Two unions for prison guards, teachers fail certification elections

[a kennedy]

Two unions representing prison guards and state teachers failed to muster enough member votes to continue negotiating over wages, according to election results released Thursday.

Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining restrictions prohibit public employee unions from negotiating with managers over anything beyond base wage increases based on inflation. The restrictions also require the unions to hold annual certification elections to see whether members want the organizations to continue to represent them in those limited negotiations.

A Madison judge ruled in 2012 the provisions were unconstitutional as they apply to local public unions, such as school district and municipal workers. The state Supreme Court is reviewing that finding.

The 2012 ruling had no effect on state employee unions, however. Five of those unions held elections beginning on Nov. 1. They wrapped up at noon on Thursday.

Under Walker's restrictions, 51 percent of a union's eligible voters must approve of the organization continuing to negotiate on their behalf. The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission released data Thursday afternoon showing three unions representing assistant district attorneys, tradesmen, such as electricians, carpenters and bricklayers, and state attorneys made the cutoff.

But only about 15 percent of 5,412 Wisconsin Association For Correctional Law Enforcement members that WERC deemed eligible to vote wanted to retain the union as their wage negotiator, according to the data.

Only 49 percent of the 664 voting members in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 24 chapter that represents teachers who work in state institutions such as prisons voted "yes."

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/two-unions-for-prison-guards-teachers-fail-certification-elections/article_1fe7dcb8-52f9-11e3-b40f-0019bb2963f4.html

This isn't good is it?? I really thought the unions would be back strong. D*mn.

[Scuba]

1. Wow, this is going to be a feather in Walker's cap. I'm surprised ...

both Corrections and AFSCME failed to recertify. Of course with Walker's experience in rigging elections ....

[riversedge]

2. Guards are down--

they have been beaten. It is almost like they have given up. I know many of them and it is depressing to see this happen. Prisons now have a culture of every man or women for themselves--lots of infighting going on. Trying to get on the good side of supervisors --stuff like that.

[Scuba]

3. Yes, no doubt. I'm sure Walker will be there for the guards though, with a plan ....

... to privatize our prisons.

[madrchsod]

4. that fuck`n sucks....

really...that fuck`n sucks.

[HelenWheels]

5. Don't feel real sorry for prison officers

The great majority of them voted Republican one of the reasons being guns. They should now look to their wages going down so they may not be able to afford any more guns. Karma sure bites.