Judge finds WERC in contempt of union decision

Listen to this article

Madison (AP) — A Madison judge has found Wisconsin labor relations officials in contempt of court for continuing to enforce portions of Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining restrictions.

Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas ruled last year the restrictions were unconstitutional as applied to two unions representing Madison teachers and Milwaukee public workers. It’s unclear whether the ruling applies to local government unions across the state, however, and the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission still is preparing to hold annual certification elections for more than 400 unions next month.

The unions’ attorneys told Colas during a hearing Monday his decision does indeed apply statewide. WERC’s attorneys countered Colas needed to issue an injunction to make it statewide.

Colas ruled his decision indeed applies statewide and issued an injunction barring WERC from holding the elections.