Highlights: Govs in Wisconsin and Ohio taking alarming attack on collective bargaining rights; New Hampshire leg. consider bill attacking pensions; Penn. Gov Corbett sounds “alarm” on public employees and budget crisis.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin AFL-CIO ads attack Walker's union plan
The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has launched an advertising campaign against Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to take away almost all collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
Wisconsin may take an ax to state workers' benefits and their unions
Citing Wisconsin's gaping budget shortfall for this year and even larger ones expected in the years ahead, Gov. Scott Walker proposed a sweeping plan on Friday to cut benefits for public employees in the state and to take away most of their unions' ability to bargain.
Wisconsin gov says he won't negotiate with unions
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Friday he wants to end collective bargaining for nearly all public employees because the state is broke and there's no point negotiating with the unions when there is nothing to offer.
Walker will propose stripping collective bargaining rights from state workers
Gov. Scott Walker will seek to eliminate almost all collective bargaining rights of state and local public workers as part of his plan for fixing Wisconsin's budget deficit, a move one Democratic leader called an "assault on workers in the state."
Wisconsin governor aims to curb state worker unions - Yahoo! News
Attention all companies in Wisconsin!! Come down to the south where you have " right to work states", almost no unions!!! Come on down...people actually work ...
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker takes aim at protesting unions ...
The governor is also pushing to make Wisconsin a “Right to Work” state where public employees have the option of not financially supporting unions. ...
Ohio
Kasich ending bargaining for state workers
Gov. John Kasich and Republican lawmakers made it clear this week that big changes are coming to the public employees collective bargaining law as the state looks to close an $8 billion budget gap.
Retooling -- Collective-bargaining changes should restore efficiency and flexibility
The fight brewing in the Ohio legislature over Senate Bill 5 could be monumental, but it is necessary.
Unions, General Assembly need to find the middle ground
A battle for the ages is unfolding between powerful forces so dug in that, at this juncture, compromise seems impossible.
Missouri
Nixon May Veto Right To Work Legislation
KTTS
He says he doesn't like the idea of right to work, which he says would be bad for Missouri's economy. Nixon says he wants to see what's in the bill before ...
Pennsylvania
Corbett looking at services state could privatize
Just weeks before his first budget address, Gov. Tom Corbett on Saturday hinted at more privatization of public services, most notably the sale of state-owned liquor stores, to close a more than $4 billion budget deficit and to pay for road and bridge repairs and other public infrastructure improvements.
Corbett warns of 'drastic' measures for state budget
Gov. Tom Corbett warned Republican activists Saturday that keeping his promise to balance Pennsylvania's deficit-threatened state budget without a tax increase will require "drastic" measures and cautioned that breaking the vow would likely erase the party's impressive gains in last year's election.
New Hampshire
Barbara Olson feels sick to her stomach when she thinks about the cuts the state Legislature has considered making to her and her husband's pensions.
Indiana
Right-to-work supporters just want low wages
Indianapolis Star
The hypocrisy of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce about the proposed right-to-work legislation is unbearable. They say the benefits will include "higher ...
Right to work info misleading
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Right to work will not improve our economy. While Brinegar says “RTW” will draw more employers to Indiana, he offers no proof. He can't, because there is ...
Maine
Right-to-work bills spark debate on fairness
Maine is poised to become a battleground state over an organized labor issue that is popping up around the country, driven by new, so-called “right-to-work” ...
After NJEA, Christie's next fight is with state workers as contracts come up for renewal
When Gov. Chris Christie went to war with the teachers union last year, leaders of unions representing New Jersey state workers nervously watched in the wings.
Arizona
Lawmaker -- Regulating unions' picketing methods would aid Arizona business
A state lawmaker wants to limit how unions can protest during labor disputes, offering a bill to ban picketing intended to coerce a company or its employees and to help employers bring defamation suits when workers spread untrue information.
General Articles
Daily Kos: So-called "Right to Work" and the assault on the middle ...
Stevan's analysis of right-to-work states also yielded the following ... Minnesota: newly Republican legislature, RtW was in committee this weekend. ...
Public-worker unions steel for budget fights
Public-sector unions have begun using their clout against efforts to roll back government workers' wages and benefits, cut jobs and curtail contract bargaining rights as political leaders from both parties look for ways to cut spending.
