Posted on 08/30/2011 4:07:36 PM PDT by mandaladon
The mayor of a Wisconsin town said on Tuesday a local labor council would have to reimburse the city up to $2,000 for a Labor Day parade if organizers exclude Republican lawmakers from attending.
The move in Wausau, Wisconsin, came after a county labor official said last week that Republican politicians were not welcome at the event due to their party's stance against collective bargaining when state lawmakers voted to curtail it earlier this year.
Wausau Mayor Jim Tipple told Reuters on Tuesday that the decision to exclude elected Republicans "flies in the face of public policy."
"This is not a political rally, it's a parade, for God's sake," Tipple said, noting that taxpayer money is used by the city to pay for staging the event. Tipple's office is nonpartisan, and he claims no affiliation with either political party.
He said the annual cost of the parade, including insurance, setting up and taking down a stage, and police personnel, runs anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 each year.
The Republican-backed collective bargaining limits made Wisconsin the center of a battle over union power this year.
The fight propelled the state to the forefront of a wider national struggle as Republicans who took control of many statehouses in last year's midterm elections moved aggressively to shrink government and made reining in public unions a top priority.
"It should come as no surprise that organizers choose not to invite elected officials who have openly attacked workers' rights or stood idly by while their political party fought to strip public workers of their right to collectively bargain," Marathon County Labor Council President Randy Radtke said in announcing the decision.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Radtke told WAOW-TV in Wausau that the labor council stood by its decision to ban Republicans. Tipple said he had not been told if the labor council planned to pay the costs.********The Mayor is right!!!
Thug unions. Purest form of organized crime ever invented.
They’ll pay. Ain’t their money.
Two words: water. balloons.
Manure spreader
What would the situation be if "U.S.Citizens only" were declared as those eligible?
You can BET that the Federal Government would step in IMMEDIATELY and/or the ACLU would file for an Injunction to stop it. Same for any other exlusionary terms in a publicly-funded event.
I think the GOP lawmakers should refuse unless the labor day holiday is celebrated in its true historical context.
The unionistas are pretty gullible. Check this story out. Tons of money going to a recall effort here in michigan but only a percent or two going into the actual district where the recall is to take place.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2771043/posts
They can march the Republicans can watch and mock them.
Actually it’s a holiday for union labor.
The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York It became a federal holiday in 1894,
That’s what I’m saying. Make it honest.
I would muscle my way in, and have my ass dragged out. I would not sit in the back of the bus. I would not drink from a separate water fountain. And I would sit at the public counter. I might go down, but I would be bloody and proud. Republicans needs some sack.
Its these freaking “moderates” the GOP insists that are so important. They’ve neutered the party.
Frankly I’m starting to wonder why they don’t moderate the party that actually needs it. The GOP has been moderated into a coma.
Can’t tell - is the Mayor a Dem or Repub?
Libtards are such babies.
But at least it won't go to finance more DemoCommucrat's campaigns.
I wish that some day the brain numbed union members would wake up and understand that their 'leaders' are planning to turn them and the rest of us into their slaves.
Where the hell is Geprge Meany when you need him? He would have personally kicked these little commies creeps asses and worked for more jobs, not corrupt career politicians.
free country isn’t it?
Update PING (please forward)...
Jellybean, it looks like we got our wish and the unions aren’t backing down. It should be interesting to see what happens over the next few days here in Wausau.
ALL:
I’m trying to decide whether to actually show up for the parade (the first time I would actually be there for it! LOL), and if I do then I’m not sure what “tactic” to use — protest signs (anti-union, anti-communist), or Tongue-in-cheek? OR, would it be better just to stay home (like we usually do)? Suggestions are appreciated!
I wish I had more experience in this area regarding putting together an alternate event if the labor council decides to pay the costs usually borne by the city. I have yet to check the local Tea Party FB page to see if anyone has suggested anything of that nature besides myself. :)
Anyway, I would LOVE to meet up with a few of my fellow FReepers here if others are going to be in Wausau - whether we are protesting, or doing whatever else. My daughter are actually wanting to go and protest - I know my oldest will most likely do so whether I do or not... (She’s a young adult, so it’s up to her! LOL)
I wish I had a support Walker T-Shirt! Maybe I can make one over the weekend or something! :)
Agreed... it IS a free country. However, I live here in Wausau, and if they are going to use our tax dollars to “co-sponsor” the parade then it can’t be a partisan political event... I have no problem with them inviting whomever they want, and excluding whoever they want — just don’t use my tax dollars to fund it! Besides, according to our mayor and our town’s policy they CAN’T discriminate based on political party if the city is paying for ANY of it...
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