Last in, first out. What do those with seniority care if the city says lay-off or we will terminate policepeople? Layoffs do not affect the ones who really run the unions, those who were hired first and with seniority. It's the last in, who have little power and are usually hired at a lower salary rate, saving the employer less pension contributions, who are first to be laid off.
The major difference between the private sector who creates the jobs for people to pay taxes to support the public sector is that the private sector usually promotes on competence. The public sector, largely unionized, (almost all large companies; WalMart is an exception) promote on tenure.
Always, its the union leaders who have accumulated the most financial security and seniority who push the newer employees to join in the strike. That plus intimidation or often, vice-versa.
I believe that #150 has 1100 teachers. Absent in the JS today was the number who are pushing for the strike. I will be surprised when and if a vote is taken, if more than half of this 1100 vote period.
Close to 100% of people laid off or fired due to the recession come from the private sector. Many governmental bodies similar to Peoria County offered interesting early retirement benefits to employees, I believe all union, and 71 (at last count) accepted. To my knowledge, none were laid-off or fired. Board members talk about the counties loyalty to the employee. What about loyalty to those who pay the majority of the taxes and fees that support government? Have you ever know of any governmental body that returned tax dollars on an EQUAL basis or of any governmental body with excess dollars who could have returned these dollars to taxpayers but quickly, found other places to spend those "excesses"?
The State of Illinois, basically bankrupt, tried to lay off 2600 union members and failed as the unions were powerful enough to tie-up the layoff attempt in court.
One of many Case Histories? Read my previous blog.
2 comments:
I was commenting on Peoria Chronicle and used some of your comments back in 2005 about tenure - the one about how only 7 teachers out of 95,000 tenured ones were fired in the state of Illinois in 2004. Thank you for the data!
If there is a strike - hopefully you will come help out. I don't mean that as a challenge, like so many union supporters try to do - but you would be an asset in the schools when those students will need it most.
Just don't teach a History class and try to tell them how Reagan was so much better than Clinton :)
Jon,
I would be happy to do the things I have always said that the system lacked.
What is that? Explain to the kids what it is like in the "real" world and the advise them the tools they will need to succeed.
Like learning what work really is, paying attention and helping each other learn.
I won't be sitting by the phone expecting those in charge to call.
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