Hundreds Protest Wis. Plan to Cut Worker Rights

MADISON, Wis. — Hundreds of Wisconsin's public employees have clogged a hearing for hours and camped out in the state Capitol in a desperate attempt to delay action on a Republican plan to strip away most of their collective bargaining rights.

The plan would end collective bargaining for all state, county and local workers expect for police, firefighters and the state patrol. The move marks the boldest step by a new Republican governor and Legislature to solve budget problems by confronting organized labor.

The Legislature's finance committee is preparing to vote on the measure, setting up final votes in the Senate and Assembly later this week.

Opponents seized on the committee's hearing on the bill Tuesday to launch what Republican co-chair Robin Vos called a "citizen filibuster" that tied up the hearing.