Additional Coverage:
- Judge restores collective bargaining rights to unions in Wisconsin in landmark decision (foxbusiness.com)
Wisconsin Judge Restores Collective Bargaining Rights
A Wisconsin judge has ruled in favor of public union workers, restoring their collective bargaining rights that had been taken away by a 2011 law.
The law, known as Act 10, was passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature and signed by then-Governor Scott Walker. It limited the ability of state employees to negotiate salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
The judge ruled that several sections of Act 10 were unconstitutional, as they violated the Wisconsin Constitution. He argued that the law created a group of “public safety employees” who were treated differently from other state workers without a valid reason.
Mixed Reactions
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Democrats praised the move, while Republicans expressed concerns about its financial impact.
Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that Act 10 had saved taxpayers billions of dollars and that the state would appeal the decision.
Historical Context
The ruling comes after years of legal challenges to Act 10. In 2014, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the law. However, the recent decision suggests that the law may not withstand further legal scrutiny.