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Organized labor plans nationwide campaign to boost image of public workers, union members
By SAM HANANEL , Associated Press
Last update: January 14, 2011 - 5:41 PM

WASHINGTON - Union leaders plan to launch a multimillion dollar campaign to boost the image of government workers and fend off pay cuts, benefit rollbacks and other anti-union measures in states under fiscal siege.

The scope of the effort is unusual in a non-election year, and it signals a growing concern that unions could lose significant clout in states where the political climate has changed with Republicans in control in many legislatures.

"It's a pretty unprecedented attack on public sector workers and workers in all industries," said Naomi Walker, director of state government relations at the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation.

Cash-strapped states from New York to California want to freeze wages or cut pension benefits of public employees to help balance budgets. At least 16 states are expected to consider legislation that would take away the right of unions to use payroll deductions for political purposes. And 10 other states may take up "right to work" bills that would prevent workers from being required to join or pay dues to a union....................>>>>...................>>>>...............http://www.startribune.com/local/113607924.html

TOO LATE!!! GET OFF MY BACK!!!!

The State balance sheets don't lie - the party's over.  

Private sector employee livelihoods fluctuate at the whims of the markets, public sector employees livelihoods fluctuate based on the will of the people.  

Bureaucrats will not go down without a fight.  

Allowing government workers to unionize was the biggest mistake that was ever made. If the politicians don't vote them a raise the unions threaten to shut down the government. Look at what's happening in Greece, Italy, UK, and France when benefits are taken away the union members riot and shut down transportation systems. Why should a government employee receive twice as much money as a person in the private sector that's doing the same job?

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Union leaders plan to launch a multimillion dollar campaign to boost the image of government workers and fend off pay cuts, benefit rollbacks and other anti-union measures in states under fiscal siege.

"It's a pretty unprecedented attack on public sector workers and workers in all industries," said Naomi Walker, director of state government relations at the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation.

This AP article is pretty inflammatory with language like;  "launch", "siege" and "attack".  Why such violent rhetoric?  I think the left and democrats must come out and denounce such inflammatory language in news articles.  This language may cause union members to become violent against politicians that talk about cutting pay or reducing the state workforce.

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Why should a government employee receive twice as much money as a person in the private sector that's doing the same job?

Because with the power of legislation - THEY CAN!

But I think the tide may be turning.

The tide has to turn or the state will go bankrupt the out of control wages, pensions, and benefits can't be sustained by a reduced work force. When the state has ? million and 2x? million going out in promised benefits the system will fail. Cuts in all areas are needed in order to prevent the state from failing and the cuts should be done ASAP.

they have to bust them up....otherwise the national healthcare and it's workers will cost ALOT more than they are talking....it will be the next biggest
union to form next to the public teachers union.......