The rush is on to get local contracts approved ahead of the Governor’s budget repair bill taking effect, including in Racine. A last minute closed session of the city Finance Committee takes up seven unions and proposed collective bargaining agreements covering several hundred workers, including the health department.
Four involve this year & next year’s contracts, while the other three are separate two-year-deals, through 2014, including public works employees.
The second contract, according to the city’s chief negotiator, might not be allowed under the repair bill because it follows the end of another agreement. Also the Racine school district & its teachers union will exchange contract offers, ahead of schedule, because of what the Governor’s bill entails.
Tom Karkow-WRJN