Kildee: Attack on Workers' Rights in Wisconsin is Attack on All Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Wisconsin State Senate Republicans voted to strip public employees of their right to bargain collectively, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), who has repeatedly introduced legislation to allow basic collective bargaining rights for public safety officers, released the following statement:

“Over the course of the last century, workers have fought for justice to gain the right to bargain with their employers. These workers were not asking for much; just the right to fair hours and wages, safe working conditions and a decent living for their families. Collective bargaining allowed workers to gain these rights and come out from under the thumb of employers who often tried to exploit them and deny them fair compensation. The successes of these workers helped build one of the greatest economic achievements in history – the American middle class.

The callous vote of Wisconsin’s state Senate Republicans last evening has imperiled this progress. Without collective bargaining, workers would again be at the mercy of employers and would have little to no ability to influence the decisions that affect their livelihoods. Despite Wisconsin State Senate Republicans’ claims that this is an attempt to balance the budget, the legislation that passed last evening was stripped of all fiscal measures, making their motives painfully obvious. No amount of political maneuvering and devious scheming can cover up the fact that this legislation has nothing to do with the budget, but has everything to do with their ultimate goal of destroying unions. This vicious attack on workers’ rights goes far beyond Wisconsin and is an attack on organized labor across the country. We must stand together in solidarity to beat back these attacks and continue the fight for justice.”

In each Congress since 1995, Congressman Kildee has introduced the Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which would require each state to provide minimum collective bargaining rights to their public safety employees. The legislation encourages states to implement their own regulations in a manner of their own choosing.  Congressman Kildee’s legislation would provide for the first time new rights to firefighters and police officers in several states who do not have the legal right to discuss or negotiate workplace issues.  The bill would empower these public safety employees to negotiate fundamental issues with their employers such as hours, wages and workplace conditions.