Wis. Teacher contract talks settle quickly - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MILWAUKEE (WKOW) – Ten years ago, more than half of Wisconsin's school district went without teacher contracts for over a year, but now contracts are being completed in about 15 minutes.

Christina Brey, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, said there isn't much to talk about.

The Wisconsin Education Association Council is the state's largest teachers union.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, under last year's law that curbed collecting bargaining, only changes to base wages are subject to negotiation.  Those raises are limited to a cost-of-living increase set by the state.

For the recent school year, the maximum cost-of-living increase was 1.64 percent.  For 2012-2013, the maximum increase will be 3.16 percent.

Districts that want to exceed the limit must put the question to the voters through a referendum.