Feb 24, 2011 - Issue 415 |
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A View from the
Battlefield
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The public sector is comprised of those jobs that are mainly paid by our tax dollars - teachers, firefighters, police, government workers, etc. It may seem bizarre that these folks, who are almost never are paid what they’re worth, are the target of the GOP and other right-wing forces. The plan of attack is public, intense and coordinated. Labor unions and their allies had already got a
sniff of something funky in the air after the Obama victory. Last year,
as Republicans were salivating to regain their power in the Congress,
they were also consolidating that power at the local and state levels.
Republicans now have super majorities in states like A host of legislation aimed at diminishing or eliminating
workers’ rights has been given a stamp of approval by the Republicans.
It includes overturning liveable wages, supporting
right to work, implementing anti-immigration laws and destroying collective
bargaining. Some states are trying to pass a so-called “Save our Secret
Ballot” act which is twisted language taking away workers’ rights to form
unions and operate in their own best interests. Luckily, this sneaky ballot
initiative didn’t make it on the Why has a war with such a vengeance been called on these public workers? For one, these workers are the most unionized sector in a declining pool of folks who still have jobs in this country. Thirty six percent of public workers are in unions, compared with about seven percent in the private sector. After all, the government is a huge employer on the local, state and national levels. The Democratic Party has historically enjoyed strong union support. A union movement without workers and a dues-based budget reduces the ability to be an influential factor in national elections. Connect the dots, and we’re talking about an Obama loss in 2012. Looking at President Obama’s budget proposal, that includes huge cuts in services to the working class, he may need be to be reminded of who his base is and who’s trying to take bites out of his behind. Currently, The police association and its supporters need to
keep a watchful eye on states like Wisconsin that are in a heated battle
to stop the Governor’s plan to break the backs of public workers. There
will be no sacred cows - pensions included - as states balance their deficits
on the backs of working people. The BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board member, Jamala Rogers, is the leader of the Organization for Black Struggle in St. Louis and the Black Radical CongressNational Organizer. Click here to contact Ms. Rogers. |
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