Budget crisis is management's fault

Irregardless of how I feel about the shoddy job our local union does at representing it's members, here is a guy who points out where the blame ought to be placed.

Neutral on unions, not on fairness

GREEN BAY — I have never belonged to a union and was in management for much of my work life. I am neutral on the issue of unions. I am not neutral on the issue of fairness.

Labor and management negotiate a contract. Each side gives. Wages are set at some number, and benefits are factored into an agreed-upon total compensation package. Typically neither side is 100 percent happy with the result. But it is a deal — negotiated, supposedly, in good faith. If either side decides it doesn't like the package, it can renegotiate when the contract is up. Those who teach our children, care for our sick, guard our prisoners and perform vital services for our citizens are not responsible for this budget crisis. Management is.

Gov. Scott Walker and other politicians (past and present) mismanaged us into this fiscal mess. For his administration and legislative leadership to blame labor is not only inaccurate, it is unfair. It is unethical. Immoral. And, it is un-American.

Bob Schulze