RANTINGS OF A FORMER TRIMET BUS DRIVER: Mar 1, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has cracked down on protesters in the state’s Capitol building while issuing a new ultimatum to Democratic lawmakers. On Monday, demonstrators were barred from re-entering the Capitol, the site of 24-hour protests over the past week. Thousands of people have demonstrated and slept inside the building since Walker unveiled his plan to remove the collective bargaining rights of public workers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin has protested the move, calling the barring of protesters during business hours unconstitutional. The Wisconsin State Employees Union and the Wisconsin Employer Relations Commission also filed an unfair labor practices complaint against Walker yesterday, alleging he failed to negotiate in good faith. While the Capitol building remained in lockdown, Walker issued another statement threatening to send layoff notices to 1,500 state workers unless Wisconsin Senate Democrats return to vote.
According to the New York Times and CBS News, Americans oppose curbs on public employees’ collective bargaining rights by a margin of 60 to 33 percent. A majority of both Republican and Democratic respondents said public employees are currently paid appropriately or not enough, a rebuke of ongoing attempts to slash their salaries and benefits. A new poll in Wisconsin meanwhile shows Gov. Scott Walker would not be elected if the 2010 gubernatorial race were held again today. According to Public Policy Polling, 52 percent of Wisconsin voters say they would vote for Walker’s opponent if they could re-do the election.

GREAT COMMENTS

Regarding the talking bus announcements:

Why not an internal announcement, "Driver, there are pedestrians in the crosswalk"...?

http://www.kptv.com/news/27039571/detail.html

Report from the 9th Annual Faith/Labor Breakfast 03/1/11

CLICK HERE

This morning ATU representatives attended the annual Faith/Labor breakfast. There were about 120 attendees, half labor, half religious leaders. The topic was “Reclaiming the American Dream for the Common Good.” The topic of discussion in the small table groups was how American community values differed from the prevailing global corporate values. A short film on the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire was also screened. The factory employed 166 women. To make sure, the women stayed at their machines, the employer locked the exit doors. A fire broke out and only 20 women escaped with their lives. The owners ended up having to pay only $75 per dead worker. In 2008, a fire broke out at a Thailand toy factory where U.S. sold toys are made and 188 workers died. The factory’s exit doors were locked. Currently there are 11,000 sweatshops operating in the U.S. and U.S.-based global corporations are moving factories to countries that outlaw unions.

Some interesting facts and statements were made at the breakfast:

· One out of every six American workers is currently unemployed. CEO wages increased 17% last year. In the last few years, 80% of all income growth went into the pockets of 1% of the people.

· “Whatever you do to the least of us, you do to me.” Jesus C. (Spiritual Leader)

· “When I rise, it will not be from the ranks, it will be with the ranks.” Eugene D. (Labor Leader)

· “We need a shift in our common conscience, we need to become more selfless.” Fernando H (Portland, Unemployed Worker )

NEXT IMP0RTANT LABOR EVENTS

1. March 7, 2011, in Salem, Jobs Rally

2. March 11, 2011, in Salem, Single Payer Rally

3. March 19, 2011, End the War Economy Peace Rally

4. April 16^,2011, in Portland, Jobs/No Cut in Benefits Rally.