MADISON — A Wisconsin court has struck down the state's right-to-work law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, calling it unconstitutional.
A Dane County Circuit Court judge issued the ruling Friday in a lawsuit filed by local unions. Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel promised to appeal the order, saying: "We are confident the law will be upheld on appeal."
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Machinists Local Lodge 1061 in Milwaukee and United Steelworkers District 2 in Menasha filed the lawsuit last year.
The groups argued that the law was an unconstitutional seizure of union property because it required unions to extend benefits to workers who don't pay dues.
We have received the following statements from officials on the court's decision:
Attorney General Brad Schimel
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
State Sen. Jennifer Shilling
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
John Mielke, President of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
Phil Neuenfeldt, President of Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Senator Chris Larson