Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB788

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/23/25
• Refer: 12/23/25
• Engrossed: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/14/26
• Enrolled: 1/23/26
• Chaptered: 2/6/26
• Passed: 2/6/26

Caption

An Act Relating to: ratification of the agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2025-26 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE)

Impact

The bill ensures that the necessary expenditures to support this collective bargaining agreement are authorized from specific appropriations established under Wisconsin law. By ratifying this agreement, the bill solidifies commitments made to workers in the building trades and affirms the role of collective bargaining in public employment. This action will likely have significant implications for the treatment of trades employees within the state, setting a precedent for future agreements and expected conduct in state labor relations.

Summary

Assembly Bill 788 is a legislative proposal aimed at ratifying the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the fiscal year 2025-26. This agreement pertains to the employees within the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, which encompasses a variety of skilled trades professions. The ratification of this agreement is essential to ensure that the negotiated terms, which include wages and working conditions, are formally recognized by the state government and enacted.

Contention

Notably, the bill avoids specific contentious points typically associated with labor negotiations, such as worker rights expansions or significant cuts to existing programs. Instead, it focuses on the acceptance of a pre-negotiated agreement sanctioned by the parties involved. However, there may still be underlying tensions around funding and resource allocation, as any increase in expenditure could lead to debates over budget priorities within the state, especially in times of fiscal scrutiny.