"Extraordinary session:" Stage set for showdown over Right-to-Work legislation

MADISON (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Legislature is set to go into an "extraordinary session" to deal with so-called "Right-to-Work" legislation. This, as union leaders prepare for a big demonstration. It was a quiet day at the State Capitol on Monday, February 23rd but all that could change as soon as Tuesday.

Labor leaders from across the state are planning rallies at the Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday -- as the Senate holds hearings on the controversial Right-to-Work bill. A piece of paper, a public notice, posted outside the Senate chamber is the first step in the process -- proclaiming the Legislature has called itself into an "extraordinary session" to deal with Right-to-Work. The bill would ban contracts between businesses and union in which workers are required to pay union dues.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the state's Chamber of Commerce, has been pushing for Wisconsin to join 24 other states in passing the measure.

"When we look at states that have enacted Right-to-Work, they have higher job growth, higher wage growth, and a much better ability to compete for economic development and job creation projects. Definitely, businesses have more flexibility that comes along with Right-to-Work.  More than anything, it's a perception that a state looking to pass Right-to-Work is a state looking to be competitive, is a state that's inviting to businesses and wants to attract businesses to their state," said Scott Manley of WMC.



Wisconsin's measure would go the extra step of making it a crime, punishable by nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Union leaders denounced the legislation in Madison on Monday. Workers from both the public and private sector came together for a press conference -- saying Right-to-Work is wrong for Wisconsin.

"Right-to-Work is an attack on all Wisconsin Families," said Phil Nuenfeldt, AFL-CIO President.

"This is a case of big government stepping in," said Mark Maierle, Operating Engineers Local 420.

"My question to the Legislature is, what problem are they intending on solving? I think we've got a lot of people who are very passionate about this and (Tuesday's) going to be a big day," asked Kim Kohlhass, AFT Wisconsin President.

"There is no reason to have Right-to-Work," said Sally Feistel of USWA.

"Right-to-Work continues to tear apart the fabric of Wisconsin," said Marty Beil, AFSCME.

"Act 10 was wrong for public sector workers and Right-to-Work is wrong for all workers," said Betsy Kippers, Wisconsin Education Association Council.

Advocates for Right-to-Work say it's a policy that gives the workforce more freedom and makes businesses more competitive -- especially in the manufacturing-heavy Midwest, where both Michigan and Indiana have recently passed Right-to-Work laws.

"Those investments are flowing to Right-to-Work states.  We need to reverse that so those investments can come here," said Manley.

But there is an undeniable political agenda at play.

"It will destroy the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. That's what they want -- the goal of running the state of Wisconsin," said Jim Koeberl, UAW.

Lawmakers will take up Right-to-Work legislation beginning Tuesday. Union leaders are planning rallies both Tuesday and Wednesday at the Capitol.

Governor Scott Walker was not in Madison on Monday -- and will not be for most of the week. He has said that he supports Right-to-Work legislation -- and will sign it if it hits his desk.

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