Madison, WI – Feb. 17 12:00 noon: Thousands of people are filing into the Capitol Building to protest Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill. The unions and community groups that called for demonstrations have been overwhelmed with the turnout of the people. As of noon today, the Capitol is full on all floors and more just keep coming.

More than 2000 University of Wisconsin staff and students took to State Street and marched to the Capitol. Firefighters holding signs saying they support collective bargaining hit Gov. Walker back as he tries to divide the union movement. His bill excludes fire, police and state troopers from the direct attack. Firefighters have said, “If the state and local workers go first, we are next.”

Over 30 school districts throughout the state have closed for the day with more reporting they will close tomorrow. Teachers and support staff are calling in sick in record numbers throughout the state. Administrators are closing schools because students are walking out. All are going to descend on Madison to stop Scott Walker.

The consequences of Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill are severe – it would be illegal for any state, municipal, local government entity affected to negotiate with any party over any matter except base wages only. The base wage would be capped at the Consumer Price Index. No steps, longevity or other raises could be negotiated.

Unions would have to be re-certified each year, killing the union recognition clause. Unions could not have dues check-off (a provision that allows unions to collect dues from members) anymore, leaving workers’ organizations powerless to fight the onslaught. There would be no bargaining over work rules, vacation or sick days and seniority would be rendered dead. Every contract would be done away with once it expires. There would be no grievance procedure. Workers would be left with just the civil service process, which is one-sided and toothless for workers. With all of this at stake, people are asking themselves what they will do to stop this.

Scott Walker is attempting to erase more than 60 years of union struggle and progress. If the people of Wisconsin have anything to do with it, Walker is going to lose. The state AFL-CIO, along with AFSCME and WEAC (Wisconsin Teachers) are calling on all members and supporters to come and sit in at the Capitol.

The Wisconsin bill put BadgerCare, a form state-based medical care, in jeopardy. The bill would threaten funding from the federal government and give the administrative branch power to set all rules, without any legislative oversight.

Workers and community members are mobilizing throughout the state. Just to name a few of the cities on the move: Last night 600 people rallied in River Falls. Green Bay saw a picket and protest of 1200 people. In Fon du Lac, 500 came out. Rice Lake had a rally of 400.

Before the Senate Joint Finance Committee voted last night, a right-wing politician, Glenn Grothman, pissed people off by saying the protesters were being melodramatic. A few students charged the hearing room shouting in hopes of disrupting this power grab.

As of 1:00 pm the Senate democrats have walked out, leaving no quorum to vote on the bill.

#WisconsinStateCapitol #MadisonWI #PoorPeoplesMovements #StudentMovement #GovernorScottWalker