Pro-Union Demonstrations Coast To Coast

Samuel Wurzelbacher, who is known as "Joe The Plumber" in Tea Party circles, flew into Madison and addressed a Tea Party pep rally in protest of the collective bargaining rights of public school teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

Though union workers have offered to compromise by agreeing to sacrifice pension and health benefits, the Governor, Scott Walker, has refused to negotiate. He and Republican members of the Legislature want to strip them of their organized labor privilege negotiate contracts through collective bargaining.

Mr. Walker has said the bill would help close a projected $3.6 billion deficit in the 2011-13 budget.

Pre-school teachers make an average of $23,640 per year; elementary level class room instructors $51,240; secondary teachers $49,400; class room teachers in the 90th percentile $69,550, and entry level teachers average in the $30,000 range.

One little-known feature of the budget repair bill would allow the State of Wisconsin to sell on a no-bid basis aging coal-fired heating and electrical generation plants.

Rallies Held In Support Of Wisconsin Workers Coast To Coast

"MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Chanting pro-union slogans and carrying signs declaring "We are all Wisconsin," protesters turned out in cities nationwide to support thousands of public workers who've set up camp at the Wisconsin Capitol to fight Republican-backed legislation aimed at weakening unions.

"Union supporters organized rallies from New York to Los Angeles in a show of solidarity Saturday as the demonstration in Madison entered its 12th straight day and attracted its largest crowd yet: more than 70,000 people. Hundreds banged on drums and screamed into bullhorns inside the Capitol as others braved frigid weather and snow during the massive rally that flooded into nearby streets..."