MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers on Friday signed off on a four percent pay raise for building trades employees at UW-Madison and other Universities of Wisconsin.
The move comes roughly two months after the UW System Board of Regents approved a deal with Republicans in the state Legislature to unlock funding for the raises, as well as capital projects, in exchange for a a freeze on diversity, equity and inclusion positions.
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Funding for the raises was included in the governor’s 2023-25 budget, however Assembly Leader Robin Vos (R-Rochester) promised to withhold them until the UWs agreed to cut spending on DEI programs.
Evers sued the Legislature in October 2023, arguing that blocking the raises was unconstitutional.
“Republicans’ obstruction of basic functions of government have harmed tens of thousands of people across our state,” the governor said. ” Wisconsinites expect government to work for them , not against them.”