UW gives us what we asked for

For decades now we've heard the demand that government needs to be more like business. Can't it be more self-sufficient, more attuned to the bottom line? Well, yes it can. This is what it looks like.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2014693677_danny06.html

Liquor sales: business interests wake up to sober truth

Remember last year, when we almost gave the state liquor business away to private industry, for nothing? Guess what? Now the folks who want to privatize the state liquor system are back. And amazingly, they're offering to pay us (USD 400m) hundreds of millions of dollars for our liquor business!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2014608896_danny27.html

Port Commission gets 9% raise; Raises for Port staff capped at 3.5%

These are the kind of stories that detract from meaningful sacrifices from working class state employees:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014368706_portpay02m.html

The Bargaining Table

US Department of Labor (a.k.a. That Bloated Bureaucracy):

The American collective bargaining system embraces at least three characteristics distinctive to industrial relations in the United States. Perhaps the most significant is that our system of industrial relations is highly decentralized. The prevalence of plant and company negotiations grew out of the patterns of organizations among employers and unions scattered across the country.

http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/amworkerconclusion.htm

Have Washington state workers given their fair share?

Seattle Times:

As debate over government workers' wages and benefits erupts across the country, some lawmakers here are questioning whether state employees have given enough to help balance the state budget.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014343172_stateworkers27m.html

Rubicon: A river in Wisconsin

Charles Krauthammer:

In the private sector, the capitalist knows that when he negotiates with the union, if he gives away the store, he loses his shirt. In the public sector, the politicians who approve any deal have none of their own money at stake. On the contrary, the more favorably they dispose of union demands, the more likely they are to be the beneficiary of union largess in the next election. It's the perfect cozy setup.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/24/AR2011022406520.html

Shock Doctrine, U.S.A.

Paul Krugman:

In recent weeks, Madison has been the scene of large demonstrations against the governor’s budget bill, which would deny collective-bargaining rights to public-sector workers. Gov. Scott Walker claims that he needs to pass his bill to deal with the state’s fiscal problems. But his attack on unions has nothing to do with the budget.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/opinion/25krugman.html?ref=paulkrugman

The Wisconsin Uprising

Step one: Create your own budget crisis by giving out tax cuts to the privileged.

Step two: “Solve” your crisis by attacking teachers and other public servants.

http://dissentmagazine.org/atw.php?id=380

Obama budget plan shows interest owed on national debt quadrupling in next decade

Starting in 2014, net interest payments will surpass the amount spent on education, transportation, energy and all other discretionary programs outside defense. In 2018, they will outstrip Medicare spending. Only the amounts spent on defense and Social Security would remain bigger under the president's plan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/16/AR2011021606897.html?hpid=topnews

Why The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted

Social media can’t provide what social change has always required.

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell#ixzz1DXg6LnVX

Forum on Police Accountability

City Hall forum on Seattle police conduct erupts in anger, mistrust.

How Big Brands Can Help...

The opening salvo into what can build to be a great community.