To control rising employee benefits costs and reduce the state’s budget deficit, Republican Governor-elect Scott Walker is considering abolishing state employee unions. Walker is considering many options that would at the very least weaken unions, including “anything from the decertify all the way through modifications of the current laws in place.” Walker said the state’s red ink and his pledge to focus on economic recovery require cuts in workers’ health and pension benefits. “We can no longer live in a society where the public employees are the haves and taxpayers who foot the bills are the have-nots.” The Governor-elect’s first priority will be to raise the percentage of health care benefits paid by union member to 12% from 4% to 6%, and require employees to make a 5% contribution to their pensions.
