Bill stripping union rights clears first hurdle in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s State Assembly passed a measure early Friday to take away collective bargaining rights from most public-sector employees, legislation that has prompted massive protests in the state capitol and tied in to a broader political debate in Washington.

The Associated Press reported that Republicans in the chamber abruptly passed the measure after 1 a.m. “before sleep-deprived Democrats realized what was happening.”

{mosads}GOP Gov. Scott Walker says the plan, which strips collective bargaining rights and forces union employees to pay more for health and pension benefits, is necessary to address the state’s financial woes, including a $137 million deficit. But Democrats in Wisconsin and Washington, including President Obama, have called it an “assault” on unions.

The measure was expected to pass the Assembly, where Republicans have a strong majority. It is now headed to the state Senate for consideration, though Democrats in that chamber fled across the state line in protest. The legislation cannot be considered without a quorum.

On Friday morning, state Sen. Fred Risser (D-Wis.) said that the absent Democrats had no plans to return to the state on Friday, according to The Wisconsin State Journal.

According to AP, debate had dragged on for 60 hours. More than a dozen Democrats were still waiting to speak on the legislation when the vote began around 1 a.m. But the Speaker pro tem opened and closed the vote quickly, allowing only 13 of the chamber’s 38 Democrats to vote.

Republicans immediately walked out of the chamber, while Democrats shouted, “Shame!” and “Cowards!”

— This story was updated at 9:45 a.m.