Wisconsin unions restore collective bargaining rights after major court ruling

In Madison, Wisconsin, a significant legal decision occurred that restored the collective bargaining rights of public worker and teacher unions. This ruling, issued by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, took place in November 2024 and reversed restrictions enacted by the 2011 state law known as Act 10. That legislation had ended most public employees' ability to negotiate wage increases and forced them to pay higher health insurance and retirement contributions. The suit was brought forth by seven unions and three union leaders who argued that Act 10 created unconstitutional exemptions for public safety employees such as police and firefighters while punishing other public sector workers, including teachers. Judge Frost's ruling established that all public sector employees should be treated equally, thereby reinstating the collective bargaining rights that had been stripped away by Act 10. The ruling sparked a wave of reactions, with former Governor Scott Walker decrying it as “brazen political activism” and framing it as a contentious issue in the impending state Supreme Court election. Supporters of Walker's legislation, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, expressed their intent to appeal the decision, maintaining that the exemptions provided needed flexibility for local governments to manage budgets effectively. Initially passed during Walker's administration, Act 10 had significant consequences, igniting protests across Wisconsin as public sector workers fought to retain their rights. The new ruling stands to change the landscape for unions in the state and may lead to further legal battles as the Legislature vows to pursue an appeal. The unions are prepared to continue their fight for restoring rights despite the likelihood of ongoing legal challenges. This ruling represents a pivotal moment in Wisconsin’s long-standing debate over labor rights and government accountability, with implications reaching far beyond state borders and reverberating in the national discourse over union rights. The unions that brought the lawsuit included a diverse representation such as the Abbotsford Education Association, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, and various local outfits including the Teaching Assistants' Association. The legal arguments focused on equal protection provisions in the Wisconsin Constitution and the judge’s finding that the law unfairly segregated public employees into general and public safety categories. As the case unfolds, its outcomes will play a key role in shaping the future of collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin, a state historically pivotal in labor rights debates.