Union busting in Massachusetts

UPDATE: Blue Mass Group is also covering this.

A reasonable approach to an increasingly difficult matter, or a midnight power grab by a cabal of political Judases, turning on their erstwhile constituents (see “Corporate Lawyer Chides Union Reps for Language” by esteemed BMGer sabutai)

 I would say the answer is obvious.

Is anyone following this?

House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly last night to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns.

I don't have many ties to Massachusetts, but WTF is a majority Democratic legislature doing to screw union workers out of their collective bargaining rights?

6 thoughts on “Union busting in Massachusetts

  1. great way to save taxpayers money? Close the schools, the libraries, and let the roads crumble. We won’t need teachers, highway crews, and librarians. And with the roads in horrible shape, we can let go of most of the police and troopers, as we won’t need to enforce traffic violations, as the roads won’t really be conducive to driving fast. And all those folks out of work won’t have $$ for fuel much less private automobiles, so there will be fewer folks traveling about anyway – win win!

    I’m just not sure how that would trickle up to the rest of the economy. Parents would likely have to go back to spending money on private school, or home school with only one parent working (if they can find a job). With all those folks out of work so we can save taxpayers $$, its likely we’d see a drop in the bottom lines of local businesses, and even national chain businesses, which could trigger even more layoffs. When profits start to tank, and with the local infrastructure crumbling, businesses might deem a state too hostile to their needs – and start pulling up stakes. With poor roads, crap telecom service, and an uneducated workforce I can’t see anyone thinking that moving in and setting up shop that provides good paying jobs. And forget about attracting talent. When schools go to crap, parks suffer, libraries are closed, the arts are pushed into non existence, and the environment is beat down with little enforcement of existing regulations… its a tough sell for local chambers of commerce and tourist boards.

    ‘Live the good life in this 3rd world backwater community. We have low taxes! Just don’t count on sending your kids to a good school, or spend a day at the library. When you need help from EMS, Fire, or police, they may not come. And when you look out that window – you might not see the mountains. What with all the ATV trails and timber harvesting for firewood (heating oil! too expensive!!!). But our taxes are non-existent. And so are our services and quality of life.’

  2. WTF is a majority Democratic legislature doing to screw union workers out of their collective bargaining rights?

    Daycare providers in VT may well be asking themselves the same question.

  3. It seems part and parcel with the whole “we’re broke and Dog knows we can’t tax the rich” thing that seems to have infected even traditional supporters of labor and the social contract since Reagan.  Things were chipped away at the edges until it became clear that our political institutions weren’t going to stand against our eroding standard of living and civil rights, so now there’s a full frontal assault by the GOP and the Dems are the “reasonable” alternative just asking us to give up most of what we fought for in the 20th century but hey, at least we get to keep our first born kid.  Of course, they have to go work in the mills now, but still…

  4. These people are trying to create the Walmart of public service.  The big difference is that when the elastic on your cheap sweatshop knickers fails only your pride gets hurt.

  5. has gone crazy too.Scott Brown was contagious.

    I understand Gov.Patrick isn’t running for re-election, that’s got to be part of this.

  6. depress wages

    depress benefits

    depress wages

    depress benefits

    depress wagess

    depress benefits

    start a Made in amerika campaign and celebrate when all the low paying jobs come back to our shores.  Free trade with ourselves…

    Then the fight starts again…  Just hope the Freepress has a few real journalists when the Triangle Fire happens again….history tends to repeat itself, eh??

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