Strike?

As a follow-up to Jeff’s post below, I’ve noticed the complete absence of any discussion about even the possibility of the Wisconsin public-sector workers going on strike. A one-day walkout by police and firefighters and garbage collectors and transportation workers and teachers would be a major show of force.

I understand that a strike would be unprotected and illegal (remember PATCO?), but it’s unlikely the state is in a position to fire every public-sector worker in the state.  I’m curious, then, why there has been no discussion of even the threat of a public-sector strike.  Are the unions too weak to pull it off? Are they afraid of being fired?  Are they still hoping for a political solution?  Are they afraid of losing public support?  Or have there been strike threats that I just haven’t heard about?

Comments are welcome — I’d love to (1) hear from folks closer to the action about why unions don’t seem to be playing the threat-of-strike card, and (2) generate a discussion of the pros and cons of the Wisconsin unions playing that card now.

rb