Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Scott Walker-Era Law Limiting Public Sector Union Rights
The court ruled that Act 10 violated the state constitution’s equal protection clause, restoring collective bargaining rights to public sector workers after 13 years.
- Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost invalidated key provisions of Wisconsin's Act 10, a 2011 law that severely restricted public sector union rights.
- The ruling restores collective bargaining rights for teachers, nurses, sanitation workers, and other public employees, while excluding police and firefighters who were previously exempt under the law.
- The decision was based on the law’s unequal treatment of 'general' public employees versus 'public safety' employees, which the judge found unconstitutional.
- Act 10 had significantly weakened unions by limiting wage negotiations, increasing employee contributions to benefits, and requiring annual union recertification votes.
- Republican lawmakers plan to appeal the decision, with the case potentially heading to the state Supreme Court, which now has a liberal majority after recent elections.
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