The Hyperbole

AFSCME is in contract negotiations with the University now. This is the same union that 2 years ago went on strike because the co-pay was going to be too high, and the wages were going to have too small increases and health care costs were going to be too outrageous.

We need to put that strike into perspective. They went on strike and came back agreeing to a deal that basically froze wages of all but the very top of each job class that they represent. The story from both sides was the amount of money was agreed upon and it was up to AFSCME to distribute it...and they top-loaded the money. Remember, this was during the billion dollar shortfall in the state budget and the U's budget was equally tight. Even the Star Tribune editorial board was not very supportive of the strike. Co-pays went up to an astronomical $15. Insurance premiums...well, let's just say that mine was the middle of the road plan and my premiums were a Draconian $40.00 per pay period for single coverage. (I know, it was about the percentage of responsibility...the employee has to cover a whopping 20%. Get over it.)

Now AFSCME is blaming the University for the wage freezes. In a propoganda piece they are passing out to members they claim to be fighting the "[w]ages frozen for one year and small increases in 2004" while stating that the poor wages (in predominately entry level jobs) have the deliterious effect of rendering members unable to "afford real jewelry on [their] salaries".

In a flyer distributed over the past couple of days they lay out their militant demands. 6% Across-the-Board pay raises. Lower jobs pay lower share of their insurance costs. Have the University (tax-payer and tuition funded) pay 100% of single and 90% family coverage. Restore step increases to employees who lost a step in 2003-2004 at the Union's determination. They claim that "the University is [not] interested in" restoring the lost step (or longevity) increases. Uh, frickin' DUH. That was YOUR OWN DOING.

The classic line from their flyer: "Market, not need, drives salaries." They present this like it is bad. Now, I know, most of the AFSCME leadership is of a Marxist/Communist philosophy. But we are in America and "market" should drive salaries. If you do not like your wage scale then change jobs.

The one thing that AFSCME NEVER mentions nor calculates in their assessment of benefits is that they get 100% free tuition at a Big Ten University. They are too obtuse to understand that their health care is the Lexus of Health Care packages...they whine over what kind of interior the Lexus should have. They are too stubborn to admit that they represent entry level or lower skilled positions. These do not earn higher wages because they are entry level or low skilled jobs. Fact of life and if you do not like this fact you need to move your Marxist ass to Cuba.

Here is ECON 101 for the AFSCME leadership: High Supply equals Low Demand which yields low prices/wages. Low Supply equals High Demand which yields high prices/wages. Use that free tuition, get skill sets that are in higher demand (higher than paper pushing) and you can demand higher wages. The jobs you represent are in high supply. The members you represent should be counting their blessings for having a job at the University.

Coming soon: Exposing the lies AFSCME tells its members about where their full member dues go. They never mention that the dues go to DFL and Democrat campaigns. Filthy hypocrites.