Public-Worker Unions Battle Governors on Benefit Cuts

Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) -- To Scott Walker, Wisconsin’s newlyelected Republican governor, public employees are the haves andtaxpayers the have-nots. Halfway across the U.S., Jerry Brown,California’s Democratic governor, wants unpaid days off for somestate workers to cut labor costs.

Facing attacks from deficit-slashing officials on both endsof the political spectrum, government employees are fightingback. In Ohio, hundreds held a candlelight vigil in CincinnatiJan. 14 to protest Republican Governor John Kasich’s plan to barstate health and child-care workers from joining labor groups.Nationally, the American Federation of State, County andMunicipal Employees plans rallies, phone banks and lobbying atabout a dozen legislatures to counter what unions call anassault on recession-weary working people.