by Ian Gunther
To the Milwaukee Common Council,
I want to personally thank you for your support for City Workers. The unanimous vote to overrule Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s veto sends a powerful message that you recognize the economic struggles that City of Milwaukee workers face. Because of the bravery of the Common Council, we can go home to our families for the holiday with the news that we’ll be in a better position next year to support them with a 4% raise in tow.
As I have said at previous hearings, I understand the struggles we face economically as a municipality. As a lifelong Milwaukeean, the last thing I want to see is for our city to fail its residents and its fiscal responsibilities. But it cannot come at the expense of the city workforce.
I want you to know that, as this new wave of leadership comes into AFSCME, we are open to collaborating with you. Our members also care for the fiscal position of the city. If we can find efficiencies to help us reach the goal of keeping up with cost of living in the future without cutting union positions, we are ready to assist with that. I also want to pursue lobbying at the state level; it has been alarming to learn through this budget process that the only substantial revenue source we control as a city is fees. The property tax levy is, naturally, also within our control, but raising the property tax levy has considerable consequences both on taxpayers in our city and on state revenue sharing agreements. I hope our union can collaborate with city government in the near future to pressure the state to unlock our revenue sources and revenue sharing. The Wisconsin Policy Forum’s analysis of the City of Milwaukee’s 2026 proposed budget says of Act 12’s shared revenue increases that “[these] increases have boosted nominal shared revenue payments modestly compared to two decades ago… After adjusting for inflation, the city’s shared revenue payments in 2025 were still more than $198 million below the amounts received in 2000.”
It is in our interest as a union and as majority city residents to see this revenue return to our city. And with the changing political tides, we may be in a good position to pursue a renaissance of municipal government. I see a future for Milwaukee where we have our roads fixed. Where we don’t need to sell public land to private organizations. Where we can house, educate, and support our city residents to their utmost potential. And also allow us to live in a city that is accessible, clean, and vibrant. Bread, and also roses.
I hope you share that vision with us. But for now, thank you for standing with us. We hope to see your support continue into the future.
Sincerely,
Ian Gunther
Chief Steward
AFSCME Local 47
