September 11, 2013 Wisconsin: Union Curbs Are Upheld By REUTERS
The state’s collective bargaining laws do not violate the free speech and equal protection rights of public sector union workers, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. The laws, passed in 2011 by Republican lawmakers, severely limited the bargaining power of public unions while forcing most state workers to pay more for health insurance and pensions. They also made payment of union dues voluntary and forced unions to be recertified every year. The laws set off efforts to recall Gov. Scott Walker and some Republican lawmakers. Federal District Judge William M. Conley ruled that the First Amendment granted public employees the right to free speech and association, but did not grant them collective bargaining rights. He said the laws did not violate equal protection rights because government has the right to set wages and benefits based on performance and skills.