Labor Issues

Gov. Scott Walker vaulted to national prominence over his attacks on the rights of 175,000 Wisconsin workers shortly after taking office in 2011. His divisive attacks on hardworking Wisconsinites continue to polarize the state. In 2015 he continued his agenda of attacking working families and unions when he signed a wrong for Wisconsin right to work law, undermining the strong relationships built between private unions and their employers.

But the politically motivated union-busting attacks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Walker’s anti-worker stances. As Milwaukee County executive, Walker balanced his budgets on the backs of workers and made consistent efforts to privatize public services.

As governor, Walker’s anti-labor positions range from layoffs and privatization to opposing increasing the minimum wage and an equal pay enforcement laws.

Content
Scott Walker broke the unions. Now he says he’s the ‘education governor’ Republican Gov. Scott Walker became a conservative icon by breaking the teachers union in Wisconsin. Seven years later, he’s facing the political fight of his life against the state schools superintendent, and trying to reinvent himself. His likely Democratic opponent is head of the Wisconsin school system, Tony Evers, meaning the election likely will be […] [Politico, 07/31/2018]
New state data: Post-Act 10, teachers’ health care costs soared Wisconsin school districts ratcheted up health care costs on teachers and other employees after the state’s Act 10 collective bargaining changes, with the average district now requiring teachers to pay about 12 percent of their health insurance premiums, newly released data show. Madison schools are near the low end of what districts now require for […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/03/2018]
Unions sue to overturn Wisconsin collective bargaining law Two Wisconsin labor union locals are suing to overturn Gov. Scott Walker’s signature collective bargaining law. Locals 139 and 420 of the Operating Engineers of Wisconsin say Act 10 violates their rights to free speech and free association under the First Amendment. They filed their lawsuit last week in federal court in Milwaukee…Walker spokesman Tom […] [Los Angeles Times, 02/26/2018]
Labor unions file lawsuit alleging Walker’s Act 10 violates free speech rights Two Wisconsin chapters of a labor union have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate Act 10, the signature piece of legislation from Gov. Scott Walker. The lawsuit, filed by the Operating Engineers of Wisconsin Local 139 and Local 420, argues that Act 10 violates free speech and free association under the First Amendment. Act […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/25/2018]
Civil service overhaul heads to Scott Walker’s desk after Senate passage The state Senate has voted to remake Wisconsin’s civil service system, enabling a supportive Gov. Scott Walker to sign the measure – the latest far-reaching change to rules governing the state workforce. The Senate voted on party lines, 19-14, late Wednesday to pass the civil service bill. The state Assembly passed it in October. Walker, […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/21/2018]
Wisconsin mulls limiting pro-worker local ordinances Business and labor clashed Wednesday over a Republican bill that would prevent local governments in Wisconsin from enacting a variety of ordinances pertaining to employment matters, including limits on working hours, overtime, benefits, and discrimination and wage claims… The bill is the latest in a series of proposals in Wisconsin taking aim at workers, a […] [Chicago Tribune, 01/10/2018]
Fewer than half of Wisconsin school districts have certified teachers unions Six years after Gov. Scott Walker and state Republicans made labor unions’ ability to retain members much more difficult, fewer than half of the state’s 422 school districts have certified unions. [WiscNews.com, 12/31/2017]
Labor secretary: Wisconsin needs to raise its minimum wage Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has criticized efforts to raise the minimum wage, saying he wants jobs that pay above the minimum wage. “I’m not going to repeal it,” Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board last year. “But I don’t think it serves a purpose because we’re debating then about what the lowest levels […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/19/2017]
Gov. Greitens signs bill allowing lower wages on public projects in Missouri “We’ve sent a very clear message and that is that Missouri is open for business,” Greitens said at a signing ceremony in an Earth City retooling plant, where he was flanked by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the former Republican presidential candidate who made his national name challenging unions. “Gov. Greitens is doing what he said […] [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 05/31/2017]
Greitens signs bill scrapping union requirements with Wisconsin governor looking on Gov. Eric Greitens on Tuesday signed legislation banning local governments from giving preferential treatment to union contractors on public construction projects. And sharing the stage with him when he signed it was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Walker, who was in St. Louis for a fundraiser as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, rose to national […] [Kansas City Star, 05/30/2017]
Budget Committee Rescues Labor Review Panel The Legislature’s finance committee chose Thursday to preserve the state commission that decides workplace disputes, rejecting Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to eliminate it and have his administration issue labor rulings instead. The Republican-controlled committee’s co-chairs introduced a motion to save the Labor and Industry Review Commission but delete 7.8 vacant commission positions and request state […] [Associated Press, 05/18/2017]
Campaigning with Jean Stothert in Omaha, Scott Walker stirs up union opposition Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker drew a few hundred people to a Monday rally with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert — and a few hundred union members to protest outside the event. Walker, whose moves to restrict labor unions have made him a polarizing figure nationally, said there’s a clear distinction between Stothert and challenger Heath Mello. […] [Omaha World Herald, 04/26/2017]
Bill to Repeal State Prevailing Wage Draws Strong Reactions Republican state lawmakers say eliminating prevailing wage requirements for workers on public projects would save the state hundreds of millions of dollars, while Democrats and unions say it would send skilled workers out of state and further erode the middle class. The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory reform held a public hearing Monday on […] [Associated Press, 04/24/2017]
Scott Walker Deals Another Blow to Big Labor in Wisconsin Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation that prevents local governments from requiring contractors to hire union labor for publicly funded construction projects. Walker signed the legislation, which passed along party lines in February, at a local distributor of construction materials in De Pere, Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The governor and Wisconsin […] [Daily Signal, 04/18/2017]
Walker Signs Into Law Bill Banning Required Labor Agreements Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that prohibits local governments from requiring contractors working on public projects to use collective bargaining agreements. The governor signed the bill into law Monday at AmeriLux International, a De Pere manufacturer of building materials. [WPR, 04/17/2017]
