WDYT?

**O-Face**

I have several friends who are teachers, two of whom are in Wisconsin.  They aren't involved in the strikes because they're in smaller communities, but I do know they missed one day last week because of it.

What do you think?

I asked for more information on FB, which could be seen as stupid, but I knew that I needed other sides...and I still think what I think.  Hmmm. 

NOLABridesmaid

I do feel their pain. We are going to have major budget cuts with my school district, and layoffs. I'm not sure the percentage that our salary will be cut, but anywhere from 2-5%. Times are a changing for everyone.

We have a union, but it's not like their union. Their union seems more involved in salaries and decisions than ours.

I'm holding off on my new car and kitchen redo until I know what's going on for next year.

**O-Face**

I don't even know if they're cutting salaries so much as asking them to contribute to their pension and healthcare. 

What I understand is that they're biggest gripe is the reduction of collective bargaining power. 

Everyone would LOVE unions until they have to be on the other side of the table.

NOLABridesmaid

Yes, that's it.

We don't get a pension, and our district contributes to our healthcare, but it seems like every year it's less and less.

MinM

The state is cutting our budget by 5% and we are having to pay more for our health care benefits, despite the coverage remaining the same. Also, I contribue to my own retirement.

I don't know the particulars, but right now, it's hard for all teachers, H included.

We had the fantasy talk on Sunday, about how one day, we will both have full-time jobs with benefits and we'll be able to do things like proper adults, like have a car with features. Also, I don't think anyone will let us adopt a kid, given his job situation, which makes me sad.

**O-Face**

That is how I feel, Min.  I mean, lots of employees countrywide contribute to their own healthcare or pay for it out of pocket. 

I hate to offend, but unions shouldn't be allowed in certain circumstances. 

MinM

I am not following this in the news, but I feel, personally, if there was a choice between taking furloughs, paying for my benefits, etc., or losing my job entirely? I would opt NOT to lose my job (and for others not to lose their job).

**O-Face**

I agree Min, but some people get so focused on the "prize" that they can't see anything else.  Also, a good majority of the protestors aren't even from the area and have been bussed in.  AND they get pizza, FREE pizza. 

fishgirl77

Just watching the debate on the FB pages of friends, the issue appears to be entirely about the stripping of their collective bargaining rights.  I haven't seen anyone state that they're unwilling to take cuts.  But I only really paid attention for about a day and then more pressing matters came up.

Life sucks right now for anyone on state payrolls.  I found out last week my supposedly mission critical job has been proposed for elimination.  Fun times.

**O-Face**

I wish they would cut the fat rather than planned parenthood, educations, etc.

Also, the protesting doesn't really push the argument for collective bargaining much further.

6fsn

I can't comment on the Wisconsin strike.  I know a lot of teachers in Ohio have no concept of "real world."  MIL is retired (at 55) and still gets a raise.  It gets frustrating to hear "I had to pay for this out of pocket."  Well guess what,  a lot of people pay for crap out of pocket.  When they rejoice on snow days, other people are digging out to get to work to pay the taxes to pay the teachers.  I have a hard time feeling sorry for "long hours" that are very similar to what other people work day in and day out as normal.  Without the holidays and inservices and snow days and summers.  Ohio pays quite well too.

I don't deny teachers work hard and there are definitely aspects of their jobs I would never want, but at least here, I don't feel sorry for them. 

Unions are a whole other gripe.  There was a time and place, but not so much anymore. 

**O-Face**

::hugs 6::  I know SOMEONE would understand and verbalize it better than..."don't be whiny babies".

I mean, if I'm told I have to pay for my health care, I don't get to say "no, wah wah".  I either do, or don't have healthcare.  Simple.

Either way, I don't think this is an ATTACK (!!) on WI teachers.  I think it's an attempt by the state government to basically balance a budget in order to not be broke.

