Governor
Scott Walker's collective bargaining law is constitutional. That's the ruling from
a federal appeals court in Chicago.
Governor
Walker visited Eagle River on Friday for the snowmobile derby. But he took time
to comment on what he calls a big victory.
"It's
a win for the taxpayers," said Walker. "This is one of those where our reforms
firmly put the power back in the hands of the hardworking taxpayers in the
state, instead of a limited number of special interests in the government side
of things."
The
latest ruling comes after a district court judge overturned part of the law, known
as Act 10, in March. The law stripped most public workers of their collective
bargaining rights. That led to a recall election against Governor Walker, that
he eventually won.
"I think that affirms what we've said, and the
attorney general have said all along, that this is not only good public policy,
it's legally upheld and will continue to be upheld."
But
opponents of the law say this ruling is a step in the wrong direction. The Wisconsin
Education Association Council says the law takes away their voice.
"This
marks a setback," said Christina Brey, WEAC Spokesperson. "But the fact of the
matter is that our members will not give up on their commitment to restoring
their rights to negotiate for fair wages and safe working conditions in the
schools in which they work."
It's
unknown at this time if the WEAC plans on challenging Friday's ruling. A
spokesperson tells Newsline 9 they'll take a few days to review their options and
decide where to go from there.
