Governor Doyle Signs State Employee Contracts Into Law

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today signed thirteen bills into law to ratify State of Wisconsin employee contracts. 


 


“I want to thank state employees for making these contracts possible,” Governor Doyle said.  “In the face of hard economic times, state employees are making real sacrifices.”


 


Serious fiscal times in Wisconsin and nationally, called for a change in the initial approach to employee wage offers.  Governor Doyle thanked the labor and management teams for successfully negotiating the contracts.  The new contacts will generate $25 million in savings. 


 


Governor Doyle signed SB 574, SB 575, SB 578, SB 579, SB 580, SB 581, SB 582, SB 583, SB 584, SB 585, SB 586, SB 587, and SB 588 into law.  The new contracts change the structure of wage increases – making a 1 percent increase in July 2008 and a 2 percent increase in July 2009.  In addition, state employee contributions to health insurance will increase by 15 percent beginning January 1, 2009. 


 


Governor Doyle thanked the Joint Committee on Employment Relations for their work on the bills.


 


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