Walker gets support of Milwaukee police and firefighter unions

[midnight]

Two unions that were largely spared from Gov. Scott Walker's curbs on collective bargaining endorsed him Monday.

Walker is facing a recall this summer because of his successful plan to all but eliminate collective bargaining for most public workers. Walker's plan mostly left alone police officers and firefighters, and the unions representing Milwaukee cops and Milwaukee firefighters renewed their support for him Monday. The two were some of the only unions to endorse Walker when he initially ran in November 2010.

“Governor Walker has a strong record of supporting public safety with an unwavering commitment to first responders,” said a statement from Michael Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association. “Today, we are proud to announce our support for Governor Walker’s reelection.”

The Walker campaign released a similar statement from Dave Seager, president of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association.http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/145814335.html

[Owlet]

1. So much for 'union solidarity' (eom)

[drm604]

2. Somehow I was under the impression that the police and fire unions were supporting the others.

Is this just the union leadership? Do the rank and file support Walker?

[midnight]

3. It's hard to know.... But it makes you wonder after a year of Union bashing how in the world this

is going on.

[HereSince1628]

4. This is just the Mil. unions and it's over a long-standing battle on residency rules

Rules require safety employees of the city to live in the city. The unions don't like this requirement.
The city has long considered it an important job-saving measure for residents.

Walker has pledged to back state legislation getting rid of the rule.

Here's a story published as this reheated last month.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/139956573.html

[sybylla]

5. As usual, some unions can't help but cut off their nose to spite their face.

It's like sportsmen/women voting for pukes.

They get to fish, but the waters are so polluted by fat-cat corporate contributors who are excused from cleaning them up that you can't eat the fish you catch.

They get to keep their guns (not that anyone was planning on taking them away), but the pukes then shut down the conservation congress so they have no say, followed by efforts to end the program that buys and conserves land followed further by possible plans to sell off all the public lands to fat-cat contributors to balance the budget so there's no where to hunt unless you own land.

It's amazing how easily votes can be bought (with a single favor) if you don't care about the long-term consequences.

[HereSince1628]

6. You can caution them all day with stories about Reagan's broke promises to Air Traffic Controllers

but in the end, these guys are focused on what they want and that is the ability to keep their jobs and move to the suburbs.

[midnight]

8. Exactly.... purchased votes for single favor...

[midnight]

7. Thank you for this reminder... I think Mayor Barrett is right about this issue...

"Mayor Tom Barrett says that if employees were not required to live in the city, they would flee in droves, turning Milwaukee into Detroit."

[goddess40]

9. Selfish cowards nt