The Wisconsin State Capitol bulged with thousands of union members, including teachers, Thursday protesting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill that would limit union bargaining rights....
>>>The Wisconsin State Capitol bulged with thousands of union members, including teachers, Thursday protesting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill that would limit union bargaining rights.
Walker says it's a way to tighten the state budget, and he's not singling out any one union group, the New York Times reports. Still, with two days of "sickouts" across the state, teachers are making sure Gov. Walker knows they feel targeted.
Milwaukee schools made the call this morning to close due to teacher absences. Officials of the state's largest district say staff who didn't show up will be "punished," reports the Pierce County Herald. Madison schools aren't in session for the third straight day today, and more closings across the state have cropped up as well.
The governor's plan calls for teachers to pay more for their pensions and health insurance to help eliminate the state's budget deficit.
Politico calls the Wisconsin protests a "a convergence that is remaking the politics of education." Both Democrats and Republicans want reform on teacher pay and employment practices, and what's happening in Wisconsin could be the beginning of a movement.
The above is an excerpt from an article entitled “Teachers Union Protests Gov. Scott Walker’s Bill To Limit Bargaining Rights” on The Huffington Post.
Photo: The Huffington Post, AP
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/teachers-union-wisconsin-scott-walker_n_824888.html
