Headline of the day

From the L.A. Times:

SEIU Attacks Rival Union's Tentative Deal with L.A.


When speaking of the purple people beaters one can never be sure whether or not it is in the context of a physical act.

The 'Beaters are miffed over a potential deal brokered between the city and one of its unions, the 4,800 member Engineer and Architects Association and with respect to some concessions the 'Beaters view as "dangerous" in return for the Association getting some furlough days back.

Central to the negotiations is what the Association will be asked to kick in for their healthcare.

Under the proposed pact, workers in the engineers' union would pay $20 per doctor visit, up from $10. Its workers would no longer receive $15 per month to enhance their life insurance and disability insurance. And union employees would pay 5% of their monthly healthcare premiums, according to city officials.

Civilian city workers who rely on Kaiser Permanente currently pay nothing toward their premiums.

Exit question Pt. I: How many of you have health plans that are anywhere remotely as generous as this?

Exit question Pt. II: Does this not paint a picture of just how intractable the problem of state and city debt is when dealing with the compensation packages of the foot soldiers of the ruling class?