MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – A right-to-work bill — one of the most contentious in the new state legislative session — could be on Governor Scott Walker’s desk within a week.
Friday morning, G-O-P Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he has the 17 votes he needs to pass the measure. He told WTAQ’s Jerry Bader he’ll introduce the bill later Friday — and it will be up for a vote next Wednesday or Thursday.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Journal Sentinel his house would also call an extraordinary session for next week to act on right-to-work.
Unions and Democrats have condemned the concept, in which private sector employees would no longer be required to join unions or pay union dues as conditions of employment.
Two dozen states have right-to-work in some form. Supporters say it gives workers the right to decide whether they want to be tied to their workplace labor organizations — and such laws help attract new businesses.
Opponents say it weakens unions. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca says it can cut wages by up to $6,000 a year.
Fitzgerald said he expects the Republican Walker to sign the bill.
In a statement, the governor’s office said, “Governor Walker continues to focus on budget priorities to grow our economy and to streamline state government. With that said Governor Walker co-sponsored right-to-work legislation as a lawmaker and supports the policy. If this bill makes it to his desk, Governor Walker will sign it into law.”
Fitzgerald said he’s not sure if the debate would result in large scale protests like those in 2011, when Republicans took away most bargaining privileges for most state and local public employee unions.
(Additional reporting from Wheeler News Service)
