Arguing Over DEI Continues as Lawmakers Approve UW System Pay Raises

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Months after the money to pay them was budgeted, UW System employees finally get their pay raises.

A legislative committee voted 5-1 on Tuesday, approving 6% pay hikes to some 35,000 employees. UW officials reached agreement with Republicans to pause diversity, equity and inclusion in exchange for $800 million.

Democratic Senator Dianne Hesselbein, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are important. And I believe it's important to everybody in the state of Wisconsin.” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, “Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues continue to be obsessed with race and division and exclusion, and that's a shame.”

Senator Hesselbein continued, “Diversity, equity inclusion is important. The action we are taking today should have been done months ago, and should never have been used as a bargaining chip for this process.”

But Vos said Republicans are just getting started, “Legislative Republicans will begin a much needed, long term, in depth review of every part of dei and state government.”

The Joint Committee on Employment Relations approved a 4% increase for the budgeted salary base for the 2023 year retroactive back to the summer, along with a 2% increase for the following year.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.