Wisconsin may have a long history with powerful unions, but the state has recently become a less than friendly place for workers to organize. Last year, Governor Scott Walker cut collective bargaining rights for most public workers, allowing negotiations on wages only. The measure also made it harder for unions to form. And it ended the practice of deducting union dues from pay checks.
All this infuriated labor organizations and Democrats to the point that they tried to kick Walker out of office. In a recall election in January, Walker managed to hang on to his job, earning 53% of the vote over his opponent.
Not only does Walker's victory signal that unions have lost some of their clout, but it could also spur other governors to push back harder on labor rights. Anti-union activists in Ohio are currently collecting signatures to get an amendment on ballots this November to make Ohio a right-to-work state in response to a repeal of a a law that stripped state and local employees of most of their collective bargaining rights.
To avoid joining the growing ranks of unemployed attorneys, says one expert, third-year students need to learn how to network -- and fast.
| Overnight Avg Rate | Latest | Change | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed | 4.01% | 4.04% | |
| 15 yr fixed | 3.11% | 3.18% | |
| 5/1 ARM | 2.82% | 2.88% | |
| 30 yr refi | 4.00% | 4.03% | |
| 15 yr refi | 3.11% | 3.16% |
Today's featured rates:
.
