If all goes according to plan, the city of Madison and a local union will strike a deal that could let the union retain collective bargaining rights through 2015.

The compromise proposal between the city of Madison and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 60 – which comprises over 1,000 members – is a good thing for the employees and the city, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.

The compromise proposal, which Verveer pointed out still must go before the full City Council and union board, would give a one year extension to the union’s rights. This comes after the recent decision made by a Dane County Circuit Judge finding Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10 law that disbanded collective bargaining for public unions unconstitutional.

If it is passed, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will still be able to keep functioning through 2015. Throughout that time, they would still retain union rights including the right to collectively bargain.

The compromise will benefit the city as well as the union’s employees, Verveer said.

“The contract extension is a win-win,” Verveer said, “It may end up saving money.”

According to Verveer, part of the agreement says that if the city needs money, the union will voluntarily give money back if the city needs it.

Verveer, who said he is “very much in support” of the proposal, said the continued cooperation between the city and the union will give both sides something to cheer for.

By having both entities working together better, Verveer predicts a better “seen delivery” of services to the public through projects the city and the unionized workers create together. He said both sides getting what they want makes for a stronger Wisconsin.

According to Verveer, who is “a firm supporter of restoring employees’ voice to the workplace,” the proposal is consistent with the community’s values of collective bargaining.

Nathan Conrad, the spokesperson of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said he mostly disagrees with Verveer’s thoughts on the community support of the unions and their right to collective bargain.

He said he does not see the possibility of the proposal going through as a loss for the Republican party’s ideological platform, but rather as “just another way that the unions are trying to get past the will of the people.”

According to Conrad, the union’s attempt at a deal goes against everything Wisconsinites have tried to do.

“Wisconsin has shown its stance in elections,” Conrad said.

Wisconsinites not only voted Walker in on the grounds of this policy, Conrad noted, but also kept him in office during the recall election. This should be the true representation of what the people of Wisconsin want, he said.

As for if the proposal is ratified by both the city council and the union board, Conrad said he is not worried, and he thinks the appealing process will be successful.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin declined to comment on the subject.