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Forum Post: Right Wing Attacks on Workers Continue

Posted 10 years ago on Nov. 4, 2013, 7:37 p.m. EST by shoozTroll (17632)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Geez, just like on the forum. They just keep it up.

"For all the debate on the effects of the tea party's and the Republican party's march to the far right at the federal level, it’s their impact at the state level that will probably be with us the longest.

Back in 2010, 11 states — Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming — put Republicans in control of all branches of state government. Other states saw their center of gravity move much farther to the right. And in the years since, those states have pushed an all-out conservative agenda."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/11/02/heres-how-red-states-are-rolling-back-worker-protections/

and with the Koch's still running wild, spending money to make it stick, maybe it's time for ALL judges to declare party loyalty. Especially the members of the Koch party.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/us/politics/koch-group-has-ambitions-in-small-races.html?hp&_r=1&

29 Comments

29 Comments


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[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

When Oklahoma moved to RTW in 2001, there was no positive impact.

A cautionary RTW tale from Oklahoma

The most instructive lesson for Indiana is what has happened in Oklahoma—the only state to newly adopt RTW in the era of globalization. When Oklahoma was debating RTW in 2001, supporters insisted that it would dramatically improve the state’s job growth. One of the most widely circulated claims came from a site location consultant who told the state Senate that many companies won’t even consider locating in states without RTW laws, insisting that the absence of such a law was cutting Oklahoma off from “90 percent of the relocating companies.” The number of companies considering locating in Oklahoma would increase by “eight to ten times” if right to work were passed, he said (May 2001). Then-Governor Frank Keating echoed this assertion, insisting, “if we don’t pursue right to work, we are redlined” (Levy 2001).

Though no data were ever presented to substantiate these claims, they were widely publicized and doubtless influential in legislators’ thinking about the issue. One of the groups that played a leading role in touting the job-creation powers of RTW was the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs (OCPA), which is not actually a public organization but a private, anti-union advocacy group. OCPA’s widely circulated 2001 study repeated the claim that RTW would significantly increase the number of new companies coming into the state, and would increase growth in manufacturing jobs (Reed 2001). These claims, in turn, were frequently repeated by the National Right to Work Committee (Monies 2003; Greer 2005, 2007).

None of those predictions came true.

The facts—which come straight from the state and federal government and are now uncontested by any party, are:

In the 10 years since the law was passed, the number of new companies coming into the state has decreased by one-third (Oklahoma Department of Commerce 2011). Indeed, the same two OCPA staff analysts who authored the most recent RTW study—Moody and Warcholik—also published a 2010 article showing that Oklahoma has suffered a net out-migration of jobs to other states.

In the 10 years since Oklahoma adopted its right-to-work law, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state has fallen by one-third (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011).

This evidence suggests that RTW was not an economic windfall for the state, but is not conclusive since other factors have also impacted job growth over this period. A more careful analysis (Lafer and Allegretto 2011) comparing Oklahoma to its neighboring states to control for other trends found that “[t]he adoption of right-to-work in Oklahoma had no significant positive impact whatsoever on employment.”

Rather than apologizing to Oklahoma legislators who may have been misled by their earlier predictions, OCPA recently released a new study aimed at convincing Indiana lawmakers that Oklahoma’s RTW law was a success. In pursuit of this goal, OCPA has completely revised its definition of success. Link

For those that repeat the lie that unions do not work for all people there is this:

Strong unions set a pay standard that nonunion employers follow. For example, a high school graduate whose workplace is not unionized but whose industry is 25% unionized is paid 5% more than similar workers in less unionized industries.

Note that this has been out for some time. States that have unions increase the wages for all. Link

Also note that repeating a lie does not make it true. Nor does the pretense of a jealousy between teachers and police unions. That is complete and utter idiocy and, in fact, falls right in line with Walker's Divide and Conquer strategy.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

"For those that repeat the lie that unions do not work for all people there is this:

Strong unions set a pay standard that nonunion employers follow. For example, a high school graduate whose workplace is not unionized but whose industry is 25% unionized is paid 5% more than similar workers in less unionized industries."

Thanks for that. There is a fresh old batch of anti-union rhetoric coming through here, and that is timely.

If you find the time?

