Editorial:

Wisconsin Republicans pulled a legal maneuver that did not require a quorum, this past Wednesday, and stripped the Unions of most of their rights to collective bargaining. The State had come to a standstill while thousand of Union supporters protested outside of the capital for the past three weeks.

   In the meantime 14 Democratic Senators left the state denying the quorum necessary to pass a budget. To get around this the Republicans stripped the bill down to the issue of collective bargaining, thus making it a non-budget bill, and in less than 30 minutes passed the bill denying collective bargaining for all state employees. Couple that with the fact that Republican Governor Steve Walker wants state employees to pay more for their benefits, it was a sad day for the working class in Wisconsin.

   The oddity to all this is that the State of Wisconsin is not in that bad of shape budget wise, but according to the Gov. Walker this step was necessary as a preventive measure.

   So why is Wisconsin budget woes important to San Diego workers? Primarily because this issue is not about jobs or budgets, but, as stated in our editorial two weeks ago, this was a movida about stripping the Democratic Party of one their key pillars to the Democratic power which is Union support.

   Equally as important, you attack one Union you attack all Unions.

   Unions have a deep and rich history in America and have brought about profound changes in the working conditions for the working man and woman. Unions have represented the working class folk, ensuring a living wage, retirement and health benefits.

   For the Hispanic community Unions have given us Cesar Chavez, who we honor this month, changing the lives of farmworkers forever from the days of short handled hoes and pesticides (to name a few), to decent pay, and bathroom breaks. Chavez’ UFW has also generated a decade of leaders who either came from the ranks of the Union or were affected by the Union struggle.

   For minorities and ethnic communities who find a sense of security and worth in State jobs, they will now lose one of the few avenues out of poverty and be relegated to second class citizenship in the state of Wisconsin. Access to equality is through an economic base and the ability to educate our children.

   Now that Wisconsin has stripped workers of the right to collective bargaining, which allows the Unions to negotiate wages and benefits for all employees, the individual employees have lost that right and will now have to accept whatever pay and benefits they state offers. Other Republican states will now follow suit and introduce legislation copying the Wisconsin legislation, which some have already done.

   The fight over collective bargaining in for Wisconsin is far from over. This showdown with the Governor has revitalized stagnate Unions across the nation and State workers have received the support of most voters according to recent polls.

   What will be the final outcome we don’t know at this time, but whichever it is, it will change the dynamics of politics, for everyone, for a long time to come!