AFSCME Goes After Barrett With Video

Wisconsin’s largest union representing public employees has launched an attack on Democratic candidate for governor Tom Barrett that leaves the wrong impression Barrett supported Gov. Scott Walker’s changes to collective bargaining.

The email and video were sent Monday by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to its members and obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

It incorrectly implies that Barrett supported Walker’s proposal passed last year that effectively ended collective bargaining rights for most public workers and spurred the recall drive.

The union-made video includes comments Barrett made at a March 2011 forum in which he said lawmakers could vote separately on the budget bill and Walker’s collective bargaining changes.

The video does not include other comments by Barrett speaking out against Walker’s plan.