(Ne) Collective bargaining plan unveiled (Omaha Steve and unions take it in the shorts)

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Paul Hammel
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations would compare public wages with those in private business and would have to give preference to comparable jobs within the state or nearby area under a proposal unveiled Tuesday.

The proposal, which seeks to reform collective bargaining in Nebraska, comes after weeks of negotiations.

While Wisconsin saw massive protests over collective bargaining rights, the issue in Nebraska has been quietly hammered out within a working group of state senators and representatives of the State Chamber of Commerce, League of Nebraska Municipalities, education groups, public employee unions and a representative of Gov. Dave Heineman.

The leader of the negotiations, Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, unveiled the compromise during an afternoon executive session of the legislative committee he heads, the Business and Labor Committee.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110329/NEWS01/703299850/0#collective-bargaining-plan-unveiled

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I work at the largest and oldest waste water plant in the entire State of Nebraska. A comparison in the state will be against smaller and newer plants. Many don't even require 24 hour staffing like mine. The R conservatives (tea party-Koch) continue to steam roll workers. The Koch's play in oil, I play in poopie water in a plant that needs 100's of millions in updates to pass the clean water act. System wide Omaha will spend 1.5 billion with a b on waste water upgrades over 15 years. Most of this will make it easier to work AFTER I get my reduced retirement. There goes 13+ years times 10% of my income.

IF you didn't know a 10 cent per roll tax on toilet paper has been suggested for the entire US to help aging plants like mine to help pay the cost of the unfunded mandate upgrades.

to discuss these issues when we have ridiculous amounts to kill. I'm so sorry; hope you end up less screwed somehow, Steve.

It seems to only continue to get worse, but I seriously don't think we've seen anything yet, sadly and frighteningly.

Mad World...

BTW, how's the shoulder feeling? I type with two fingers, so I can sympathize. :)

One for my neck hernia. One for my shoulder. I see the orthopedic surgeon Thursday. I think I'll go back to work next Monday. I won't know till after I see him.

Keep us updated, you matter much. Still sending healing energy your way... :hug:

What is this shit? These corrupt politicians and bankers are the ones that bankrupted the states, let them fucking pay for the shortfall.

a violent revolt? I seriously doubt it, but you never know. Maybe they will all wake up with consciences one morning... :rofl::hi:

whenever taxes are brought up, (usually tobacco and alcohol), I get into a contest w/R's...and I always use a TP tax to make my point..."Why should groups of people, i.e. smokers/drinkers, pay for what others will benefit from? Everyone uses toilet paper, a 10 cent a roll tax would pass the costs on to everyone, which would be fair and equitable taxation." Most people understand this...but they don't want to pay it...it's the R mindset..."I want it, but I don't want to pay for it!"

The impact of Unions in this state is minimal...sadly, people are more than willing to accept what Unions fought for, 8 hr workdays, 5 day workweeks, overtime, holiday pay, vacation, health insurance, workman's comp, unemployment insurance...it's the same thing, "gimme, gimme, gimme"...unless it costs me something...:(

except, hope that the assholes, who are selling you & the rest of us down the river, will pay for their sins in full - come the turn of the wheel.

often--every media outlet, online, everywhere.

Best wishes.

Source: The Seattle Times

In the struggle between governors and unions over public employee costs, Nebraska would seem like an unlikely battleground. Teacher salaries are modest, workers pay toward their benefits and a right-to-work law prevails.

But Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and the Republican-controlled Legislature have taken a bead this session at one aspect of state law that has produced occasional victories for unionized workers.

Lawmakers unveiled a package this week in response to frustration with the Commission of Industrial Relations, which resolves labor disputes between public workers and their employers. An anti-union sentiment in the wake of union battles in Wisconsin and Ohio led small-government groups and some lawmakers to call for an end to Nebraska's commission and collective bargaining rights.

Conservatives blame the commission for unpredictable changes in government personnel spending. Labor leaders and commission supporters have said the criticism is politically motivated, meant to take advantage of the sour national mood about government spending and of the election last fall of Republican candidates promising cutbacks.



Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014632562_apusnebraskapublicarbitration.html

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The national corporate/GOP attack on workers' rights continues. Yet, the media will push the narrative that this is a popular movement ala the Tea Party, and sock puppets will attack from the "left" and punish Democrats for not doing enough to stop Republicans while giving Republicans themselves a free pass. Heck, maybe we can start the narrative that we should even admire Republicans because they are so resolute in supporting their rich donors.

It is easy to be unified when you have the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backing you up with millions in donations and a corporate controlled media.

level of STUPID, they continue to amaze ya.

Notice how they are starting with states that don't have huge job markets, where good jobs are hard to come by, preying on peoples desperation. They are giving the workers a choice between complying or getting fired. They are willing to fire them all and strip all workers rights. What do the corporatists want, MORE profit?!

And start fighting the enemy tooth and nail.