New Lawsuit Against Bargaining Law

     A coalition of Wisconsin unions has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the recently passes Wisconsin Act 10.  The lawsuit contends that the Act violates the First and Fourteenth Ammendments of the constitution because it encumbers people's right to "bargain, organize, and associate for the purpose of engaging in union activity" and because it discriminates among classes of municipal employees by exempting police, firefighters, and state troopers.  This is the first lawsuit to actually attack the bill on its merits, although it should be noted that it does not challenge the pension and insurance contributions of employees, as the unions involved in the lawsuit have "made it clear from day one that Wisconsin public sector workers would do their part to share in the sacrafice and keep our state moving forward" according to a statement issued by the AFL-CIO.  The case has been filed in the Western District of Wisconsin and assigned to District Judge William M. Conley, who was appointed to the position by President Barak Obama.