February 21, 2011

Nevertheless, Marty Biel, executive director of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 24, told reporters that the union would be willing to accept cuts in pay and benefits if Walker will leave collective bargaining intact. Biel's statements have sparked a debate among union members and supporters. With Walker under pressure amid mass support for Wisconsin public sector workers, labor has the leverage to hold line.

Walker's proposal would also end the automatic payment of union dues and force unions to hold votes each year to recertify their status as bargaining units. The legislation would require public employees to pay 12.6 percent of their health insurance costs, and contribute 5.8 percent of their pay toward their pensions. That would cut take-home pay by as much as 20 percent.

Despite a week of worker sick-ins, occupations and rallies in the Wisconsin state capital of Madison, some union leaders are floating a concessionary deal to try to get Republican Gov. Scott Walker to back off proposed legislation that would effectively destroy collective bargaining for public-sector workers by barring negotiations on anything other than wages.

Why We Demand No Cuts

The issue of maintaining collective bargaining at the center of this struggle is a right we are all fighting desperately today to maintain. The bill's stripping of bargaining rights and automatic dues deductions--and the provision that calls for recertifying bargaining units yearly--is a blatant attempt to destroy unions altogether in this state, and perhaps beyond. Having us pay more for our benefits is a massive wage cut that most of us can't afford after stagnating salaries, higher deductibles and an already 3 percent furlough wage cut over the recent past.

We're not alone

Workers' wages have been stagnant in this country for nearly 40 years while costs like health care and housing have skyrocketed. Taxes on the rich and corporations have steadily declined over the last four decades while our taxes have gone up. The wealth held by the top 1 percent is now up to 50 percent. It's no coincidence that these trends have all happened during a period of dwindling union membership.

Marching through Madison to show opposition to Gov. Scott Walker's assault on labor (Molly Glasgow)

In Wisconsin, two-thirds of the companies pay no corporate taxes. The disparity of wealth between the rich and poor in this country is at its highest level since 1928. The banks and the Wall Street criminals have been bailed out while many of us are left with unpaid mortgages, huge credit card and student debt, and an uncertain future. Now, the wealthy and the government want us to pay for the economic crisis they created by taking even more pay cuts and paying more toward our benefits.

Now is NOT the time to make concessions

Walker's bold and shameless attack on labor has woken a sleeping giant. Our struggles and ever-growing mass rallies over the past week have captured the imagination of workers in this country and across the world. To walk away from this battle with only our bargaining rights intact would be a hollow victory.

It's here in Madison that we can take a stand for labor and turn the tide of the last four decades in our favor. The current state budget "crisis" is mostly a result of more tax cuts for corporations given by Walker in January. However, decades of "starving the beast" and rewarding the wealthy have left the country with massive debt.

What you can do Wisconsin activists have suggestions for people who would like to support the struggle, but can't get to Madison: -- Send a donation via PayPal to [email protected]. The money will go to supplies for banners and other materials we need and don't have any money for. -- If you have connections with a group that should be offering solidarity, but isn't yet, please contact them. From statements of solidarity (paper or video) to rallies to money, we want it. Think broad: the bill kicks undocumented children off BadgerCare (health care); it threatens domestic partnerships, won through non-wages collective bargaining; it will destroy public transit in Madison (which is an environmental issue, as well as a class issue). -- For information about further activism and updates on the situation in Madison, visit International Socialist Organization Madison Web site.

We want the rich and corporations to pay their fair share. We are still the richest country in the world, but we workers are not better off for it. That's why we call for no cuts to our benefits or wages. We've had enough, and we won't take it anymore!