Wisconsin labor panel won’t stop union restrictions

MADISON, WI (AP) — Wisconsin labor relations officials are refusing to stop enforcing provisions of Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious public union restrictions on local government workers, brushing aside assertions that they’re violating a court order.

A Madison judge last year found the restrictions unconstitutional as they applied to Madison teachers and Milwaukee public workers. It’s unclear whether the ruling applies statewide, though. The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission is moving ahead with union certification elections as prescribed in the restrictions.

The judge said last week his decision applies broadly but refused to order WERC to stop the elections. Six unions have threatened to try to hold WERC in contempt of court if it didn’t stop the elections by Monday.

Commission Chairman James Scott said the panel doesn’t believe it’s violating any court order.