Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Collective Bargaining Law

A county judge has struck down provisions of Wisconsin's law that effectively ended collective bargaining rights for public sector unions.

In a 27-page decision last Friday, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas ruled that parts of the law "single out and encumber the rights of those employees who choose union membership and representation solely because of that association and therefore infringe upon the rights of free speech and association guaranteed by both the Wisconsin and United States Constitutions." The judge also said it violated equal protection by dividing workers into separate and unequal classes.

However, GOP Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has filed a motion to block the ruling on behalf of Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who made attacking public workers his signature initiative after taking office. The decision will be appealed to the Supreme Court.