Vietnam War Protester Size Crowds Converge in Wisconsin to Oppose Anti-Union Law

A proposed law that sparked fierce opposition drew the largest demonstrations in Madison, Wisconsin on Sat., Mar.12,2011 since the Vietnam War protests. The demonstrations capped weeks of protests before the anti-union law was passed by the Republican-dominated assembly by a vote of 53-42 on Thur. The law will limit government union bargaining rights to wages only, and impose a series of other restrictions on unions. Many feel this is definitely a "stab in the back" for the labor unions.

The vote came after a 3 week standoff that involved all of the 14 Wisconsin Democratic Senators leaving the state in order to deny the Republicans, who have 19 State Members, the quorum of 20 needed on a budget vote. Those efforts proved to be fruitless on Wed. when the Republicans stripped out the sections that involved financial matters and voted anyway. The proceedings were called "kangaroo legislature" by the Democratic representatives.

Critics of the proposed law accused the Republicans of flouting the law by using a legislative maneuver to ram the draft through the State Senate on short notice and without debate, thus the so-called "union busting" bill passed.

The Senate bill severely restricts collective bargaining for tens of thousands of the states public worker unions and increases their health care and pension contributions. It would also require union workers to take a vote of members each year to continue to represent workers.

The stakes are high for labor unions because more than a third of the U.S. Public employees such as teachers, police and civil service workers belong to unions. In Wisconsin itself, my neighboring state, 46 percent of government workers are union members. Unions are also the biggest single source of funding for the Democratic party.

The newly elected Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker drew national attention to the little state of Wisconsin with his firm stance on this bill. He said the state had no choice but to pass the bill because of the current state of economy. He said the action will save jobs, protect taxpayers, reform government and help balance the budget.

What began as a Republican effort to balance the budget in Wisconsin, has turned into a national confrontation with union members from all over the nation coming to Wisconsin in support of unions, nationwide. This is the largest type of union demonstration since Ronald Regan fired striking air traffic controllers, almost 30 years ago.

The battle in Wisconsin has ignited a national struggle over efforts by several budget-strapped state governments who reign in union power. The biggest fear in all of this for the unions is that the trend will continue in a number of other states.

Democrats and their union backers say Republicans are ramming through, union busting proposals. No doubt this will be a "hot" topic in the upcoming elections.

Sources:www.reuters.com/2011/03/13/upto100,000protestwisconsinlawcurbingunions
www.reuters.com/2011/03/10/wisconsinpassesant-unionlawinlaborrebuke