A group of labor unions filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to the block the reinstatement of collective bargaining legislation. The lawsuit addresses collective bargaining only and does not seek to stop implementation of increased payroll deductions for pensions and health insurance premiums.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the legislation did not violate the state’s open meetings law and could be put into effect. The lawsuit alleges that the legislation creates two classes of employees — public safety workers and everyone else — and promotes discrimination among types of state workers. The lawsuit also suggests that Governor Scott Walker showed favoritism by exempting a class of workers that supported him in his bid for governor.
Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said yesterday that he expects deductions to go into effect in late August at the earliest. If that proves to be accurate, faculty on 9-month appointments would see increased deductions beginning with the October payroll.