The state Senate recently passed a bill enabling UW System faculty and academic staff to unionize and attempt to gain benefits through collective bargaining.

A push for collective bargaining rights for faculty appeared in a version of the state budget but was removed before the final budget was passed. Republicans pushed for the removal of the proposal in September 2007.

The Republican-controlled state Assembly, however, will not hear the bill during the current legislative session. The best chance this legislation has to pass is if Democrats control the state Assembly after the next election. Not only does the system have support of the state Senate, but Gov. Jim Doyle also endorsed the proposal when it existed in the state budget.

Collective bargaining would allow faculty members to have some power over their working conditions, hours and compensation. The constant stalling of this bill will only create a greater rift between the state Legislature and the university.

Other than tenured professors, teaching assistants also have control over their working conditions. The Teaching Assistants’ Association received bargaining rights in 1985, 19 years after the association was established.

Not only do teaching assistants have the right to collective bargaining, but multiple unions exist for faculty members of Wisconsin’s technical colleges as well.

Despite many Assembly Republicans’ opinions about the negative consequences of collective bargaining, it is the only option for the majority of UW-Madison’s faculty. The university’s staff should have the right to address issues that directly affect their work experience.

UW System academic staff and faculty deserve the right of collective bargaining like other state employees.