Labor & Employment Law

Congressional Black Caucus: Public Employees Deserve a Seat at Table in Wisconsin

By James Parks

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to eliminate bargaining rights for public employees is “blatantly un-American” and “jeopardizes the viability of the people during these tough economic times,”  say Reps. Emanuel Cleaver  (D-Mo.) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.).

In a letter to Walker, Cleaver, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, and Moore, who represents Milwaukee in Congress, say public servants deserve a seat at the table to help solve the state’s fiscal crisis. The letter says:

Your constituents and Americans all across the country have made it clear that unionization is a cherished right worth protecting. Unions have not only empowered this nation, but helped create and maintain the American middle class.

 In a seperate statement, Cleaver says: 

Anytime the rights of public workers are being compromised, it is our duty to stand with them. For 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, color or creed, have the opportunity to fully pursue and achieve the American dream. Taking away public employees’ rights to collectively bargain seems like an assault on the pursuit of that dream.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 07, 2011 (boomark / email).