trillion, most of it in the last two years under Obama. Really, find a new excuse for failed leadership of your own party.
Get yourself to a library and get books on the history of the US, starting with Reagan. You will see why Obama had no choice but to add to the money mess left by the previous admin. Why everyone blames Obama is because they have no concept of what preceded this admin. History is repeated if not learned. We already know it's not taught.
earthgirl, you have not a clue or general understanding of economics. Obama & Bush didn't have to bail out the banks. These thieves in chief along with Clinton constantly surround themselves with former Wall Street crooks from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Chase and others. If you took the time to read history all the way back to before the Great Depression you would find that these banks, especially Goldman Sachs have been behind every bubble on Wall Street and made billions while the investors take the hit. Obama has been no different, he surrounded himself as well! FYI, the mess started under Clinton not Bush and I'm not defending Bush, he was an idiot just like Obama! Obama is just more articulate when it come to bull @!$%#ing the American public. Your far from being a history buff, get your facts straight!
I gathered that!
Yesterday, March 9th, the Megyn Kelly show on Fox News featured an interview with Wisconsin Republican Sen. Fitzgerald in which Fitzgerald said that Obama and the White House were behind the dissent in Wisconsin and pulling the strings. Kelly, to her credit, asked Fitz what his evidence was. He immediately tried to change the subject and Kelly essentially called him a liar, “I’m hearing two different things from you.”
Fitz thought he could throw out spurious accusations and then let the Fox News hacks run with the story. It totally backfired. What became apparent is that Sen. Fitzgerald is a liar and rabble-rouser. He has no integrity or credibility.
How do you think the ED show would have handled this? Ed would have helped Fitz out with his lies! GO Fox news!
Ed would have questioned him enough so that Fitzgerald would have been embarassed by his accusations. I saw that interview and Fitzgerald looked like a kid trying to get the other fellow in trouble when he himself was the one that caused the problem. Dale Marek put it eloquently, Fitzgerald is nothing but a liar and a rabble-rouser. His integrity is lower than a snake.
Angela Larson's comments are right on. Keep up the good comments Angela.
Put your money (or lack thereof) where your mouths are... boycott the businesses of known Republicans. Boycott businesses in the counties of Republican Senators and Assemblymen if you can. Buy groceries in Democratic counties. Actively picket the businesses of those who have supported Walker and his cronies. Exercise your feet instead of your mouths. Keep money out of the hands of Republicans and conservatives. By the way, I am a former Nixon supporter and this party disgusts me.
I have worked both union and none union I am retired from a union. The fight for the rights of workers, Has always been fought by unions. that state is true because a single individual has not got rights on a job site he is at the mercy of his boss . If your boss wants a family member on just disagrees with you you can be layoff or just simple replace with who he wants tough sh!!, I know this because I have had to train workers to take my job. This has never happen to me while I was in the union, What has happen to me is that a contract was sign by the union and I was paid a fair wage for the work i did dictators of the GOP success then every worker except can expect their worker Rights to diminish because the Company Store is in your children's live if not yours. Look at what is happening divide and win that is the GOP motto. The Question is how much profit does a company need while the worker is only getting pennies not billions or trillions of tax payer money think about your kids future not your alone.
RECALL RECALL RECALL !!!!!!!!!!!
We a NATION STRIKE ,boy I am readed for one.
Joe from Tx
UNION UFCW 0455
For the life of me I don't understand the rhetoric of the 14 Wisconsin Dem’s and their argument that the governor's radical agenda (Da Bill), which affects approx 100,000 union employees is quote: "He (the governor) "Has Set to Work Against Working Families and the Middle Class". Last I checked the population of Wisconsin is approx 5.5 Million and either I'm bad at math or perhaps Wisconsin could use better math teachers. But how is it Wisconsinites can be suckered into believing that 100,000 public union workers are representative of the much larger middle-class or working family? Hell, what the hell is a "working family… sounds to me like there’s some child labor going on there. It's been my experience that when college-bred, progressive political science majors start playing the class-warfare card, racist rhetoric or the devil-in-disguise crap, its a telethon for the prostitution of votes. Somebody please tell me how a small number of Wisconsin public union employees somehow affect the salaries of middle-class-private-sector working families? What?- lower wages for non-union private sector teachers; fireman, police or perhaps all those sanitation engineers and all at the expense of the larger population of taxpayer?
