Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation ratifying four state
employee labor contracts for three different state bargaining units this
morning in a ceremony at the Department of Corrections, successfully
completing the Administration’s work to come to agreement with all
represented state employees.
Three of the contracts signed by the Governor were for the current
2005–2007 contract period. For one bargaining unit, the Governor also
signed a contract covering the prior 2003-2005 contract period.
The contracts cover more than 8,100 state employees, represented by
the three bargaining units. Now all 38,100 represented state employees
are covered by contracts for the current contract period which runs
until June 30, 2007.
“I am really proud of all we have achieved in state government over
the past three years, and none of it would have been possible without
the hard work, dedication, and expertise of state employees,” Governor
Doyle said. “I appreciate the sacrifices they made to help get our
fiscal house back in order, and now that the state’s financial situation
has improved, we are in a much better position to give our employees the
raises they have more than earned.”
The Governor added, “These are fair contracts that were settled
within the limits of the budget, without any artificially imposed limits
like the so-called TABOR proposal. Proposals like TABOR would be a
disaster not just for public employees, but anyone who cares about
efficient government service – from trash collection to the University
of Wisconsin. These contracts demonstrate that we can invest in our
workers while living within our means.”
The contracts signed into law by Governor Doyle today are listed
below.
