Walker reshapes inflation-based raises for teachers
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Governor Scott Walker shares a laugh at the old Oconomowoc middle school Wednesday, April 18, 2012 following an announcement about this years WHEDA tax credit financing. The school will be converted to 55 apartments following this years haunted house. Image by Todd Ponath
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Governor Scott Walker has reshaped a rule to lower inflation-based raises for teachers in public schools and technical colleges.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the rule change wouldn't use an individual's actual salary as a "base salary" to calculate raises and would exclude factors such as a teacher's higher degree.
A spokeswoman for the Walker administration says the change was necessary to properly implement the labor legislation signed by the Republican governor last year.
Under that law, unions' bargaining is limited to cost-of-living adjustments, and Walker's change would limit that bargaining more than the original rule proposed by his own appointees.
Madison labor attorney Katy Lounsbury says the rules effectively neuter teachers unions in their bargaining over salaries. She says she believes the rules violate people's rights to associate.
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