Governor Walker Signs Project Labor Agreement Legislation Into Law Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 3 into law today at Amerilux International, LLC in De Pere. The bill promotes neutrality in the bidding process for public works projects as well as healthy competition between contractors. “Accountable government means ensuring our taxpayers receive quality service,” Governor Walker said. “By forbidding state and local governments from […] [Urban Milwaukee, 04/17/2017]
Scott Walker: ‘Overwhelming majority’ of school districts would get proposed new funding The comments come after Kim Eparvier, superintendent of the Peshtigo School District, told the Wisconsin State Journal that Walker’s proposal tie the proposed $649 million in new funding to a fixed percentage of employee health care contributions diminishes school administrators’ and school boards’ power in crafting benefit packages for their employees. Walker, who visited Eparvier’s […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/01/2017]
Reflecting on the Legacy of Act 10, as Trump Considers Shaking Up Federal Workforce President Donald Trump wants to slash the federal workforce, according to the Washington Post. It reports that Trump is preparing to announce the biggest cuts in decades, believing the government employs too many people — wasting taxpayers’ money. The Republican president’s plan may shock many. Yet here in Wisconsin, it may remind people of the […] [WUWM-FM, 03/15/2017]
Veterans oppose Gov. Walker’s proposed repeal of prevailing wage law The American Legion is warning Republicans that eliminating the prevailing wage on state projects could cost hundreds of veterans their jobs in the construction industry. The prevailing wage law sets minimum salaries for construction workers on public projects. Republican Gov. Scott Walker has proposed wiping out the prevailing wage for state projects in the state […] [Associated Press, 02/22/2017]
Gov. Walker weighs in to support attack on worker rights in Iowa A public hearing on the bill Monday attracted thousands to Des Moines, mostly voicing their displeasure with the legislation. While protesters filled the Capitol Rotunda, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, spoke with GOP lawmakers about the importance of enacting collective bargaining changes like Wisconsin did in 2011. “Happy to speak with my friends in […] [The Hawk Eye, 02/16/2017]
Gov. Walker proposes eliminating labor dispute resolution commission A state panel that handles thousands of disputes between employers and employees each year — and whose roots date back more than a century — would be abolished under a provision of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed state budget. The two-year spending plan calls for eliminating the Labor and Industry Review Commission and its 26½ full-time-equivalent […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/09/2017]
White House interested in Wisconsin union law, Scott Walker says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence about how the White House can implement on a federal level parts of the Republican governor’s contentious policy that all-but eliminated collective bargaining for public sector unions in the state… Walker severely restricted union power in Wisconsin and is now talking […] [Chicago Business, 02/02/2017]
Gov. Walker effort to stop state coverage of gender reassignment surgery succeeds The state on Wednesday halted insurance coverage of gender reassignment surgery for transgender state workers, noting that a federal judge blocked federal rules requiring such coverage. Covering gender reassignment surgery and related benefits would have cost $100,000 to $250,000 a year in a $1.5 billion program that provides health benefits to about 250,000 state and […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker: Despite doom-and-gloom rhetoric, we didn’t eliminate UW tenure We eliminated the “job for life” guarantee tenure once provided for faculty regardless of performance. Now we are asking for accountability and flexibility to add value to our university system. As for free speech, there should be equal protections for everyone on campus, not just tenured professors, to engage in a free and open debate […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/24/2016]
Right-to-work is back on the books in Wisconsin, at least temporarily. Late Tuesday, a state court of appeals judge granted Attorney General Brad Schimel’s request to reinstate the law while the appeals court decides whether it’s constitutional. The ruling was issued by Lisa K. Stark, the presiding judge for the District 3 Court of Appeals in Wausau. “We feel confident the law will ultimately be found […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/23/2016]
Scott Walker blasts professors as UW-Milwaukee faculty vote ‘no confidence’ in leaders UW-Milwaukee became the fourth University of Wisconsin System campus to see professors declare they have no confidence in UW’s leaders Tuesday, in a vote that prompted Gov. Scott Walker to weigh in with sharp criticism of the faculty. The Milwaukee professors joined colleagues at UW campuses in Madison, La Crosse and River Falls by stating […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/10/2016]
Walker approves rule implementing unemployment drug tests Gov. Scott Walker has approved a rule implementing drug screening requirements for unemployment benefits. The rule implements provisions in the state budget. Under the rule, those who fail an employer drug test or refuse to take one can be denied unemployment benefits. Those who fail would get taxpayer-funded treatment. Walker announced the new rule Wednesday, […] [WMTV-TV, 05/04/2016]
Scott Walker’s HR agency slammed civil service changes in private memo The personnel agency in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration privately blasted changes to the state’s civil service days after they were proposed, telling his office the overhaul would slow hiring, turn away qualified job applicants and trigger more lawsuits against the state, public records show. Documents obtained under the state’s open records law by the Wisconsin […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/02/2016]
Court Strikes Down Scott Walker’s Right-To-Work Law As Unconstitutional Wisconsin’s right-to-work law, championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker as he was mounting his run for president, was struck down Friday as violating the state constitution…“We are confident Wisconsin’s freedom-to-work law is constitutional and will ultimately be upheld,” Walker wrote on Twitter. Three unions filed the lawsuit last year shortly after Walker signed the bill […] [Associated Press, 04/06/2016]
Walker Act 10 reduces union membership, power Mr. Walker led a push five years ago to cut collective bargaining rights for most public sector workers, saying he needed to solve a state budget gap. Since then, union membership has dropped precipitously. Long a labor stronghold, the state has lost tens of thousands of union members, leaving Wisconsin with a smaller percentage of […] [New York Times, 02/27/2016]
Walker signs overhaul of state civil service law Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation Friday overhauling the state’s century-old system of merit hiring and firing, gaining the first legislative priority he set after calling off his presidential bid last year. Inking the legislation at the offices of ManpowerGroup, Walker said the rewrite of the state’s civil service law would help the state keep the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/12/2016]
Gov. Scott Walker Divided Wisconsin in 2011, Five Years Later Wisconsin Uniting in Opposition to His Agenda, Disapproval of Job He’s Done Today marks the five year anniversary of the introduction of one of Gov. Scott Walker’s most notorious attacks on the working people of Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/11/2016]