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that public employees should be well compensated for their work. I know first-hand how frustrating it can get when the general public feels they have the right to make them the “whipping boy”, but I also believe that collective bargaining for wages can compensate you fairly for the sacrifices you make.
Fester,
The Union contracts create a competitive environment that is beneficial to the Workers. Non Union shops that hire skilled workers many times match benefits that have been hard won by the union.
Why? Because it creates value in the worker. The union job may be paying 25.00 per hour. The non union operation will many times glady match that same amount and benefits. But it all starts with that competition for the brightest and best.
Hey if you are getting the same wages, and benefits in a non-union shop and everyone is on good relations with ownership, then life is good.
However, life is NOT good for many! Dangerous occupational hazards, lack of safety guards and protections, sleazy business practices like "chinese or Japanese overtime" Making people work off the clock. Making people use their personal car for company errands and only paying them back 25cents a mile. Sexual harassment on the job. Job security. The Union is VERY helpful to negotiate better, more consistent raises, better benefits and a safer workplace.
Let me ask you all a question. Are you making about $16.50 per hour? Here is your wake up call. $16.50 is the 1970 minimum wage adjusted for inflation!!!
This is how out-of -line the average workers salaries are in relation to the expense of everything else. By the way VIRTUALLY everything else in the way of staple foods, Gas, Utilities, and medical expenses have grown by a multiple of 10
Nuther words,
1970 pricing: 2011 pricing
Bread 19cents Today $1.90
Milk 34 cents TODAY $3.40
Gas 25 cents TODAY $3.20
NewCar $2500 TODAY $25,000
House $20,000 TODAY $200,000
avg pay $3.50 perhr TODAY $17.00
Min wage $1.65 TODAY $7.25 - a 50% decrease
rich person 1970 Rich person today
1 million dollars 1 Billion dollars - a 1000% increase
Do you see what did NOT increase by a multiple of 10?
Do you se what increased by 1000%
The average working person and even the modestly well off are earning less every year since 1970.
The ONLY people getting a BIG break are the 2%ers. They have increased at a rate of 8% per year since 1970 EVER YEAR. That is where the money went.
Economy of scale? Almost 100% of savings goes right into the pocket of the wealthy. NONE of those "productivity gains" are ever shared.
That is WHY there are unions. To set a fairer negotiation environment between employers and employees.
Please do your own research on my numbers if you wish.... you will find them to be 100% accurate.
Uncle Fester: The bottom line to Walker's bill is to break the Union. This was on Fox, spoken by Fitzgerald, he said it. The Unions in the U.S. are strong supporters of the U.S. workers--the Democrats, which is the main reason these republican governor states are going after the Unions. The script from Koch Bros.: "Get Rid of Unions, no matter what. Pull out all stops. We'll do whatever is necessary--just get the unions out." Then will come the private sector unions. They are very strong because they, the Koch Bros., today are the 4th wealthiest in the world. Only a full force can stop money.
You losers need to stop whining and get back to work! The hard work was done while you were in hiding. So now you can go back to wisconsin! You are truly a discrace to democracy!
When your kids don't get the education that you think that they deserve or your streets are not taken care of to your perfection, etc. Just look in the mirror and say we done it and SMILE!!! Nothing like Corporate America controlling your life and I hope you enjoy it! By the way if you don't believe that Walker isn't for Corporate America listen to the phone call again, "He isn't one of us is care for what is right and not for political gain". Come on argue with me you will lose!!!
Fester,
I was in high school during the 70's. Milk was not 34 cents! Your data sucks. Did Ed give it to you?
This was 1970. A 1/2 pint of milk at school lunch cost 3 cents at my school. A whole gallon of milk cost 34 cents.
My wages as a part time student worker at age 15 was $1.75 per hour inflation adusted $17.50 per hour. The minimum wage the year of 1970 was $1.65.
