UPDATE: Thank you for your responses to this diary. I posted this to encourage a deeper and more thoughtful conversation on the subject of striking in response to Governor Walker's, and others, attacks on workers rights. I have responded to as many as I could, and will continue to when I can.
I do take issue with only one comment. I should have disclosed more information in the original diary. The comment suggested that I am "telling workers to wear the kick me sign, and there is no evidence that the diarist is a worker - public sector, private sector, union or non - in wisconsin." I am currenty an older returning student at the University of Milwaukee, who is approaching her last year in the urban teaching certification program. I am training for a teaching job in the Milwaukee Public Schools system. I, personally, have never belonged to a union, BUT my father has always belonged to a union and my husband, who solely supports us, is a Teamster. I was brought up in a union family, and I belong to and am raising a union family. Both of my children attend Wisconsin public schools. There is not one aspect of my life; present or future, that is not affected by the short-sighted and devastating policies of our Governor. Furthermore, I have spent my whole life in Milwaukee County and have experienced all eight years of Scott Walker.
Furthermore, I have first hand experience being on strike. In 1997, my husbands company went on strike. The union prepared for weeks before. We were on strike for 5-6 weeks. Many of my husbands coworkers lost heart after the first payday went by, and many more people with families lost hope after they struggled to make the first mortgage with out a paycheck. NEWSFLASH: You don't get health insurance when you are on strike. If you don't make the COBRA payments, you could be dropped, and would have to endure another waiting period before being allowed to re-enroll. Some unions do have strike pay provisions, but you would be hard pressed to pay for enough food and gas with it, let along make a COBRA payment or a rent or mortgage.
I was only suggesting that the idea of striking be thoroughly considered before being proposed. I would never go so far as to tell anyone what to say, think or do. I believe in providing information (truthful and factual) and letting people decide for themselves, unlike our Governor.
Scott Walker was swept into office as Milwaukee County Executive in 2002 by a special election that was brought about by the largest recall effort Wisconsin had ever seen, until now. In a little over a month, 181,000 signatures were gathered by petitioners (one in four eligible voters). An election was held fourtyfive days after the signatures were officially turned in. There is no doubt that there will be recall elections for several of the state senators. I can only hope that the momentum continues and a recall election can be held next year for Walker. It seems to me that the best use of our time, money and energy would be to continue to advance the recall efforts.
Origianl Diary Starts Here:
With all due respect to the many people on this site that I avidly read and admire, the talk of a General Worker Strike must end.
Let's think this through people. A general strike, or even a strike by only the public workers, would backfire.
Many of the people who oppose what the Governor is trying to do belong to non-union families and are not public workers. The independent non-union middle class vote is crucial to making the recall effor a success. Without them, it won't happen, and we will not only lose our state, but we will lose the country in 2012.
Non-union households will look at a strike as a betrayal. Striking is what the Republicans want us to do right now. The recall effort has them worried. They know what they did tonight was illegal. They are making a last ditch effort at turning the tide of public opinion. They are looking to stir the pot and would not be at all surprised if violence ensued.
Now is the time for us to remain peaceful. We must channel our anger and frustration into the recall effort. Just talking about a strike will cost us vital support. Don't give the right another talking point about how unions are only in it for themselves. Don't take the bait! Stay strong and stay focused!
