The Washington Examiner reported yesterday that there has been another unexpected consequence of the collective bargaining bill passed in Wisconsin. 

The article reports on events in Racine County:

“Last June, the county took Racine inmates out of their jail cells and put them behind lawn movers. They were cutting the grass in areas that the county executive says were neglected, due to budget cuts. Local unions filed a grievance saying work like that should be done by union members.

 

“A judge agreed, but now with the new collective bargaining rules in effect, that’s the kind of thing the unions can no longer negotiate. That means the county is putting the inmates back to work and adding to their to-do list.

“Racine County Executive James Ladwig said,”We’re gonna have them do landscaping at county buildings, have them pick up trash on the roads.  So we can use some of the county personnel to do difficult tasks, such as putting in a parking lot at the park.””

The inmates are also learning job skills they may be able to use when they are released.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me.