Collective Bargaining To Continue For Most Public Union Members In Caledonia, But Not All

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Even though Republican state lawmakers may have changed the rules for unions, the Village of Caledonia will still have to contend with unions when they put their budget together for next year.

Gov. Scott Walker’s budget became law on Sunday and went into effect today. And that leaves members of the highway department union Labor Association of Wisconsin 704 in a somewhat vulnerable position while nothing changes for the fire and police unions.

The highway union still exists, but the relationship changes drastically. The Village can’t collect dues from the workers’ paychecks and members will have to pay their union dues directly to the union, a provision being challenged in court. The Village doesn’t have to collectively bargain with the highway department for their contracts. And if the highway union wants to stay intact, the members will have to vote to continue every year.

A representative from the highway union was called for this story. But he was unable to be reached.

While nothing changes for the fire and police unions, the unions used to have internal comparables or what is often called the “me too” clause, which essentially allowed the union to receive the same benefits if another union negotiated a better deal.

“All of the internal comparables are gone, except with the police and they wouldn’t be considered an apples to apples comparison,” Jason Hempel, president of the local firefighters union for the Caledonia Fire Department and an executive board member on the Wisconsin Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Ron Coutts, the Village President, said he is hopefully optimistic in making things work out in negotiations.

“We’ve always had a good working relationship with the unions,” Coutts said. “Two years ago, they saved us $880,000.”

This year the Village will have a $500,000 shortfall on the revenue side, even before they figure in any increases in costs.

For Hempel, who was speaking for the fire department union, the big rub in all of this is that the says the Village isn’t “destitute.” He points to the Village’s unemployment rate being the lowest in the state at 3.5 percent and the average household income being $70,000.

But Village Board is facing political pressure from the community to not raise taxes. And actually, a large increase is unlikely since a provision in the state budget limits the Village’s ability to raise the tax levy, unless the municipality has had new development. Then the amount the tax levy can be increased is held to the amount of growth.

“The Village of Caledonia is by no means strapped for cash or destitute,” Hempel said. “Our assets are high. Our bond rating is good. The Village has been smart in how they don’t dip into their rainy day fund. They’ve been smart about their money.

“But I don’t want to see anyone lose their job. I’m not happy my friends in other locals are getting the short end of stick.”

Hempel said he plans to ask for the Village to open union negotiations next week.

"But we'll definitely still negotiate," Hempel said. "By no means are we going to walk into negotiations with our hands folded over our chests saying, 'We don't have to negotiate with you.'"