State employees union says no to Doyle

MADISON - There's a looming showdown between the union that represents state employees and Governor Jim Doyle over Doyle's recommendation that the union voluntarily role back an already agreed upon wage increase for its members.

The 2% wage increase is part of a collective bargaining agreement that passed two years ago. Doyle said Thursday he wants the union to re-open the contract and rollback the pay raises.

"I can not take it back from union employees because of the collective bargaining agreements but if union's choose to forego the 2% pay raise, we could avoid layoffs of an estimated 400 people," Doyle said.

Union representatives said that's a concession they are not willing to make. They also claim it would only make a small dent in the growing state deficit.

Marty Beil, executive director of Union Council 24, said the union is unwilling to re-negotiate the current contract.

"We remain committed to protecting state workers and their families in these incredibly trying times," Beil said in a statement released Thursday.

Doyle warned that not doing so could lead to more layoffs. He has already proposed hundreds of job cuts and furloughs for state employees.

"Union officials have been informed of their choices .... To me, the choice is clear," Doyle said.

FOX 11 spoke with a number of state employees who did not want to go on camera, but off camera they said they are worried about their job security. Many are quick to point out; however, that the proposal won't just affect them, it will also impact those who use state services.

Roberta Gassman, Wisconsin's Workforce Development Secretary, said her employees are understanding of the state's fiscal hardships.

"They see that our unemployment rate is high and they understand that Governor Doyle is trying to act responsibly," Gassman said.

State employees will be asked to take the maximum days off without pay allowed by the contract. That equals eight days per year, which results in about a 3 percent pay cut.