FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2026
Contact: Dustin Beilke, [email protected]
News Release: Wisconsin Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Unions’ Collective Bargaining Rights Lawsuit
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today granted the Petition for Review in Abbotsford Education Association v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, the case to restore collective bargaining rights to Wisconsin public service workers.
Under the Court's order, the union plaintiffs' first brief in the case is due on December 11, 2026. The Court is expected to issue its decision before next summer.
The union plaintiffs released this statement:
"We welcome the Supreme Court's decision to hear our case. We remain confident in its merits and look forward to making our arguments before the Justices. We believe the Circuit Court's ruling in our favor will be upheld.
"Wisconsin is better when all public service workers have a say in our workplaces, whether about class sizes in our schools, safety on the job, hours or any other number of areas.
"Today's announcement brings public service workers across the state one step closer to regaining free, fair and full collective bargaining rights to negotiate with our employers. We won't stop until we get there."
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Plaintiffs in the case include SEIU Wisconsin, Abbotsford Education Association (WEAC/NEA), Beaver Dam Education Association (WEAC/NEA), the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 47, AFSCME Local 1215, Teaching Assistants Association (TAA/AFT Local 3220), and Wisconsin Teamsters.
