Repealing Act 10: Money Machine Would Restart, Putting Teachers Unions Back on Both Sides of Bargaining Table
Repealing Act 10 would bring back more than bargaining. Act 10 ended a system in which school districts pulled union dues straight from teachers’ paychecks, union contracts helped a health insurer WEAC founded cover about two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts, and taxpayers paid 99.2% of state retirement system contributions in 2010. Once districts could shop, Appleton cut $3.1 million from its health insurance bill with the same insurer and the same coverage. WEAC’s revenue fell about 74% in the seven years after paying dues became a choice. Now WEAC, whose PAC gave Gov.-elect David Crowley $86,000, says it is “ready to reclaim our rightful place at the bargaining table.” Crowley has promised to repeal Act 10 in full.
