The Number That Really Matters

In the "debate" that is going on in Wisconsin, the unions have produced TV spots that make the argument that thay have conceded the benefit adjustments that Walker has proposed, so he should not try to take away their collective bargaining "rights" (they aren't rights.) But the amount of money state wokers will lose was never their comncern in the first place. If you want to understand what this fight is about, you only need know one number, and that number is $100 million. That is the ANNUAL amount that Wisconsin's public unions deduct from their member's paychecks in the form of dues. The workers have no choices in this, whether you are talking about joining the union in the first place, or paying the dues. Both are mandatory to get these state jobs. The union bosses are more than willing to allow their members to take pay cuts and/or get laid off. But they are not about to give up that gravy train.