Wisconsin Governor: Massive Layoffs If Democrats Don't Return
Photo Courtesy - ABC News(MADISON, Wis.) -- If Wisconsin Democrats refuse to return home from Illinois to vote on a bill that could gut unions' collective bargaining power, the state will have to lay off thousands of workers.
That ultimatum was delivered Tuesday by Gov. Scott Walker in a televised address. Walker said he would be left with no choice but to fire state and government workers, the ones he says Democrats are claiming to protect.
Walker said 1,500 employees would have to be let go before the end of June if no action is taken on his budget repair bill, which would also force state and local workers to contribute much more to their pensions and health care plans.
The governor warned that up to an additional 10,000 workers would be on the chopping block if Democrats don't act quickly to vote on the bill Republicans say is designed to close Wisconsin's budget deficit.
Critics contend the legislation is a ruse to destroy the unions in Wisconsin and across the nation, since they traditionally vote Democratic.
The 14 state Democrats have been holed up at a hotel in Illinois where they've vowed to stay until Walker shows a willingness to compromise with state and local workers.
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