WAUSAU -- Gov. Scott Walker made an appearance in Wausau Tuesday, and took issue with a number of local governments that are rushing to ratify contracts with their unions before his budget repair plan becomes law.
About 30 protesters stood outside the Piper Products company as Gov. Walker spoke to workers inside. Jeff Johnson, chair of the Marathon County Democrats, complained that Walker's appearance was scheduled only a few hours in advance.
"`Governor Pop-in' just seems to put out a notice two hours before he shows up, flies in at taxpayer expense to a private business to meet with hand-picked folks with no public input, and flies away," said Johnson.
At a news conference inside, WPR shared Johnson's complaint with Governor Walker.
"We're actually talking to real people at real companies who are the real middle class," countered the governor. "Not the tens of thousands of protesters that have been brought in, not only from around Wisconsin but from Nevada, from Illinois, and New Jersey, increasingly coming in from other states...big union bosses from Washington sending in thugs."
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The governor was also asked about local government leaders that criticized his budget repair plan, and are rushing to ratify union contracts before it becomes law. Walker said they would have to answer to their taxpayers.
"We give local governments the tools, ultimately so that they can avoid massive layoffs and they can avoid massive property tax increases. If they choose not to use those, again, I think the taxpayers in those communities will ultimately have to come back and respond to them."
As for the right to unionize, Gov. Walker said there are no rights to collective bargaining.
"It's not in the Constitution at the U.S. or federal level, nor in the state constitution."
The governor noted that federal employees do not have collective bargaining rights.
