Kasich and Walker: At War Against Workers

We all know what the Republicans, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and their organizations with big money are trying to do - - - kill unions.  If they can destroy unions, they can gain power and keep it for years to come.  Historically, union members have supported Democratic candidates because Dems have pushed for worker protections, improved labor laws, and pushed for anti-discrimination measures.  Republicans, on the other hand, have continued to block/vote against similar legislation.

Here is an interesting post from U.S. News and World Report:

U.S. News blogger Leslie Marshall also thinks Walker is being unreasonable. She writes:

The argument put forth by Walker is that he has to get his budget in line. But Walker is lying. Statistically, whether it be Wisconsin, Ohio, Nevada, or New Jersey, union workers make on the average 6 percent less than their private sector counterparts. Also statistically, if you look at the budget of Wisconsin, the biggest savings have nothing to do with state workers or collective bargaining; by Walker’s own admission, he could save $165 million just restructuring the current debt. And we know this isn’t about money or savings to the state of Wisconsin or its citizens, it’s politics.

Here is another article by Marshall---

As Leslie Marshall, at U.S. News, says in an article posted on 2/23/11:

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Is a Koch Brothers Puppet

The politicians in Wisconsin, specifically the governor, claim that this fight is about money. Hogwash. And I want to personally thank Americans for Prosperity, an organization funded by and cocreated by the Koch brothers--one of the largest contributors (over $40,000) to Walker’s campaign by the way--for helping me to prove that. [See who donates the most to your member of Congress.]

This organization is reportedly developing an ad to run in opposition to the union ad presently running, demonstrating that this isn’t about money, it isn’t even about politics; it’s about payback. And you know what they say about payback, it’s a “b.” How does it feel to be a puppet on a string? Or a muse? Ask Governor Walker. He’s the Koch brothers’ puppet. And for that, thank the Supreme Court for their ridiculous decision in the Citizens United case, because what’s happening in Wisconsin is just a tiny taste of things to come. Corporate billionaires pulling our politicians’ strings.....

...If I tell you I’m going to reduce your pay, ask you to contribute more out of that lower salary for healthcare benefits and your pension, tell you I’ll arrest you if you strike and oh, by the way, you also can’t collectively bargain, what do you have left? I have taken everything. What kind of a teacher are we returning to the classroom or nurse to the hospital? A beaten, downtrodden one. One who is making less and has been stripped of his or her rights. One whose value has been questioned. A happy employee is a productive employee and a better employee.....


I guess these governors are just carrying out the wishes of their puppeteers.

*  Just when you thought that things couldn't get any worse for workers in Ohio, we have this from BizJournals:

Ohio’s economic development deal makers are pressing Gov. John Kasich for an executive order spelling out how his administration will apply the state’s prevailing wage law on expansion projects.

Without the guidance, companies that scout spots for growing businesses may not bother to consider Ohio, said Chris Strayer, vice president of the Ohio Economic Development Association trade group...

Kasich and his business friends want nothing more than to feed their own greed on the backs of workers in the state.  Why are there questions about the prevailing wage?  Shouldn't people be paid fairly?  Do the Republicans want to overturn the prevailing wage  laws?  Will Kasich and his cronies try to overturn the Ohio minimum wage too?