Push to increase minimum wage
One Wisconsin Assembly Democrat is persistent in his effort to raise the state’s minimum wage. Racine Representative Cory Mason wants to increase Wisconsin’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $7.60 an...
View ArticleEau Claire firm to cut 150 jobs
A high-tech firm in Eau Claire is about to cut another 150 jobs. Hutchinson Technology confirmed yesterday that the layoffs would be complete by this fall. The company designs and makes small...
View ArticleMixed jobs report for state metro areas
New figures from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development show six of the state’s 12 metro areas added jobs in February. Madison had the largest job gains by far, with an estimated 6,500 jobs...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Health care workers seek end to mandatory overtime
Healthcare workers rallied at the state Capitol, to push for end of mandatory overtime. It’s an issue that’s come before the Wisconsin legislature a number of times in the past without ever advancing....
View ArticlePowerball dreams for record jackpot
There’s a record Powerball jackpot up for grabs. Andrew Bohage with the Wisconsin Lottery says the jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing, driven by brisk ticket sales, will be somewhere north of $600...
View ArticleStudy claims no ‘skills gap’ in state labor market
The existence of a “skills gap” in Wisconsin’s labor force has become accepted wisdom among politicians of both parties. Governor Scott Walker has repeatedly talked about rolling back the gap in worker...
View ArticlePlan gives most state workers 1 percent raise
Many state employees could be getting their first pay raise in five years. Under a plan released Tuesday by Governor Scott Walker’s administration, most state and University of Wisconsin employees...
View ArticleWisconsin agriculture industry watching immigration debate
As the debate continues on Capitol Hill over immigration reform, state Representative Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) says the issue is being watched closely by farmers in Wisconsin. Ott says agriculture,...
View ArticleMore jobs for Kenosha
Close to 1,100 jobs will be coming to Kenosha with a planned 1 million square foot Amazon.com distribution center in a newly created business park by the interstate. The Kenosha City Council paves the...
View ArticleDems may seek minimum wage hike
Democrats in the Wisconsin legislature are trying to start a conversation on the minimum wage. It needs to be increased, says state Senator Nikiya Harris of Milwaukee, who notes we’re not just talking...
View ArticleFast-food walk-out to protest wages
Thousands of fast-food and retail workers walked out in cities across the nation on Thursday, including Milwaukee and Madison, in an effort draw attention to the challenges they face and to advocate...
View ArticleWorkplace injuries up in 2012
There were more workplace injuries in Wisconsin last year. That’s according to the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses compiled by the state Laboratory of Hygiene. The lab’s Michael...
View ArticleState loses ground on job creation
Some disappointing job numbers. The state lost ground in private sector job creation in the year ending in June, dropping from 32nd to 37th place. Bad news for Governor Scott Walker but even worse news...
View ArticlePushback on seven day work week proposal
A bill from two Republican state legislators would allow employees to volunteer to work seven straight days without a break. Not surprisingly, it’s already being opposed by organized labor in...
View ArticleLawmakers consider banning living wage ordinances
Wisconsin lawmakers hear testimony Wednesday on a bill to throw out local “living wage” ordinances. The legislation (AB-750) would nullify an ordinance passed just last week by the Milwaukee County...
View ArticleUW moves to improve safety for Bangladeshi workers
Working to make sure UW licensed apparel is made under safe conditions. On the anniversary of a tragedy in Bangladesh, the UW is offering support to an international effort at improving working...
View ArticleReport warns against minimum wage hike
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association claims an increase in the minimum wage could cost the state thousands of jobs. In a report released by the group, an economist argues a push to increase Wisconsin’s...
View ArticleFuture of broadband, access in rural areas
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross calls it the “broadband imperative.” He explains at a broadband symposium in Madison, “Big transformation coming. Highly dependent on the ability to...
View ArticleWisconsin Supreme Court upholds Act 10, Voter ID, Domestic Partner Registry
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has brought legal challenges to Act 10 to a close. On a 5-2 vote Thursday, the justices threw out previous rulings from a Dane County circuit judge, who had said that the...
View ArticleFast food workers seek living wages
Fast food workers took to the streets in Thursday, as they seek $15 an hour. They say they’re struggling to get by. Motise Reynolds is a Popeyes employee in Madison. “I’m making about eight dollars....
View Article
