WI Judge Strikes Down Anti-Collective Bargaining Law; Fight Isn't Over

The legal and political battle continues in Wisconsin, even after a judge last week struck down the state's anti-collective bargaining law. Above, workers rally at the statehouse May 14.

Republican lawmakers broke Wisconsin's open meetings law when they rushed to pass a bill stripping public workers of their collective bargaining rights, a judge ruled last week.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi's decision strikes down the law, for now, but is not the final verdict. The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in the case, and Republicans could try to pass the law a second time.

Whether they could, or would want to do so, is unclear, given the July 12 recall elections for six senators who voted in favor of the anti-union bill and the outrage that brought thousands of protesters to the statehouse for weeks earlier this year.

Sumi said legislators didn't give the required 24-hour notice before their meeting to pass the bill. "The court must consider the potential damage to public trust and confidence in government if the Legislature is not held to the same rules of transparency that it has created for other governmental bodies," she wrote in a 33-page decision.

CWA District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen said the decision is encouraging but doesn't change the ongoing work for CWA, other unions and their allies who are fighting back against the attacks on workers' rights.

"While we are happy with the court ruling overturning this attack on collective bargaining, we will not get distracted from our critical efforts to change the majority in the state Senate in recall elections this summer," Rosen said. "Even if this decision stands, the Senate could vote the same way again, unless we can change the balance of power. Our local leaders and activists are working around the clock to ensure that we return to a pro-worker majority in the Senate this summer."