MADISON, Wisconsin |
MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issued layoff warning notices on Friday to unions representing state workers as a battle intensified between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over union bargaining rights that has sparked protests and a national debate.
"If the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided," Walker said in a statement. "This action is necessary due to the delay in passage of the budget repair bill."
The warning notices were sent to at least 13 unions including AFSCME, Association of State Prosecutors and Wisconsin Education Association Council. The notes do not represent actual layoffs, but took the war of words between the newly elected governor and state Democrats to a new level.
The number of potential layoffs was not specified, but Walker said this week about 1,500 workers would be affected.
Walker, a Republican who this week projected a budget deficit for Wisconsin of $3.6 billion for the coming two years, has proposed a budget "fix" for the current year ending in June that would eliminate most of the collective bargaining rights for most of the state's 300,000 public employees.
That measure drew more than 70,000 protesters to the capital a week ago the biggest local march since the Vietnam War. It has also become the epicenter of a national debate on union rights.
Walker's bill remains stalled in the Wisconsin Senate where all 14 Democrats fled to neighboring Illinois two weeks ago to deny the measure the quorum it needs to pass in the chamber.
Dave Hansen, one of the 14, issued a statement on Friday saying that while he had believed the two sides were making progress earlier in the week, "it has become increasingly apparent that Governor Walker is not interested in compromise, but instead appears intent on prolonging the impasse."
Behind-the-scenes negotiations have failed to produce a compromise. Just one Democrat is needed for a quorum.
Walker told reporters late on Thursday that "extremist elements" among 14 absent Democrats had blocked progress.
"Just when we think the process is moving forward, we see no action," Walker said. "We're frustrated."
Walker said some of the absent Democrats, who have been threatened with $100-a-day fines and the prospect of being arrested and taken to the Senate if they return to Wisconsin, appear willing to stay away "not only for several more months, but potentially the next two years."
With no action expected on the bill, Walker said he will be forced to send out layoff notices to 1,500 state employees, saving some $30 million.
"The reality is, we shouldn't have to be going down the path of preparing for layoffs." Walker said.
POTENTIAL BACKLASH?
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