This was excellent.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/stop-kicking-people-when-they-are-down/

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[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I believe, this is why they are now so aimed at Michigan.

Water.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

So, why all the unnecessary spin?

Oh, ya............... UPDATED October 29, 2013: Opposition to the proposal to amend pension law to allow retirees' pensions to be cut is growing and gaining force to slow down this train wreck and allow consideration of other options.

As reported in Pension and Investments, the growing opposition was in evidence at a Congressional hearing held on the proposal today. Click here to watch a video of the testimonies.

Click here to tell your Senators and Congressional Representatives to vote NO on any plan to allow earned pensions to be cut. This site, sponsored by the Machinists Union, will allow you to send an email message right away to your Senators and Reps.

Click here for a list of Congressional Reps on the Education and Workforce Committee who will take up the bill, and for how to send them a note urging a NO vote.

We expect a bill to hit Congress very soon which would allow "deeply troubled" pension funds—such as the Central States Fund—to cut the pension benefits of retirees and those soon to retire.

We're out to stop this bill to protect Teamsters and other workers who worked long and hard to earn their pensions. If they revoke the ERISA anti-cutback rule and could then cut some pensions, the door will be open to slash more pensions.

This bill has the support of employers and the Central States Pension Fund. Central States Director Thomas Nyhan was the number one advocate at the Congressional hearing yesterday; he testified that Central States could become insolvent in 10-15 years.

That explains everything

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Interestingly, Texas is also a RTW state and, of course, they have all this:

A $27 billion dollar budget deficit

Texas ranks #4 in population living below the poverty line (17.2 %).

Worst environmental record in the United States

Ranks #1 in illiteracy

Ranks #1 on the poorest gun regulations in the US and highest per capita gun murder rates in the US (The Brady campaign gives Texas a score of 6 out of 100 possible points.)

Ranks #1 in the lowest high school graduation rate

Ranks #1 with the highest interest rates “pay day” companies can charge

Ranks #1 in those making below minimum wage

Ranks # 1 (26.5%) who lack health insurance

Ranks # 1 (20.3%) of children who lack health insurance

Ranks # 1 in the highest per capita executions in the world

Ranks #50 in $ spent for Medicaid for the poor and children

Ranks 50th ( dead last ) in $ spent on its citizens

Ranks #2 in the rate of food insecure children.

Ranks 49th ( the 2nd lowest ) in Medicaid $ given to nursing homes

Ranks #1 in teen repeat births

Ranks #4 in teen pregnancy rate

Ranks #3 in teen birth rate

Ranks #2 with the highest home insurance rates

Ranks 49th in $ funded for the mentally ill

Ranks #1 with the highest overall pollution rate

Ranks #4 in adults under correctional control

Ranks #1 in adults under probation

Link

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

For those that don't remember there is this: But, with the recall election that could replace Walker barely three weeks away, a remarkable videotape of the governor describing just such as a strategy has surfaced. In it, Walker is seen promising a billionaire campaign donor that the attack on collective-bargaining rights for public-sector unions—which sparked demonstrations and the movement that has forced the recall election—was only “the first step” in a grand plan. Link

Welcome to Act 10. Remember that the unions made vast concessions prior to this but ......that was never the point.

Now, where do they stand?

The state Appeals Court on Monday kept in place for now a ruling finding Gov. Scott Walker's labor commissioners in contempt of court.

The ruling by the District 4 Court of Appeals in Madison means that, at least for the time being, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission cannot enforce aspects of Act 10, the 2011 law by Walker that greatly restricted the ability of public workers to engage in union activities.

Monday's ruling shifts attention to the state Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments in the underlying case Nov. 11. The high court is expected to rule on the case by next summer, though it could address some or all of the issues in the case much more quickly.

Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colás last year found Act 10 was unconstitutional for teachers and local government workers, saying it violated their guarantee of equal protection under the law and infringed on their freedom-of-association rights.

Last month, he found Walker's two labor commissioners in contempt of court because they had not followed his earlier ruling. That led the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission to cancel union certification elections that had been scheduled to begin last week.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asked the Court of Appeals to stay the contempt ruling and separately asked the Supreme Court to stay the 2012 ruling that found Act 10 unconstitutional.

