Madison, WI – The people of Wisconsin will not give up. The fight against Governor Scott Walker's plan to destroy public sector unions, public schools and social services is a daily theme in all parts of this state. Protests are ongoing, some numbering in the thousands. Last Saturday, March 5, tens of thousands march here.

From Appleton to Eau Claire, pickets, town halls and recall petitioning consume people's daily lives. This weekend, Gov. Walker's dinner in Columbus was interrupted by 800 angry citizens. Thousands protested as well In Eau Claire, Grafton, Hudson, La Crosse and Steven's Point.

Rumors buzz through Milwaukee taverns about the 14 Democratic State Senators who are still in Illinois. People speculate whether the bill will pass and what effects it will have on state employee salaries, public schools, low-income mothers and the environment.

One taverngoer, a public school teacher who attended two protests in Madison, had strong opinions. “The truth is that everyone will be affected if Gov. Scott Walker gets his way,” he said. “If Walker wins, the rich win and the many of us will have to pay.”

Students and workers in Milwaukee are busy preparing for the March 12 protest in Madison. The march will likely be the largest seen since two weeks ago, when over 100,000 arrived from all over Wisconsin and chanted “Kill the bill.”

Three buses will be launched from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee alone.

“We're expecting these buses to be full,” commented Milwaukee Students for Democratic Society organizer Rachel Matteson. “Students and workers here are joining together to save our unions and stop the over $250 million in proposed cuts to our UW system.”

A farmers’ caravan will also join the March 5 demonstration at the Capitol. It's called the “Farmer Labor Tractorcade” and is sponsored by the Family Farm Defenders, Wisconsin Farmers Union and Land Stewardship project. Their Facebook event says “Farmers from across the dairyland will bring tractors and solidarity to the Capitol to fight for labor rights and a just state budget.”

The Wisconsin AFL-CIO is planning a massive march in Madison at 3:00pm, March 12.

#WisconsinStateCapitol #MadisonWI #GovernorScottWalker #publicSectorUnions

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