A Union Quiz for Idiots As Labor Day Approaches

When I posted  The Weekend: Brought to You By Organized Labor. And Don't Ever Forget It, some of the geniuses who read this blog posted such clever remarks as:

• There was a time and a place when unions served the US well and progress at all levels was unheralded. Those days will never be in America again.
• We owe our weekends to unions like we owe our lives to the knights who protect us from barbarians. Sure, they're the historical reason for a thing, but that doesn't make them relevant in a current context.
• Unions have no place in America anymore; they served their purpose 50 years ago but now are the root of all evil when it comes to destroying jobs and forcing them out of WI and the USA

Why not save me the time and effort of listing all of the accomplishments that organized labor brought to this country and Wisconsin in the past ten years?

Dear readers, if there are any left, please send in examples of changes nationally and in Wisconsin that are result of the efforts of organized labor.

I'll start with the increase in the minimum wage that raised the floor for salaries and wages and helped every worker, union or not.

Comments

[buckyblue]

Health insurance benefits. If you're in a union, you've got good coverage. If not, well, not so much.

[Stephen M. Leo]

Speaking for myself, I remember our family's standard of living improving markedly when my divorced mother of five joined a union, then a new thing for Connecticut schoolteachers in the seventies. Her union even gave me some scholarship money for college. Greatly appreciated...

[Ronald Kent]

Here are a few accomplishments:1.AFSCME labor lobbyist Roy E. Kubista drafted the Wisconsin Retirement System law in 1943, which became the basis for the WRF public sector retirement system helping hundreds of thousands of retirees in having a decent retirement in Wisconsin;he also drafted decades of amendments to that law improving its protections covering disability and early retirement;2.AFSCME labor leader Steve Clark organized the first public sector health insurance groups in 1944 with Blue Cross/Blue Shield giving health insurance access to thousands of uncovered public employees and their families;this became a model for other units of government in Wisconsin;3.Former AFSCME legal counsel,Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson crafted the first comprehensive municipal labor law in 1959 allowing public employees to bargain collectively with local units of government-this led to better wages,hours and working conditions for thousands of public employees and their families and allowed workers to have the ability to spend something in the private sector on Main Street. This pumped billions into the Wisconsin economy over the decades and improved our infrastructure and quality of life at all levels. Where this didn't happen-look at Mississippi and other anti-union states. Happy labor day! Peace, Ronald Kent

[Jon]

Paul,

Child labor laws are so 20th century. While public education for 8 year olds was a good idea in the distant past, in today's world, 8 year olds need the practical work experience that only operating heavy machinery can provide. And, isn't Indentured Servitude an ideas whose time has come again?

[Chuck]

Unions may be great for low pay, low skill, low portability jobs, but they aren't all roses-and-sunshine. I'm certainly not claiming that unions have done no good, but I'm not certain they do more good than harm, particularly looking at their unintended and indirect effects and the global nature of modern work. I've only been exposed to unions at one job(Milwaukee Public Schools), and the brutally pervasive apathy of some of the people there who knew they didn't have to care and laughed about it may have put me off of unions for life. MPS is one of the worst school districts in the country and while I was working there, union folks were laughing about it, so I got out.

It could also be that I have some pretty vivid memories of my mother calling me in tears because dad was working himself to death. Union job, but not one I'd ever want.

Paul asked for the last 10 years. Ronald Kent has a great list of accomplishments, but the list seems to end when my mom was a kid. Perhaps he's the idiot referred to in the title. Or maybe Stephen M. Leo is the idiot, with his comment from the 70s. Somehow though, I doubt you're calling people who agree with you names, even if they can't read. Keep it classy, Paul.

[Ordinary Jill]

When my husband was downsized out of a job nine years ago, his union contract forced his former employer to provide him (and the other laid-off workers) with severance pay and tuition assistance that helped him train for a new job. Thanks to those union benefits, we were able to keep making our mortgage and car payments and avoid either declaring bankruptcy or moving back in with our parents. Union contracts also provide "golden handcuffs" that make it less attractive for companies to move manufacturing jobs to China, since they will have to pay benefits to their former employees for years. That helps keep manufacturing communities from completely imploding economically. The amateur laissez-faire economists who say that union workers have to "compete globally" by lowering their standards of living would probably not want to live in China or Mexico. Why are they so eager to turn the U.S. into a third-world country?

