Truecit--you are truely unenlightened. How well did 'going on your own' work in the past? More importantly, what makes you think that ANY singular, worker means ANYTHING to management? Such short-sighted, unsophisticated viewpoints are dangerous to the working class.

I was glad to stop paying union dues. I am willing to go on my own without that coverage completely if it comes it. I am only worried the surpluses created might get pillaged by other government spending later on. I don't mind paying a little more for the state, and I think unions keep everything unequal or at least unsustainable?

Shriek..your comment was offensive by insinuating that teachers only work nine months for a twelve months pay.Teachers sign a contract to work180 days,that is all they get paid for.They may choose to have that pay divided up over the entire year or just nine months, though I believe most districts have gone the all year route.For three months they are unemployed, they can not file for unemployment if they have a signed contract for the following year.Not all districts pay the same salary, there are many districts that never reach your $70000 dream.

Eagle...to answer your question...my husband's income went down 11 percent last year. He is a college educated professional working for the UW System in a professional capacity. And yes this was directly due to Act 10. He has been a state employee for 13 years and has not had ANY kind of raise in at least 8 years. We sit around 120% of the poverty level. He is not alone. He is also not a teacher. This affects many many more people than teachers

VnVet,
It is not a nine month paycheck, it is a salaried position with a top level of nearly $70,000 in most districts. If a teacher gets unemployment in summer (i dont think they do), it would add another $4000 onto that. Most teachers with 10 years experience are in the top 25% of the earners in this country.
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Also, teaching is NOT babysitting, and even though I am not a teacher, your statement offends me. To call them babysitters is an insult to their profession.

Shrek...you forgot another negative, nine month pay check, three months unemployment, and babysitting your kids.

who in the public sector got pay cuts or lost their jobs because of ACT 10, if any it was very minimal at best, more political falsehoods to push an agenda.

There is still the ruling from Judge Colas, whose decision was based on the STATE constitution--which means THAT final decision will be made by the state supremes. From a legal standpoint, his ruling is very well reasoned. Unfortunately, 'well reasoned' is not of paramount importance to four of our justices. Regarding the anti union comments--you are simply too short sighted to see how the demise of unions adversely affects YOU! Management is laughing all the way to the bank, while YOU help the race to the bottom. Enjoy! This is what you've all wanted!

I still think teaching is a pretty good career to get into. There are quite a few positives and not alot of negatives
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Positives
*9 month work year
*Good pay after a few years
*Great health insurance with low cost to employee
*Great pension with 5.8% matching by employer
*Good job security
*Nice facilities to work in
Negatives
*Low starting wage

I would recommend this as a career choice for my kids. Those of you that feel otherwise are probably teachers that feel you have been slighted by the public, when in fact we have treated you very well for decades.

"riddens"?

Anyone who becomes a "teacher" now-a-days has got to be crazy. With the anti-teacher rhetoric coming from the rightwing and the attempt by our "great leader" to destroy education, why would anyone want to go into that occupation? I guess I was just lucky to have had many great teachers.

I have lived here all my life and I can remember how the gazette fought the union tooth and nail. I can remember your stike, I was standing across from the gazette when the sheriffs dept was running around putting out fires that were set on bundles of gazettes papers. There was a need for the union back in the 1930's, now it has gone the other way no happy medium, somebody had to step in and make some tough decisions, you wonder why GM is no longer here? I know I saw what went on there over the last 30 years. At one time I was a member of the teamsters union and was proud of it this was back I the late 1940's.

vnvet7071 - No, hes in DC trying to take everyones guns.

Well I'm guessing you're going to have an onslaught of resignations in the Janesville School District. Good riddens. Maybe now we can get some fresh blood that actually wants a job & appreciates what they have.

What does this mean ? It means Hitler is alive and well , ruling in Wisconsin !

Mary, that sounds a lot like private sector jobs, except the "requirement to contribute to a pension whether you want it or not", as many private sector jobs don't offer any retirement benefits.

Welcome to the rest of the working class.

Where do public employees go from here? A cut in pay, higher health premiums, large copays, a requirement to contribute to a pension whether you want it or not, along with higher ss/medicare tax = applying for public assistance in order to eat, pay medical bills and heat the house. That is until they gut that program as well.

Unfortunately, it won't be the end. The union leadership will continue to contest all of the current law suits. After all, this has always been mostly about their power. The positive aspect is that they continue to fritter away more dues in doing so and maybe someday the members will realize it's really not about them. I beg the current legislature to pass a change of venue bill this session so these cases can be heard earlier (and hopefully put to bed quicker) in one of the 69 counties that don't have liberally biased judges.

Maybe we can move on now!