Claims of blackmail by the state’s police union. Collective bargaining reforms in Wisconsin, which require most public workers to contribute more to their pensions and health insurance, exempt public safety workers. But, a state budget clause does forbid public safety workers from negotiating health care plan designs. Municipal officials claim they’re using that clause to level the playing field to make up for reductions in state aid. The Wisconsin Professional Police Association says municipalities are blackmailing police and firefighters into paying more into their pensions or face huge increase in their health care deductibles. The association has challenged the clause before the state employment relations commission.
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