Dear Governor Walker, State Legislators and Citizens of Wisconsin,
As scholars, teachers and citizens, we recognize that the right to form unions and bargain collectively has been essential to the establishment and enrichment of democracy in Wisconsin, in the United States and around the world. The International Labor Organization, which the United States joined in 1934, states that “the right of workers and employers to form and join organizations of their own choosing is an integral part of a free and open society” and includes collective bargaining rights among the four “fundamental principles and rights at work.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the United States endorsed in 1948, states that all workers have the “right to form and to join trade unions for the protection” of their interests.
Since 1935, it has been federal policy in the United States to “encourage collective bargaining” as a tool for avoiding labor conflict and improving wages and working conditions in private industry. The state of Wisconsin led the
way in extending those principles to the public sector, adopting a 1959 law stating that public employees, elected officials and the public itself all have an interest in “industrial peace, regular and adequate income for the employee, and uninterrupted production of goods and services.” Toward that end, the law affirmed that “an employee has the right, if the employee desires, to associate with others in organizing and bargaining collectively through representatives of the employee’s own choosing, without intimidation or coercion from any source.”
We are concerned, therefore, about the governor’s proposal to deprive public employees of the right to bargain collectively in Wisconsin. Collective bargaining has been critical to providing decent standards of living to millions of Americans, playing a central role in the creation of this nation’s large middle class. Unions have also been crucial vehicles for democracy, giving workers a voice in their places of employment and in society as a whole. Curtailing workers’ ability to form unions and to bargain collectively can only diminish the economic and political benefits that the practice has brought to our state.
As UW faculty, we are particularly concerned about the impact that this proposal would have on staff and graduate assistants, upon whom we rely for crucial support as we conduct our research and teach our courses. Staff is the organizational infrastructure of the university. They create communication structures, advise students, schedule classes and rooms, orchestrate information and computing technology, manage budgets and finances and myriad other essential tasks – at wages already lower than they would receive in the private sector.
Graduate assistants teach 85% of the discussion sections and 17% of the lectures at UW Madison, while staffing 46% of the research labs. Their wages and benefits are already very low, and any additional cuts will have detrimental effects on their efficiency and morale, as well as their health and well-being. Such cuts will also make it very difficult for us to recruit the high-quality staff and graduate students that have helped make UW Madison a leading research university in the United States and internationally. From there it is a short step to losing out in the competition for federal research dollars, through which UW currently injects nearly $1 billion into the state’s economy each year.
We recognize that the state faces a severe budget shortfall. We have already taken wage and benefits cuts to help address that problem and expect to make more sacrifices in the future. But eliminating collective bargaining will not address this shortfall. We urge you not to allow this crisis to undermine our state’s strong traditions of democracy and human rights.
Signed by the University Committee, the executive committee of the Faculty Senate, and 332 members of the UW faculty.
