Could they, would they? Incoming legislative leaders react to the governor-elect’s tough talk towards state employee unions. Governor-elect Scott Walker suggested in Milwaukee this week that he’d consider decertifying state employee unions if he can’t get concessions on health care and pension contributions. “I think there’s a growing concern probably nationwide of the divide that’s there . . . between public sector and private sector employees,” said state Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, who will serve as Assembly Majority Leader in the next legislative session. “It’s probably something that will be discussed.”
Walker wants to require unionized state employees to make a 5% contribution to their pensions – which they don’t do now – and to increase their share of health costs to 12%.
Decertification is “not something that I’ve had any serious conversations about,” said state Senator Scott Fitzgerald, will lead Republicans in the Senate next session. “I think what he (Walker) was trying to explain is that everything’s on the table. And as long as that continues to be the case . . . we’re probably moving the direction I thought we were, and that’s reform and some dramatic changes. So I don’t think that’s anything out of the ordinary.”