The assault on public workers continues as state Democrats, the usually union-friendly party, voted to strip all public workers of their rights to collectively bargain on healthcare. The bill passed 111-42, with 81 Democrats voting for it. Although the bill passed in Massachusetts is not as strict as the one passed in Wisconsin, where collective bargaining was stripped for all aspects, it does not exempt any sector of public employee. Police and firemen are exempt from the bill in Wisconsin.
The Democrats in the state House say restricting public workers' rights on healthcare will save $100 million, and prevent layoffs and fewer services. Under the Democrats' plan, cities and towns in Massachusetts can set the co-pay and deductibles for public workers' healthcare plans. The unions would have 30 days to try to get a different outcome. If the two sides don't agree, the municipal plans take effect but unions would reap the benefit of the proposed 20 percent savings. If the new plan were adopted, workers would save 10 percent of proposed savings. The plan also calls for all eligible retirees to enroll in Medicare.
Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester) presented a different proposal in which disputes would be settled by binding arbitration, leaving collective bargaining for public workers in place. In presenting his plan Walsh said, "Financial companies got slapped on the wrist for all their wrongdoing, while public employees are losing their benefits." Walsh went on to note the city of Boston collectively bargained with unions to save $70 million in healthcare costs.
Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts President Ed Kelly said, "There's a class war going on this country and today the Massachusetts House sided against the middle class. The Speaker told us good luck when we left his office, and I told him good luck and good luck to his Democratic members."
"Can you imagine what teachers and firefighter (sic) and police officers and public sector works (sic) and nurses and librarians are going to think when they wake up tomorrow morning to find out the Democrats that we elected, that we worked for, that we contributed to their campaigns (sic) just snatched collective bargaining away from them, just took the voice, the Democratic voice, away from working people."
A lot of conservatives say or will say, "Where is the outrage about this? I guess it only happens when Republicans do it." Well, here is the outrage. Hundreds of banks have been bailed out, and oil companies get $30 billion in subsidies despite making record profits. ExxonMobil, for example, made $30.5 billion in profit last year. The rich in this country continue to get richer, while politicians continue to give them tax breaks. Wall Street ruined many communities around the country, while their executives and managers got even richer.
A town in Iowa lost millions of dollars when Wells Fargo invested their money into a fund that was created to fail. The creator of that fund made billions of dollars. Yet somehow, in the midst of these factors, public workers are the enemy. Public workers' salaries and benefits need to be reined in. The people who work the hardest, the lower and middle class, get the shaft while the higher-ups get the gold.
No matter what any politician says, Republican or Democrat, if he or she votes to strip the little rights workers have, they are not on the side of the little guy. Shame on the Massachusetts Democrats for walking lockstep with Republicans to wage class warfare.
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Comments: 30
The Mass. Dems realize that Greece is the word.
Where'd you steal it from?
Greece got into trouble from not collecting taxes, and corruption. Their problem is from not modernizing. There is no excuse that we are slipping there.
I need to be courted for my vote now. It's certainly a different feeling.
Unfortunately, here in Colorado, the only Republicans we get running statewide are a bunch of clowns. And the last Democrat I worked for and supported didn't win his primary against the blue dog incumbent.
I have voted for Republicans, Greens and Independents.
It's all about the ideas.
Like I said, it wouldn't matter.
You're obviously adept at playing internet tough guy, but it really doesn't mean sh** to me. I've seen much better than you for 20 years. And Gather is a playground compared to some of the sites I've been on.
I like Nostradumbass. It's absolutely fitting for you.
You started this, Nostradumbass. I'd tell you to man up, but you'd have to be a man to do that, and all you are is a PAB.
But being courted for your vote SHOULD BE THE NORM, being taken for granted because you register or are closest to a party's stated (seldom actual) principles would hold that a party understands it has to continually prove itself. All these people and groups who knee jerk for a party because of the letter beside the name are doing themselves and their nation a disservice, if not actual harm.
This was inevitable and the fact it is bi-partisan should cause you to do some critical thinking instead of reflexively complain about it. I wish our Federal reps of both parties would get serious about the massive deficit problem we have like some states are finally doing at their levels.
It is about debt when Massachusetts when the Governor is currently going to the Legislators of the State begging for additional funds to pay for programs that are 50-75% over budget. Union labor and their benefits at the state worker level are considered excessive as a factor in the budget.
I also take exception to the statement: "The people who work the hardest, the lower and middle class, get the shaft while the higher-ups get the gold." That just isn't true. The middle and lower class may have more manual jobs or lower paying, but that doesn't equate to them working harder. I've seen executives work longer hours, deal with greater pressures and many times lose their livelihood. They have no protection for the loss of their jobs, no penisons, no paid benefits package for life, no early retirement at 50 or after 20 years of service.
Let's face it we all work very hard. Amongst the rich, the middle class and the lower class, there are those who work hard and those who don't. I don't think such a generalization is appropriate or accurate.
Just a Thought
I'm not sure what companies you know that have executives without benefits packages, pensions, or retirements. Actually, most people can retire after five years of service, public or private, if they want to.
The middle and lower class may have more manual jobs or lower paying, but that doesn't equate to them working harder.
I'll change it to say physically work harder. A person manually working is working harder than a person sitting in a office. And the manual worker is probably making less than the person in the office.
http://www.votecitizens.org
Translation : We bought and paid for them. Why didn't they do what we paid them to do?