Senate Bill 579 aims to expand collective bargaining rights for employees of the University of Wisconsin System, allowing most employees, including faculty and academic staff, to negotiate over wages, hours, and conditions of employment. Currently, public employers and employees are restricted from collective bargaining unless explicitly permitted by law. The bill introduces new provisions under subchapter VI of chapter 111, which will work alongside existing regulations in subchapter V, thereby enhancing the collective bargaining framework for these employees.

The bill includes several amendments to existing statutes, such as allowing collective bargaining agreements to be recognized under both subchapters V and VI of chapter 111. It also modifies definitions and procedures related to collective bargaining, ensuring that employees represented by these units have the right to negotiate and that their agreements are honored. Notably, the bill removes certain restrictions on governmental bodies regarding closed sessions for collective bargaining agreements and clarifies the roles of various state agencies in relation to collective bargaining processes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 7.33(4), 7.33, 13.111(2), 13.111, 16.50(3)(e), 16.50, 19.82(1), 19.82, 19.85(3), 19.85, 19.86, 20.425(1)(a), 20.425, 20.425(1)(i), 20.505(1)(ks), 20.505, 20.505(1)(kz), 20.917(3)(b), 20.917, 20.921(1)(a)2, 20.921, 20.923(6)(intro.), 20.923, 36.09(1)(j), 36.09, 40.02(25)(b)8, 40.02, 40.05(4g)(a)4, 40.05, 40.80(3), 40.80, 40.81(3), 40.81, 111.81(1), 111.81, 111.81(9g), 111.81(12m), 111.81(16), 111.825(5), 111.825