Governor Evers Approves Raises for UW Building Trades Employees

Monday, February 5th, 2024 -- 10:01 AM

(WMTV) Gov. Tony Evers approved raises for Universities of Wisconsin building trades employees on Friday.

The Governor’s Office announced Gov. Evers signed two Senate bills into law, which provide 4% wage increases for employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining units at UW-Madison and the UWs.

“As one of our state’s largest employers and economic drivers, our UW is critical to the well-being of kids, families, and communities in every corner of our state,” said Gov. Evers. Gov. Evers argued that the wages were long-delayed, saying the Joint Committee on Employee Relations would not authorize the collective bargaining agreements and introduce the legislation necessary to instate them.

The committee approved the wage-adjustment for non-represented employees in December of 2023 and also approved the collective bargaining agreements. The wage increases come as Gov. Evers filed a lawsuit in October of 2023, arguing the Republican-controlled Legislature was obstructing basic government functions.

This included blocking pay raises for about 35,000 state university employees. That lawsuit is ongoing.

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