WI is different than most states in the fact that in early part of the last century ( 20's or 30's ? ) they passed civil service laws that have built in many of the protections that are part of the union contracts ( as in WA ). The collecting of the union dues by the union rather than the WI state government bearing the cost is a little thing. That the state employees will have to pay a much larger share of retirement and medical is a large issue but that is going to happen to get the government wages in line with WI private sector cost. It is a issue all states are facing one way or another especially in the pension area.

The recertification of union representation each year is a huge issue in the new WI governors proposal is aimed dead at the teachers union which has managed to piss off a huge portion of the WI voters right or wrong. The one that is seldom been reported and really set things off in WI is that all raises ( after current base ) above inflation must have voter approval. No more of the governor agreeing to a new contract wage structure with out voter approval and that is a monster the unions do not want.

Interesting concept that those paying the bill have some say in how much.