Federal panel hears arguments in Wisconsin collective bargaining case

By The Associated Press

CREATED Sep. 24, 2012

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CHICAGO- A federal appeals court in Chicago has heard arguments on the constitutionality of provisions in Wisconsin's law restricting collective bargaining by public employees.

A provision halting the automatic withdrawal of union dues was a focus of the hour-long hearing Monday before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Wisconsin is appealing a March ruling by U.S. District Judge William Conley deeming that provision illegal. He also struck a provision requiring unions hold elections annually. Both were at issue Monday.

Union attorney Leon Dayan told the three-judge panel that Republican legislators essentially stuck pro-Democrat unions with tougher provisions. But the attorney representing Wisconsin, Joseph Olson, countered there's no proof of such political payback.

This month, a state court tossed other parts of the law. Wisconsin also is appealing that ruling.