PoliticalChic
Diamond Member
- Thread starter
- #61
"During a visit Tuesday to Wausau, Gov. Scott Walker defended his proposal to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees....outline his plan to limit unions' negotiating powers.
... his eventual goal is to make Wisconsin a "right-to-work" state in which payment of union dues can't be made a condition for employment where organized labor is represented.
[Republican Scott] Suder, a 13-year member of the Assembly, described the plan as "painful to legislate" because it asks people to pay more toward their benefits while the economy still is struggling. But he said Walker's proposal is needed to address a projected $3.7 billion budget deficit.
Suder said he would consider changes raised by other state lawmakers, such as adjusting the proportion of health insurance premiums and pensions that employees would be required to pay. Under Walker's proposal, public employees would pay 12.6 percent of their health care premiums and contribute 5.6 percent of their annual salaries to pensions."No one likes to say, 'we're going to be paying more' -- if you look at the national average, I don't understand the argument as to how this is going to be more painful than losing jobs and massive layoffs," Suder said."
Gov. Scott Walker defends budget plan during Wausau visit | wausaudailyherald.com | Wausau Daily Herald
(emphasis mine)
This is going to hurt a lot of hard working folks, but the blame should be laid at the feet of the union leaders and public officials, including our President, who have shown disrespect for wokers and employers in the public sector...
It is unfortunate that needed adjustments can't be more gradual, but the pendulum swings...
Not sure it should be cut out completely. However it is pretty clear. Especially when it comes to public Sector unions, that their demands have gotten a bit out of hand. IMO. They are paid far more than Private sector counter parts, and have much better health and retirement benefits, and the tax payer pays the bill for it all.
Payroll and Benefits for Public Employees is a huge part of State Deficit problems. No matter where we turn to make cuts and get budgets in order. Someone will scream we are heartless bastards.
Statistics bear you out:
1. The average federal employee earned $81,258 per year in 2009. The average private-sector worker earned $50,462. When benefits are added, the private-industry worker gets $10,500, while the federal employee gets $42,000- or more! Federal workers earning double their private counterparts - USATODAY.com
a. The disparity has grown from 66% in 2000, to 101% in 2009. Federal Employees Continue to Prosper | Cato @ Liberty
b. When you compare job-to-job, which is difficult as job titles are hard to compare, total compensation for federal employees is 50% higher than private sector counterparts. Even considering skill, education, and seniority, its still a large disparity. USAToday, op.cit.
c. An apples-to-apples comparison shows that the federal pay system gives many federal workers significantly more compensation than they would get in the private sector. The total premium costs taxpayers $40 billion (according to Richwine and Biggs) or $47 billion (Sherk) per year above market rates. Federal Pay Still Inflated After Accounting for Skills | The Heritage Foundation