Wisconsin Takes A Stand For Fiscal Sanity

[KrazyHorse]

Your specious analogies befit somebody who is an apologist for pimps.

[Aeson]

I agree that the reasoning I'm mocking here (your own) would naturally lead to the conclusion that pimps are valuable contributers to society.

[C0ckney]

Just more whining about "fairness". The political "market" is used by everyone to advance their own interests. Some do a better job of it than others. Why should we care about the losers who can't compete?

[Imran Siddiqui]

+1

[rah]

Unions were once needed and were very successful in protecting workers. Unfortunately they were too successful which made it impossible for companies that had them compete globally with companies that didn't. Since union leaders were so corrupt and unwilling to change to help companies be more competitive they forced companies to move facilities out of the US thereby cutting their own throats. Or the companies just went bankrupt when they couldn't compete. The only exception is service jobs that can't be outsourced. But the backlash against unions in general has hurt them also. Unions are now a dying breed and will need to be more flexible if they hope to continue to exist.

[Wezil]

Rah - For example: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1931025/

The longest and most vicious labour conflict in Canadian journalism finally ended last week, with a result that was predictable from the start: After a lockout that lasted more than two years, the employees of the Journal de Montréal went back to work, a bitter and defeated group that ended up with a worse settlement than what had been offered prior to the lockout. At the time, Quebecor Inc. had been offering to keep 150 of the 253 union members. Now only 62 will be returning to work, including 42 journalists and 20 office staff.

Way to look after the members.

[rah]

That is actually a touch sad.

[Wezil]

It's actually quite sad the union would take it's members out on strike for two years in a misguided effort to save redundant positions.

[rah]

Agreed.

[Wezil]

Going back on topic - I see the WI labor leaders are choosing layoffs rather than accepting less overall. Strange choice.

[rah]

They probably think that will get them more sympathy, but I don't see how that will help them in the long run.

[Wezil]

The larger the membership the more clout they will have in future negotiations where they will presumably try to regain what was lost. Reduced numbers will make this harder.

Additionally, I find it strange they (union members) would rather see some of their "brothers and sisters" unemployed than take a shared hit. Glad they aren't my family.

[rah]

Easier for them to make then decision if they know they're not the ones that will be laid off.

[Donegeal]

The layoffs don't need to happen. It is a Walker ploy to try to get the Dem Senators back. Not only that, but the dems have agreed to compromise and talk things through. It is Walker that is refusing to negotiate, and it will be Walker doing the (unneccisary) layoffs, not the democrates or unions.

[Wezil]

Sorry Don, if they wanted to talk they'd be in WI.

Despite that, regardless of who you choose to blame for the layoffs, the layoffs happen anyway.