Heineman (R-Ne) , The Teachers' Union, and Irony

[Omaha Steve]

http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2011/02/27/4d6b6cff2bc6f

February 27, 2011

There was a certain historical irony in the face-off between union supporters and anti-union forces Saturday at the Capitol.

Think about it. If it weren’t for unions and collective bargaining, who would have had Saturday off to protest anything?

Another irony is that the Nebraska State Education Association, the state’s most politically active and effective union, made clear it wasn’t part of the goings on at the Capitol. It didn’t say why not.

“While NSEA is not involved in nor sponsoring the rally at the State Capitol today, we do support the efforts of working people all across our nation in the fight to keep the right to join together and advocate for fairness in the workplace,” said a prepared statement from association President Jess Wolf. “We are encouraging school employees to contact their state senator (sic) and the governor in support of Nebraska’s collective bargaining law.”

NSEA represents 28,000 public school employees across Nebraska.

Wolf did not mention Republican Gov. Dave Heineman by name. Nor did his statement allude to Heineman’s virtual promise that – if the Legislature doesn’t enact changes he wants – voters will be asked to repeal the law governing collective bargaining between public employees and state and local governments. Heineman said he was confident the issue could get to the ballot via initiative petition, and that voters would look favorably upon it.

FULL story at link.