Scott Walker’s Collective Bargaining Law Struck Down By Wisconsin Judge, Win For Unions

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial anti-collective bargaining law has been ruled unconstitutional by a judge in the state, with news breaking late Friday that the anti-union legislation had been stricken down.

The Washington Post reports that legislation “championed” by Walker limiting workers’ collective bargaining rights severely is unconstitutional at both the state and federal level, as ruled by Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas.

The striking down of Walker’s anti-union law follow suits brought by Milwaukee unions and the Madison teachers union after public workers were limited in their ability to collectively bargain with management.

According to the Post, the collective bargaining law was rendered null and void by Judge Colas’ decision, but it is not clear whether the decision will go into effect immediately or whether the change in law would be delayed after the law spent a year on the books:

“It was not clear if the ruling means the law is immediately suspended. The law took away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most workers and has been in effect for more than a year.”

Per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the change in law puts workers in a far better position to bargain after a year of suspended rights:

“The ruling means that, unless it is overturned on appeal, school districts and local officials will have to return to the bargaining table with their workers in a much more significant way.”

“The decision raises a host of questions about changes in pay, benefits and work rules that have taken place in the meantime while bargaining was essentially dead.”

Reps for Gov. Walker comment that they feel confident the verdict will be overturned on appeal.