An entire bag of potato chips was 15 cents.
A Big Mac was 25 cents
I was there. Gas was as cheap as 19 cents a gallon. I could fill up the tank on my car for $3.80.
The sunday paper was 25 cents.
Blo sorry but you are wrong.
Ricky,
Did you know that food and energy are not included in the inflation numbers? I guess I was thinking late 70's on the milk prices.
Well, Inflation numbers for the average person SHOULD include FOOD, and Energy!
What does the government think we are spending our money on? Playstation3?
Here are some other prices from 1970. I would buy a pair of tailor hemmed USA made slacks at a gentlemens store for $5. A USA color coordinated tailor adjusted shirt from the same shop cost $4.
the point I am making is this. Even minimum wage was a fair wage in 1970.
Back then you would pay for a car on a 2 year loan. Today you need a 5 or 6 year loan .
The average worker makes less money, however, inflation adjusted prices for goods have stayed mostly stable. That is why people are losing their homes, and going bankrupt.
Mr. Casino, in response to my statement that I believe collective bargaining for wages, which the public unions will still have, can compenstate them fairly for them to pay the 2011 price of a gallon of milk and their benefit contributions? I believe all the government wants is to not have to deal with the unions. It appears to me that the tail (unions) are wagging the dog here. The protections for public workers are already in place and public unions have no more a right than any other segement of the taxpaying public to wag the dog. The price of goods in the 1970's has nothing to do with my argument.
Wrong!
The "teeth" in collective barganing has been totally stripped from the people.
People have not been compensated correctly on a graduated scale since the downfall of the union membership which started around 1970.
the disparity between the cost of goods, the ability for the working class to pay, and the Wealthy has not been this far apart since just before the great depression.
This type scenario was one the key triggers to the great depression.
FROM: Congressional Digest, June-July 1993
Present Federal law regulating labor-management relations is largely a product of the New Deal era of the 1930s. While Congress has acted to raise the Federal minimum wage and has considered labor law reform affecting both private and public employees, no major new labor laws have been passed over the past several decades.
Early Labor Laws
[*] The Clayton Act
In response to pressure to clarify labor's position under untitrust laws, Congress, in 1914, enacted the Clayton Act, which included several major provisions protective of organized labor.
The Act stated that "the labor of a human being is not commodity or article of commerce," and provided further that nothing contained in the Federal antitrust laws:
shall be construed to forbid the existence and operation of labor... organizations... nor shall such organizations, or the members thereof, be held or construed to be illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade under the anti-trust laws.
(*) Railway Labor Act
In 1926, the Railway Labor Act (RLA) was passed, requiring employers to bargain collectively and prohibiting discrimination against unions. It applied originally to interstate railroads and their related undertakings. In 1936, it was amended to include airlines engaged in interstate commerce.
(*) Davis-Bacon Act
In 1931, Congress passed the Davis-Bacon Act, requiring that contracts for construction entered into by the Federal Government specify the minimum wages to be paid to persons employed under those contracts.
(*) Norris-LaGuardia Act
The Norris-LaGuardia Act, passed in 1932, during the last year of the Hoover Administration, was the first in a series of laws passed by Congress in the 1930s which gave Federal sanction to the right of labor unions to organize and strike, and to use other forms of economic leverage in dealings with management.
The law specifically prohibited Federal courts from enforcing so- called "yellow dog" contracts or agreements (under which workers promised not to join a union or promised to discontinue membership in one).
In addition, it barred Federal courts from issuing restraining orders or injunctions against activities by labor unions and individuals, including the following:
(*) joining or organizing a union, or assembling for union purposes;
(*) striking or refusing to work, or advising others to strike or organize;
(*) Publicizing acts of a Labor dispute; and
(*) providing lawful legal aid to persons participating in a labor dispute;
New Deal Era Reforms
(*) National Industry Recovery Act
In 1933, Congress passed the National Industry Recovery Act (NRA) at the request of newly inaugurated President Franklin Roosevelt. The Act sought to provide codes of "fair competition" and to fix wages and hours in industries subscribing to such codes.
