Labor & Employment Law

Wis. Teachers Ready to Help?But Not Forfeit Rights

By Donna Jablonski

Wisconsin’s public employees have agreed to Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) demands for pension and health care concessions–but they won’t give up their right to bargain collectively, says Mary Bell, Wisconsin Education Association Council president.

We have been clear–and I will restate this again today–money issues are off the table. Public employees have agreed to Governor Walker?s pension and health care concessions, which he says will solve the budget challenge.

But Governor Walker?s bill goes too far and he has chosen polarizing rhetoric. He refuses to come to the table to discuss the issue our members care most deeply about: protecting their rights, as they are a voice for Wisconsin?s students and their schools.

Teachers are committed to serving students and their communities, Bell says, urging those who would normally work tomorrow to return to duty. But, “A fire has started–and we need to remain active in these efforts to have the voices of the people heard throughout Wisconsin. We will not be silenced and though we move to the corners of our state, our intensity grows.”

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 20, 2011 (boomark / email).