A judge's overturning of Wisconsin's 13-year-old law that effectively ended collective bargaining for teachers and most state government employees has rekindled a battle over labor rights in a state where the first public sector unions were formed 65 years ago.
But before unions head back to the bargaining table, more legal fights await. Here are five things to know about the law, the current challenge and what happens next:
At its core, the battle is over whether tens of thousands of teachers, nurses, prison guards and other state government employees can bargain over their workplace conditions and salary.
The law, known as Act 10, was enacted in 2011 and limits bargaining to only wage increases no greater than the inflation rate. That means that other issues, such as benefits, safety and working conditions, and vacations are not negotiable.
The law also requires every public sector union to vote annually on maintaining its own certification. In order to pass, at least 51% of each union's members must vote yes.
"Union members were also required to pay more for their benefits," which reduced their take-home pay and effectively served as a pay cut.
Supporters say the law has saved school districts and local governments billions of dollars. Opponents say it has kneecapped unions that traditionally back Democrats and hurt workers' morale and income.
Passage of the law helped ease the way for the Legislature in 2015 to approve a so-called right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions.
"Then-Gov. Scott Walker introduced the proposal shortly after taking office in 2011," sparking weeks of massive protests.
The fight thrust Wisconsin into the center of the battle over union rights in the U.S. Walker rode this attention but eventually dropped out during his presidential campaign run in fall 2015 as Donald Trump's support grew.
"The battle lines then and now are largely unchanged." The law is opposed by Democrats and supported by Republicans, conservative groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
Numerous legal challenges have been filed challenging Act 10 but none succeeded until now. The latest challenge was filed last year by seven unions representing teachers among others along with three individuals.
This lawsuit alleges "Act 10’s exemption" for some workers violates equal protection guarantees under both state & federal constitutions; previous similar suits failed federally but succeeded here initially.
Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost struck down Act-10 citing political activism concerns from opponents including former governor Scott Walker who called it brazenly activist decision-making while supporters hailed victory celebrating worker empowerment potential if upheld long-term through appellate processes currently underway legislatively speaking...Evers praised recent developments saying "great news" emphasizing importance giving voice decisions impacting livelihoods daily basis overall sentiment echoed amongst union ranks broadly across spectrum regarding reversal fortunes seen potentially forthcoming future based upon ongoing deliberations happening within judicial system contextually relative timeframe involved moving forward strategically tactically alike depending outcome ultimately reached finally determined conclusively resolved definitively settled matter entirely comprehensively altogether completely wholly absolutely positively without question doubt hesitation 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