Who, exactly, supports public unions?

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Piscator

Public Unions support Public Unions.....................

It has to be more than that. In Ohio, 60% of those who voted, voted to restore power to the unions. I don't believe that 60% of those who voted are affiliated with the unions. So why would ANYONE believe that we don't need reform?

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

It has to be more than that. In Ohio, 60% of those who voted, voted to restore power to the unions. I don't believe that 60% of those who voted are affiliated with the unions. So why would ANYONE believe that we don't need reform?

I would bet that of that 60% plurality, someone in everyone of those households has a job at a unionized business or public entity and pays union dues, whther it is an affillaition with a "public union, or a private company that is unionized". The governor inb Ohio and all his rich business owner buddies will never be able to strip unions of thier power. Same as in Wis.

[Piscator]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

It has to be more than that. In Ohio, 60% of those who voted, voted to restore power to the unions. I don't believe that 60% of those who voted are affiliated with the unions. So why would ANYONE believe that we don't need reform?

I wonder how far the tentacles reach, Let’s say a union guy (or girl) is married with 3 kids aged 19, 21 & 24. The family doesn’t want Mom/Dad to loose wages so they vote the favorable to the Union (can’t blame them). That is a total of 5 votes for one union guy. That doesn’t include extended family, let’s say the guys 2 parents are alive, that’s 7 votes for one Union guy. I think most elderly are favorable to Unions as well since they did serve a needed purpose historically

Ohio is a very industrial state with very strong union roots, not sure what the % of union workers are in Ohio but I’m willing to bet it is very high………

[Raven]

I need to find out where to read
about the origional marraige laws
guaranteed

[CTSurfrat]

I am a CT teacher and wish I didn't have to belong to the union. I pay over $800 a year in dues! It drives me nuts that I contribute money to an organization that supports politicians I don't agree with and coddles/protects workers that should be fired. In terms of amount paid by CT teachers toward benefits, we have 7% of our salary deducted automatically from our pay for retirement. We pay no social security, but we don't get any benefits from it when we retire. To get the maximum retirement - about 70% of the salary we have to work 35 years. In my district we contribute 18% of the cost of our medical insurance - which will undoubtedly continue to go up.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by CTSurfrat

I am a CT teacher and wish I didn't have to belong to the union. I pay over $800 a year in dues! It drives me nuts that I contribute money to an organization that supports politicians I don't agree with and coddles/protects workers that should be fired. In terms of amount paid by CT teachers toward benefits, we have 7% of our salary deducted automatically from our pay for retirement. We pay no social security, but we don't get any benefits from it when we retire. To get the maximum retirement - about 70% of the salary we have to work 35 years. In my district we contribute 18% of the cost of our medical insurance - which will undoubtedly continue to go up.

Aside from the 35 years until your full pension, it sounds like you guys are getting a pretty decent deal compared to a couple of the schools around here. Keep in mind, "good deal" is a relative term and I'm sure it's still a screw job for taxpayers.

It's comforting to hear from someone that has to pay into a Union and sees the scam for what it is. There's no doubt that it works to your benefit but I'm also sure you see everyday a lackluster effort by teachers that have been there 15+ years, do the minimum necessary and don't give a damn about the students.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by CTSurfrat

I am a CT teacher and wish I didn't have to belong to the union. I pay over $800 a year in dues! It drives me nuts that I contribute money to an organization that supports politicians I don't agree with and coddles/protects workers that should be fired. In terms of amount paid by CT teachers toward benefits, we have 7% of our salary deducted automatically from our pay for retirement. We pay no social security, but we don't get any benefits from it when we retire. To get the maximum retirement - about 70% of the salary we have to work 35 years. In my district we contribute 18% of the cost of our medical insurance - which will undoubtedly continue to go up.

I really respect someone who would opt out of the union, and I like hearing your reasons. I am sincerely impressed.

"we have 7% of our salary deducted automatically from our pay for retirement."

And for that 7% deduction, you get a pension that costs several times what your contributions, and their earnings, could ever pay for. That's where we (taxpayers) get screwed. I put 15% of my pay into my 401(k), and whatever I can accumulate on my own, is what I have to live on. You get to put 7% of your pay into your pension, and your pension is guaranteed. Meaning, when your contributions aren't NEARLY enough to pay for the insane benefits your pension promises, we (taxpayers) have to pay the rest.

If I am forced to live on whatever I can accumulate on my own, I see no earthly reason why public servents getthis golden guarantee. And that guarantee will cost our state tens of billions that we don't have.

Healthcare is the same thing. yes, you pay for some of the cost of your healthcare, but not NEARLY what the average person pays in the private sector. I respect teachers, and wish you were all billionaires. But there is a limit to what we can reasonably afford, but your union doesn't want to hear any of that.

"We pay no social security, but we don't get any benefits from it when we retire"

PLEASE, PLEASE do not pretend that you are making a "sacrifice" by not paying into social security. Nobody would voluntarily choose to pay into social security, if they could instead get a sweet pension. My social security taxes are used to fund the retirement of current retirees. In other words, I am paying for others to retire. Why don't teachers also have to pay to help others retire? Teachers really have it great here...by being exempt from social security, they don't have to fund anyone else's retirement. But because your pension is guaranteed (and because your contributions won't be nearly enough), everyone else has to pay for your retirement. Teachers aren't forced to fund anyone else's retirement, yet everyone else is forced to pay for teachers' retirement. How on Earth is that fair?

'In my district we contribute 18% of the cost of our medical insurance "

In the CT private scetor, on average, we pay 30% of the cost of our health insurance, and we generally have higher co-pays as well.

Here's whatr also gets me. Whenever someone like me says "geez, we need to tighten our belts here", your union responds by screaming that I do not like children. It's never a discussion about the mathematical facts, it's always an emotional appeal about the welfare of kids.