Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB908

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/24
• Refer: 1/4/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Bargaining over wages, hours, and conditions of employment for public employees. (FE)

Impact

This bill is poised to reshape labor relations within the public sector by facilitating broader negotiations between public employees and their employers. By removing previous constraints, AB908 aims to empower employees in bargaining for better wages and working conditions. Additionally, by allowing municipalities and labor organizations to agree on dispute settlement procedures, including binding interest arbitration, the legislation aims to streamline conflict resolution in labor negotiations. This could lead to a more harmonious labor environment but also raises concerns about how effectively arbitrators will implement fair and prompt decisions.

Summary

Assembly Bill 908 makes significant changes to collective bargaining laws affecting state and municipal employees in Wisconsin. Primarily, it eliminates the restrictions on collective bargaining for wage increases, enabling public employees to negotiate any increase in wages rather than being limited to a percentage tied to the consumer price index. Furthermore, the bill extends the scope of collective bargaining to encompass hours and conditions of employment for most state and general municipal employees, which was previously limited mainly to public safety and transit employees.

Contention

The proposed changes have sparked debates among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Proponents of the bill argue that lifting the existing restrictions empowers public employees and supports fair compensation mechanisms. However, there is substantial opposition, with critics warning that the alterations may lead to higher costs for municipalities and a potential escalation in conflicts if arbitration processes become contentious. Concerns regarding the potential disruption to budgetary constraints and the sustainability of public sector employment costs are central points of contention among those opposing AB908.