2. Anne Enke, Gender and Women’s Studies and History3. Nan Enstad, History4. Christina Ewig, Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science5. Camille Guerin-Gonzales, History and Chicano and Latino Studies6. Susan L. Johnson, History7. William P. Jones, History8. Stephen Kantrowitz, History9. Tony Michels, History and Jewish Studies10. Brenda Gayle Plummer, History and Afro American Studies11. Mary Louise Roberts, History12. Suzanne Desan, History13. Christina Greene, Afro American Studies14. Gay Seidman, Sociology15. Susan Zaeske, Communication Arts16. Sara McKinnon, Communication Arts17. Karma Chavez, Communication Arts18. Robert Glenn Howard, Communication Arts19. Kelly Conway, Communication Arts20. Catalina Toma, Communication Arts21. Zhongdang Pan, Communication Arts22. Jenell Johnson, Communication Arts23. Lewis A. Friedland, Journalism and Mass Communication24. Myra Marx Ferree, Sociology25. Pam Herd, Sociology26. Sandra Adell, Afro American Studies27. Pamela Oliver, Sociology28. Katherine Curtin, Community and Environmental Sociology29. Julie D’Acci, Gender and Women’s Studies30. Eunjung Kim, Gender and Women’s Studies31. Pernille Ipsen, Gender and Women’s Studies32. Keisha Lindsay, Gender and Women’s Studies33. Jess Gilbert, Community and Environmental Sociology34. Rudy Koshar, History, German and Religious Studies35. Mike Bell, Community and Environmental Sociology36. Mariana Pacheco, Curriculum and Instruction37. Laird Boswell, History38. Sandy Maga?a, Chicano & Latino Studies and Social Work39. Russ Castronovo, English40. Jane Collins, Community & Environmental Sociology41. William Cronon42. Ben Marquez, Chicano and Latino Studies and Political Science43. Eric Raimy, English44. Aida Hussen, English45. Alan Sidelle, Philosophy46. Richard F Young, Department of English47. Henry Southgate, Philosophy48. Paula Gottlieb, Philosophy and Classics49. Cecilia E. Ford, English and Sociology50. Robert Streiffer, Medical History and Bioethics; Philosophy51. Russ Shafer-Landau, Professor of Philosophy52. Kathleen Bartzen Culver, Journalism and Mass Communication53. Daniel M. Hausman, Philosophy54. Sara Guyer, English55. Helen M. Kinsella, Political Science56. Jim Anderson, Philosophy57. Michael Titelbaum, Philosophy58. Harry Brighouse, Philosophy and Education Policy Studies59. Greg Downey, Journalism & Mass Communication / Library & Information Studies60. Jimmy Casas Klausen, Poltiical Science61. Jon McKenzie, English62. Francisco A. Scarano, History63. James H. Sweet, History64. Heinz Klug, School of Law65. Steve Ridgely, East Asian Languages and Literature66. John Williams, Geography67. Anne McClintock, English and Gender and Women’s Studies68. Mary N. Layoun, Comparative Literature69. Rob Nixon, English70. Heidi-Lynn Ploeg, Mechanical Engineering71. W. John Kao, Pharmacy, Surgery and Biomedical Engineering72. Shawnika J. Hull, School of Journalism & Mass Communication73. Andy Sheinis, Astronomy74. Donald R. Davis, Jr., Languages & Cultures of Asia, Religious Studies75. Adam L. Kern, East Asian Languages & Literature76. Ajay K. Sethi, Population Health Sciences77. Michael H. Coen, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics78. Nicole Huang, East Asian Languages and Literature79. Gregg Mitman, Medical History and Bioethics/History of Science80. Teju Olaniyan, African Languages and Literature & English81. Noah Feinstein, Curriculum and Instruction82. Tonya L. Brito, Law School83. Deborah Blum, School of Journalism and Mass Communication84. Maria Lepowsky, Anthropology and of Gender and Women’s Studies85. Pilar N. Ossorio, Law and Bioethics86. Steven Nadler, Philosophy87. Craig Werner, Afro-American Studies88. Christopher Livanos, Comparative Literature89. Thomas A. DuBois, Scandinavian Studies90. Claire Wendland, Anthropology91. Edward Friedman, Political Science92. Elizabeth Mertz, Law School93. Anne Hansen, Languages & Cultures of Asia94. Anne Vila, French and Italian95. Fran Hirsch, History96. Leonora Neville, History97. William J. Reese, History98. Jim Leary, Folklore, Scandinavian Studies, Cntr for Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures99. Jo Scheder, Human Development & Family Studies100. Young Mie Kim, School of Journalism and Mass Communication101. Mary Beltr?n, Communication Arts & Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies102. Alexandra Huneeus, Law and Legal Studies103. Julia Murray, Art History104. Tomislav Z. Longinovic, Slavic and Comparative Literature105. Nancy Rose Marshall, Art History106. Aili Tripp, Political Science and Gender & Women’s Studies107. Judith W. Leavitt, Medical History and Gender and Women’s Studies108. Ellen Samuels, English and Gender and Women’s Studies109. Pamela Kreeger, Biomedical Engineering110. Nicholas Cahill, Art History and Classics111. Patti Brennan, Nursing/Industrial Engineering112. Susannah Camic, Law School113. Alan Jay Weisbard, Law School114. Marianne Bloch, Curriculum and Instruction115. Eric Schatzberg, History of Science116. