Madison teachers have agreed to return to the classroom Tuesday, as Wisconsin Republicans increased their pressure on Democrats who are hiding in Rockford, Illinois to return home and end the legislative impasse by voting on an anti-union bill. The Senate Democrats who fled last week need to do the jobs they were elected to do, say Republicans.
All 14 Democrats in the 33-member Wisconsin Senate staged a walkout from the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison on Thursday. They bolted to stop the 19 Republicans who control the Senate from potentially voting in favor of GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious budget repair bill. The measure, which the Dems vehemently oppose, includes broad restrictions to the collective bargaining rights of 175,000 public-sector employees.
So the Senate is quagmired because it needs at least 20 members for a quorum before it can vote on fiscal issues. In the meantime, this morning’s winter storm has sent anti-Walker demonstrators indoors. Thousands are gathered in the Capitol rotunda to send a signal they will not back down from their opposition to Walker’s plans. These protestors see Governor Scott Walker’s proposal for state employees to contribute to their own pensions and pay more for medical benefit costs, and to limit their rights to bargain for wages, as unjust. Walker is being called a “dictator”, and critics decry the "elimination of workers’ rights,” a local professor warned of “an end to 30 years of labor peace.” Others, perhaps with a penchant for great theatricality, compare Walker to Hosni Mubarak and Wisconsin to Egypt.
“Scott Walker isn’t being honest,” said a college student who only identified himself as A. Mackey. “The real initiative is to destroy state government and any protection for labor.”
Supporters of Walker say that union organizers should not be surprised by these proposals because the Governor campaigned on scaling back the power of unions and government cost. On November 2, Wisconsin voted for lower taxes and smaller government, and an end to the status quo of Big Labor. Whether Democrats like it or not, the majority of Wisconsin voters elected Walker and other Republicans to operate the statehouse for the subsequent two years. Nothing can change that until future elections.
“We want an end to the day when Big Labor elects state and local legislators,” said Jim Dunning, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, a Walker supporter who is also a union member. “Big Labor then returns the favor by agreeing to public employee contracts that are unsustainable weights on taxpayers and out of step with private sector compensation."
“Walker,” added Dunning, “is no more of a dictator than President Obama is for announcing a wage freeze for federal workers last November. Walker is open and transparent, while Wisconsin Democrats hiding is irresponsible."
“Public employees should not be insulated from economic reality,” said Nancy Francis, a Walker supporter and small business owner. “Those in the private sector who managed to avoid layoffs are paying more for benefits, had their wages frozen, pay into 401(k) plans and haven’t seen a pension in years. Sacrifices need to be shared.”
Andrea Hays, of the United Council of UW Students, said she has been picketing against Walker's plans for five days straight. She said that more enthusiastic and peaceful protests are to come. She supports workers’ rights, but understands the need to negotiate for the state’s economic betterment.
“Perhaps even the governing body needs to cut back,” said Hays. “They can cut back on the pier diem pay. I am supportive of a budget reform bill in which everyone does their part to plug the budget deficit. I don't see that bill this way. I see Walker targeting families, the middle-class, and teachers.”
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