[Brian]

Another attack on unions is the charter schools movement.
Both Doyle and Obama favor this meritless idea. Big business just loves this idea because many charter schools are non union.

Merit pay is also another assault on union solidarity. Paying teachers based on discredited standardized testing and other subjective criteria (yes, testing is subjective, only the scoring is objective) subverts collegial relationships. Another idea with no basis in research or logic.

[Anonymous]

My question is if unions have been so beneficial why do only 10 to 20% of the people make 50% of the total income reported while the other 80 to 90% are in the bottom 50%?

In addition, do unions support all the job losses that may make everyone desperate to join a union someday?

I think unions made mistakes when they got away from labor issues and meddled in social issues.

We need a State program to save and create jobs and that program must represent all people, union or not.

[antpoppa]

This may be too long, but it is a continuing fight for community and the dignity of men.
The following is a letter received from:
Reverend Edward Pinkney #294671
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
HIAWATHA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
4533 INDUSTRIAL PARK DRIVE
KINCHLOE, MI 49786-001

I met Rev. Pinkney at a Hip/Hop conference in Madison several years ago. He had produced a film about the gentrification of Benton Harbor Michigan. He was politically active and had garnered signatures to stop the Harbor Project. He was accused of voter fraud, and in trial that would take to much time to address as to irregularities found guilty. During the proceedings he quoted from the bible, receiving a three to ten year sentence for insolence. His lawyer at the time, thought that he should be quiet about the proceedings and not bring the issues to light. He has decided to air the issues.
The letter I received was hand printed and I reproduced it as accurately as I could within print media.
Rev. Pinkney is over 60 years old and welcomes correspondence.
Thank you
Darrell

8/21/08

Dear Darrell ****

How are you doing, fine I do Hope and Pray for you: I Pray above all things, that you may Prosper and be in good health, even as your Soul Prosper.
Darrell: I rejoyed greatly, when I received your letter. I am excited about the situation. I may be in Prison, But We Have a Opportunity to expose a Corrupt System. I will continue to fight Whirlpool and the Justice System until I die: That is my Promise.

Darrell: On June 26,2008, I was Stunned, Angry, and Shocked. I was also Very frightened: If this can happen to Me, Then We are all Much More Vulnerable than I thought:

On June 26, When day and Night are equal Justice in Berrien County, Michigan took a giant Step backwards into darkness of fear, bigotry, human rights Violations and the Violations of the Constitution:

Quoting Deuteronomy 28:14:22 in Berrien County Courthouse in a article published in a Chicago Newspaper: Berrien County Judge Alfred Butzbaugh and Dennis Wiley will bring down the wrath of the Judicial System down on you!

