Texplainer: Can Wisconsin Happen Here?
Hey, Texplainer: The Wisconsin governor’s fight with the public and government employees there got me to wondering whether our public employees are unionized. And what do they pay for their pensions and health care insurance?
Gov. Scott Walker should come to Texas, where much of what he’s seeking already exists. As a right-to-work state, Texas prohibits unions and employees from making union membership and/or the payment of dues mandatory as a condition of employment. The right to bargain collectively — which Walker is trying to strip from some public and state employees — is also generally restricted. It isn ...
Comments (4)
Karen Cummings
The Wisconsin public employees/teachers have agreed to the wage/benefits cuts and the only issue is their collective bargaining rights which does not affect the budget/deficit. Here is some info on Wisconsin teachers pay.
http://teacherportal.com/salary/Wisconsin-teacher-salary
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/feb/23/eric-bolling/fox-business-news-eric-bolling-says-wisconsin-teac/
There is misleading info being spread so you might want to visit politifact to obtain factual information regarding this issue.
p q
Only five states do not have collective bargaining for educators and have deemed it illegal. Those states and their ACT/SAT rankings are as follows: South Carolina – 50th, North Carolina – 49th, Georgia – 48th, Texas – 47th & Virginia – 44th.
If you are wondering, Wisconsin, with its collective bargaining for teachers, is ranked 2nd in the country.
Connor Kilpatrick via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"These state workers--they have better pension benefits, they have better health benefits, they have to pay into less of their health benefits than anyone else. Why should they get something good because they organized and fought for it? I know a rising tide raises all boats, but when the tide goes out, I want to drag you down with me. Shouldn't everyone lead a s**t life?" - Stephen Colbert
Stephen J Wright via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I would point out, though, that Governor Walker and the Wisconsin GOP leadership are also trying to take away provisions that even we union folks in "right-to-work" Texas enjoy, such as the ability to have our dues payroll deducted.