Wisconsin Loses 10,000 More Jobs After Passing Right To Work

[Omaha Steve]

http://nhlabornews.com/2016/01/50635/

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is in deep trouble as his state is losing jobs at record rates. Last year Walker promised that if the they passed Right To Work they would create tens of thousands of new jobs, once again proving that Right to Work is not a job creator.

Gov. Walker’s administration quietly acknowledged over the busy holiday season that Wisconsin surpassed 10,000 layoffs last year as a result of plant closings and economic challenges. The dismal news confirms that 2015 was Wisconsin’s worst year for job losses since Gov. Walker took office – far exceeding the 6,186 workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closings in 2014. The dramatic spike in layoffs have surprised many given the strong economic growth in neighboring Midwestern states.

“I’m concerned these mass layoffs aren’t setting off any alarm bells among Republican leaders in our state,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “We are in the midst of an economic crisis. Wisconsin is hemorrhaging jobs at a rate we haven’t seen since the Great Recession and our middle class is shrinking faster than any other state in the nation. Thousands of families are struggling to find a job because the policies being pushed by Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans simply aren’t working.”

Instead of focusing on economic development, Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans have prioritized bills to dismantle the Government Accountability Board, limit investigations of political corruption and increase special interest campaign influence. Additionally, deep budget cuts to local schools, public infrastructure and economic development programs have resulted in widespread layoffs and contributed to Wisconsin’s poor economic climate.

“We need to get serious about turning things around and expanding economic opportunities in our state,” added Shilling. “From early childhood education and student loan debt relief to strengthening retirement security and investing in infrastructure, Senate Democrats continue to call for action to help hardworking Wisconsin families. Rather than addressing these challenges, Republican leaders have allowed Gov. Walker’s presidential campaign and special interest groups to drive their political agenda. With more layoffs on the horizon, I hope that we can recognize the gravity of this situation and begin to turn things around in Wisconsin.”

About NH Labor News
The New Hampshire Labor News is a group of NH Workers who believe that we need to protect ourselves against the attacks on workers. We are proud union members who are working to preserve the middle class. The NHLN talks mostly about news and politics from NH. We also talk about national issues that effect working men and women here in the Granite State.

[atreides1]

1. My sympathies!

But let's face facts...it's a good bet that some of those thousands of families who are struggling...voted for Walker and the Republicans who are screwing them!

[Scuba]

2. It will take decades to undo the damage Wanker has done to Wisconsin.

[old guy]

3. I think you're right,

unfortunately, at my age I will most likely not live to see it.

[closeupready]

4. They created 10's of thousands of jobs ... by shifting those jobs out of Wisconsin.

[SheilaT]

5. And I believe many of them went

to that high-tax horror, Minnesota.

I want to encourage as many Wisconsinites to move to another state, but of course that's simply not realistic for very many people.

[closeupready]

6. Of course. Somehow, when working people buy homes, they suddenly

become Republican, only to witness Republican policies just decimate the local economy. There's a sad irony in that.

And yes, as you say, once people become anchored, they can't just pick up and leave. They suffer.

[SheilaT]

7. Well, when I bought a home I didn't

become Republican.

Nor, despite receiving an inheritance a few years ago, did I become an anti-tax asshole.

Nor, once I retired, did I become obsessed with paying as few taxes as possible.

Fortunately, some of us remain liberal our entire lives.

[closeupready]

8. I'm referring to union factory workers who

in years past would have voted strongly Democratic, but having achieved a bit of the American Dream, voted for Reagan. Later, Tommy Thompson. And as we saw more recently, Walker. Obviously, a generalization that doesn't apply to a good portion of union workers.

[SheilaT]

11. Ahhh, yes.

Some union people become the worst, raging conservatives who hate unions. It's scary. And it's why so very many people vote against their own self-interests.

[TBF]

13. Churches -

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. 1970s ... People worked in manufacturing, belonged to unions, voted for dems. That has all been dismantled now. As the jobs were shipped overseas the locals took solace in their churches. And, as we know, the leaders of the churches have kept these folks in line - anti-education, anti-science, vote republican ("family values&quot . It is so incredibly sad.

[raccoon]

9. I'm sorry WI did that. My state has been right to starve for decades,

and I guess it always will be.

[guillaumeb]

10. Highly recommended Omaha Steve.

Here in Illinois, Bruce Rauner, the GOP governor with a "mandate" from 18% of eligible voters, is trying to follow in the Walker path. He is pushing for his so-called reform agenda, which includes union free, right to work zones.

[TBF]

12. I grew up in a union friendly Wisconsin -

but those days are long gone. In the 1970s there were manufacturing jobs, folks belonged to unions, and families could afford homes, cars, etc. Now it's big box stores at minimum wage.