5 years after Walker’s Act 10 union membership falls in Wisconsin In the five years since Act 10 was signed by Gov. Scott Walker, union membership in Wisconsin has plummeted. In 2015, the number of union members fell well below the national average for the first time since lawmakers passed measures that all but eliminated collective bargaining for public workers. The percentage of Wisconsin public and […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/11/2016]
Walker’s act 10 cited as concerns rise over teacher shortage In the five years since Act 10 became law, Wisconsin school districts have experienced a dramatic decline in the number of applicants for each teacher vacancy. In 2015, there were an average of 3.2 candidates per vacancy, down from 6.6 candidates in 2012, according to Wisconsin Education Career Access Network data provided by Means. In […] [WITI-TV, 02/09/2016]
Some Neenah teachers can opt out of evaluations Before Act 10, the law championed by Gov. Scott Walker to limit collective bargaining powers, public school districts in Wisconsin used step-and-lane models in which educators advanced on a salary schedule by accruing years of service and graduate school credits. Neenah, Appleton, Little Chute and a number of other school districts throughout the state have […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 01/30/2016]
Critics say UW tenure policy up for adoption won’t protect academic freedom Vanness said the policy reflects what he dubbed Walker’s “New Wisconsin idea,” under which the university’s mission “is only to train the workforce for the jobs of today, not to search for the truth and lay the groundwork for the industries of tomorrow.” UW’s aspirational mission of searching for truth, the Wisconsin Idea, was eliminated […] [Capital Times, 01/30/2016]
Rauner is no friend to working families The fact is that Gov. Scott Walker’s rabid anti-union agenda has been a disaster for the economy of Wisconsin, which remains in the bottom third of states for job growth. [Chicago Tribune, 01/29/2016]
Union membership in Wisconsin tumbles below national average Since Walker and Republican lawmakers successfully passed measures in 2011 that rolled back the power of most public sector unions, the number of members has dropped sharply…As of February 2015, a WEAC official told the State Journal the union represented about 40,000 public school employees — down more than 50 percent from the union’s 98,000-member […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/29/2016]
Worker used as an example of problems not a civil servant One of the state employees that Gov. Scott Walker and some lawmakers used to argue for broad changes to the state’s civil service system was never a civil servant, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review has found. In arguing for a proposed overhaul of the century-old system of merit hiring and firing, Walker and some GOP […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/14/2015]
State’s handling of workers caught in workplace sex doesn’t match Scott Walker’s account In making his case to Republican lawmakers this fall that the state’s civil service system needed to be overhauled, Gov. Scott Walker cited the case of two state workers who he said couldn’t be fired even though they had been caught having sex in their office. But records released Friday show no efforts were made […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/05/2015]
Lawmakers inch closer to overhauling civil service system On the civil service bill, both sides in the GOP dispute are holding firm, meaning that the proposal is unlikely to pass the Senate until early next year. The bill would overhaul a system begun in 1905 that is aimed at ensuring tax dollars go for competent state employees rather than political hacks… Republican Gov. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/27/2015]
Want More Cronyism, Corruption and Incompetence from Gov. Walker’s Administration? Republican Fast Track Effort To Gut State Anti-Corruption Laws Will Deliver Removing anti-corruption protections from Wisconsin’s civil service laws is an invitation for more scandal, incompetence, and cronyism in state government. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/06/2015]
Gov. Walker’s Scandal Plagued Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Provides Preview of Consequences of Proposal to Gut State Civil Service Laws Gov. Scott Walker and his lapdog Republican-led state legislature are set to gut the state civil service that helps prevent cronyism and corruption. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/25/2015]
Scott Walker says he’ll be a stay-at-home governor State employees lost civil service protections when WEDC was created, and it has been plagued with cronyism, corruption and incompetence ever since. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/25/2015]
Here They Go Again. Despite Past Assurances, Gov. Walker and Republican Legislature Target State Civil Service System Gov. Scott Walker is endorsing a new attack on Wisconsin workers revealed today by state legislative Republicans. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/24/2015]
Scott Walker’s Economically (and Politically) Wrongheaded Scheme to Destroy Unions He’s now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles. [The Nation, 09/15/2015]
Scott Walker pledges to battle unions, again "It’s no surprise he’s now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles." [Capital Times, 09/14/2015]
Scott Walker to propose abolishing unions for federal workers It's no surprise he's now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/14/2015]
Gov. Walker to Double Down With Attacks on Working People in Las Vegas Speech The career politician's desperate bid to remain competitive on the backs of the middle class and working people will be unveiled in Las Vegas Nevada, hometown of anti-union, Walker mega-donor Sheldon Adelson. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/11/2015]
Does America Want What Scott Walker is Selling? Part II John Simons of the International Business Times, Forbes contributor Carrie Sheffield, and One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross discuss Walker's positions on economic issues. [MSNBC, 03/15/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Issues Walker Warning for New Hampshire One Wisconsin Now is warning New Hampshire voters to beware this weekend when Walker visits to audition for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/15/2015]
Scott Walker signs bill, makes Wisconsin 25th right-to-work state How fitting that Gov. Walker chose to sign the bill at the business of a millionaire campaign contributor. [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/09/2015]
Assembly GOP Passes Right to Work Despite Not Campaigning on Lower Wages, Fewer Resources for Schools, Less Health Care or More Dangerous Workplaces There’s not a single member of the state Assembly that ran for election in 2014 promising lower wages, fewer resources for our public schools, less health care or more dangerous workplaces. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/06/2015]
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce ‘Business Day’ A Chance for Big Political Campaign Spenders to Check Up on Their Investment WMC spent millions of dollars to install Republicans in power, and now the payoff is a rush to pass a wrong for Wisconsin right to work law. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/04/2015]
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s Fight Against Labor Melissa Harris-Perry and her guests examine union and pension battles for potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates Scott Walker and Chris Christie. [MSNBC, 02/28/2015]
Wrong for Wisconsin Right-to-Work Advocates Get Exclusive Access on Gov. Walker’s European Vacation An open records request has uncovered that the only two non-government employees who accompanied Gov. Walker on his ostensible trade mission to London. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/28/2015]
