Muskego-Norway Teachers Oppose Budget Repair Bill

Anna Wendt, chief negotiator and co-chair of the United Lakewood Educators - Muskego union, finds it difficult to even talk about Governor Scott Walker's proposed budget repair bill.

If passed, the bill would change the way unions represent employee interests for teachers, police officers, firefighters, municipal employees and more. The change would primarily affect how benefit levels, including pensions, are negotiatied. Unions would still retain the ability to bargain salaries.

"It is troubling to think that 40 years of bargaining work could be undone with this bill," Wendt said. "This will take away meaningful bargaining with the district, which could negatively impact our ability to attract and retain talented teachers. In the end, that affects kids, and that's where we have a problem."

Wendt went on to say that of course teachers are aware of the state's budget crisis, but taking away unions' ability to negotiate salaries and benefits puts teachers on shaky ground. She also questioned why Walker was rushing to push the bill through.

"We haven't even had a chance to connect with the school board," she said. "We've been trying to educate our teachers about what the bill means for them and urging them to contact their elected officials to voice their opposition."

Calls to Muskego-Norway School District Board President Jim Schaefer and Senator Mary Lazich's office have not been returned.