Federal Court Upholds Gov. Walker's Union Law
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MADISON - The battle between the unions and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker turned in the governor’s favor Friday, as a federal appeals court upheld Act 10 as entirely constitutional.
Seven public unions first challenged its constitutionality in 2011, and litigation over Act 10 has been ongoing for the past two years.
The law strips most public workers of nearly all of their collective bargaining rights and requires unions to hold elections every year.
Local union representatives say it’s their right to be able to join together to address their employers.
“That’s basically what’s at the heart of it. I don’t have to take what they’re offering simply because they’re the government or an employer. I can talk about what my labor is worth and we can come to an agreement. That’s a fair process,” Lance Nelson, staff representative of AFSCME, said.
However, a statement from Walker’s office said, today’s ruling is a victory for Wisconsin’s taxpayers and that it is vital in balancing Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion deficit without increasing taxes.
