Labor & Employment Law

Trumka: Wisconsin Cuts Are Payback for Politicians, CEOs

By James Parks

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker?s attacks on middle-class workers and  state employees? bargaining rights has nothing to do with a budget deficit and everything to do with paying back politicians who helped him get elected, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said today.

Appearing on C-SPAN?s ?Washington Journal,? Trumka said Walker?s actions, which have drawn massive public protests, are about ?giving CEOs what they want and weakening unions.?

Taking away bargaining rights doesn?t do a single thing to help a budget deficit. When you have a union and collective bargaining you can work collectively to make those cuts so everyone understands and is educated about them. This is simply payback.

Trumka also said the federation will continue working with the Chamber of Commerce to support plans for rebuilding our infrastructure and will meet to discuss ways to help the U.S. manufacturing sector.

He slammed the budget cuts proposed by House Republicans, including slashing job training, saying they’re not the way to fix America’s future.

If we?re going to compete in a global economy, our workers need to be the most skilled. They can?t be competitive if you?re training them less.

You can see the entire Trumka interview here.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 17, 2011 (boomark / email).