Mayor vetoes labor contracts

Mayor Jill Didier has vetoed the ratification of three union contracts approved by a slim majority of the Wauwatosa Common Council last night.

She has put a stop to collective bargaining agreements with the public works, clerks and dispatchers unions, which represent about a quarter of the city's employees.

Didier has been vocal in explaining that it was a petition of five aldermen that forced the special meeting and a new vote on the issue. She reiterated that sentiment in a letter to the city clerk exercising her veto power as mayor.

"I believe it is wrong for council members to take this approach to policy-making," she said.

The process was "fully vetted" and normal procedures were followed when the council voted to deny the contracts March 15, she added.

"As the leader of this organization, I must strike the balance of well-being of our workers, our responsibilities and the expectations of the Wauwatosa community," she said.