Union supporters are declaring victory after a Wisconsin court struck down Governor Walker's right to work law. A Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled against the law saying it was unconstitutional on Friday. The right to work law passed last year ending mandatory union membership in the state of Wisconsin.
Here in northeast Wisconsin state representatives are reacting to the news too as they process what this could mean for unions across the state.
The right to work law basically meant that employees could choose not to join a union or pay union fees at their job. But yesterday's ruling may change all of that.
Getting the right to work law passed was a huge accomplishment for Governor Walker. But yesterday’s ruling, that the law is unconstitutional, is just as big of news for unions and many democrats.
"It was very exciting to see it was shown that this law was unconstitutional because it really is," says State Representative Amanda Stuck a Democrat from the 57th district.
Just as corporations or small businesses don't provide a service for free, yesterday’s decision outlines that unions in Wisconsin shouldn't have to provide free union benefits to their work force either.
"This ruling really said that's really taking property essentially away from the unions. Because now they are forced to represent people who don't actually pay in to get those benefits," adds Rep. Stuck.
But many republicans see the move as stripping freedom of choice, from workers.
"It's unsettling, it's disturbing and the worst thing about it is it threatens the very foundation of our democracy," says State Representative David Steffen a Republican from the 4th assembly district.
They see it as a way of forcing a worker to pay union fees, just to be a part of the workforce.
"It's passed in over 20 states. There is no reason why any judge would be trying to overturn this. It is incredibly transparent," adds Rep. Steffen.
And in light of the controversial decision, there is no question that the right to work debate has started all over again here in Wisconsin.
Next up the State Attorney General has already gone on record stating that he'll appeal this decision and likely take it to the Supreme Court.
