State Sen. Julie Lassa’s, D-Stevens Point, version of a state work-share bill gained support from the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, an advising council to the Wisconsin Department for Workforce Development, according to a statement Friday from Lassa’s office.
Lassa’s version of the bill is largely the same as a version proposed by two state Republicans, state Sen. Paul Farrow, R-Pewaukee, and state Rep. Ed Brooks, R-Reedsburg. Both versions aim to help avoid worker layoffs by allowing employers struggling with limited funds to reduce the number of hours their employees work.
But the main difference in Lassa’s version is that employers looking to reduce union workers’ hours would have to receive consent from union representatives before reducing the hours. The Republican legislators, whose bill does not include such a provision, have drawn criticism from state Democrats who say the bill is an attempt to limit union workers’ collective bargaining rights.
The idea of a work-share program has received endorsements from conservative and liberal organizations, according to the statement.
