Republican state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would limit union membership on a state council that advises the Legislature and state administrators on workers compensation laws.
Wisconsin’s council on workers compensation was created 50 years ago. It’s split evenly between representatives of employers and employees. In practice, those employee representatives are often members of unions.
A bill co-sponsored by Rep. John Spiros, R-Marshfield, would limit the number of union members on the council to reflect the proportion of union workers in Wisconsin.
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During a hearing on the bill, Spiros said labor should have less of a say on the council because union membership in Wisconsin is shrinking.
“Why aren’t we represented truly the way the state is today,” Spiros said. “Is the system falling into the toilet? No. Is the system outstanding? I say it’s not, and I say it can be better.”
Critics of the bill say the council is functioning well and shouldn’t be changed.
“One of the unintended consequences of this bill could be changing the balance of this system and, in doing so, basically destroy this system that’s served this state and its workers so well,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin AFL–CIO.
The bill has yet to receive a vote in committee.
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