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There's a whole lot more to that story and you know it.
Well, if there is then you wouldn't have a clue about it because I lived it.
The Steelworkers union was already demanding so much from the steel companies that when the recession hit, they were teetering on bankruptcy.
The unions called them liars. They called a strike. The doors closed for good. End of story.
Since you make 3 times my combined household income would you be able to float me a loan Jill?
I'm sure Catholic Charities would be happy to give you a handout of some of my taxpayer dollars they get from the federal government. Go stick your hand out to them.
This is the true story of a poor town and it's school. The name is Central Falls school in Rhode Island. The average income of Central Falls is $22,000.
At Central Falls school, drop-out rates are staggering and many pupils didn't even log enough classroom time to receive a grade. The school's failure rate is 93%.
So last year the school board, left with no other ideas to correct the situation, fired all 88 teachers. But fear not, the Rhode Island Teachers Federation came to their aid and forced the school board to rehire all the teachers. Not only that, but they even got them a raise! Every teacher got an extra $3000 stipend! So in a town where the average income is $22,000, the average teacher is now being paid $76,000.
To be perfectly fair, the teachers did agree to a few concession like eating lunch with the students and adding a few minutes onto class time. So one would think that things might have improved at Central Falls...right?
But their failure rate hasn't improved one iota and remains at 93%.
The teachers aren't taking all this lying down and staged a sick-out protesting against citizen's demands for improved performance.
CNN's Steve Perry reported on this story and has a video journal where you can watch some of the amazing answers the head of the Rhode Island Teachers Federation had. For example this exchange:
Quote:
CNN: So in this town where the average income is $22,000 the average teacher is now making $76,000. What are the community members paying for?
James Parisi: The highest paid teachers are making about $76,000, which frankly I don’t think is enough for the committed professionals that are in that school district.
CNN:You had a 93% fail rate. That’s undeniable.
JP:And you think that’s caused by teacher’s actions?
Before Unions, there was a small middle class. Unions gave us the 40 hour work week, overtime, equal rights, civil rights, workman's compensation, work area safety and got rid of child labor.
The GOP would love to go back to the 1890's and 80 hour work weeks, child labor, etc.
Exactly! They have been trying to get rid of the middle class for years and it sure has been working.
More and more states are becoming right to work states. That happens because the voters in those states support it.
Those states are prospering as companies leave the unionized states. For every job lost in a unionized state, there are two created in right to work states.
Well, if there is then you wouldn't have a clue about it because I lived it.
The Steelworkers union was already demanding so much from the steel companies that when the recession hit, they were teetering on bankruptcy.
The unions called them liars. They called a strike. The doors closed for good. End of story.
Were you a member of the United Steelworkers union?
The history of the steel industry in the U.S. is not as simple as you try to make it sound. Not by a long shot. Were you involved in the talks? Did you live in Pittsburg? US Steel is still located there.
And you try to say that big corps in the US did not offshore jobs quickly after free trade?
Were you a member of the United Steelworkers union?
Yes, when I would work for the summer at the US Steel - Tubular Division plant while on college break.
Quote:
The history of the steel industry in the U.S. is not as simple as you try to make it sound. Not by a long shot. Were you involved in the talks? Did you live in Pittsburg? US Steel is still located there.
US Steel and a whole lot of other major steel companies once were in Pittsburgh (Carnegie Steel, Blaw Knox, Bethlehem, Bessemer, etc.). And yes, I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I get off of the subway at the Steel City Station underneath the US Steel building every week day.
The city of Pittsburgh ALONE during WWII produced more steel than both Germany and Japan combined.
Above the United Steelworkers HQ there's a sign that says....We Aren't New York City, We Only BUILT It.
I already provided a link to it in this thread.....READ!
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