Walker Moves to Begin Layoffs
The Washington Post reports:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) Friday began the process for laying off 1,500 state employees, escalating the bitter standoff over his legislation to sharply curtail collective bargaining rights for public employees.
Walker sent letters to state employee unions saying that layoff notices would go out to state employees in 15 days. The governor also said that actual layoffs would occur a month from now if legislators do not pass his "budget repair" proposal.
Walker's bill, which experts say would eviscerate the state's public employee unions, has been at a standstill since 14 Senate Democrats left the state two weeks ago to block a vote.
"While these notices start the process needed to [lay off] state employees, if the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided," said a statement from Walker's office.
The proposal would eliminate most collective bargaining for public employees across Wisconsin, while preventing unions from collecting dues with payroll deductions. Walker's bill would also prevent unions from requiring members to pay dues.
"What the governor wants is nothing less than the annihilation of public employee unions in Wisconsin," said Steven Kreisberg, director of collective bargaining and health care policy for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. "He wants to destroy the institution that workers have to speak for them."
Walker's measure would also require state workers to pay more for their health care and pensions - which they have agreed to.
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