PUTNEY — Growing up in an old labor union family , this story was often brought out: A corporate boss brought some workers in for a meeting. He sets out a plate of 12 cookies on the table, puts 1 in his pocket then says to the workers, “Watch out for that last cookie. The unions want a piece of it.”
In Wisconsin, the governor is blaming unions for the state's economic troubles, while taking a page from the Dick Cheney plan of creating chaos as a method of governing.
A budget surplus in Wisconsin was quickly erased with tax giveaways to the most wealthy. (Sound familiar?) Now, the governor claims draconian measures are necessary to save a state that “is broke” (a catch phrase that neoconservatives are using to frame their arguments all over the country).
This is a fact: Wisconsin's state workers did agree to the governor's request to contribute to their compensation, which includes health and pension coverage. His subsequent attempt to abrogate their right to collective bargaining is, plain and simple, class warfare.
Workers all over this state and the country should be aware of efforts to suspend workers rights, divide us, and have us fighting for the crumbs left over after the corporate bosses fill their pockets.
The right to organize and bargain collectively created this country's middle class by ensuring compensation that included a livable wage, health insurance, pensions, vacations and the 40-hour work week. If you enjoy any of those benefits, thank the unions.
As many Vermonters offer support to Wisconsin workers for their right to organize and bargain collectively, I take notice that some Vermont early educators are seeking those same rights. Thousands are organizing for the right to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions. If successful, this effort will provide the staff stability that is a hallmark to program quality.
The bill in the Vermont House is not neat and clean, but we can work on it and provide that basic right to organize and bargain collectively. The bill needs to include clearer provisions for transparency in how union dues and costs are paid. It also needs to make clear that membership in a union should be a choice for an individual to make.
In the most basic terms, workers in Vermont - just like the workers in Wisconsin - deserve the right to organize, bargain collectively, and have a voice at the table on matters that concern them.