Title I of the Act, providing that all codes of fair competition approved under the Act should guarantee the right of employees to collective bargaining without interference or coercion of employees, was held unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1935.
(*) The Wagner Act
By far the most important labor legislation of the 1930s was the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, more popularly known as the Wagner Act, after its sponsor, Sen. Robert F. Wagner (NY-D). This law included reenactment of the previously invalidated labor sections of the NRA as well as a number of additions.
The NLRA was applicable to all firms and employees in activities affecting interstate commerce with the exception of agricultural laborers, government employees, and those persons subject to the Railway Labor Act. It guaranteed covered workers the right to organize and join labor movements, to choose representatives and bargain collectively, and to strike.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), originally consisting of three members appointed by the President, was established by the Act as an independent Federal agency. The NLRB was given power to determine whether a union should be certified to represent particular groups of employees, using such methods as it deemed suitable to reach such a determination, including the holding of a representation election among workers concerned.
Employers were forbidden by the Act from engaging in any of the five categories of unfair labor practices. Violation of this prohibition could result in the filing of a complaint with the NLRB by a union or employees. After investigation, the NLRB could order the cessation of such practices, reinstatement of a person fired for union activities, the provision of back pay, restoration of seniority, benefits, etc. An NLRB order issued in response to an unfair labor practice complaint was made enforceable by the Federal courts.
Among those unfair labor practices forbidden by the Act were:
1 ) Dominating or otherwise interfering with formation of a labor union, including the provision of any financial or other support.
2) Interfering with or restraining employees engaged in the exercise of their rights to organize and bargain collectively.
3) Imposing any special conditions of employment which tended either to encourage or discourage union membership. The law stated, however, that this provision should be construed to prohibit union contracts requiring union membership as a condition of employment in a company -- a provision which, in effect, permitted the closed and union shops. (In the former, only pre-existing members of the union could be hired, in the latter. new employees were required to join the union.)
4) Discharging or discriminating against an employee because he had given testimony or filed charges under the Act.
5) Refusing to bargain collectively with unions representing a company's employees.
The NLRA included no provisions defining or prohibiting as unfair any labor practices by unions. The Act served to spur growth of U.S. unionism -- from 3,584,000 union members in 1935 to 10,201,000 by 1941, the eve of World War II. The 1941 figure represented more than 2? percent of the nonagricultural workforce in the U.S.
(*) Anti-Strikebreaker Law
The Byrnes Act of 1936, named for Sen. James Byrnes (SC-D) and amended in 1938, made it a felony to transport any person in interstate commerce who was employed for the purpose of using force of threats against non-violent picketing in a labor dispute or against organizing or bargaining efforts.
(*) Walsh-Healy Act
Passed in 1936, the Walsh-Healy Act stated that workers must be paid not less than the "prevailing minimum wage" normally paid in a locality; restricted regular work ing hours to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week, with time-and-a-half pay for additional hours; prohibited the employment of convicts and children under 18; and established sanitation and safety standards.
(*) Fair Labor Standards Act
Known as the wage-hour law, this 1938 Act established minimum wages and maximum hours for all workers engaged in covered "interstate commerce."
So now what is their recourse technically? Isn't this when our president could or should send the AG to WI? Whose duty is it to issue a halt to an illegal governmental action until it can be adjudicated, and whose job is it to halt the implementation of an illegal state action taken by a rouge state government?
DO NOT STRIKE at this time. He (the governor) along with others would just love for the Unions to go on strike so that he can make private all of those Union jobs. He would do it in a heartbeat and throw a party while doing it. At this time and its tough to do, I think they should go the recall route. All of them have done an immense job in being totally responsible about their actions and they have the general public heavily on their side don't ruin it. Play smart. Do it legally. By doing so, you will gain the trust of more people. Strike as an extreme last resort. Easy for the rest of us to say, but being on the outside looking in we view the whole picture from a different plane and can discuss the alternatives with less apprehension. Also, you will not alienate many of those people currently on your side.
Lastly, I want to congratulate and commend my Brother and Sister Firefighters that stood tall with the rest of your Union families even though you already were protected. Good for you. God Bless