Summary

A Wisconsin judge has restored collective bargaining rights to public employees, overturning key provisions of the 2011 Act 10 law, which had sharply restricted union powers and sparked massive protests.

The ruling reinstates rights for most public sector unions to levels seen before 2011, aligning them with exempted groups like police and firefighters.

Republicans plan to appeal, likely sending the case to the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Union leaders celebrated the decision, while opponents argue it threatens local budgets and undermines past legal precedents supporting the law.