As labor union supporters gathered in protest at the state Capitol Tuesday, Gov. Scott Walker spoke to reporters in Green Bay. He deflected criticism that he’s going back on his word regarding right-to-work legislation.
Over his time in office, Walker said several times that he would not push for the legislation that lets private workers opt out of union membership and dues.
Walker famously restricted public unions in 2011, but in 2012, he said he would “do everything in my power” to make sure right-to-work would not get to his desk.
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In Green Bay Walker said he never denounced the concept of it.
“I just said after all we’d been through back in 2012 all the protests, recall after recall including mine and the senators. I just didn’t think that it was a good time, I thought that we’d distract from things, create chaos and misdirection. And I think for the employer base in this state we need to have stability,” Walker said.
If lawmakers pass the bill, the governor said he will sign it as long as the current version of right-to-work is not changed.
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