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State Senator Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee and a handful of Democrats this week introduced what they call the Collective Bargaining Act for Public Education.
“Wisconsin’s public education sector has a unique and essential role to play in our state. To ensure the effectiveness of these institutions, we rely on highly qualified people and their talents to move our state forward, ”Larson said in a statement. “The legislation we introduced establishes the right of employees in school districts, CESAs, technical college districts, and the UW system to collectively negotiate wages, hours and terms of employment.”
Republicans, under Gov. Scott Walker, have passed Bill 10 to curb the skyrocketing cost of teacher salaries and benefits. Law 10 limits the contractual negotiations of teachers to salaries only. It also forces teachers to pay more for their health care and retirement.
It is estimated that Bill 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers $ 14 billion over the past decade.
“The government used the tools of Bill 10 to control costs, saving taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” said CJ Szafir of the Institute for Reforming Government in The Center Square. “To reverse this – and demand collective bargaining – it would require a massive tax increase on hard-working Wisconsin families or gutting public programs. There is no other option and Democrats need to be honest about these compromises.
Szafir says Act 10 is now popular with Wisconsin residents because it saves them money and gives them choices.
“Public schools in Wisconsin are struggling to educate children in reading and basic civic education. We have one of the worst racial achievement gaps in America, ”Szafir added. “Instead of focusing on these fundamental issues, the bill attempts to question the lost battles of 10 years ago in the hope of exciting the progressives in Madison. This plan is a clear gift to union bosses and special interests at the expense of the taxpayer. “
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