Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is insisting that the University of Wisconsin System end their diversity, equity and inclusion programs that serve “students of color, student veterans, women seeking degrees in male-dominated disciplines and students with disabilities” ("UW System pay hikes may be at risk," Sept. 20).

In spite of many corporations and businesses embracing employee diversity and inclusion programs, Vos sees the university programs as ineffective and creating racial divisions by focusing support on these specific groups of students. Vos and the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Employee Relations are planning to block the pay raises for 41,000 UW System employees if Vos’ demands to end DEI are not met. (The committee formally voted to block UW raises on Oct. 17.)

Why don't UW employees get a raise? We're just pawns in GOP's war against DEI.

Six Republican legislators should not be able to deny pay raises to 41,000 UW System employees.

Jerry Hanson, Elkhorn

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW System employees unfairly being denied pay raises by Wisconsin GOP