Dec 112012
Wisconsin public sector "asleep at the wheel".
from the Canadian Union of Public Employees
As labour law changes loom in Saskatchewan, CUPE members gathered in Regina last week to hear Wisconsin firefighter and union leader Mahlon Mitchell describe the attack on public sector collective bargaining rights.
Cuts to pension benefits, essential services legislation and public private partnerships had been taking place for years, Mitchell told delegates to CUPE's Solidarity conference. The labour movement failed to heed the early warning signs.
"Governor Walker didn't just dream this up overnight and say: "You know what? We are going to attack public sector employees," Mitchell told the crowd.
The Republican governor cut $1.6 billion from public education, slashed pension benefits and eliminated collective bargaining rights for public sector unions, he said.
“Like the frog in the pot of water, we didn’t notice the water was getting hotter, until it was too late,”
In fact, 40 percent of public sector workers voted for Governor Walker, which Mitchell said was like a chicken voting for Colonel Saunders.
"Union members always have to be ready to defend their rights — always," he said. The strength of the labour movement lies in its people."
He urged public sector workers to strengthen their ties in the communities and work in coalitions to defend collective bargaining rights and make life better for ordinary people.
Here's a copy of Mitchell's speech
About Canadian Union of Public Employees
With 618,000 members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.
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