Editorial: Minnetonka Legislator on Collective Bargaining Rights

On Friday, Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker signed into law a bill that will remove collective bargaining rights for public employees, including public school teachers. Walker defended his actions, saying this move will protect the middle class, is necessary to help balance the state’s budget and by insisting he represents Wisconsin's silent majority who support the measure. But protestors didn’t waste time showing their dissatisfaction with Walker. On Saturday, Wisconsin’s capitol, Madison, played host to almost 100,000 protestors, including at least 150 Minnesota teachers. Those teachers were part of a delegation from Minnesota's largest teachers union, Education Minnesota. 

Minnetonka Patch is asking the state legislators who represent Minnetonka, to share their views on collective bargaining rights and the union debate. Today we’re hearing from Rep. John Benson (DFL – Minnetonka), who is, himself, a former teacher. 

“The actions of the Wisconsin governor and Wisconsin Republicans have been absolutely reprehensible. This had nothing to do with their budget deficit, but was simply part of a political agenda to attack unions and public workers. These public workers are our teachers, nurses and government workers who work tirelessly day-in and day-out to make their state a better place.

 If we’re going to innovate, reform, and improve education and state government, we need to engage these public servants. A Strong leader would work with our public employees, give them a stake in the state’s success and involve them in the process of making state government operate more efficiently. This old idea of attacking our public employees gets us nowhere in the 21st century.

Fortunately, one significant difference between Wisconsin and Minnesota is that in Governor Mark Dayton we have a chief executive who respects union rights and public workers. I stand with Governor Dayton in his opposition to any efforts to curb or eliminate the rights of public employee unions in Minnesota.  You can count on my continued firm commitment to unions and collective bargaining rights for both public and private sector workers.”

-Rep. John Benson (DFL – Minnetonka) 

Minnetonka’s State lawmakers contacted for comment: Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43), Sen. David Hann (R-District 42), Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33), Rep. John Benson (DFL-District 43B), Rep. Connie Doepke (R-District 33B), and Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A). More comments on this subject will be added to Minnetonka Patch from these legislators, as they become available.