Walker’s comments on unions, ISIS draw ire from both sides Gov. Walker’s comments and longstanding, seething contempt for working people who dare to stand up for their rights is unsettling. [Racine Journal Times, 02/27/2015]
GOP-Controlled Committee Puts Special Interests Funded by Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Co-Chair at Front of the Line While Shutting Out Wisconsin Families Groups receiving funding from the Bradley Foundation were at the head of the line at yesterday’s public hearing on a right-to-work law. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/25/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Senate Passage of ‘Wrong for Wisconsin’ Right-to-Work Bill Seventeen Republican Senators listened to powerful special interests like the Bradley Foundation run by Gov. Walker's campaign co-chair and voted against Wisconsin families. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/25/2015]
Protests Expected Today and Tomorrow Over “Right to Work” Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, says right-to-work will be bad for Wisconsin. [Public News Service, 02/24/2015]
Wisconsin Panel Passes Labor Measure After Chaotic Hearing News coverage of Tuesday hearing’s sudden end could swell the crowd demonstrating against the bill Wednesday, said One Wisconsin Now. [Bloomberg, 02/24/2015]
Unions, liberal groups suggest ALEC connection to Wis. right-to-work bill While union leaders focused their criticisms on ALEC, the liberal group One Wisconsin Now tied the right-to-work push to the conservative Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation. [Capital Times, 02/24/2015]
Following the money behind ‘right-to-work’ The watchdog group One Wisconsin Now released research on the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, headed by Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign co-chair. [Wisconsin Gazette, 02/24/2015]
Labor takes final stand as Wisconsin prepares way for anti-union law The strategy on the Republican side is to rush it through before people figure it out. [Al Jazeera, 02/24/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Research Reveals Gov. Walker Campaign Co-Chair as Major Financier of Propaganda Campaign Paving Way for Wrong For Wisconsin Right to Work Law Once again we see Michael Grebe and his Bradley Foundation paving the way for Gov. Walker’s right-wing, Tea Party agenda with a massive propaganda campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/23/2015]
Walker backtracked on right to work legislation, going from saying it was a ‘distraction’ that he would work to prevent from reaching his desk to promising to sign the fast tracked bill Gov. Scott Walker has gone from saying “I’m not supporting” so-called right to work legislation in Wisconsin’s 2015 legislative session, to saying he will sign a bill that’s being fast-tracked to his desk…On May 11, 2012, Walker told reporters at the state Republican Party convention he had “no interest in pursuing right-to-work legislation in this […] [Politifact, 02/23/2015]
Scott Walker’s Latest Anti-Union Plan Is ‘Cowardly,’ Says Former Republican Leader Mike Browne, a progressive activist with One Wisconsin Now, told ThinkProgress he suspects lawmakers are moving quickly to try to avoid another uproar. [Think Progress, 02/21/2015]
UPDATE: If Wisconsin Legislature Passes a Right-to-Work Bill, Walker Will Sign It Right to work is wrong for Wisconsin workers and families. It’s a complicated scheme that tilts the system even further in favor of corporate CEOs. [WUWM, 02/20/2015]
Gov. Walker’s Profile in Cowardice on the ‘Wrong for Wisconsin’ Right to Work Law Provides Preview for Nation Scott Walker is politics incarnate and he will say and do anything to get elected. He did it before and he’s doing it again. Far from being unintimidated, he is a profile in cowardice. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/20/2015]
‘Right-to-Work’ Backer Cites Bradley Foundation-Funded Junk Science to Justify Attack on Middle Class Wages and Workplace Safety Rep. Kapenga used statistics promoted by the Bradley-funded Mackinac Center to claim introducing the measure in Wisconsin would be good for the state economy. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/04/2014]
Wisconsin Lawmaker Plans To Introduce Right-To-Work Bill, In Echo Of 2011 Union Battles Scot Ross, executive director of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now, said he thought Kapenga’s right-to-work bill was really a political ploy to get concessions from Walker during the negotiation over Wisconsin’s next budget. [Huffington Post, 12/04/2014]
Conservative group will push to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state Walker says anything to get re-elected and now he and his Republican front groups are ready to launch a frontal assault on Wisconsin's middle class working women and men. [Capital Times, 12/01/2014]
Right-to-work group launches after governor, legislators say issue not a priority “It’s the same playbook from four years ago that tore Wisconsin apart,” Ross said in a statement. “Gov. Walker says anything to get elected and now he and his Republican front groups are ready to launch a frontal assault on Wisconsin’s middle class working women and men.” [Racine Journal Times, 12/01/2014]
Is Scott Walker Already Breaking Another Campaign Promise? Gov. Walker says anything to get elected and now he and his Republican front groups are ready to launch a frontal assault on Wisconsin's middle class working women and men. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/01/2014]
Attacks on public workers impacted “overwhelmingly female” sectors “Walker grabbed national attention in 2011 when he championed a bill that gutted public sector union rights. It’s a move that inspired massive protests and an attempted recall, and one that jumpstarted his national ambitions. Teaching, nursing, and social work are all public sector fields that are overwhelmingly female, and women account for more than […] [MSNBC, 10/09/2014]
Lawsuit challenging teacher contracts politically motivated, says One WI Now A lawsuit accusing the Madison School Board of engaging in illegal collective bargaining to the detriment of children and taxpayers was filed by a Milwaukee-based conservative legal group that is a “front” for Gov. Scott Walker, says the director of a Madison progressive advocacy group. [Capital Times, 09/11/2014]
Wisconsin Fast Food Workers Rally for Higher Wages, Better Workplace Conditions Gov. Scott Walker’s opposition to a higher minimum wage and actions like stripping workers of their rights have left the state lagging the Midwest on jobs and wage growth. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/04/2014]
Profiles in Losing Touch: Gov. Walker Terms Efforts to Give Hardworking State Families a Raise a ‘Stunt’ Yesterday, in an appearance before a political special interest group to promote a new trickle down economic tax scheme, he termed proposals to increase the state minimum wage a “political stunt.” [One Wisconsin Now, 01/24/2014]
Walker called minimum wage hike a “political stunt” Gov. Scott Walker lashed out Thursday against Democratic proposals to raise the minimum wage, calling them a “political grandstanding stunt” that will kill jobs. Walker was addressing a friendly crowd at a meeting of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, a group that opposes increasing the minimum wage. Democrats both nationally and in Wisconsin and other states […] [Associated Press, 01/23/2014]
Walker opposes a common sense raise in the minimum wage “Gov. Scott Walker opposes increasing the federal minimum wage, fearing it would prompt employers to do less hiring. In making his case, Walker paints a picture of low-wage workers as people working the counter at fast-food restaurants”. [Politifact, 01/13/2014]
