Republican Governors around the country are trying to solve state budget problems without raising taxes by weakening public-employee unions. They claim it's not a coordinated campaign, but union officials call it a scheme to undermine a key source of money and manpower for Democrats. In Wisconsin, unions have agreed to pay more for healthcare and retirement, but not to give up their bargaining rights. The Senate's minority Democrats have left the state to prevent a vote in the legislature. Last week, President Obama accused Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker of "an assault against unions," but the White House says it's not mobilizing its forces. We hear what's happening in several states and debate the politics. What do voters think about the pros and cons of union organization, public and private?
Are Republican Governors Union Busting?
Credits
Guests:
- Michael Fletcher - Washington Post - @Fletchpost
- Jonathan Weisman - New York Times - @jonathanweisman
- Carroll Doherty - Pew Research Center for the People and the Press - @CarrollDoherty
- Steven Malanga - Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute
- Nelson Lichtenstein - University of California, Santa Barbara - @UCSBHistory