Thrasher (not content to let Wisconsin have all the fun) files anti-union bill.

RiversideLoki · February 21, 2011, 08:19:50 PM

QuoteUnion dues in crosshairs of John Thrasher bill

Sen. John Thrasher, former state GOP chairman, looks like he has filed a bill (SB830) to starve unions like the Florida Education Association, SEIU, AFL-CIO, firefighters, police unions or AFSCME by banning the Democratic-leaning organizations from using salary deductions for political purposes. The legislation also says any "public employer may not deduct or collect" union dues, etc. Lastly, it says that any public employee who didn't specifically authorize the use of his money could be entitled to a partial refund.

Source - Tampabay.com

tufsu1 · February 21, 2011, 08:29:46 PM

this guy is quickly becoming a joke of even himself

Jaxson · February 21, 2011, 08:36:35 PM

Senator Thrasher seems to be ignorant of the fact that Duval County's local teachers union already affords its members an opportunity to choose whether or not to allocate dues money to political causes. Duval Teachers United has a separate fund into which its members must opt in and set up a separate dues deduction to participate. It would be more useful if other locals adopted this model and it would also serve to negate much of Senator Thrasher's argument.

Non-RedNeck Westsider · February 21, 2011, 08:48:39 PM

Quote from: Jaxson on February 21, 2011, 08:36:35 PM
Senator Thrasher seems to be ignorant of the fact that Duval County's local teachers union already affords its members an opportunity to choose whether or not to allocate dues money to political causes. Duval Teachers United has a separate fund into which its members must opt in and set up a separate dues deduction to participate. It would be more useful if other locals adopted this model and it would also serve to negate much of Senator Thrasher's argument.

I have a question somewhat off topic but about the teacher's union in FL - If you're a teacher, is joining the union mandatory? Because, if they can't legally strike, then what protection does the union afford? How much are dues? Can you not be a non-union teacher and still get the benefits without the costs? Meaning, if I'm non-union, I apply for a job, they can't discriminate based on race, creed, color or association, and there is already a pay scale established, so what benefit does the union provide? Couldn't I potentially make more with the free market?

JeffreyS · February 22, 2011, 08:03:18 AM

The Union is part of the Free Market. Workers trying to market their labor and skills. The free market is essentially the ability to negotiate so each side tries to figure out the best way to do that.

copperfiend · February 22, 2011, 08:52:23 AM

He has to keep his donors happy.

urbanlibertarian · February 22, 2011, 12:36:50 PM

Not that I agree with him but FYI...

Retired SEIU president Andy Stern weighs in on the WI budget fight:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-20/wisconsin-union-fight-is-really-a-15-state-gop-power-grab/

Jumpinjack · February 22, 2011, 02:09:27 PM

Florida with its wonderful weather and tourist spots could benefit from Wisconsin's problem.
DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS, ARE WINTER BLIZZARDS AND YOUR CRAZY GOVERNOR GETTING YOU DOWN? - COME TO FLORIDA AND RELAX ON OUR BEACHES WHILE YOUR FELLOW LAWMAKERS STRUGGLE WITHOUT YOU.

Cliffs_Daughter · February 22, 2011, 03:11:10 PM

Quote from: Jumpinjack on February 22, 2011, 02:09:27 PM
Florida with its wonderful weather and tourist spots could benefit from Wisconsin's problem.
DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS, ARE WINTER BLIZZARDS AND YOUR CRAZY GOVERNOR GETTING YOU DOWN? - COME TO FLORIDA AND RELAX ON OUR BEACHES WHILE YOUR FELLOW LAWMAKERS STRUGGLE WITHOUT YOU.

+1

Garden guy · February 22, 2011, 03:16:03 PM

Thrasher is a liar and a thief and lives in the pocket of the Bush family and we all know this..he's just one of the many republican thiefs leading this wonderful state...

Jaxson · February 22, 2011, 03:39:58 PM

Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on February 21, 2011, 08:48:39 PM
Quote from: Jaxson on February 21, 2011, 08:36:35 PM
Senator Thrasher seems to be ignorant of the fact that Duval County's local teachers union already affords its members an opportunity to choose whether or not to allocate dues money to political causes. Duval Teachers United has a separate fund into which its members must opt in and set up a separate dues deduction to participate. It would be more useful if other locals adopted this model and it would also serve to negate much of Senator Thrasher's argument.

I have a question somewhat off topic but about the teacher's union in FL - If you're a teacher, is joining the union mandatory? Because, if they can't legally strike, then what protection does the union afford? How much are dues? Can you not be a non-union teacher and still get the benefits without the costs? Meaning, if I'm non-union, I apply for a job, they can't discriminate based on race, creed, color or association, and there is already a pay scale established, so what benefit does the union provide? Couldn't I potentially make more with the free market?

In a right-to-work state teachers may choose whether or not to join their local teachers union. Although membership is optional, the teachers union is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all teachers, paraprofessionals and office staff in the district. The pay and benefits are negotiated between the school board and the local teachers union.

jaxnative · February 22, 2011, 07:55:27 PM

QuoteThe Union is part of the Free Market. Workers trying to market their labor and skills. The free market is essentially the ability to negotiate so each side tries to figure out the best way to do that.

In the free market, where private and corporate entities are concerned, the success or failure of the company is dependent on their long term ablility to profit. Labors unions in the free market have failed miserably in the last few decades as their declining memberships show. Public employee unions have no such measurements to be held to. Should they be considered part of the "free market"? The union bosses found their most useful idiots in the politicians who legislated them into being. What better place to have your hand in than the bottomless(?) pit of taxpayers money. When public employess, on average, are making more in terms of wages and benefits than the people they are supposed to be serving, something has tilted in the wrong direction.

JeffreyS · February 22, 2011, 07:59:23 PM

Have you ever looked into unions, how could you be that misled? Are you saying there are examples then yes I would agree but most Unions understand they have to help keep the enterprise as a whole profitable. The reason their are less union members now is Regan and Clinton's intentional efforts to out source Union jobs.

I dare you to spend 5 min researching your claim.

jaxnative · February 22, 2011, 08:06:07 PM

My father and grandfather were both union men all their lives. I've done research and have been there. I believe it would be more truthful to say that the companies themselves outsourced to compete in the realities of the world market.

brainstormer · February 22, 2011, 08:28:54 PM

When you accept a teaching job in Duval County you sign a contract that was determined by collective bargaining. Pay scale, years of service, job requirements, benefits, etc. are all negotiated by the Duval Teachers United and outlined by the collective bargaining agreement. Since Florida is a right to work state, joining the union and paying dues is optional even though you still must abide by the teacher contract. One of the benefits of being part of the union is that if a legal charge/accusation is brought against you, you are guaranteed legal service. All it takes is one parent to accuse you as a teacher of doing something inappropriate and your career can be over like that. There is some comfort in knowing that at least your legal fees will be covered.