Reps. Shankland, Sinicki, Ohnstad and Sen. Johnson: Introduce “Workers First” labor package
MADISON – Today, Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha), and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) introduced their “Workers First” labor package.
The package includes ten bills that prioritize many of the key issues impacting Wisconsin’s workers and will help ensure every worker in Wisconsin has access to fair wages, good benefits, workplace protections, and a high quality of life. Following a press conference announcing the “Workers First” bill package, they released the following statement:
Rep. Chris Sinicki stated, “Today, Democratic legislators, in partnership with Wisconsin’s labor community, outlined a legislative agenda that puts workers first by focusing on fair wages, good benefits, workplace protections, and a high quality of life. For too long, the majority party in the Wisconsin State Legislature has rolled back worker rights, undermined local control, and attacked the economic well-being of our working families.”
“Across the country and in every corner of Wisconsin, we have seen workers organize and win,” said Rep. Shankland. “From the historic UPS deal that the Teamsters secured to Local 662’s recently ratified contracts at Leinenkugel’s and New Dairy-Select Milk, they have shown us that workers will not back down from a fight. At the same time, strike actions are up by nearly 50% in our country, and an overwhelming majority of Americans support unions. This shows that people are increasingly recognizing the value of labor unions and understand that when workers win, everyone wins,” added Rep. Katrina Shankland.
“With the slate of bills introduced today, our goal is to ensure the needs of labor and workers are prioritized in the Legislature. We believe that as Wisconsin continues to experience a severe workforce shortage, it is crucial that the state government advance pro-worker policies to help recruit and retain a skilled workforce,” said Rep. Tod Ohnstad.
“As leaders, we stand ready to work with our colleagues across the aisle to pass these commonsense bills that would greatly improve working conditions for workers throughout the state. To put it plainly, it is well past time we put workers first in Wisconsin,” concluded Sen. LaTonya Johnson.