A coalition of organizations that represent public employees is organizing boycotts of prominent Wisconsin businesses that made significant campaign contributions to Gov. Scott Walker because of the governor’s drive to remove collective bargaining rights for state workers.
Last week, the group sent a letter to Tom Ellis, president of M&I Bank, asking the bank to publicly oppose “Walker’s efforts to virtually eliminate collective bargaining for public employees in Wisconsin.” A similar letter was also sent to Scott Tiegen, chief executive officer of LaCrosse-based Kwik Trip Inc.
Both letters ask M&I and Kwik Trip to formally respond by March 17. If the companies do not disavow Walker’s drive to eliminate collective bargaining, the groups say they and their members will boycott the goods and services the companies provide.
“If you join us, we will do everything in our power to publicly celebrate your partnership in the fight to preserve the right of public employees to be heard at the bargaining table,” the letters stated. “Wisconsin’s public employee unions serve to protect and promote equality and fairness in the workplace. We hope you stand with us and publicly share in that ideal.”
The coalition of organizations that sent the letter includes: the Wisconsin Professional Police Association; Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin; International Association of Fire Fighters Local 311 in Madison; Madison Teachers Inc.; Green Bay Education Association; Dane County Deputy Sheriffs Association; and Madison Professional Police Officers Association.
The coalition expects new members to join soon, said Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Polices Association. The group is in active discussions with several teachers unions and other organized municipal workers, who are likely to sign on soon, he said.
Late last week, M&I Bank responded to the union threats of a boycott with this letter:
"M&I has not taken, and will not take, a position either for or against the budget repair bill. As M&I has publicly stated before:
M&I has not contributed to any candidate and did not contribute to Governor Walker or Mayor Barrett in the last gubernatorial election.
M&I has over 6,000 employees in Wisconsin, and, in the great tradition of political freedom in this country, those employees have the right to contribute to the candidate of their choice.
M&I employees contributed to both Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates in the last election.
M&I is proud of our tradition of standing with teachers, nurses, police officers, fire fighters, and other dedicated public employees to support, improve, and grow Wisconsin communities. M&I has 188 branches in cities, towns, and villages throughout Wisconsin, and M&I employees work side-by-side with these dedicated public employees in civic endeavors across the state.“
