What will Diamond Jim Do

From Fond Du Lac Reporter and the AP.

"Jan 24, 3:52 AM EST

Governors seek concessions from public workers

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
Associated Press Writer" The Associated Press

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Governors across the nation are seeking significant concessions from public employee unions in hopes of helping to balance their teetering budgets during the economic downturn.

From Maryland to California, Ohio to Hawaii, governors have asked or ordered state workers to accept furloughs, salary reductions, truncated workweeks or benefit cuts. They say the concessions are a better alternative to further job losses in the face of record-breaking unemployment.

Unions argue their members shouldn't be singled out and are even more vital in hard times - securing neighborhoods and prisons, educating children and providing social services to growing numbers of citizens.

In hard-hit Ohio, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has been a friend of the unions. But as the state's budget woes have intensified, he is asking unionized state employees to consider a 5 percent pay cut, a 35-hour workweek and the elimination of paid personal days and holidays, to save the state hundreds of millions of dollars."

Govs from the left and middle are cutting back on their voter blocks. Notice the govs on the right do not have these problems.

Our buddy Jim Doyle is still waiting for is cut of the stimulus. He will not give up on his cash cow, the unions!