What is at stake
a few thoughts that come to mind after the atrocities to democracy seen in the legislatures in Wisconsin, Michigan and Oklahoma (in the last, the House seeks to prevent teachers from having an ability to go to court to protest against firings by school boards that may have been improper)
the right to collective bargaining - and not just for public sector workers
the right to strike - and not just for public sector workers, few of whom currently have it
the right to belong to a union - this will, if not challenge vigorously, soon be seen on a national level, making it ever harder to organize
the right to keep benefits previously negotiated in lieu of current salary
democratic (and Democratic) government at the local level
the entire social safety net - insofar as states can opt out or slash support
unemployment compensation - insofar as states have any role, remember that some of the Republicans do not believe in it. And certainly the extensions we have seen in the current crisis will be eliminate
freedom of expression for public employees outside of the workplace - do you doubt that those of us who are teachers or police or fire will not find those rights under attack, used as grounds for dismissal, when we have lost all protections provided by unions
And there is more, far more . . .
