The Future of Act 10

On Monday, December 2nd, Dane County Judge, Jacob Frost, struck down Act 10, the Scott Walker-era legislation which severely limited the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Judge Frost explained that the law violated the Wisconsin Constitution’s equal protection clause, as it arbitrarily selected which public employees retained the right to collectively bargain and which did not. Collective bargaining is now legal again and public workers, like the Madison teachers union, MTI, are demanding to negotiate a contract.

The future is uncertain for the repeal of Act 10, as union-busting advocates intend to appeal the decision and the case will likely be taken up by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In addition to the likely appeal, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s term will expire in 2025 and she does not intend to run for re-election. Justice Bradley has frequently sided with liberals on the court and the future of the makeup of the court could determine the final outcome to strike down or uphold Act 10. While many of us in the labor movement are weary of politics after the results of the recent presidential elections, the upcoming judicial elections highlight why we must continue to be vigilant and active in the political process.

-Nate Kieso, Secretary of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, Political Organizer