Walker’s opposition to minimum wage increase hurts women, who are more likely than men to work for $7.25 per hour or less “Women, residents of the south, never-married workers, part-timers and service employees are more likely than their counterparts to work for $7.25 or less. Restaurant and other food service workers make up the biggest group.” [Politifact, 01/13/2014]
Issue of the Week: Walker and Kleefisch’s War on Workers Recently, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch led a closed-door roundtable discussion about taxes with some business leaders in Beloit. After viewing footage of the meeting obtained by One Wisconsin Now, we can see why Kleefisch and the Walker administration didn’t want the public to hear what they discussed. [Shepherd Express, 01/09/2014]
On the Capitol: Everybody’s working on the weekend? “Scott Walker’s legislative confederate, who wants to eliminate the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and voted to water down child labor laws, now has ending the weekend in his legislative crosshairs,” Ross said. “To do the bidding of their corporate donors, is restoration of indentured servitude coming next from the Walker Republicans?” [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/04/2014]
Comparing himself to FDR, governor promotes aggressive approach to public sector Walker's “attack on 175,000 workers had nothing to do with budget deficits, but rather his desire to reduce the collective voice of working men and women in Wisconsin.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/28/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Included Provisions Hurting Workers, Creating More Tax Breaks Walker’s 2013-15 Budget included Provisions that: Made it harder for workers to access unemployment compensation benefits by reducing the number of allowable reasons to quit a job from 18 to 9. Expanded the junk mail sales tax exemption created an income tax break for private school tuition (up to $10,000 per pupil), which is estimated […] [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’s’ Paw Prints Uncovered In Attack on Worker Rights in Michigan Wisconsin's 'Money Badger', Michael Grebe, appears to have his paws in the attack on worker rights in Michigan according to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/06/2012]
Walker’s petition initiative undermines Supreme Court In response, an activist group known as One Wisconsin Now has started its own petition initiative to match Walker’s fundraising efforts. The organization asks signers to “Stand with the Constitution,” referring to the ruling made by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas, who believed Walker’s law violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. […] [Badger Herald, 09/25/2012]
One Wisconsin Now Calls for End to Walker’s ‘Gravy Train’ for Michael, Best & Friedrich MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now today called on Gov. Scott Walker to halt the taxpayer-funded gravy train for the politically connected law firm, Michael, Best & Friedrich, and stop using public funds to pay for the continuing legal battle to overturn a court decision declaring Act 10, his controversial law stripping workplace rights from […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/17/2012]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Judge Declaring Walker’s Attack on Workers’ Rights Unconstitutional Gov. Walker's Act 10 was always a violation of the values of the people of Wisconsin, and now a judge has ruled it was a violation of our laws and our rights. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/14/2012]
New Report Details Walker Exploitation of Recall Fundraising Loophole MADISON, Wis. — A comprehensive report from One Wisconsin Now and United Wisconsin shows how Gov. Scott Walker raised over $7 million by exploiting the unlimited campaign finance recall loophole and provides a detailed perspective on the out-of-state and in-state donors who bankrolled Walker’s win in June. “Scott Walker exploited the recall election rules to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/08/2012]
Friedman Failures Drive Walker’s Wisconsin Scott Walker resurrected the late-Milton Friedman’s trickle down economic policies in Wisconsin, and it’s buried job creation for middle class families. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/30/2012]
Beer and Brats: Is Gov. Walker Just Feeding Wisconsin Another Line? MADISON, Wis. — Citing the age-old adage that actions speak louder than words, One Wisconsin Now is calling on Gov. Scott Walker to take concrete actions to heal the rift in Wisconsin brought on by his “divide and conquer” agenda. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne commented, “Time and again Gov. Walker has told […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/11/2012]
Scott Walker’s Billionaire Boys Club: Big Money Backs Anti-Labor Agenda This time, according to the advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, thirty-nine “mega donors” giving in excess of $10,000 a piece accounted for $2,430,000 of Walker’s haul. [The Nation, 05/01/2012]
One Wisconsin Institute Report: ‘D is for Dismantle’ A comprehensive analysis entitled “D is for Dismantle,” authored by the non-partisan One Wisconsin Institute shows that despite claims from Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin schools are not failing, instead his budget cuts and disastrous education policies endanger our proud tradition of excellent schools. [One Wisconsin Institute, 12/19/2011]
Walker’s Elves Attack Workers’ Rights in Private Sector MADISON, Wis. — In the midst of the holiday season, another historic battle is being waged in Wisconsin over workers’ rights. Nearly 200 workers of Machinists Local 516 at Manitowoc Crane have been on strike since November 15 over last-minute provisions management is trying to force on the union. “Nine months after Walker stripped hundreds […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/08/2011]
Rolled back class size reduction program; allows teachers to be evaluated on standardized test scores On December 17, 2011, Walker signed a bill into law that rolled back a major provision of the popular class size reduction program, Student Achievement Guarantee in Education Program, which established class sizes of 18 or under in grades K-3. This bill allows school districts to opt out of class size reductions in grades 2 […] [2011 WI Act 105, 12/07/2011]
Political round table with Bill McCoshen, Scot Ross Bill McCoshen, Scot Ross for a political round table talk. [Wisconsin Public Television, 11/25/2011]
Walker says he’s not responsible for recall effort against him But Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, noted Walker did not talk about cutting collective bargaining during the campaign and said Walker was precisely the one who caused the recall effort. “Gov. Walker is responsible for tearing Wisconsin apart and the division which has led to this unprecedented recall effort […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/15/2011]
Walker allowed municipal employers to undermine collective bargaining agreements Walker signed into a law a bill that allows any municipal employer to enter into a memorandum of understanding to reduce the cost of compensation or fringe benefits, without modifying an existing collective bargaining agreement for purposes of 2011 WI Act 10. The memorandum has to be entered into within 90 days after the effective […] [2011 WI Act 65, 11/09/2011]
Walker says he opposes “double dipping” but won’t force top aides to stop taking pensions Gov. Scott Walker voiced support for legislation that would end a long-standing practice that allows public workers to simultaneously collect their pension and a state paycheck. The statement concludes by adding Gov. Walker “supports applying the same policy for administration appointees.” [Capital Times, 10/26/2011]
