Schakowsky’s Statement on WI Senate Vote to End Collective Bargaining, Bust Unions

WASHINGTON, DC (March 10, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to Republican moves in Wisconsin and to strip workers of their rights.

"The possibly criminal abuse of power by Wisconsin's Republican Governor and his colleagues in the state Senate last night proves their willingness to destroy the middle class and silence working families. But his efforts will fail.

"With a swift procedural maneuver, Governor Walker made one thing perfectly clear last night: his party's goal has absolutely nothing to do with the Wisconsin budget and everything to do with union busting. If Governor Walker truly cared about the budget, he wouldn't have added millions to Wisconsin's deficit with tax breaks for the wealthy — just a few short months after he was elected.

"What is happening in Wisconsin makes absolutely clear that this battle is really about Republicans' insatiable quest to deny working Americans the right to negotiate through collective bargaining. Republicans want to deny basic negotiating rights to thousands of state workers, including teachers, nurses, and all the state employees who work every day to protect the health, safety and well-being of Wisconsin's residents.

"The Republicans' incredible overreach is not limited to Wisconsin; it is playing itself out in state houses all across the county and also in Washington. I, for one, will continue to push back, and to fight for workers' rights alongside legions of Americans who have mobilized against the Republican assault on the middle class and working families. The Republican assault is undemocratic, it is un-American and together we will reject their efforts....