The Court of Appeals declined to issue an immediate stay Monday as it considers the case, saying that there was not a showing of a strong likelihood the commissioners would overturn the contempt ruling on appeal. Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/appeals-court-ruling-blocks-enforcement-of-act-10-provisions-b99134531z1-230560541.html#ixzz2jmG86D40 Follow us: @NewsHub on Twitter

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[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Of course, we shouldn't pay any attention to this:

Californians may also have seen that the state’s primary public pension fund is financially on solid ground — in better shape today than when Jerry Brown was governor three decades ago. Earlier this year, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) announced it had earned a 12.5 percent return on its investments over the fiscal year. That far exceeds its own forecast of just 7.5 percent. To get a longer-term view, consider that CalPERS has earned an average of 8 percent annually over the past two decades, despite several years of recession. Any assertions that the system cannot fully fund retirement obligations are pure fabrication.

Or, California voters may be soured on anti-pension crusaders because they see the money flowing from out-of-state interests to bankroll these kinds of ballot measures. Take John Arnold, a former Enron executive and hedge fund billionaire from Texas who, according to his Arnold Foundation, spent $7 million in just two years on efforts to overturn pensions across the country, including in California. Mayor Reed asked an Arnold-affiliated organization to donate $200,000 to support his efforts, according to news reports. For many voters, that’s reminiscent of the Koch Brothers-connected nonprofit from Arizona that dumped $11 million into political races in California last year. link

Read more here

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It's all on the line here in Detroit as we speak.

You have to wonder how much they have given Orr.

Those $18,000 pensions are on the line.

Isn't $18,000 a year below poverty level?

http://live.freep.com/Event/Live_blog_Day_7_of_Detroit_bankruptcy_eligibility_trial

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

UAW lawyer Nicholson: “The governor can’t amend the constitution and nor can Mr. Orr.”


Exactly. And Orr can't manage to answer direct questions.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

"The governor can’t amend the constitution"

Unfortunately, Snyder already has. Once to tax me for the teabagge(R)s and once to reinstitute his EM tyranny.

Constitutions don't matter to these "people".

[-] -2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Ya, I find this insistence on the July 10th meeting being kept secret as well as requests for off the record meetings fantastic.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

At this point, all I can do is hope the Judge isn't part of the Koch show.

I know he's not happy with Orr's answers.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

He seems irritated with Nicholson as well. He blocked Nicholson from expanding on his definition of negotiations.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

With a Mayoral election today, it's going to get "interesting".

I just find it hard to believe they want to reduce $18,000 a year pensions.

They already started screwing with their healthcare.

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Hell, given the tweets it is already interesting.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It certainly has gotten convoluted.

Jones Day ( the bankruptcy firm), helped put together the original consent agreement??

Conflict of interest?

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Ya, and one that Dillon seems to be acutely aware of.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I believe Dillon's a slimeball, unless he decides to prove that conflict to the judge.

He ran as a Dem and then accepted a post in Snyder's cabinet.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Waiting for Judge Rhodes to decide whether to admit an email from Charles Moore to Kevyn Orr that was forwarded to Andy Dillon in early June, showing Moore concluding that cuts to pensions would be necessary to improve Detroit's finances — and that the only way to do so may be bankruptcy.

Judge Rhodes allows the email to be submitted into evidence.

BAM

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Well, we'll see what shakes out.

Being a ponzi scheme scholar I now wonder what Judge Rhodes thinks about Amway and DeVos in particular, considering his close relationship to Snyder.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-20/detroit-bankruptcy-judge-rhodes-is-ponzi-law-scholar.html

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

I wonder if he will write a book after he retires. I think that would be very telling.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Dillon says he does not recall receiving advice that pensions would have to be cut in Detroit and that the way to do so would be bankruptcy.

Dillon asked if he received advice that pensions would have to be cut and Ch 9 would make it easier. 'No', Dillon said.

Dillon shown email June 7 from EM Orr. Says anticipate significant cuts to accrued benefits, only possible in Ch. 9. Dillon: don't remember.

It gets better.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

People with that short of a memory shouldn't be hired for anything other than dog catcher.

I wonder what else he forgot?

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

I have two thoughts. Reagan couldn't recall. He was smited with Alzheimer's. I leave the rest up to your imagination.