Walker says he opposes “double dipping” but won’t force top aides to stop taking pensions In the past five and a half years, at least 6,829 state and local government employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System left then returned to work, simultaneously earning a pension and a salary. Those include two of Gov. Scott Walker’s cabinet secretaries: Corrections Secretary Gary Hamblin and Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson, both […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/23/2011]
Right-wing blogger calls for armed violence against workers In mid-April, professional blogger Andrew Breitbart came to Madison to show his support for Gov. Scott Walker’s attack on worker rights. He shared a stage with other notable speakers like Sarah Palin and Vicki McKenna. Of course the tea party’s puny turnout was overshadowed by the huge uprising of middle-class workers and labor union supporters, […] [Cody Oliphant, 09/19/2011]
Progressive group slams Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Labor Day The progressive group One Wisconsin Now used Labor Day as a chance to blast the “corporate takeover of state government” happening as a result of Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled state legislature. [Raw Story, 09/04/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Labor Day, Middle Class Attacks MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements in celebration of Labor Day and the continuing fight by Wisconsin workers and the middle class against the corporate takeover of state government happening as a result of the capitulation and policy changes of Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/03/2011]
Legal fees soar for Wisconsin taxpayers over bargaining, redistricting \| GOP skips bids, pays up to $395 per hour The Capitol battles over union bargaining and political redistricting proposals have paid off for one group: politically connected GOP lawyers. So far this year, two firms with strong Republican connections have racked up more than $700,000 in invoices and payments authorized by Gov. Scott Walker and GOP lawmakers to help represent the state in cases […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/20/2011]
Stripped Public Workers of Collective Bargaining Rights Walker signed a bill that stripped all public workers, except police and firefighters, of their collective bargaining rights. The bill no longer allows teachers, nurses, snow plow drivers and other public employees to bargain on their work place conditions, benefits or for pay raises above the cost of inflation. In addition, unions have lost the […] [2011 WI Act 10, 06/28/2011]
Child Labor Law Weakened Under Walker Walker signed into law a provision in the budget which lifted provisions barring 16 and 17-year-olds from working more than 26 hours during a school week and more than 50 hours a week during vacations, potentially exposing young workers to exploitation by employers. The Department of Workforce Development, which enforces child labor regulations, is actually […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Created Waiting Period for Unemployment Insurance Effective January 1, 2012, there will be a one-week waiting period before an unemployed worker can collect benefits. The inclusion of this change in the State Budget was made unilaterally by Republicans in the Legislature. Despite a veto request by all labor and management representatives on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, Governor Walker signed this […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Prevented Local Governments From Having Their Own Paid Sick Leave Laws Walker signed into law a bill that prevented local government’s from passing paid sick leave or family medical leave laws that are more inclusive and powerful than the statewide law. The governor signed the bill into law on May 5, 2011. (2011 SB 23, introduced 2/23/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 16, 05/05/2011]
Wisconsin Democrats face uphill battle in repeal of Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair law “There will need to be electoral changes in order to get the rights back that Republicans took from working people,” said Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a progressive advocacy group. [Appleton Post-Crescent, 03/18/2011]
Walker power grab replaces civil servants with political hires Gov. Scott Walker will be able to name political appointees to fill three dozen civil-service jobs that handle open records requests from the public under the budget-repair law he signed last week. Walker’s separate 2011-’13 budget proposal would also make a political appointment out of another key civil service job – the top lawyer spot […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/18/2011]
Protests target M&I But the principal hasn’t been paid back yet. Unions and liberal groups like One Wisconsin Now are also upset that M & I executives gave more money to Scott Walker during last year’s governor’s race, than the officials did to Democrat Tom Barrett. [Superior Telegram, 03/15/2011]
Greetings From Fitzwalkerstan: Wisconsin GOP Denies Legislative Democrats Voting Rights “Senator Scott Fitzgerald isn’t content with illegally passing a bill which takes away the rights of 175,000 working Wisconsinites and now has expanded his attacks to disenfranchise the voices of 2.2 million more Wisconsin residents and taxpayers,” declared Scot Ross, the executive director of the One Wisconsin Now advocacy group, who referred to Fitzgerald’s latest […] [AFL-CIO, 03/14/2011]
Over Two Weeks Later, Walker Has Not Released Administration-Koch Lobbyist Communication Emails MADISON, Wis. — Over two weeks after One Wisconsin Now filed an open records request for all email and written communications between Koch Industries’ lead Wisconsin lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker and the Department of Administration, the Walker administration has yet to fulfill the request. One Wisconsin Now said it is considering […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/10/2011]
Apprenticeship Opportunities Limited Under Walker The enforcement of Executive Order #108 was suspended by Governor Walker as of March 2011. This Order was signed by Governor Doyle in 2005 to encourage the employment of apprentices on construction projects for the State of Wisconsin. In this way the state would help create opportunities for younger workers to learn the skills needed […] [2011 Executive Order #18, Suspending Executive Order #108, 03/09/2011]
In Walker’s own words: Why collective bargaining is a fiscal issue How is the possible to split the budget review bill if the governor says repeatedly it’s got a fiscal impact, asks Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now. They sort of slipped by wirthout much notice, but Walker’s office issued a series of four news releases in late February, each one titled, “Why Collective bargaining is […] [Uppity Wisconsin, 03/08/2011]
One Wisconsin Now on Monday’s Mobilization Activities Outside State Capitol MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross issued the following statements regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to close the State Capitol off to the people of Wisconsin and the continued mobilization against his efforts to use the government to take away the rights of working men and women and dismantle the quality […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/27/2011]
Police won’t boot Wisconsin protesters Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, speaks at a rally outside of the Wisconsin State Capital on Day 11 of protests in Madison, Wisconsin, over Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. [Ball State Daily News, 02/27/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on the People’s Victory Over Gov. Walker’s Efforts to Close Capitol MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the failure of Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to close the State Capitol to hundreds of protesters who had intended to sleep in the Capitol for a 13th night in solidarity against the governor’s disastrous budget repair plan. “Gov. Walker had […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/26/2011]
