Walker: Layoffs Will Begin Next Month in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker began his latest attack on public workers today by announcing that he would be sending out layoff notices to state employees. The layoffs, according to Walker, are due to the legislature refusing to pass his budget "repair" bill that would strip public employees' collective bargaining rights.

As the Washington Post reports:

Walker sent letters to state employee unions saying that layoff notices would go out to state employees in 15 days. The governor also said that actual layoffs would occur a month from now if legislators do not pass his "budget repair" proposal.

Walker's bill, which experts say would eviscerate the state's public employee unions, has been at a standstill since 14 Senate Democrats left the state two weeks ago to block a vote.

"While these notices start the process needed to [lay off] state employees, if the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided," said a statement from Walker's office.

The proposal would eliminate most collective bargaining for public employees across Wisconsin, while preventing unions from collecting dues with payroll deductions. Walker's bill would also prevent unions from requiring members to pay dues.