Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Judge Orders DOA To Lift Restrictions And Open Madison Capitol Building To Public

Milwaukee Common Council passed measure to allow police and fire employees pay their fair share to pensions and benefits in opposition to Walker's budget repair bill exemption. Union files complaint with labor commission against Governor Walker for unfair labor practices.

By H. Nelson Goodson
March 1, 2011

Madison - On Tuesday,  Dane County Judge Daniel Moeser issued a temperary injunction order for the state Department of Administration (DOA) to open the Capitol building to the general public during hearings, sessions and other business. On Monday, the DOA had applied restrictions and limited access to the public entering the building to allow for cleaning. The DOA will continue limited access up to Governor Scott Walker's presentation of his two year budget bill in the legislative joint session at 4 p.m.
Only about 20 people from the general public selected by legislators will be allowed to hear Walker's Tuesday budget bill address in the public level gallery, according to the DOA. The budget bill contains major cuts up to $1 billion effecting public schools and local governments.
Numerous pro-union supporters slept outside the Capitol building grounds in sleeping bags and blankets. They will continue to do so in protest against Walker's intent to eliminate collective bargaining for union workers.
Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager representing the Wisconsin State Employee Union (WSEU) an AFSCME local filed an injunction on Monday, according to court records. The injunction remains in effect until the next scheduled court hearing.
Other related news on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council passed a measure by a 13-2 vote for the Milwaukee Police Department and Fire Department to pay their fair share into employees pensions, health care and eliminates collective bargaining as other unions under Walker's budget repair bill. Both the Milwaukee police and fire departments are exempt by Governor Walker and would be allowed to keep collective bargaining rights, if his budget repair bill is approved. The Common Council passed the measure to send a message to Walker that they opposed his budget bill.
The 14 Senate Democrats have reaffirmed, that they won't return to Wisconsin until Republicans agree to a compromise to keep collective bargaining for most state workers. Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced Tuesday, that he and other Republicans have met with Senate Democrats in the Illinois side border and have been negotiating on a compromise. Democrats say, no compromise has been reached as of yet.
Governor Walker's deadline to approve the budget repair bill is Tuesday in order to refinance the budget and save $165 million. He threaten to layoff at least 1,500 public employees, if it failed to pass. Democrats argue that Walker's budget restructing and refinancing of $165 million will cost the State $42 million in interests as a deferred loan.
On Monday, WSEU filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) that Walker has failed to fulfill and comply with labor agreements of extended contracts, which the state plans to end by March 12, according to the union. The union claims Governor Walker has engaged in unfair labor practices, failed to negotiate a contract and plans to end collective bargaining rights. The union seeks for the State to come to the table and bargain with them. Walker and State officials have ignored WSEU's request to meet and bargain.
Walker addressed the issue at a La Crosse news conference and said, the union can file lawsuits, but the State is broke and has nothing to offer in good faith, according to WKBT News 8 TV report.

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