Wisconsin State Budget and Worker Protests Scot Ross talked about the ongoing legislative battle between the governor of Wisconsin and state Democrats on the budget, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. [C-SPAN, 02/25/2011]
As Governor, his signature achievement – ending collective bargaining for public employees – was a result of a bill passed in the middle of the night It took a sneak attack in the early morning hours on Friday for Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly to pass Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial budget bill, the one that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public-sector unions. Assembly Democrats savaged their counterparts for ramming the bill through at just past 1 a.m., screaming “shame!” […] [Mother Jones, 02/25/2011]
Wisconsin State Budget and Worker Protests Scot Ross talked about the ongoing legislative battle between the governor of Wisconsin and state Democrats on the budget, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Part of Governor Scott Walker’s budget includes a proposal that would end almost all collective bargaining rights… [C-SPAN, 02/24/2011]
Budget debate: 2/25 Scot Ross (far right corner), executive director of One Wisconsin Now speaks at a rally outside of the State Capital on day 11 of protests over Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/24/2011]
Walker’s ‘Savings’ Will Cost Taxpayers Millions for the Next 10 Years MADISON, Wis. — In an attempt to push through his unpopular Budget Repair Bill, Gov. Scott Walker has tried to set a Friday deadline for passage by falsely claiming that lack of action will cost taxpayers money: “If we don’t pass that by this weekend, if we fail to be able to achieve those savings, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/24/2011]
Two Nights in Madison’s Capitol: The Great Class War Sleepover If Walker is as dim a bulb as recent events have revealed him to be, the FOIA request filed yesterday by One Wisconsin Now for all communications and meetings between Walker and Koch lobbyists may prove devastating. The Kochs’ answer? “We have no choice but to continue to fight.” [The Awl, 02/24/2011]
Rev. Jesse Jackson Marches With Madison — GRITtv special The fight against Scott Walker’s attack on working people isn’t just in Madison–and it isn’t just about a budget repair bill, say Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now and State Assemblyman Cory Mason. Hundreds of people are protesting and attending town halls in towns across the state, sometimes towns with only a few thousand people […] [Uptake, 02/22/2011]
Battle for Wisconsin One Wisconsin Now’s petition opposing Scott Walker’s unprecedented power grab and move to take rights away from Wisconsinite’s while refusing to negotiate with them. [The Lost Albatross, 02/20/2011]
Senators’ run to Illinois gets cheers from supporters, a blast from Walker “Gov. Walker and the Republican Legislature are trying to ram this (bill) through in less than a week,” said Scot Ross, the executive director of One Wisconsin Now. “The senators have rightfully taken matters into their own hands.” [Capital Times, 02/17/2011]
Book of Matthew: The plight of the Wisconsin state worker Research by One Wisconsin Now, a progressive watchdog group, has shined a lot of light on the reasons why Walker is being so stubborn. As it turns out, he screwed up badly. [The Brandeis Hoot, 02/17/2011]
Walker’s proposed budget cuts to state employees deemed outrageous threat to workers’ rights Using a recently released analysis by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), the organization “One Wisconsin Now” said the Walker plan would add at least $30 million directly to the 2011-13 budget, despite Republican promises to not add to the deficit. [Milwaukee Community Journal, 02/16/2011]
Over 16,000 Sign Petition to Senate, Assembly Opposing Governor’s Takeaway of Workers’ Rights MADISON, Wis. — Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate will be flooded with over 16,000 petitions signed by Wisconsinites united against Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to use the government to take away the rights of workers across Wisconsin. “The people of Wisconsin are united in support of the public employees of Wisconsin,” said […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/16/2011]
What does Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker really want? One Wisconsin Now, the progressive watchdog group that has provided the closest monitoring of Walker’s budgetary gamesmanship, explains: “Since his inauguration in early January, Walker has approved $140 million in new special-interest [Unions, 02/16/2011]
Massive Backlash to Anti-Union Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, joined Ed Schultz to talk about the dramatic growth in the number of people opposing Gov. Scott Walker's anti-union bill. [MSNBC, 02/16/2011]
Governors wise to secure prisons Scot Ross, head of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, said: “No Wisconsin governor has deployed the military against public employees as far back as the 1930s, showing just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/15/2011]
Walker’s Budget Scheme: Undemocratic, Unbalanced, Potentially Unconstitutional Gov. Scott Walker’s scheme to allow the government to take away the rights of Wisconsin workers is part of an unbalanced and potentially unconstitutional proposal that would add at least $30 million to the state’s credit card and allow the Governor’s health agency director to slash health care access and raise costs without the approval of the legislature. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2011]
Walker’s budget roils state politics and government Scot Ross of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now said no governor has used the military against public employees as far back as the 1930’s. He said current events show “just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power.” [RiverTowns.net, 02/14/2011]
More Than 5,000 Immediately Respond to Walker Petition Denouncing Governor’s Undemocratic Governmental Takeaway of Rights Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to use the government to take away the rights of workers across Wisconsin has generated more than 5,000 petition signers in less than one day from all corners of Wisconsin to demand state legislators reject Walker’s undemocratic plan. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/13/2011]
Misconceptions spread over National Guard’s role in Walker budget proposal “No Wisconsin Governor has deployed the military against public employees as far back as the 1930s, showing just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/13/2011]
Joel McNally: Truth-O-Meter crashes during tax cut analysis Shrapnel from the crashing Truth-O-Meter then hit the progressive political organization, One Wisconsin Now. The group added up the cost of three Walker tax giveaways, noting the governor had added $140 million in new special interest spending to the state’s mounting budget deficit. [Capital Times, 02/11/2011]
Public Safety Officials Warned Walker Furloughs Could Compromise Public Safety “Unpaid furloughs ordered to help balance Milwaukee County’s 2010 budget could compromise public safety, according to law enforcement and court officials. The impact of furloughs — or other substitute budget cuts – -could range from slower prosecutions to delayed trials and criminal arrest warrants, the officials said. Restraining orders in domestic violence cases also might […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/18/2010]
Walker Reintroduced Proposal to Privatize Airport “…Walker said privatizing airport operations could enable the county to “actually turn a profit and use the revenue to pay down debt.” He also said the money from an airport privatization could be used to help pay for the county’s bus system without increasing the property tax. …He sought but failed to win County Board […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/13/2010]
