UW employees deserve the raises they were promised

They were promised pay raises, but never received them. That could change based on the latest news out of Madison. The Wisconsin Legislature approved pay raises for many state employees back in October, and most have seen the increased pay in their checks. Except for employees of the University of Wisconsin System. They are being punished for something they have no control over. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos withheld the funding for all UW employees because the UW System promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. Forget that such a stance is short-sighted and petty. Our lawmakers shouldn’t be withholding funding they have already approved. The overwhelming majority of those working in the UW System, professors, admissions officers, campus police and employees of the UW Medical School all have nothing to do with deciding whether to support equity, but the promise of a 4% raise this year and a 2% raise next year has gone unfilled. One leading Senator believes there has been progress that will allow the funding to be dispersed. That is overdue. They were promised raises, and they should get them, regardless of whether their bosses believe in treating everyone equally.