Republicans Vs. Unions: Wisconsin is Ground Zero

These rights have the same force as employment rights, for the non-union public and private sector employees. If you belong to a union, you do not get protected under EEOC. Unions replace these agencies, to ensure employees rights aren't violated. When you take away the collective bargaining rights, you no longer have the protection, and employees can become victim to political ramifications, including firing.

"The bill would require government workers to contribute more to their health care and pension costs and limit collective bargaining to pay increases less than the Consumer Price Index. Walker says the measure is needed to deal with the state's projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall."

"In it, the governor proposes eliminating nearly all bargaining rights -- except for wages -- for many government workers. That includes teachers, prison guards, public works, and other state and public employees."

"Unions still could represent workers, but they could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. Only wages below the Consumer Price Index would be subject to collective bargaining, anything higher would have to be approved by referendum."

Limiting the collective bargaining pay increases to less than the consumer price index, is a slippery slope, with no guarantees in the future, in either direction. Between 1971 and 1977, the consumer price index rose 47%, and in 2009, it fell for the first time, since 1955.

"As proof that unions knew they would be targeted, Walker points to a flier circulated during last fall's campaign by union AFT-Wisconsin that warned that Walker wanted to curb the unions' power to negotiate."

"In December, weeks after the election, he even suggested the possibility of abolishing unions altogether."

"Anyone who didn't see it coming must have been in a coma, Walker said."

This bill does not affect the police and fire departments, as their unions supported Governor Walker, in his bid, for governor.

"There wasn't any belief he was going to go for the nuclear option," said Gary Steffen, president of the Wisconsin Science Professionals, the union that represents state scientists, including crime lab analysts, biologists, chemists and foresters. "We expected concessions, but we just didn't think there was a mandate for this. We didn't see him getting rid of collective bargaining."

"The concessions amount to an 8 percent pay cut for the average worker."

"In exchange for bearing more costs and losing bargaining leverage, public employees were promised no more of the layoffs or furloughs they've had to deal with for more than two years. The next forced unpaid day off was scheduled for Monday, Presidents Day, and state workers were sure to be out in force protesting at the Capitol."