Union Leader Says Walker Has Scapegoated County Employees For Years “Richard Abelson, head of the county’s largest union, wasn’t buying ‘this new soft, gentle and fluffy Scott Walker.’ Walker’s layoff remarks mean little and are likely aimed at voters in next year’s governor’s race, said Abelson, executive director of District Council 48 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Walker is the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/29/2009]
Walker Pushed Pension Reductions That Excluded Elected Officials From the Cuts “Nonunion Milwaukee County workers will get reduced pensions, higher health insurance costs and no seniority raises in 2010, under action approved Thursday by the County Board. …County Executive Scott Walker favors the measure. Supervisors, Walker and other elected officials were excluded from the pension trims…The employee benefits concessions apply to just 717 unrepresented employees, but […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/18/2009]
Walker Campaign Website Touted Cutting County Work Force by Over 20% “Over the last eight years, we’ve worked together to maintain funding for essential government programs without increasing the property tax levy from the previous year, cut debt by over 10%, and cut the county work force by over 20%.” [Scott Walker, 11/20/2009]
Walker Said Layoffs Were the Only Option, But Later Rescinded Them “Memo to Milwaukee County employees: Never mind. That was the upshot of a Friday session that ended with a new deal to avert the Thanksgiving layoffs of 180 county workers intended to avoid a 2009 budget shortfall. Notices had already been sent to those targeted for layoffs by County Executive Scott Walker. But Walker told […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/31/2009]
Supervisors Accused Walker of Concealing Deficit-Causing Change in State Medical Care “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s plan to temporarily lay off up to 180 employees as a last-ditch move to balance this year’s budget prompted finger-pointing and shouting Thursday from county supervisors. …Supervisors accused Walker of mismanagement and his department heads of hiding what appears to be one of the major causes of the county’s 2009 […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/30/2009]
County Employees Expected to ‘Bear a Heavy Burden of Budget Balancing Pain’ under Walker Plan “Milwaukee County employees would bear a heavy burden of budget-balancing pain in County Executive Scott Walker’s proposed 2010 budget, with nearly $41 million in pay and benefits cuts and the elimination of nearly 400 jobs. The proposal includes a 3% across-the-board wage cut for all county workers, a new employee pension contribution of 5% of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/24/2009]
Arbitrator Ruled Walker Exceeded Authority In Cutting Employee Hours and Failed to Show County Was in Fiscal Crisis “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker exceeded his authority in attempting to unilaterally cut union employees’ hours as a budget-cutting move, according to an arbitrator’s ruling issued Wednesday.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/02/2009]
Walker Intended to Use Wage Freezes & Shortened Work Weeks to Address County’s Shortfall of $15 Million in 2009 and $90 Million in 2010 “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker on Friday added an employee wage freeze to his growing arsenal of tools aimed at avoiding large budget shortfalls. But as with other ideas he’s broached — most notably a 35-hour work week and accompanying pay cuts — the county executive ran into immediate resistance and accusations he’s playing politics […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/29/2009]
Walker Ordered Weekly Unpaid Furloughs for County Employees “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker on Thursday ordered five-hour weekly unpaid furloughs for most county employees through the rest of 2009 as a way of offsetting a projected $15 million deficit this year…Walker’s shorter workweek order affects at least half the county workforce, including managers. The cut also could be extended to 60% or more […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/14/2009]
Walker Cuts to County Staff Resulted in Skyrocketing Overtime “Milwaukee County’s 2008 overtime spending is on pace to match or beat last year’s record $15.8 million tab, despite extra recruitment and hiring of mental health and corrections workers, an analysis of county spending records shows. The overtime bill for the first 10 months of this year was $14.4 million. Overtime costs for November and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/05/2008]
County Board Overrode Walker’s Veto of Court Staff Funding “The Milwaukee County Court System once again survived the veto pen of County Executive Scott Walker this budget season, holding onto more than two dozen court staff members. On Nov. 19 the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted 16-3 to override a partial veto by Walker, which would have slashed more than $1.3 million in […] [Wisconsin Law Journal, 11/24/2008]
Walker 2009 Budget Proposal Called for Privatizing Services, Laying Off 339 County Workers “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s 2009 budget would potentially lay off 339 employees, mostly through privatizing food service, housekeeping, skilled trade and vehicle maintenance workers, supervisors were told Monday. …County Board Chairman Lee Holloway called Walker’s budget ‘the worst budget that I’ve experienced in 16 years on the board in terms of the cuts and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/07/2008]
In 2008 Walker Reneged on Promise to Give Back $60,000 of Salary “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said Tuesday he’ll scale back the amount of his paycheck he returns to the county, if he’s re-elected to another term April 1. Walker will cut the sum he gives back from $60,000 annually to $10,000. …He joked today that his decision to continue giving back nearly 47% of his […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/19/2008]
After Walker Supported Cutting Shared Revenue, He Blamed Loss of Shared Revenue for Midyear Shortfall Walker announced the unusual midyear layoffs and workweek changes in a ‘Dear County Employee’ e-mail message after what he described as several rushed meetings with stunned department heads scrambling to patch a $7.8 million deficit in the county’s 2003 budget…Walker’s email to employees blamed the current-year deficit on ‘a number of unanticipated occurrences including significant […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/13/2003]
Walker Supported Guest Worker Plan for Undocumented Immigrants “It’s important for the federal government to move ahead with legislation that lets people live the American dream.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/18/2002]
Labor Opposition to Walker Longstanding; Endorsed Opponent in ‘02 County Executive Race The Milwaukee County Labor Council voted Wednesday night to endorse Milwaukee Ald. Thomas Nardelli in the Milwaukee County executive’s race. The council, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, includes about 150 unions with about 60,000 members living in Milwaukee County. The union met with a series of candidates last week but put off an endorsement until Wednesday, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/07/2002]
Walker Attacks State Labor Review Commission The commission appears to be incapable of using common sense in most of these cases. Time and time again their rulings defy logic to the public.” [Associated Press, 03/21/2000]
Walker Voted Against Bill Allowing State Public Defenders Union [1993 AB 587, 06/17/1993]