2 unions: Collective-bargaining law is unconstitutional

A women wears tape with a protest message over her mouth during a rally outside the state Capitol in Madison shortly after the Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling on the collective bargaining law on June 14. (AP File Photo)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two unions are asking a Dane County judge to declare that Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to end collective-bargaining law for most public workers are unconstitutional.

The request was filed Tuesday by Madison Teachers Inc. and Public Employees Local 61, AFL-CIO.

The groups say the new law violates the constitution by treating union and nonunion employees differently, and by imposing unfair burdens on those who belong to a union. They also say the law violates the city of Milwaukee’s ability to run its own pension system.

A message left with Walker’s spokesman was not immediately returned.

The law was passed in March despite weeks of vocal protest, and has prompted an effort to recall Walker. The governor has said the law was necessary to balance a $3.6 billion budget shortfall.