Economics Report.Americans have been watchingthe protests in the Middle Eastand North Africa-- and closer to home.Workers in Wisconsin,and now some other states,have been protesting effortsto limit the negotiating powerof government employees.Wisconsin's newly elected governor,Scott Walker, sayslimits are needed on labor unionsto help cut a deficitin the state budget.The Republican governorproposes to end collectivebargaining rights for mostpublic employees excepton the issue of wages.The bill has led to big,noisy demonstrations that beganearlier this month in Madison,the state capital.PROTESTERS: "This iswhat democracy looks like!"The bill would not affectpolice or firefighters.They are barred from striking.But firefighter Mahlon Mitchellcame to protest anyway.MAHLON MITCHELL: "This is ground zerofor the nation."Democrats in the state Senatefled to the neighboringMidwestern state of Illinois.They want to preventthe Republican majorityin the Wisconsin Legislaturefrom passing the billwhich they consider anti-union.Labor unions are a traditional baseof support for the Democratic Party.Governor Walker saysthe state could have to startdismissing workers unlessthe Democrats return to debatewhat he calls a budget repair bill.Dennis Dresang is professor emeritusof political scienceat the University of Wisconsin.He says the modern historyof the state helps explainthe strong reaction.DENNIS DRESANG: "Wisconsin was the firstin the nation to establishthe right of public employeesto bargain collectively,and it's a real shock to a lot ofpeople that these rightswould be taken away."Collective bargaining rightsdiffer from state to state.Lawmakers in Indiana, Michiganand Ohio have also proposed limitson unions representing public employees.Critics say politicians are usingstate budget problems as an excusefor union-busting -- an effortto take away rights to organize.Unions have been shrinkingin private industry.The Labor Department saysonly seven percent of workersin the private sectornow belong to one.But more than one-thirdof government workershold union cards.Local governments are the most unionized.Over forty-two percent of workerslike teachers, health care workersand public safety employeesare union members.But labor protests arenot the only political disputecapturing attention right now.A budget battle in Washingtoncould force the federal governmentto suspend many operationsat midnight next Friday.The last government shutdownhappened fifteen years ago.It lasted a record twenty-one days.And that's the VOA Special EnglishEconomics Report,written by Mario Ritter.For more news go to 51voa.com.Where we also invite you to tell us your thoughts about organized labor