ASM Passes Support for Organized Labor Unions and Shared Governance
Posted: 2024-03-20 19:22:42 Expiration: 2034-03-29 19:22:42
Associated Students of Madison
333 East Campus Mall, 4301 Student Activity Center, Madison, WI
Website: asm.wisc.edu Phone: 608/265-4ASM
E-mail: press@asm.wisc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 March 2024
CONTACT:
Kate O’Malley, Press Office Director
press@asm.wisc.edu
262.665.8800
ASM Passes Support for Organized Labor Unions and Shared Governance
MADISON, WI — The Associated Students of Madison Student Council met on Wednesday, March 20th to discuss new business and legislation such as reclaiming shared governance rights and showing support for organized labor unions in Madison.
The first order of business was the Renaming of the Equity and Inclusion Committee to the Justice, Equity, and Belonging Committee. This legislation was created in order to promote clarity between the open committee and Chair position, as well as to dismantle the false hierarchy between the Equity and Inclusion Chair, Anti-Violence Chair, and Diversity Engagement Chair. The legislation was passed in the first of two sessions by a majority vote. The legislation can be viewed here.
The second piece of legislation introduced was the Internal Affairs Committee Bylaw Recommendations. This legislation was created in order to streamline the internal ASM bylaws by minimizing the grammatical and numerical errors, as well as update outdated languages. The legislation was also passed in the first of two sessions by a majority vote. The legislation can be viewed here.
Further business included the introduction of the Standing with Organized Labor Against Act 10
bill. This legislation was created in opposition to Act 10 which was passed in 2011 by the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Governor. Act 10 essentially diminished the power of public unions by eliminating collective bargaining, imposing annual recertification votes, and banning automatic withdrawal of union dues. In light of various Wisconsin unions filing a lawsuit against Act 10 in November of 2023, this legislation was created in support of Wisconsin workers and their right to organization, assembly and unionization. The Associated Students of Madison passed this legislation and the bill can be viewed here.
The final order of business was the Reclaiming Shared Governance Rights legislation, introduced by Shared Governance Chair Butler. This bill was created after Assembly Bill 929 was introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature, which would restore Shared Governance rights to their pre-2015 levels. Essentially this bill would promote Shared Governance to an immediate governance role as opposed to its current position as an advisory board. The Associated Students of Madison urges the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Governor to support Assembly Bill 929. The bill passed unanimously and can be viewed here.
The next Student Council meeting will be on Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:30 p.m. at 333 East Campus Mall.
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-- Associated Students of Madison: Kate O’Malley