Union supporters rally outside Capitol, protest Right-to-Work legislation

MADISON (WITI) — Pro-union advocates rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 24th -- hoping to change lawmakers' minds about passing right-to-work legislation.

The sights and sounds were reminiscent of the Act 10 protests seen in 2011. But like most sequels, this rally didn't quite measure up to that display nearly four years ago. Instead of a crowd of 100,000, a few hundred people gathered on the Capitol steps.

The group may have been smaller in numbers, but there was no lack of passion among those arguing against right-to work legislation.

"I was effected by Act 10 four years ago and I think that the situation now has, it's come to a head," said Lance Decker, protester.



If you're wondering how right-to-work legislation might impact Wisconsin, you will get very different answers depending on who you ask.

"In other states, what we've seen is it decreases workers' wages by about $5,000 on average," said Christopher Daly, protester.

"When you factor in cost of living, workers in right-to-work states are making more, right-to-work states are seeing lower unemployment," said a supporter of the legislation.

While opponents and proponents have differing data sets, the debate might not even make a difference. Legislative leaders have said they have the votes to pass right-to-work and Gov. Scott Walker has said he will sign it when it lands on his desk. But for some, that doesn't mean it's not worth fighting.

"No, it's not a losing battle. Their constituents are going to feel this too and they don`t realize that this is going to hurt them in the long run. They're going to lose a lot of support," said Daly.

Tuesday's rally lasted about an hour on the Capitol steps before moving inside to the Capitol rotunda.

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