Wisconsin Implements New Public Employee Union Law Despite Challenge

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s administration is moving to implement the new state law eliminating most collective-bargaining rights for public workers, even though it’s still in legal limbo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesn't collect union dues any more. (Getty Images Photo)

The Republican governor’s administration no longer collects dues on behalf of state unions, but it now is charging state employees more for their pensions and healthcare.

A legal challenge questioned whether the law is in effect, but the state’s Justice Department contends that it is and asked a judge to vacate an order restraining the law.

The dispute goes before a Dane County circuit judge Tuesday, and higher courts are expected to rule on it.

State workers began paying more for benefits starting Sunday, Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said Monday. They also no longer are being billed for union dues, and those changes will show up on checks issued April 21, he said.

Employees working for the Legislature also are being charged more for benefits, said an aide to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Juneau Republican.