NPR: Billionaire Brothers (Koch) in Spotlight in Wisconsin Union Battle

[Omaha Steve]

Audio: http://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134040226/in-wis-union-battle-focus-on-billionaire-brothers

FULL story: http://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134040226/in-wis-union-battle-focus-on-billionaire-brothers

by Peter Overby

February 25, 2011

As conservatives battle with public-employee unions in Wisconsin and other states, the conflict has drawn increasing public attention to a pair of low-profile billionaires, David and Charles Koch, who give millions of dollars to groups working to drive civil service unions out of government and ultimately out of politics.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's budget bill would make civil servants pay more for pensions and benefits, and it would cripple their unions as a force in collective bargaining and politics. The measure has prompted protests at the state Capitol and led teachers to walk off the job.

Walker says the plan is necessary and that the unions should get in line.

"Teachers here in the city of Madison walked off the job, which is really ultimately, if they're striking, an illegal action," he said.

Other GOP governors have joined the fight.

"The most powerful special interests in America today are the government unions," Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said this week on the Diane Rehm Show on NPR member station WAMU.

The governors have allies in this fight: conservative groups that organize the grass roots, develop the arguments and even draft the legislation.

The Koch brothers give millions to such groups, including Americans for Prosperity, which has a Stand With Walker website and TV ad.

FULL story at link.

[sabo_tabby]

1. May not be the place for it but...

Isn't there some mechanism whereby the labor movement can become part of the Department of Labor?

I ask because I feel it would be a real step forward in the struggle for workers worldwide if the bosses knew that their workers had the full force of the government stomping down on them.