Wisconsin
schools may start teaching the history of unionization alongside
algebra and physics if a bill introduced by Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green
Bay, becomes law.

If
passed, the legislation will require all school boards in Wisconsin
to "include information on the history of organized labor in
America and the collective bargaining process" in their curriculum,
according to the bill.

At
a public hearing regarding the bill Thursday Hansen said that the
historical information proposed in the bill would be taught along
with other citizenship-related course material.

"The
eight-hour day and 40-hour week are things we take for granted today,
but they did not come without enormous sacrifices on the part of
working men and women," Hansen said at the hearing. "Unions
fought hard for unemployment insurance, overtime pay, workers'
compensation, safety regulations and more."

The
bill does not specify the exact material that would be taught, nor
does it contain specific requirements for elementary, middle and high
schools, according to Hansen spokesperson Eric Genrich.

But
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, thinks the bill benefits certain
special interest groups more than Wisconsin students.

"It's
just throwing a bone to a special interest, that being the unions,"
Suder said.

Legislators
could argue for a number of "necessary curriculum items," Suder
said, adding some could deem it imperative to teach the history of
"the Irish or the Polish."

However,
Genrich said the history of previously oppressed groups is mandated
in existing statewide curriculums.

"There
are some other requirements of law, specifically the teaching of
African American history and Native American history," Genrich
said.

But
according to Suder, Wisconsin school systems should focus on the
basics in the classroom.

"If
anything, we should mandate the teaching of our Constitution and the
history of our republic," Suder said.

Despite
not supporting this bill, Suder said there should be a balance
between curriculum items authorized by law and those decided by
individual school districts, schools and teachers.

"I
fully support a mandate for the Pledge of Allegiance to be taught. I
also support a mandate for more math and science courses," Suder
said. "But very specific items like teaching about unions should be
left up to the school and the teachers."

However,
Hansen said at the hearing the history of unions is important enough
to be a necessary topic of discussion in schools.

"As
a new generation enters the workforce, they will face challenges
…[g]lobalization, downsizing, temp work — these are some of the
issues that our new generation of workers will find and they need to
know their history before they enter into these new struggles,"
Hansen at the hearing.

The
bill, Hansen added at the hearing, supports teaching the history of
both Wisconsin and national unions.

"Wisconsin
has a long, proud and sometimes tragic history of labor's efforts,"
Hansen said.

Suder
said he does not expect the bill to pass through the
Republican-controlled Assembly.