Wis. Democrats stymie vote on anti-union bill

An estimated 25,000 teachers and others flooded the Wisconsin Capitol on Thursday as Democratic lawmakers left the state to stymie a vote on the governor's proposal to reduce collective bargaining rights and benefits for public workers.

Labor leaders accused Republican Gov. Scott Walker of using a budget shortfall to bust unions representing teachers and other public workers.

As Republicans tried to begin Senate business, observers screamed, "Freedom! Democracy! Unions!"

Many schools across the state were closed because teachers had called in sick. Walker said he was prepared to call in the National Guard.

With GOP legislative majorities making approval likely, the 14 Democrats in the state Senate blocked a vote by disappearing. Republicans, who support the bill, have a 19-14 majority, but at least one Democratic senator is needed to hold a vote.

"This really isn't about the money, and it isn't about a budget fix," said Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, who was in Madison to lend support from the national teachers union.

"All of the public employees unions have offered concessions," Van Roekel said. "This is politically motivated. He's just attacking workers' rights. ... They want to silence the public employees."

Walker, who took office last month, urged Democrats to return.

"Their actions, by leaving the state and hiding from voting, are disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of public employees who showed up to work today and the millions of taxpayers they represent," Walker said.

Democrats didn't say where they went, but the Associated Press reported that Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach said by phone that the group had left the state.

If passed, Walker's plan would bring a dramatic turnabout in labor issues in Wisconsin, which has allowed collective bargaining by public employees since 1959.

His proposal would raise state employees' share of pension and health costs by an average 8% and block unions from negotiating pay increases above the inflation rate unless voters approved. Unions would have to hold annual elections to remain organized and could no longer compel employees to pay dues. In exchange, workers would be promised no furloughs or layoffs.

Republican leaders said the moves would save $300 million over the next two years.

"I think the taxpayers will support this idea," said Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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