Fact is, here is the contract stuff:
- These contracts contain zero pay increases and no market adjustments.
- The contracts have a 5.3% employee share health care premium increase and an increase in the employee pension contribution (between .2% - .8%).
- State employees had 16 furlough days in 2009-2011 biennium, which was a 3.25% pay reduction. This contract underscores the furlough arrangement.
- These contracts cover the period of the last budget (July 2009 - June 2011) and not the budget to be created by Governor-elect Walker and the next legislature.
- The incoming governor will have the opportunity to negotiate contracts for the period coinciding with the budget he will propose.
- The funding for these contracts is accounted for in the current budget passed by this legislature and governor.
Now really, was that so hard. Definitely not worth these clowns to get their undies in a bundle like they're doing.
But just imagine how long the next four years will be if these are best and brightest the GOP has to offer.
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The noise they're making has nothing to do with wanting to know the facts. They no doubt know what is in the contracts. This is simply posturing to build support for their attempt to bust the unions come January.
ReplyDeleteWalkers game is all about misdirection.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem with government employee benefits, or even private sector employee benefits is the cost. The bottom line cost. It is the cost of health insurance and the cost of pensions (or other retirement benefits) in a down economy. Health insurance is high for everyone in Wisconsin, especially in southeast Wisconsin. To cover the cost of pension plans and their obligations to the retired workers governments, even private companies are required to invest money to make up for the money that is not gained in a growing stock market.
Walkers plan, the plan of many right wing politicians, is to blame the employees for these costs. Why would they blame the insurance companies or health care providers for the high cost of health care?
But honestly, is it the fault of the employee that health insurance costs are rising? Is it the fault of the employee that the stock market is down and not growing?
If health care costs were lower, that would lower the cost of government agencies employee benefits. That may also lower the cost of benefits to employees in private businesses.
What a crazy idea.
But that is not the plan. The plan is to demonize public employees all over the nation. This completely avoids the REAL problem and keeps them from being forced to solve the REAL problem.
Someone said "Ignorance is bliss."
I am not ignorant of the economic problems that we are facing. I admit that I do not know everything and I do not have all the answers. I do not have the solution to all of the problems that are falling on this State or Nation at this time. The few comments that I have posted here do not cover or even come close to addressing the enormous problems that we are looking at. I am only considering one facet of this giant problem and how it is being addressed by our so called leaders.
I can only feel that a politician like Walker thrives on "ignorance is bliss." The less you know, the farther he will go.