08-07-2011, 11:06 AM
Union Workers Replaced With Prison Labor Under Scott Walker's Collective Bargaining Law
Thursday 7 July 2011
by: Alex Seitz-Wald, ThinkProgress | Report
While Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's ® law dismantling collective bargaining rights has harmed teachers, nurses, and other civil servants, it's helping a different group in Wisconsinites inmates. Prisoners are now taking up jobs that used to be held by unionized workers in some parts of the state.
As the Madison Capital Times reports, "Besides losing their right to negotiate over the percentage of their paycheck that will go toward health care and retirement, unions also lost the ability to claim work as a union-only' job, opening the door for private workers and evidently even inmates to step in and take their place." Inmates are not paid for their work, but may receive time off of their sentences.
The law went into effect last week, and Racine County is already using inmates to do landscaping, painting, and another basic maintenance around the county that was previously done by county workers. The union had successfully sued to stop the country from using prison labor for these jobs last year, but with Walker's new law, they have no recourse. Watch a report from Fox6 in Green Bay:
The Washington Examiner called Racine's move "another success story" and "all great news for Wisconsin taxpayers. Hopefully, we'll see more of it." So far, it appears no other jurisdiction has followed Racine's example for now. It may just be a matter of time to allow existing union contracts to expire. The spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office of Dane County, which includes Madison, said, "Nobody in our jail will be benefiting…at this time" from the new law, but the left the door open for future changes.
While giving prisoners more work and activity options is generally positive, using free inmate labor to replace public sector workers is a disturbing trend.
http://www.truth-out.org/union-workers-r...1310045144
Thursday 7 July 2011
by: Alex Seitz-Wald, ThinkProgress | Report
While Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's ® law dismantling collective bargaining rights has harmed teachers, nurses, and other civil servants, it's helping a different group in Wisconsinites inmates. Prisoners are now taking up jobs that used to be held by unionized workers in some parts of the state.
As the Madison Capital Times reports, "Besides losing their right to negotiate over the percentage of their paycheck that will go toward health care and retirement, unions also lost the ability to claim work as a union-only' job, opening the door for private workers and evidently even inmates to step in and take their place." Inmates are not paid for their work, but may receive time off of their sentences.
The law went into effect last week, and Racine County is already using inmates to do landscaping, painting, and another basic maintenance around the county that was previously done by county workers. The union had successfully sued to stop the country from using prison labor for these jobs last year, but with Walker's new law, they have no recourse. Watch a report from Fox6 in Green Bay:
The Washington Examiner called Racine's move "another success story" and "all great news for Wisconsin taxpayers. Hopefully, we'll see more of it." So far, it appears no other jurisdiction has followed Racine's example for now. It may just be a matter of time to allow existing union contracts to expire. The spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office of Dane County, which includes Madison, said, "Nobody in our jail will be benefiting…at this time" from the new law, but the left the door open for future changes.
While giving prisoners more work and activity options is generally positive, using free inmate labor to replace public sector workers is a disturbing trend.
http://www.truth-out.org/union-workers-r...1310045144
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.