Wisconsin's prison guards vote whether to break away from Wisconsin State Employees Union

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Posted: Sun 4:42 PM, Dec 02, 2012

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Wisconsin's prison guards vote whether to break away from Wisconsin State Employees Union

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's prison guards could vote as soon as next year in whether to break away from the Wisconsin State Employees Union.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports (http://bit.ly/VlNhUO ) it's a bitter fight over election setbacks, discontent with labor leaders, and anger about working conditions 17 after the state all but eliminated public sector union rights.

Brian Cunningham, a guard at the Waupun Correctional Institution, says he's filed more than 1,900 signatures demanding a new union for about 5,800 prison workers, game wardens and other state employees classified as security and public safety workers.

WSEU director Marty Beil says the guards are in for a rude awakening if they succeed in forming an independent union with lower dues and a smaller staff, because they would lack sufficient resources to serve members.

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