Bargaining Table a Bad Deal for Taxpayers and Parents

Posted by Tina

The union folk that have been thuggishly protesting a proposal (now law) in Wisconsin that includes limiting bargaining rights would have us believe that they are the victims of an evil plot. They have tried to position themselves as the little guy in a fight with a big (corporate) bully. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are spoiled rotten servants of the people that fight for the right to bully and extort taxpayers for silver spoon perks. Governor Scott Walker’s wisdom on the subject of this out of control collective bargaining and taxpayer rights can be better understood with a look at some of the perks that have been won at the negotiating table in the past. These examples illustrate how the bargaining privilege has been abused costing taxpayers millions of dollars a year:

Earlier today, Governor Walker’s office released some specific examples and new details to show how collective bargaining fiscally impacts government and how reforming collective bargaining can improve government.

A Year’s Worth of Pay for 30 Days of Work

Under the Green Bay School District’s collectively bargained Emeritus Program, teaches can retire and receive a year’s worth of salary for working only 30 days over a three year period. This is paid in addition to their already guaranteed pension and health care payouts.

At the average annual salary for a Green Bay teacher of $51,355, this amounts to a daily rate of pay of $1,711.83, or an hourly rate of $213.98. Since most retiring teachers receive higher than average salary, these amounts are, in practice, much higher. Source: WLUK-TV, 3/3/11

Teachers Receiving Two Pensions

Due to a 1982 provision of their collective bargaining agreement, Milwaukee Public School teachers actually receive two pensions upon retirement instead of one. The contribution to the second pension is equal to 4.2% of a teacher’s salary, with the school district making 100% of the contribution, just like they do for the first pension. This extra benefit costs taxpayers more than $16 million per year. Source: February 17, 2010 Press Release, Process of developing FY11 budget begins Milwaukee Public Schools

Almost $10,000 Per Year for Doing Nothing

While the Green Bay Emeritus Program actually requires teachers to at least show up for work, the Madison Emeritus Program doesn’t even require that. In addition to their pension payouts, retired Madison public school teachers receive annual payments of at least $9,884.18 per year for enrolling in the Emeritus Program, which requires ZERO days of work. When this program began, 20 days of work per year were required. Through collective bargaining, the union successfully negotiated this down to zero days.
Source: Madison Teachers Inc. Website

Yesterday the Governor’s office released these examples of the fiscal impact of collective bargaining

No Volunteer Crossing Guards Allowed

A Wausau public employee union filed a grievance to prohibit a local volunteer from serving as a school crossing guard. The 86-year-old lives just two blocks away and serves everyday free of charge.

Principal Steve Miller says, “He said, you know, this gives me a reason to get up in the morning to come and help these kids in the neighborhood.”

But for a local union that represents crossing guards, it isn’t that simple. Representatives didn’t want to go on camera but say if a crossing guard is needed, then one should be officially hired by the city. Source: WAOW-TV, 1/27/10

The union exists for the union (and the Democrat Party). No thought is given at the bargaining table to the fiscal impact on taxpayers or the pressures these benefits place on other government programs and services. This lack of civic responsibility and concern is a blatant example of self serving greed.

Scott Walker and the Republican legislators in Wisconsin have withstood media pressure, an angry mob of protesters, and death threats to do what is right for the taxpayers of the state. They are heroes deserving of thanks and praise.