Regular readers of this blog know exactly where I stand on the issue of collective bargaining for public workers. My position has not changed. In fact, it’s probably been strengthened.
But we move on … into a world where the protections offered often because of strong public employee unions are no longer guaranteed. Among these: civil service regulations and grievance procedures.
In this new world for public workers, it has become imperative for public employers like the city to have clear policies in place when it comes to how they hire people — and when it comes to the recourse employees have in the workplace during difficult times.
South Milwaukee, thankfully, now has those. Last month, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance amending our civil service regulations and establishing a grievance policy.
Check it out here.
The policy will become especially crucial when the contract covering our local AFSCME employees expires next summer, and it will immediately impact all of our non-represented employees. Police and fire employees are exempt.
The policy was written based on recommended language from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and an association of city attorneys, and I think it’s a strong alternative to the union protections in these areas.
They’re fair. And, while I wish we didn’t have to take on this task in the first place, I am OK with fair.
South Milwaukee Blog 