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Curriculum & Instruction117. Julie Mitchell, Mathematics and Biochemistry118. Theresa M. Kelley, English119. Joe Dennis, History120. Jan Miernowski, French and Italian121. Mitch, Law School122. Alison Brooks, Orthopedics123. Victor Goldgel-Carballo, Spanish and Portuguese124. Guillermina De Ferrari, Spanish and Portuguese125. Susan Bernstein, English126. Cindy Cheng, History127. Judy Houck, History of Medicine128. Lynn Nyhart, History of Science129. Timothy Yu, English130. Felix Elwert, Sociology131. Michael Witmore, English132. R. Wallace, English133. Judith Mitchell, English134. Robert Glenn Howard, Communication Arts135. Caroline Levine, English136. Neil Kodesh, History137. Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen, History138. Richard Staley, History of Science139. Mara Loveman, Sociology140. Chad Alan Goldberg, Sociology141. Kelly Conway, Communication Arts142. Lynet Uttal, Human Dev and Family Studies, Asian Am, CLS, GWS143. Sabine Gruffat, Communication Arts144. Simone A. Schwaber, Curriculum and Instruction145. Diana Hess, Curriculum and Instruction146. Mario Ortiz Robles, English147. Patricia Rosenmeyer, Classics148. Cecilia E. Ford, English and Sociology149. Lauren Kroiz, Art History150. Susan E. Babcock, Materials Science and Engineering151. Jordan Zweck, English152. Michael H. Shank, History of Science and Integrated Liberal Studies153. Martine Debaisieux, French and Italian154. Chuck Kalish, Educational Psychology155. Erik Olin Wright, Sociology156. Henry Drewal, Art History and Afro-American Studies157. Chaeyoon Lim, Sociology158. Ellen Rafferty, Languages and Cultures of Asia159. Rajiv Rao, Spanish & Portuguese160. Michael Bernard-Donals, English161. Ronald L. Troxel, Hebrew and Semitic Studies162. Lydia Zepeda, Consumer Science163. Lisa H. Cooper, English164. Carolyn Kallenborn, Design Studies165. Paola Hern?ndez, Spanish and Portuguese166. Aliko Songolo, French & Italian, African Languages & Literature167. Cathy Stafford, Spanish and Portuguese.168. Dhavan V. Shah, Journalism and Mass Communication169. Steven Hutchinson, Spanish & Portuguese170. Florence Vatan, French and Italian171. Pablo Ancos, Spanish and Portuguese172. Nilesh Patel, Law School173. Kristyn Masters, Biomedical Engineering174. Diane Lauver, School of Nursing175. Kathryn Sanchez, Spanish and Portuguese176. William C. Whitford, Emeritus Professor of Law177. Sana Aiyar, History178. Jill H. Casid, Art History179. Ann Smart Martin, Art History180. Ernesto Livorni, French and Italian181. Judith Harackiewicz, Psychology182. Rachel F. Brenner, Hebrew and Semitic Studies183. Marsha M. Mansfield, Law School184. Diana Frantzen, Spanish & Portuguese185. Karyn Riddle, School of Journalism & Mass Communication186. Kenneth M. George, Anthropology187. John DeLamater, Sociology188. Daniel Kleinman, Community and Environmental Sociology189. Doug Maynard, Sociology190. Sharon E. Hutchinson, Anthropology191. Melanie Frances Manion, Science and Public Affairs192. Scott Gehlbach, Political Science193. Sida Liu, Sociology194. Florence Bernault, History195. Lewis Leavitt, Pediatrics196. Ted Gerber, Sociology, Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia197. Thomas A. DiPrete, Sociology198. Sarah Thal, History199. Katherine Cramer Walsh, Political Science200. Jonathan Gray, Communication Arts201. Laura Senier, Community & Environmental Sociology and Family Medicine202. Leslie Bow, English and Asian American Studies203. Gary Green, Community & Environmental Sociology204. Jack Kloppenburg, Community and Environmental Sociology205. Doug Maynard, Sociology206. John DeLamater, Sociology207. David Loewenstein, English, Center for Early Modern Studies208. Marie-Louise Mares, Communication Arts209. R. Anderson Sutton, School of Music210. Richard A. Monette, Law School211. Margarita Zamora, Professor of Spanish212. Anders Carlson, Geoscience, Center for Climatic Research213. Kristin Phillips-Court, French and Italian214. Mariamne Whatley, Gender & Women’s Studies215. Nancy Worcester, Gender & Women’s Studies216. Bill Brown, Communication Arts217. Harold Scheub, African Languages and Literature218. Michael Peterson, Theatre and Drama219. Barbara C. Buenger, Art History220. Leann M. Tigges, Community and Environmental Sociology221. Philip Hollander Hebrew & Semitic Studies