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MEA "Energized" by Walker Win.
Topic Started: Jun 10 2012, 07:56 PM (722 Views)
LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Teachers union leaders say members are energized despite being 'disappointed' that Wisconsin Gov. Walker defeated recall attempt

Published: Wednesday, June 06, 2012, 10:58 AM Updated: Wednesday, June 06, 2012, 11:01 AM

By Dave Murray | dmurray@mlive.com MLive.com

LANSING, MI – Teachers union leaders say they’re disappointed that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker defeated efforts to recall him, but say the campaign against him “sends a strong signal to those who have worked to destroy collective bargaining rights and the voice of working people: we will not forget.”

Walker was targeted for recall after a pushing through a series of laws affecting the state’s public employee unions, including limiting collective bargaining to compensation.

Michigan Education Association President Steven Cook on Wednesday compared Walker’s actions to bills signed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and said they were “politically motivated.”

“Shortly after being elected in 2010, Walker pursued an agenda designed to destroy collective bargaining for public sector unions in an effort to silence their voice not only at the bargaining table, but ultimately in the political arena,” Cook said in a release.

“The attack on unions that we have seen here in Michigan, in Ohio and throughout the Midwest began early last year in Wisconsin. I am proud that MEA leaders, rank and file members and staff answered the call – from February 2011 to present – to work alongside working families and union members from all walks of organized labor to fight this attack.

Cook said the Wisconsin laws “reawakened the labor movement in those states, just as the attacks on collective bargaining and the middle class here in Michigan have reawakened union members and non-members alike. Wisconsin fought back, Ohio fought back, and we in Michigan are fighting back.”

The MEA is collecting signatures in hopes of getting a “Protect Our Jobs” amendment to the state constitution in the fall ballot.

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said the effort was hampered by Walker backers raising more money.

“Unfortunately, the biggest winner in tonight’s recall election was the corporate cash that funded the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker,” he said in a release. “These millionaire donors, empowered by the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United, have made a mockery of democracy and nearly drowned out the voices of working families in Wisconsin. The good news is that the barrage of out-of-state corporate money did not keep voters from restoring the balance of power in the state Senate.”


Van Roekel said educators played a key role in the recall effort, saying that the We Are Wisconsin group knocked on 1.4 million doors and made 1.5 million phone calls. He said the group, which includes many union members, will now focus on the November presidential election.

“We are grateful for your dedication and commitment to what is just and right. You sparked a movement that captivated the nation’s attention for 26 days in January 2011. You slept on the floor of the capitol, and walked the snowy streets of Madison. You spoke up against Walker’s attack on workers’ rights and unprecedented education budget cuts. You stood up for kids, for workers and for justice and no matter the outcome, showed that NEA members will never stop advocating for our students and our communities. And for that we are grateful.”

MEA members backed an unsuccessful attempt to recall Michigan Gov. Snyder. A second effort, organized by the Michigan Rising advocacy group, is collecting signatures for a second attempt.

Email Dave Murray at dmurray@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter @ReporterDMurray or on Facebook.


“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
Protect our Jobs amendment?

Talk about arrogance.

We have driving full speed to the edge of a cliff, with public sector union benefits and salaries sucking the life out of the budget.

Now, the public demands reform, and your answer is to change the state constitution?

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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Otis B.
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Arrogance and greed are the union calling cards. Unfortunately for them, people are waking up to the public sector union scam and finally electing people who will reform it. The old formula of putting money in the pockets of their favorite politicians who they will be at the bargaining table with won't work anymore.

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DADDYOH10
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I'm glad folks are differentialting between PRIVATE SECTOR and PUBLIC SECTORS, Other Unions have been bleeding for a long time. Like when someone I might know used to tell me that unions were the reason his car cost so much....well, the union here (UAW) has been paying their dues for a long time now, and look where their wage are...plus American productivity has increased in a far greater percentage than has the wages, We all are losing ground, fast!
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srj900
Advanced Member
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In reality Walker was only asking they pay a small percentage of their health care. It is time, even in this pro union state. under these tough economic times, that public sector contracts be looked into and opened up.

I heard about how a large city's fire department gained the system. When a fireman was a year out for retirement, the others in his station would take all kinds of sick time. Thus, the soon to be retiree would rack up the overtime and boost his pension, forever. I wonder if any of these types of games are going on in Livonia?

Studies have shown privatizing schools makes better economic sense with competition. It also makes for higher achieving students. It also means eliminating blood sucking people in the administration, that seem hell bent on maintaining a school system that frankly is more appropriate for 1952, then 2012.
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RU Kidding Me?
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srj900
Jun 13 2012, 04:07 PM


I heard about how a large city's fire department gained the system. When a fireman was a year out for retirement, the others in his station would take all kinds of sick time. Thus, the soon to be retiree would rack up the overtime and boost his pension, forever. I wonder if any of these types of games are going on in Livonia?
Overtime is not considered in Final Average Comp. in Livonia. :)
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