The aftermath of 2011 legislation still being felt by workers in Wisconsin

Matt Rothchild, former editor of the Progressive Magazine and former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his new project with Civic Media. He also talked about the history of anti-union legislation in Wisconsin and what the state is doing to overturn the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10.

Now retired, Rothchild discussed how he’s still working with the labor movement in Wisconsin. He is now the host of Wisconsin Forward, a podcast that will launch June 15. He will focus on opening dialogue around the issues that workers in the state face and how legislation might impact the resident's day-to-day lives. The Civic Media produced program is part of the company's efforts to revitalize local radio around Wisconsin with daily content focused on the news and discussions that matter to workers in the state.

Rothchild also discussed the history of battles between former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and public-sector union workers. He talked about Wisconsin Act 10, passed by the state legislation in 2011 and what it did to the public-sector unions. Rothchild talked about the damage Act 10 had on union density in the state between 2010 and 2020. With the bill’s legality being questioned in state court, he said there are encouraging signs that Act 10 will be overturned.

The Act 10 legislation is similar to legislation in several states, including one recently passed in Florida. Rothchild explained how unions in Wisconsin could work together to overturn the previous voting maps, which were deemed unconstitutional. After new, more fair maps were created in the state, Rothchild said several anti-worker laws have been overturned. He hopes that other states, like Florida, can learn from what happened in Wisconsin.

To hear more from Rothchild, listen to the show above.