Reaction to Ruling Restoring Wisconsin’s Union Rights

The reactions are coming in after a judge rules the Wisconsin statute restricting collective bargaining rights for public service workers is unconstitutional. The decision from Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost on Monday afternoon. It marks a significant victory for educators, conservation wardens, nurses, sanitation workers, and other public employees who have been fighting to restore their rights since the 2011 law was enacted.

Judge Frost determined the statute violated the state Constitution’s equal protection guarantee. His decision indicates it unfairly targeted most public sector workers while preserving bargaining rights for a select few. The ruling reinstates workers’ rights to negotiate on issues beyond base wages and to be represented by unions without the requirement of annual recertification elections. And the response to the ruling is wide-ranging. 

“This decision is personal,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden, union president, and one of the plaintiffs in the case. “It gives us a voice again to improve our workplace and keep Wisconsin safe. While we know there may still be legal challenges ahead, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again.”

Other union leaders are calling the decision a long-overdue correction.

“Educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions,” said Betsy Ramsdale, a teacher and union leader from Beaver Dam. “Everyone benefits when workers have a say in the workplace.”

“After 14 years of battling for our rights, this victory brings immense joy. It’s a step forward toward building a Wisconsin where everyone can thrive,” said Rocco DeMark, a building service worker in Racine. 

The plaintiffs in this case included union members and individual public service workers. Their argument focused on inequities that have crippled Wisconsin’s public workforce. Some of the issues cited are the 40% turnover rates among teachers within six years of entering the profession and a 32% staff vacancy rate for corrections officers.

Act 10 was passed by the state Legislature’s Republican majority in 2011. Former Republican Governor Scott Walker signed it during his first year in office. Walker posted his video response on X.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos released this statement via WisPolitics.

“This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges. Act 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $16 billion. We look forward to presenting our arguments on appeal.”

It is likely the case will remain in the courts for some time before there is a final ruling.