MADISONS, Wisconsin (AP) — A liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court judge on Wednesday rejected a Republican request that she not listen to pending cases. I’m trying to restore collective bargaining rights Tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and other state workers were lost in 2011.
Her decision simultaneously refused to hear the case as the court had requested without comment before the union first passed the Court of Appeal.
Judge Janet Protesiewitz opposes rejecting herself after submitting a complaint that she should not hear the case because the Republican legislative leader expressed his opinion on the law during the 2023 campaign. did.
Her decision was a victory for the Liberal Party, who had been fighting for over a decade, overturning the law known as Article 10 and effectively ending collective bargaining for most public unions.
Conservative Judge Brian Haggone retreated From the incident on January 30th. Hagedorn helped write law while serving as a Gov at the time. Scott Walker’s top lawyer.
The court’s decision not to listen to the case immediately means that it is almost certain that it will not be considered until after the April 1 election. That election will determine whether the Liberal Party will maintain a majority in the courts. Even if the conservatives win, for Hagedorn’s responsibility, the court will be divided 3-3 between liberal and conservative justice in considering the case.
Union lawyers and spokesmen who requested the court to be heard immediately did not reply to an email seeking comment.
Wisconsin anti-union laws have been challenged for years
Seven unions representing Wisconsin teachers and other civil servants have filed lawsuits seeking to overturn the anti-union Law 2011known as Law 10. The law had endured many legal challenges before. Dane County Circuit Court Judge In December, it was found that most of it was unconstitutional and set up an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Act 10 Act effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to negotiate beyond just the base wage. They also banned the automatic withdrawal of union membership fees, banned the need for an annual union recertification slip, and forced civil servants to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits.
Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost in December said the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin constitution by dividing civil servants into “general” and “public safety” employees. I have ruled. Under the ruling, all public sector workers who lost collective bargaining power will be restored to what was in place before 2011.
The judge put the verdict on hold after awaiting appeal.
Union Act split Wisconsin and the country
The introduction of the 2011 law has fueled a massive protest that has grown over several weeks. Wisconsin has made it the center of a national battle for union rights, driving Walker onto the national stage, sparking a failed recall campaign, laying the foundation for Walker’s 2016 presidential bid failing.
Legal Adoption It caused a dramatic decline Union members throughout the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of workforce organised.
In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved the Right to Work Act, which restricted the power of private unions.
If the lawsuit is successful, all public sector workers who have lost their collective bargaining power will restore it. They will be treated the same as police, firefighters and other public safety associations that continue to be exempt.
The department remains on the effectiveness of the law
Advocates of the law said local governments gave workers and more control the powers they needed to cut costs. By repealing the law, schools and local governments have allowed them to raise funds for benefits through the contributions of higher employees.
Democrat opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by depriving employees of their ability to comprehensively negotiate wages and working conditions.
Republicans wanted Protasiewicz not to listen to the incident
Protasiewicz is the newest member of the court and operated in 2023 as an opponent of the Union Act. Her victory gave the Liberals a majority in court for the first time in 15 years. That’s the majority Again on the line The Supreme Court election on April 1 will fill the seats of the resigning Liberal Party.
Protasiewicz said in the campaign that he considers Act 10 unconstitutional. She too He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel She would consider rejecting herself if she challenges the law. Protasiewicz took part in the protest against it and signed a petition to remember Walker.
In her response to Congress’s request that she not listen to the incident, Protasiewicz said she could hear the incident fairly.
“I’m sure in this case, the appearance can actually behave fairly,” she said.
Republican Congressional chair Robin Voss and Senate majority leader Devin Lemahieu sought her responsibility but did not reply to an email for comment.
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