Darrell: Judge Dennis Wiley said: I didn't feel Threatened by Rev Pinkney, but his Connection to God: That is to Much Power for one man:
This is the very Same Judge who may be involved in the death disappearance of 16 Years old African-American Eric McGinnis in all white St. Joseph over a decade Ago: Eric McGinnis was Pulled from the river days later. Judge Dennis Wiley A Known Racist Was one of the three white Berrien County officials to last see Eric McGinnis alive: The last Three Men said including Judge Wiley: We Watched Eric McGinnis Run down a Street as they entered a bar on Main Street in St. Joseph: The Report was Three men chased Eric McGinnis who was Visiting A white girl I St. Joseph with a gun and forced him to Jump into the river: judge Dennis, may have been one of the men chasing Eric McGinnis with a gun:
In My Controversial Newspaper Article: I Sharply Criticized trial Judge Alfred Butzbaugh who testified for the Prosecutor, while sitting on the bench in front of the all white Jury, During My trial I stated that his action were contrary to GOD Commandments: I than Quoted from Deuteronomy 28 on blessing and curses including Verses 15-16, 18-22 and 45 to Warn of the Consequences for disobedience to GOD: ( the Article Appeared in the November Issue of the People Tribune for two years: I read Deuteronomy 28 And Prayed in front of Judge Butzbaugh's Courtroom Hoping he would repent: I Prayed for two years for Judge Butzbaugh : Now! I am turning him and Judge Wiley Over to God: Let see what God: Let se what God has to Say: About all of this:
Darrell: The Michigan Statues includes A Provision for incarcerating Probationers who threaten an officer of the Court. A threat by definition is an Expression of intent to inflict Evil, injury or damage. It is Clear that my Article Contained No Such Expression: while the words from Deuteronomy are Questionable Harsh The author of the Quotation is not the Mild-Mannered Rev Edward Pinckney. It is almighty GOD: At No time did I state , Suggest or imply that I would commit any of these Actions: The Very Idea that a human being can cause another t be Cursed by GOD or to be Smitten with Consumption fever and inflammation is Patently ridiculous:
A review of Biblical history indicates that my Words Were not only unthreated, but Scripturally Appropriate: It is Precisely the role of the Preacher, The man of God, The pastor, Minister, Prophet and Teacher to Warn the people and their Leaders of divine ConseQuences for Sinful Action: Jesus did so repeatedly So did Paul: In fact Prophetic Warning of impending disaster are designed not forment bloodshed, but rather to diminish and Avert it by Prompting repentance.
I believe This is an Very important Case: I am not aware of any of my Past behavior which would be the basis for imagining a Physical threat from me, but it Must truly be that I am threatening their plan and the one billions dollars harbor shores Project, that the honorable Judge Alfred Butzbaugh will make Millions and Millions of dollars from the project: I am a Voice not yet Silenced: Three to ten years for Quoting Deuteronomy: I will continue to Quote Bible Scriptures and fight for Justice for the People: It is my Constitutional duty as a American Citizen to hold our elected officials accountable for their Words Action and inaction of wrongdoings:
Darrell: A Man of GOD, A Preacher was executed for Quoting biblical scriptures: by Judges Alfred Butzbaugh and Dennis Wiley in Bettien County, Mi.
We are all Much More Vulnerable than I ever thought Deuteronomy 11:16) I charge the Judges Alfred Butzbaugh and Dennis Wiley at that time, saying hear the causes between every Man and his brother and the Stranger that is with him: fairly, honestly with truth and Justice. I am not afraid t speak truth to empower. I am not afraid to Address the real Issues that no-one else dare to talk about. Don't be fooled The Pattern and operation of whites Supremacy hasn't Weakened. It's improved to include Collusion of the Victims and the Punishment of authentic Community leadership.
Darrell: Racism flows in Berrien County, Mi. like milk and Honey in the Promise land.
The Corruption and Racism is led by Whirlpool, Harbor Shores developers, Cornerstone Alliance, Jack Nickolous Signature Golf Course Group, (sp.Nicklaus, for clarity ), Judge Alfred Butzbaugh and Judge Dennis Wiley
We the People Must Stop Them, before the Merging of Government and Corporation stop all of us:
Darrell: the appeal of this horrendous decision Making Me The Only Known Preacher in the history of America to be imprisoned for Quoting the Bible is Now a Joint A.C.L.U.-N.L.G Project
Darrell: I am in total agreement with your letter under the white man every state would be a South Africa, every Planet a Vietnam. To all my friends, You better keep your mind on your freedom and keep freedom on your mind: The truth Must be Known: I would rather be a ditch-digger by Occupation then to be an unsaved Preacher: I would rather be a Preacher of the gospel than the President of the united states! I need your help. We need some big Names Stars to sign on about this first Amendment issue. We are one step Away. See what you can do. Spread the Word. All over the internet and with Word of mouth: I want to thank you for your wonderful letters: Please continue to write Me:

Love and Peace

Rev Edward Pinkney

[Ming Dynasty]

What time in the morning do folks in Madison start drinking the kool aid ?

[Michael A. Shea]

To Chuck and his MPS union experience: Funny thing about people who fault unions for school systems not meeting high expectations- if you spend time in the public school systems in America which are widely acknowledged as excellent you find the same unions and you don't find charter school expansion. I cannot really comment on your own personal experience there, but we can all ask you to look beyond that and consider basic facts.

[Blue Collar Conservative]

Public teacher unions have destroyed Wisconsin public educational system financially. Out of control contract demands for benefits and pay have forced people out of their homes and out of the state by ever increasing property and state taxes. Simply put, without competition public education is a monopoly controlled by the teacher's union and the lackey school board members their voting block electes in low turnout spring elections.

How has this union benefitted the children? Increased class sizes, below the nation average achievement scores, and massive debt the children will be responsible for means that the union has not delivered, only taken.

I don't lump every teacher into their group failings. Some teachers are worth every penny. But, you can't separate the wheat from the chaff.

We need competition in education. We need a State tax credit to all families who elect to send their children to a non-public educational system.