Judge Rejects US Challenge to Arizona Union Law

A federal judge in Arizona has rejected the government's challenge of a state constitutional amendment that guarantees workers the right to secret ballots in union elections.

U.S. District Judge Frederick Martone says it is premature to rule on whether the amendment conflicts with federal law because it depends on how the provision is enforced.

The ruling issued late Wednesday says the measure could impermissibly clash with federal law, but there are also instances in which it would not. It left the door open for a future challenge once the amendment is applied.

The amendment passed as a ballot initiative in 2010 with 61 percent of the vote. Business groups sought the amendment because they fear Congress could make it easier for workers to unionize without holding secret ballot elections.