• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / News / Push to put collective bargaining in constitution

Push to put collective bargaining in constitution

May 5, 2011 By Jackie Johnson

A state senator wants to protect collective bargaining once and for all.

Righting a wrong, that’s what Democratic Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) says he’s doing by proposing a state constitutional amendment that would guarantee public employees the ability to collectively bargain wages, benefits, hours, and work conditions.

“I think Wisconsin’s gotten sort of a bad reputation going after workers’ rights … so I think this would be good for the long term future of the state of Wisconsin … so it’s not used as a political weapon.”

Governor Scott Walker maintains reducing those negotiation powers would help fix the budget deficit; his plan is currently tied up in the courts.

Carpenter says Wisconsinites should not have to wonder whether their collective bargaining powers would change each time the majority party in state government changes. He says his amendment would trump a governor’s attempts to change or eliminate collective bargaining.

“The constitutional amendment bypasses the governor and it tells all future legislative bodies … a constitutional right is higher than statute or administrative rules.”

Carpenter says a constitutional guarantee would give stability to the political process, the economy, workers and their families. He says stability and certainty is important in order to have a good business climate. Carpenter is seeking co-sponsorship; he’ll formally introduce the bill on Friday, May 13th.

A proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by two consecutive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:34

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Scott Walker



Featured Stories

Packers season comes to an end in NFC Championship

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

Big Ten suspends Wisconsin’s Ahcan

Bucks lose tight battle with Nets

TwitterFacebook

Listen Now | More from Titletown ยป

Sports Headlines

Packers season comes to an end in NFC Championship

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Bucks drop second straight, fall at home to Lakers

Hockey Badgers grab series opener at Penn State

Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson named WCHA 1970’s Player of the Decade

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC