Scott Walker signs right-to-work bill at company that shipped jobs to Mexico

One way to keep the fight alive: Pay your union dues!

Wisconsin job-killer Gov. Scott Walker signed a right-to-work bill today at Badger Meter, a Brown Deer company that moved Wisconsin jobs to Mexico in 2009.

Badger Meter, which makes products for water utilities, may even have more employees in Mexico than in Wisconsin.

The company's shop floor workers were not allowed to attend the bill-signing event, but dozens of legislators and business leaders were. Outside, protesters picketed with signs that said right to work is bad for workers, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Wisconsin Teamsters fought with all their hearts against the bill, which was rushed through the Legislature once Republicans knew they had the votes.

Wayne Schultz, President of Teamsters Joint Council 39 in Milwaukee, issued a statement denouncing Walker:

Gov. Walker has done a great disservice to every working man and woman in the state of Wisconsin today. This fight does not end today – we will continue to fight in any way [we] can to rid our state of this destructive law.

Bill Carroll, Political Liaison for Joint Council 39, said working men and women must keep the fight alive. Carroll said:

We have the power of numbers – every working man and woman and every union member in Wisconsin must stand together to stop the continued erosion of our rights and our way of life by outside special interests.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said right-to-work laws are designed to attack working families and the middle class by weakening their strongest advocate, labor unions. Hoffa said in a statement:

Wisconsin is now the 25th state to adopt right-to-work laws as politicians like Walker push forward the agenda of their right-wing task masters. The Koch brothers, through Americans for Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), have poured millions of dollars into states across the country to push right-to-work legislation. 

These corporate interests will not stop in Wisconsin – they continue to attack working families, moving from state to state. We must remain strong and fight them wherever right-to-work legislation is introduced. 

I make this pledge to you – the Teamsters Union will not stand on the sidelines – we will fight right-to-work wherever it is introduced and protect working families.