Federal Panel Hears Arguments in Wis. Union Case
Posted at: 09/24/2012 12:36 PM
CHICAGO (AP) - A federal appeals court in Chicago has heard arguments on the constitutionality of provisions in Wisconsin's law restricting collective bargaining by public employees.
A provision halting the automatic withdrawal of union dues was a focus of the hour-long hearing Monday before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Wisconsin is appealing a March ruling by U.S. District Judge William Conley deeming that provision illegal. He also struck a provision requiring unions hold elections annually. Both were at issue Monday.
Union attorney Leon Dayan told the three-judge panel that Republican legislators essentially stuck pro-Democrat unions with tougher provisions. But the attorney representing Wisconsin, Joseph Olson, countered there's no proof of such political payback.
This month, a state court tossed other parts of the law. Wisconsin also is appealing that ruling.
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