Even as Wisconsin's new law narrowing collective bargaining for government unions is tested in court, its implications are becoming clearer. Two prominent state unions, the Wisconsin State Employees Union and the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, have admitted that if the law goes into effect they would consider not bothering to recertify as official representatives of workers and would instead transform themselves into voluntary membership groups which advocate on behalf of worker issues but can't sit at the table to negotiate contracts.
The new law requires unions to recertify in elections in which a majority of the membership agrees to union representation. Even if they won these elections, unions could no longer negotiate over benefits and work rules. And workers who do not want to be a part of the union could opt out of paying dues. Facing those hurdles union leaders have admitted that winning recertification might be a tall order in Wisconsin, especially given that government workers in the state would still be protected by civil service laws even without belonging to a union.
There is precedent for the voluntary associations. In the 1950s, before the movement for public sector unionization gathered momentum, many current government unions were voluntary associations and professional groups which advocated on behalf of their membership without having bargaining status.
There is precedent for the voluntary associations. In the 1950s, before the movement for public sector unionization gathered momentum, many current government unions were voluntary associations and professional groups which advocated on behalf of their membership without having bargaining status.
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