The New Statesman blog provides a detailed background report on this hugely important conflict and poses the question of who will gain from the eradication of trade unions? The significance of Wisconsin is political as well as industrial. The answer can be found in the political forces backing the right wing Republican state governor fronting the anti union offensive:
'But here's the money question: in a quintessential struggle over the very existence of trade unions and their rights to organise, who benefits – and who pays? The New York Times reveals that the long-time union opponents Charles and David Koch, both billionaires, have been among the biggest financial contributors to Governor Walker's campaign. They also support a conservative group called Americans for Prosperity, which will start running anti-union advertisements in the Badger State over the next few days.'
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/02/union-rights-state-walker
For more information read:
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2011/02/massive-public-sector-cuts-and-threats.html
