Just got a call from a friend who informs me that former Wisconsin AFL-CIO president David Newby spent last night at the Capitol.
I am trying unsuccessfully to reach Newby right now. He is probably not the only prominent union leader who spent the entirety of last night at the Capitol. Whatever authorities were saying, leaders were already urging members to stay overnight before the bill was voted on last night.
In fact, as I walked out of the Capitol shortly after the Senate vote, one AFT member pulled me aside and asked if I could tell the crowd outside how to get in. Meanwhile, media members and others today continue to use every means necessary to get into the Capitol, including climbing through windows, as WTDY reporter Dustin Weis did this morning.
The Capitol flooding last night reminded me of the story my dad told me from his days as an usher at Camp Randall. The task of keeping union members who have just seen their collective bargaining rights stripped out of the Capitol is about as futile a task as keeping Badger fans off the field after an upset victory against Ohio St.
Going to the Capitol now. Keep up with The Sconz on Twitter.
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