Uncategorized

Circuit Court Judge Rules WI Anti-Collective Bargaining Law Invalid

Yesterday Dane County, Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi struck down a state law limiting the collective bargaining power of public sector unions to negotiate for benefits, hours, and working conditions. On March 18, Judge Sumi issued a temporarily blocked soon after the bill became law.

Sumi stated in her decision that Republican lawmakers violated the Wisconsin Open Public Meetings Law requiring that 24 hours’ notice be given prior to a meeting. At the time, the Republican senators voted in conference to strip the House bill of its spending measures to bypass the Senate 60 percent quorum. The Republican senators then voted 18-1, with only Republicans voting because, in protest, the Democrat senators left the state in an effort to prevent the vote .

The case is scheduled to be heard by the Wisconsin state Supreme Court on June 6.

Sources:

Boston Globe 5/27/11; Christian Science Monitor 5/26/11; Journal Sentinel 5/26/11; Feminist Daily Newswire 3/11/11

Support eh ERA banner