and Jewish Studies222. Laurie Beth Clark, Art223. Lea Jacobs, Communication Arts224. Christine Garlough, Gender and Women’s Studies225. Steven Winspur, French226. N?vine El Nossery, French and Italian227. Ruth Robarts, Law School228. Christine M. Seroogy, Pediatrics229. Ellen W. Sapega, Spanish & Portuguese230. Francis Schrag, Educational Policy Studies231. Ullrich Langer, French & Italian232. Lalita du Perron, Center for South Asia233. Rania Huntington, East Asian Languages and Literature234. Peter Timbie, Physics235. Chris Jones, Religious Studies236. Frank Salomon, Anthropology237. Neil Whitehead, Anthropology238. Charles L. Cohen, History and Religious Studies239. Manon van de Water, Theatre and Drama240. Thomas J. D. Armbrecht, French & Italian241. Robert M. Hauser, Sociology242. Sandra Ward, School of Nursing243. Scott Straus244. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, Anthropology245. Colleen Dunlavy, History246. Ronald Radano, Musicology and Ethnomusicology247. Yoram Shenker, Internal Medicine248. Caitilyn Allen, Plant Pathology249. Lisa Martin, Political Science250. Joseph Thome, Law School251. Sabine Gross, German252. Lu?s Madureira, Spanish and Portuguese253. Ron Serlin, Educational Psychology254. Katherine A. Bowie, Anthropology255. Marc Silberman, German256. Quitman E. Phillips, Art Hist., Religious Studies, E. Asian Studies257. Robert J. Bickner, Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia258. Michael Connors, Art259. Robert Asen, Communication Arts260. Katherine Pratt Ewing, Department of Anthropology261. William J. Reese, History262. Preeti Chopra, Languages & Cultures of Asia, Design Studies263. Kate Corby, Dance264. Laura McClure, Classics265. Joan Fujimura, Sociology266. Alex Dressler, Classics267. Susan E. Babcock, Material Science and Engineering268. Brad Barham, Agricultural and Applied Economics269. Judith Burstyn, Chemistry270. Gail Geiger, Art History271. Peter Lipton, Physiology272. Ann Palmenberg, Biochemistry273. Michael Schatzberg, Department of Political Science274. Shannon Sparks, Human Development & Family Studies, American Indian Studies275. Zhongdang Pan, Communication Art276. Kirin Narayan, Anthropology277. Beverly Gordon, Design Studies278. Andre Wink, History279. Frances Myers, Art280. Monica Grant, Sociology281. Stephen Hilyard, Art282. Johann Sommerville, History283. Jane Allyn Piliavin, Sociology284. Robert F. Freeland, Sociology285. Jill Harrison, Community & Environmental Sociology286. Laura McClure, Classics287. Joan Fujimura, Sociology288. David Danaher, Slavic Languages289. Kenneth R. Mayer, Political Science290. Nancy Langston, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Nelson institute, History291. Jean-Luc Thiffeault, Mathematics292. Rebeccah Katzenberger, Cellular and Regenerative Biology293. Robert B. Howell, German294. Tracy A. Schroepfer, Social Work295. Nam C. Kim, Anthropology296. David Beebe, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research297. Thomas Mitchell, Law School298. Mustafa Emirbayer, Sociology299. Barry Burden, Political Science300. Katherine Bowie, Anthropology301. Judith Harackiewicz, Psychology302. Jan Greenberg, Social Work303. Matthew Turner, Geography304. Mark L. Louden, German305. Ray Vanderby, Biomedical Engineering and Orthopedics & Rehabilitation306. Christina Hull, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry307. Mike Graham, Chemical and Biological Engineering308. Gail Simpson, Art309. Aris Georgiades, Art310. Erlin Barnard, Languages and Cultures of Asia311. David L. Weimer, Political Science312. Dick Ringer, English and Scandanavian Studies313. Steve Feren, Art314. Ivan Ermakoff, Sociology315. Patricia Flatley Brennan, Nursing, Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery316. Dayle B. DeLancey, Medical History and Bioethics, History of Science317. Audrey Tluczek, Nursing318. Kristine Kwekkeboom, Nursing319. Forence Hsia, History of Science320. Susan K. Riesch, Nursing321. Mary Ellen Murray, Nursing322. Mary Trotter, Theater and Drama323. Roseanne Clark, Psychiatry324. Susan Zahner, Nursing325. Lee Palmer Wandel, History326. Richard M. Pauli, Pediatrics327. Steve Bauman, Mathematics328. Sissel Schroeder, Anthropology329. Guillermina De Ferrari, Spanish and Portuguese330. Barry Orton, Professional Development & Applied Studies331. Susan M. Heidrich, Nursing332. Thongchai Winichakul, History333. Cora Lee Kluge, Professor, German