Federal judge strikes down parts of Wis. union law

Federal judge strikes down parts of Wis. union law

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has upheld most of Wisconsin’s law curbing collective bargaining rights, but he sided with unions in at least one key area by saying union dues could automatically be withdrawn from public workers’ paychecks.

The ruling Friday comes in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of unions fighting the law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Union attorneys declined immediate comment.

The lawsuit says the law violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution because it strips collective bargaining rights from most — but not all — public employees.

U.S. District Judge William Conley rejected that argument but struck down other parts of the law, including its ban on automatic dues and its requirement that a majority of union members agree to stay organized in annual votes.