Sun Journal Letter to the Editor by CCTA Vice Chairman, Nancy Murdoch

Unions
March 02, 2011 10:13 PM



I saw “Norma Rae,” read “How Green Was My Valley” and a number of other books about unions and the abuses workers suffered in the history of our country and the world. Unions have played an instrumental part in leveling the playing field for workers, especially in the United States. However, the unions played their part in creating the “Rust Belt,” empty textile mills, and outsourcing of jobs. As often is the case, those with the most power overuse that power and the pendulum swings in the opposite direction. Union bosses often have become wealthy, corrupt, powerful, and wield that power politically. Often the worker still loses.

With many states (and the nation) in debt up to their eyeballs, the rubber has met the road. Unions are fighting for their very survival in the Midwest. But is survival, especially public service unions, in the best interest of the American taxpayer in this point in history? Or is only in the best interest of the unions and their cronies?


Public service union members make about 45 percent more money than the private sector, get better benefits, have greater job security and retire earlier than their private counterparts — all on the taxpayers’ dime. Even FDR (certainly no one’s idea of a right winger) said that public service unions were “unthinkable and intolerable.”

The state of Wisconsin’s proposals seems reasonable: employees’ contribution to health care to rise from 6 percent to 12 percent, plus some contribution to their own pension plans, and unions will collect their own dues (instead of the state deducting them from paychecks). Wages could still be negotiated, and most other workplace grievances are part of law (Civil Service and Equal Employment Laws) and will protect the workers.

In 2008 the federal government provided over $600 million to Wisconsin for education. But according to 2009 records, only 32 percent of Wisconsin 8th graders earned a “proficient” reading rate (2 percent were advanced readers) and the other 66 percent were rated basic or below basic. But because of the power of the union, poor teachers are almost impossible to fire as seniority has more value than merit. Even though Wisconsin spends a huge amount per student, the results are a sorry return on the dollar. I don’t expect the scores to improve this year as in the last several weeks, many students have had a substitute teacher or none at all, as rallying at the state House and grounds was more important than teaching.

The demands of the unions and their workers are spreading to many other states, as the states find themselves slaves to a political system that has failed to see where their selfishness and greed are leading. The laws of economics are always true: you can’t spend more than you earn, whether you are an individual, county, state, or federal government.

I, as most Americans, value our police, firefighters and teachers. I want them to make a decent wage, and have fair benefits. However, we are all in this together, or at least should be. United we stand, divided we fall. Are the unions and their strong arm tactics going to divide this country once and for all?

Nancy Murdoch
Havelock

http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/saw-95363-unions-.html