GBCK

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_wdyt-64?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:2ebc32c1-18d2-465f-936e-8aa199524480Post:92fae98c-a0f4-4793-8d86-ae8faf67ce9d">Re: WDYT?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am not following this in the news, but I feel, personally, if there was a choice between taking furloughs, paying for my benefits, etc., or losing my job entirely? I would opt NOT to lose my job (and for others not to lose their job).
Posted by MinM[/QUOTE]

it's rather like "here's a 7k pay cut'
coming from overpaid buaracrats though.
given what dmin and superintendants make...and what lgislative types w/ free healyhcarwe for life make, the cuts hit hrder whn they send ;em down

**O-Face**

GBCK, I wish the congress people/politicians would cut some of the crap out of their OWN Pockets to understand how "normal" people feel. 

GBCK

did ypu know, 5 years ago (remember the economy is CCRAP where I live--was then too) as an employee of state leg. (different than state empoyee--completely digfferent rules and bennies) LASIK was covered by insurance, 100%?

and my roomie skimped on part of his 'cafeteria plan' bennies and got a 'script for the lefover $ to cover the most expensive/obnoxious gym membership known to man?

but i'm supposed to believe them saying 'we're all belt tightening'

**O-Face**

I'm with you GBCK.

DG1

I just wish we could focus more on making sure the teachers were QUALITY teachers.  Some are, absolutely, but there are a a lot of others who don't know the difference between "their," "there," and "they're" who sit there demanding $80k/yr like they're god's gift to humanity.

I'm not sure that test-based pay is the answer, but 4 realz. Higher pay should attract smarter people to the profession, whereas now it's either people who view it as charity work OR people who can't do any better. 

As for Wisconsin, geez.  I'm sure it's just like every other state deciding to cut education first because they can.  And yes, a debate on unions is another whole post. 

GBCK

are unions reqired in WI?

they are for teachers in a LOT of states.
(as staff, I can ot out.  but teachers MUST be represented by a union here--state law.  [and opting out just takes away your vote(

ReturnOfKuus

I think that pensions in general are an outdated concept and should be done away with entirely.

**O-Face**

Oh Kuus, I agree on that too.  It's like a warranty on a piece of crap.

Paulo's Menina Bela

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_wdyt-64?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:2ebc32c1-18d2-465f-936e-8aa199524480Post:9e48a3a3-f6bb-432d-9ee9-9a7557f43810">Re: WDYT?</a>:
[QUOTE]::hugs 6::  I know SOMEONE would understand and verbalize it better than..."don't be whiny babies". I mean, if I'm told I have to pay for my health care, I don't get to say "no, wah wah".  I either do, or don't have healthcare.  Simple. Either way, I don't think this is an ATTACK (!!) on WI teachers.  I think it's an attempt by the state government to basically balance a budget in order to not be broke.
Posted by **O-Face**[/QUOTE]

This and what 6 said too.  Before I lost my job last year, my employer "asked" us to contribute more to our health benefits because of the rising costs. This year coverage for dependents is completely out of pocket. The company doesn't offer an opt out/flex plan that would allow employees to get their own healthcare.

I agre with GBCK about the higherups and legislative types. I have yet to see where school administration is affected by these cuts. It's all just being passed down to the schools and teachers.

baconsmom

I'm sorry, I can't take the WI teachers seriously. In the first news coverage of them I saw, there was more than one sign comparing the governor to Hitler.

You can't Godwin the argument and expect people to take you seriously. 

And of course, you all already know what I think about government schools AND unions AND gov't spending. 

vllbabe688

I love that people from outside WI are seeing how crazy this is getting too!!

I understand the frustration of our teachers that are now going to have to contribute to their own health plans etc since it's an additional cost they're not used to budgeting for - but our state is in really really bad shape and sacrifices need to be made.

And for real - lots of public and private sector employees have already taken cuts - as important as our teachers are they simply can't be immune to measures to get our budget back on track.

Also - not sure how accurate the stat was - but one of my FB friends cited something that stated that only approximately 30% of our alloted "Education" budget goes to benefit the students - the majority goes to pay the teachers, benefits, pensions, etc...

Rant complete.  Everyone is at each other's throat here.  I actually have FB friends de-friending each other over this.  <<GASP OF HORROR /> />