The Way I See It!

Our Tax Dollars Through Collective Bargaining Part2

Posted by Randy Hollenbeck on March 10, 2011

Wisconsin, Union

From WisPolitics

Example #1 WEA Trust

Currently many school districts participate in WEA trust because WEAC collectively bargains to get as many school districts across the state to participate in this union run health insurance plan as possible.  Union leadership benefits from members participating in this plan.  If school districts enrolled in the state employee health plan, it would save school districts up to $68 million per year.  Beyond that if school districts had the flexibility to look for health insurance coverage outside of WEA trust or the state plan, additional savings would likely be realized.

Example #2 Viagra for Teachers

The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association (MTEA) tried to use a policy established by collective bargaining to obtain health insurance coverage that specifically paid for Viagra.  Cost to taxpayers is $786,000 a year.

Reference: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/milwaukee-schools-ban-viagra-teachers-union-sues-discrimination/story?id=11378595

Example #3 Unrealistic Overtime Provisions

Stacking

On a state level, the Department of Corrections allows correctional workers who call in sick to collect overtime if they work a shift on the exact same day.  The specific provision that allows this to happen was collectively bargained for in their contract.  Cost to taxpayers $4.8 million.

Reference: Attached department of corrections memo

Along with these specific examples illustrating why collective bargaining is a fiscal issue Governor Walker's spokesman, Cullen Werwie, released the following statement:

Collective bargaining has a fiscal impact at all levels of government.

Two years ago Senate Democrats rammed through a billion dollar tax increase in 24 hours without a public hearing.  Now it is reported they are hiding out at a Best Western in Illinois.  While they are vacationing the taxpayers who are paying their salaries are hard at work producing materials and providing services all while trying to make enough money to pay their families' bills.

Instead of stimulating the hospitality sector of Illinois' economy, Senate Democrats should come back to the Madison, debate the bill, cast their vote, and help get Wisconsin's economy back on track.

Paid-Time Off for Union Activities

In Milwaukee County alone, because the union collectively bargained for paid time off, fourteen employees receive salary and benefits for doing union business.  Of the fourteen, three are on full-time release for union business.  Milwaukee County spent over $170,000 in salary alone for these employees to only participate in union activities such as collective bargaining.

Surrender of Management Rights

Because of collecting bargaining, unions have included provisions in employee contracts that have a direct fiscal impact such as not allowing management to schedule workers based on operational needs and requiring notice and approval by the union prior to scheduling changes.  As county executive, Walker attempted to reduce work hours based on budget pressures and workload requirements by instituting a 35-hour work week to avoid layoffs, which the union opposed. Additionally, government cannot explore privatization of functions that could save taxpayers money.

Along with this release Governor Walker’s spokesman, Cullen Werwie, released the following statement:

Unfortunately for the millions of taxpayers who are currently paying these Senators’ salaries and benefits, Senator Julie Lassa and her 13 colleagues decided to take a 6 day vacation to Illinois to get ‘to know a lot of my fellow caucus members.’

While Senate Democrats are getting acquainted with each other in another state, Governor Walker is in Wisconsin working to balance the state budget. Senators should return to Wisconsin and make their voice heard through the democratic process by casting their votes.

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=227717