A Wisconsin judge last week barred state officials from any further implementation of a law that strips most public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights.
Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi had already issued an emergency injunction prohibiting enactment of the law, but the state’s Legislative Reference Bureau went ahead and published the law, claiming it was in effect.
The judge said her first order had either been ignored or misunderstood and warned that anyone who violated the new order would face penalties. Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said the agency would evaluate the judge’s order.
The law requires most public workers to contribute more to their pensions and health insurance. It also strips away their rights to collectively bargain for anything except wages.
