JOHN IN THE NEWS
April, 2012, Cass Lake Times
Don’t be Fooled by Right to Work Rhetoric
Effective governing is about honest policymaking and using common sense for the common good. Lately, Republicans are pushing a particular bill, a bill they have labeled “Right to Work” (RTW), to be passed into law. But, the Republicans know Governor Dayton won’t sign their RTW bill so they made their bill into a Constitutional Amendment, thus it would not require the Governor’s signature. I will work to defeat this Republican job killing, union bashing RTW bill and, let me tell you why.
Regardless of whether you belong to a union or not, or even if you like unions, chances are your life or the life of someone you know has been made better because of the common good they have brought to our society. Unions brought to the work place living wages, a 40 hour work week, overtime pay, sick pay, health insurance, anti-discrimination, work place safety and the list goes on.
I may be dating myself here, but does anyone remember the words to Tennessee Ernie Ford’s song “16 Tons”? This song speaks directly to workplace conditions before Unions, the refrain goes like this: “You load 16 tons and what do you get, another day older and deeper in debt, St. Peter don’t you call me cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the Company store”.
The words of that old song still ring true today, where unions continue to make sure that nurses are not subject to egregious working hours and staffing conditions that may compromise the health of their patients, just as they continue to ensure that our police and firefighters have proper equipment to keep them safe, as they protect our communities and neighborhoods.
Research has shown us that RTW provisions have done little or nothing to improve economies or increase wages in other states. After accounting for the cost of living, wages in these RTW states are $1500 lower per year and the average worker makes about $5000 less per year. Today, our Minnesota median wage is higher than the national median wage. Add in our lower rate of unemployment and Minnesota looks good compared to the 80% of RTW states that have wages below the national median.
Contrary to Republican rhetoric, no worker can be forced to join a union. Nobody. There is a law against that! Furthermore, it takes a majority vote of workers to form a union in a work place.
As for paying union dues, each person in a union workplace pays a fair share for union support including collective bargaining for wages and benefits in that workplace. Those who support the Republican RTW bill want to have their cake and eat it too, enjoying union benefits while not paying their fair share. I recall that refusing to ask all Minnesotans to “pay their fair share” was an issue for Republicans in the State budget battle last year—only then Republicans were protecting the richest 2% of Minnesotans from paying their fair share of taxes.
The effort to push this RTW constitutional amendment through the legislature is yet another example of Republicans working on behalf of their corporate and special interests, at the expense of hard working Minnesotans. These are the same Republicans who voted to end your Homestead Tax Credit last year, who refuse to close corporate tax loopholes for folks hiding profits in foreign countries, who take away your renters’ tax credit and refuse to take a balanced approach to balancing our State budget.
It is my belief that the hard working men and women of Minnesota are tired of being trickled down on by these Republican rich get richer, poor get poorer economic policies. Minnesota needs to move ahead with progressive economic policies so all working folks have an opportunity for a living wage job. And that’s why I oppose RTW.
September 22nd, 2008: Persell Announces Endorsements and Support
BEMIDJI, MN – John Persell, Democratic candidate for District 4A House of Representatives, recently received endorsements and support from a number of independent organizations representing hundreds of area workers and their families. In response to the support and endorsements he has received so far, Persell commented, “The hard working families that these organizations represent have honest fears and concerns about the direction our state is going. Our economy has nose-dived and people are afraid for their jobs." Click to read more (downloads PDF).
Tuesday, June 17, 2008: DFLers support Bemidji's Persell in fundraiser, Bemidji Pioneer
| Bemidji, MN—August 13, 2008 : John Persell Family Makes Gift to BSU Foundation |
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John Persell family making the contribution to BSU Foundation Director Rob Bellanger to set up the Patty Jean Willson Persell Art and Early Childhood scholarship fund. Left to right, back row: Dacia Dauner, John Persell, Rob Bellanger, Alissa Peacock. Front row: Delayna Dauner, Adecia Dauner, Lucia Peacock, Norman Peacock, Shemariah Peacock |
Bemidji, MN—August 13, 2008 : John Persell Family Makes Gift to BSU Foundation
John Persell, accompanied by his children and grandchildren, delivered a check Thursday to Rob Bollinger, Executive Director of Bemidji State University Foundation. The donation completes a $10,000 gift to fund the Patty Jean Willson Persell Art and Early Childhood Scholarship.
The scholarship is in memory of John’s late wife Patty and will provide resources for one student each year who is working toward the completion of an Art or Early Childhood Education degree at Bemidji State University.
“BSU has a special place for our family and we are pleased to be able to help students in this way,” said John Persell.
“It’s a great way to remember my mom,” added his daughter Dacia Dauner.
Patty Jean Willson Persell died in 2007, after a three year battle with cancer. Patty was a talented watercolor artist who specialized in florals. She was instrumental in starting Gallery North, a local art gallery that is run by its members and served as its president for five years. Her paintings are for sale at Gallery North and are currently featured in a commemorative installation there until August 30th. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Proceeds from the sale of Patty’s prints will provide continued funding for the Patty Jean Willson Persell Scholarship at BSU Foundation and ongoing support for Gallery North. |
