Wisconsin-Report

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• Center For Media And Democracy’s Brendan Fischer: Wisconsin’s “So-Called Right To Work Proposal” Was
“Word-For-Word From The… Koch-ALEC Playbook And ALEC Has Been Fighting To Lower Worker’s Wages
For Decades.” According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The so-called right to work proposal moving ahead rapidly
in the state Legislature shares some some [sic] key passages with a measure drafted by the American Legislative Exchange
Council. The similarities were first pointed out by the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal Madison group that has
long tracked the activities of ALEC. […] ‘This is not a new or bold or fresh idea. This is word-for-word from the
(conservative donor Charles and David) Koch-ALEC playbook and ALEC has been fighting to lower worker’s wages for
decades,’ said Brendan Fischer, general counsel for the Madison center.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/21/15]
MacIver Institute
Two Weeks Before Walker First Raised The Issue Of Collective Bargaining Rights, The MacIver Institute
Published An Editorial Urging Walker To Make Wisconsin A “Right To Work” State. According to the Center for
Media and Democracy, “On November 24, 2010, just weeks after Walker was elected governor, the MacIver Institute
published an editorial by Brian Fraley calling for the newly-elected governor and legislature to repeal public sector collective
bargaining and make Wisconsin a ‘Right to Work’ state. Walker never mentioned attacking collective bargaining rights during
the campaign. The editorial was published two weeks before Walker first raised the subject publicly at a Milwaukee Press Club
luncheon.” [Center for Media and Democracy, 2012]
When Gov. Scott Walker Signed Right-To-Work Legislation, It Took Away Power From “Big Labor Special
Interests” And “Gave Back Workers Their Own Voice -- And More Freedom.” According to the MacIver Institute,
“Power was taken away from Big Labor special interests in March and handed back to the dedicated workers of Wisconsin.
When Gov. Scott Walker signed right-to-work legislation, it gave back workers their own voice -- and more freedom.”
[MacIver Institute, 8/17/15]
… Pushing Their National Agenda Without Regard For Wisconsin
Economic Policy Institute: “The Strong Performance Of Wisconsin’s Manufacturing Industry Indicates That The
State’s Manufacturers Do Not Need RTW.” According to the Economic Policy Institute, “The strong performance of
Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry indicates that the state’s manufacturers do not need RTW.” [Economic Policy Institute,
1/23/15]
Economic Policy Institute: “According To Multiple Quality-Of-Life Measures, Wisconsin Significantly Outperforms
The States With RTW Laws.” According to the Economic Policy Institute, “According to multiple quality-of-life measures,
Wisconsin significantly outperforms the states with RTW laws. Thus, it appears RTW states should be trying to become more
like Wisconsin, instead of Wisconsin becoming more like RTW states.” [Economic Policy Institute, 1/23/15]
Economic Policy Institute Reported In February 2011 That “Wages In Right-To-Work States” Were “3.2% Lower
Than Those In Non-RTW States.” According to the Economic Policy Institute, “Wages in right-to-work states are 3.2%
lower than those in non-RTW states, after controlling for a full complement of individual demographic and socioeconomic
variables as well as state macroeconomic indicators. Using the average wage in non-RTW states as the base ($22.11), the
average full-time, full-year worker in an RTW state makes about $1,500 less annually than a similar worker in a non-RTW
state.” [Economic Policy Institute, 2/17/11]
Center For American Progress American Worker Project Associate Director Karla Walter: “The Rate Of Worker
Fatalities In Construction Is 34% Higher In Right-To-Work States Than In Non-Right-To-Work States.” According
to an opinion by Center for American Progress Action Fund’s American Worker Project associate director Karla Walter for
the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Even workplace safety is affected, research shows. The rate of worker fatalities in
construction is 34% higher in right-to-work states than in non-right-to-work states. In sum, workers, their families and states’
economies fare worse in right-to-work states. For all these reasons, it is not surprising that a majority of Americans support
labor unions, according to a new Gallup poll.” [Karla Walter – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/20/15]