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NY unions’ cheesy Wis. recall blitz

Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett (Reuters)

Scott Walker

Scott Walker (AP)

BADGERING STATE: Tom Mason, an official with New York City’s Amalgamated Transit Union local, canvasses in Milwaukee yesterday with James Macon, of the local ATU, ahead of tomorrow’s recall election between Gov. Scott Walker and Tom Barrett. (
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BADGERING STATE: Tom Mason (left), an official with New York City’s Amalgamated Transit Union local, canvasses in Milwaukee yesterday with James Macon, of the local ATU, ahead of tomorrow’s recall election between Gov. Scott Walker and Tom Barrett. (Ernie Mastroianni; Reuters; AP)

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Fearing their own bargaining rights could be stripped away, members of New York’s powerful unions piled onto planes to Wisconsin in an effort to topple GOP Gov. Scott Walker in tomorrow’s recall election.

Dozens representing, among others, health-care Local 1199 East, building-service Local 32BJ and Local 726 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, are knocking on doors, making calls and handing out fliers to support Democrat Tom Barrett over Walker.

And members from around the country of the Transport Workers Union are badgering voters in the Badger State by cold-calling them using an online phone bank.

Many Wisconsin voters said they’re fed up with union campaigning and accused outsiders of poisoning the political climate.

“It’s a lot of people from outside stirring the pot,” said Steve Tate, 54, of Deforest, who backs Walker. “This recall is a waste of money. We should ride out the tough times and work with one another.”

But Tom Mason, a New York City bus driver and executive board member of ATU Local 726, said he’s worried that Walker’s attacks on union rights will spread to the Big Apple and the rest of the country.

“I’m here to support my brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. This is about our collective-bargaining rights and right to own a home,” said Mason, wearing an orange “Occupy Transit” T-shirt.

“Everybody in the union movement should be concerned. The anti-labor actions will go national if Walker is not defeated.”

Mason canvassed with Bronx native Natalie Perez-Cruz, an ATU national field operator, and James Macon, of ATU’s Milwaukee local.

Walker and the GOP-run state Legislature enraged the unions when they passed a law that curbs and eliminates government unions’ bargaining rights for salaries, health and safety. Automatic dues collections from government workers was also scrapped.

The law also requires public employees to pay more to cover pension and health benefits.

Walker and the GOP said the actions were needed to balance the budget and bolster Wisconsin’s long-term economic health.

A Public Policy Poll released late last night showed 50 percent of the voters supported Walker; 47 percent favored Barrett.

National ATU President Larry Hanley, a Staten Islander, said at a Milwaukee rally, “There are politicians in this state who’ve turned public workers into worse enemies than Osama bin Laden.”

Local 32BJ sent eight members and staffers from the metro region, Pittsburgh and DC to pitch in. Operatives have been in Milwaukee for two weeks.

As many as 12 New York teachers are in Wisconsin, and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten is expected to arrive today.

The Post also spotted members of Local 1199 East/SEIU in Milwaukee wearing their trademark purple and gold T-shirts.

Walker’s allies blasted the out-of-state unions for meddling.

“The whole recall movement began when outside labor forces descended on Wisconsin. This is a last-ditch, desperate attempt to come in and influence the voters of Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin GOP spokesman Ben Sparks.

Additional reporting by Gerry Shields and Josh Saul