Spring 2023 Election
We’re excited to announce AFT-Wisconsin’s endorsement of Judge Janet Protasiewicz for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
Union Members Celebrate Spring Election Victories!
AFT-Wisconsin members are celebrating after labor-endorsed candidates won elections across the state. Most notably, labor-endorsed WI Supreme Court Candidate, Judge Rebecca Dallet, won a ten-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court by double digits, and voters rejected a ballot initiative that could have put funding for public school libraries at risk by eliminating the Office of the State Treasurer.
AFT-Wisconsin Endorses the Campaign to “Vote No" on the Ballot Initiative to Remove the Office of the State Treasurer
Madison, WI – The AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board has endorsed the campaign to “Vote No” on the removal of the Office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer.
“I would encourage you to Vote NO on eliminating the position of State Treasurer,” said Dawn Totzke, a School Library Media Specialist in Chippewa Falls and member of AFT Local 1907. “Save the funding that supports your school libraries. And keep our financial watchdog over our state finances!”
AFT-Wisconsin Endorses Rebecca Dallet for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Madison, WI – The AFT-Wisconsin Committee on Political Education has endorsed Rebecca Dallet for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
“Judge Dallet has spent decades fighting for our rights in Wisconsin,” said AFT-Wisconsin President Kim Kohlhaas. “She has demonstrated that she is above special interests, and will fight to ensure that our rights and values come before the lobbying power of the one percent. She’ll be a real champion for the people of Wisconsin.”
Walker Administration Prioritizes Armed Guards Over Mental Health Services in School Safety Plan
Shortly following a DPI proposal on school safety and a Democrat-introduced school safety bill, Governor Walker has announced a special session to consider $100 million dollars for school safety proposals. However, unlike proposals from the DPI that call for long-term solutions aimed at school safety improvements and mental health support for students, Governor Walker’s plan militarizes the school environment.
UW-Superior Administration Knowingly Ignored Shared Governance Procedures in Program Suspensions and Warnings
Superior, WI – The University of Wisconsin Superior AFT Local #6514 has released emails, gained through an open records request, that give a detailed picture of UWS administration’s actions before and after the surprise suspensions of 24 programs on October 31, 2017. These actions set off a series of contentious forums, student protests, and formal expressions of disapproval by various stakeholders that continue to this day.
UW-System President Ray Cross: Courting Republican Lawmakers is More Important than Students, Faculty, and Staff
Madison, WI – Faculty, students, and staff across the UW System are reacting to the recent news that the largest UW System reorganization in 40 years was an “open secret” at the Capitol. According to a report from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), “Before faculty, staff and students learned about the plan to eliminate the two-year UW Colleges and UW-Extension, UW System President Ray Cross had discussed it with a lawmaker who called for similar action in 2015.” In a clear disregar