I have just returned from a rally in Madison, Wisconsin to protest Governor Scott Walkers proposal to essentially eliminate public employees rights to collectively bargain.
Thousands showed up inside and outside of the state capitol despite the fact that most people were at work. Students at a local public school walked out with their teachers to attend. Unfortunately, Republican Senators were not to be found, their staffs not answering phone calls or emails, and one, Alberta Darling, had the corridor to her offices completely blocked to prevent access.
Republicans, who have majorities in both the State Assemby and Senate say they have the votes to pass the draconian measures which were included in Gov. Walkers must pass Budget Repair Act (even though the measures will have no effect whatsoever on the state budget).
The provisions include taking away the rights of most State Employees to unionize and limiting collective bargaining of county and municipal workers to wages only with a cap to be set by the Legislature itself. So, no bargaining on working conditions, seniority rights, vacation or shift selection, safety and health issues, benefits, pensions, etc.
Exempt from the legislation are unions which supported Walker (firefighters, police, and state troopers). Clearly this is revenge on Walkers part as well as the first step in the Wisconsin Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Commerces dream of taking away all workers rights to a union. I was happy to have seen members from the Firefighters Union at the rally and working activly against the bill.
Ads supporting this measure from the right wing Club for Growth started before the ink was even dry on the measure which was rolled out late last Thursday and not publicly known until Friday. A vote is scheduled for this week.
Even the Green Bay Packers have come out in support of public employees and have issued a strong statement in support of middle class and worker rights.
Additional rallies will be held tomorrow and I plan on attending them as well. We'll also keep up the pressure by phone and email although it's nearly impossible to get a phone call through (the Republican Senators phones are all going to voice mail). We will be heard!
Thanks to all the Kossacks and Front Pagers who have been updating the community on this urgent matter.
Update: h/t Humphrey for providing a local link
Update 2: link to Milwaukee coverage