The collective bargaining provisions take away the rights of many public employees' unions to negotiate over benefits like pensions and their group health care plans. The unions would also be limited to only asking for pay raises up to the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Democrats and unions had agreed to the financial aspects of the Budget Repair Bill, but strongly objected to the collective bargaining provisions. Up to this point the 14 Democratic state senators had prevented a vote by leaving the state.

Mgwisniphoto [at] gmail [dot] com Please keep sending me encouraging emails of support from wherever you are. I've been reading them to the protestors and Democratic Representatives. If I don't respond it's because I'm receiving a ton of emails and am waaaaay behind.

10.03.2011 Wisconsin/USA- The budget laws have passed in the Senate pesterday. Since February 15. protesters have fought against this law. The collective bargaining provisions take away the rights of many public employees' unions to negotiate over benefits like pensions and their group health care plans. The unions would also be limited to only asking for pay raises up to the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Democrats and unions had agreed to the financial aspects of the Budget Repair Bill, but strongly objected to the collective bargaining provisions. Up to this point the 14 Democratic state senators had prevented a vote by leaving the state. Now they want to take the matter to court.
A clip by Democracy Now about protests in the Parliament building in Madison, Wisconsin 02-24-2011.