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Bill > AB470

WI AB470

WI AB470
Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE)

summary

Introduced
09/26/2025
In Committee
09/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The current right-to-work law prohibits a person from requiring, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to refrain or resign from membership in a labor organization, to become or remain a member of a labor organization, to pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to pay any other person an amount that is in place of dues or charges required of members of a labor organization. This bill repeals these prohibitions and the associated misdemeanor offense for violating the right-to-work law. The bill explicitly provides that, when an all-union agreement is in effect, it is not an unfair labor practice to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization or to deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee[s earnings. The bill sets conditions under which an employer may enter into an all-union agreement. The bill also sets conditions for the continuation or termination of all-union agreements, including that, if the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe employees in an all-union agreement have changed their attitude about the agreement, WERC is required to conduct a referendum to determine whether the employees wish to continue the agreement. WERC is required to terminate an all-union agreement if it finds the union unreasonably refused to admit an employee into the union. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill eliminates Wisconsin's right-to-work law and makes several significant changes to labor relations in the state. The legislation modifies existing statutes to allow for all-union agreements, which means employers can now enter into contracts with labor organizations that require all employees in a bargaining unit to be union members or pay union dues. To establish an all-union agreement, a majority of employees must vote in favor through a secret ballot referendum conducted by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC). The bill preserves employees' rights to organize and bargain collectively while providing mechanisms for employees to challenge or terminate such agreements. Specifically, employees can petition WERC to conduct a new referendum if they believe attitudes toward the agreement have changed, and WERC must terminate the agreement if the union unreasonably refuses to admit an employee. The bill also updates provisions related to union dues deductions, allowing automatic deductions when an all-union agreement is in effect and providing employees with the ability to terminate such deductions with 30 days' notice. By repealing the right-to-work law, the bill aims to strengthen labor unions' ability to represent workers and negotiate collective bargaining agreements, aligning with the state's declared policy of promoting fair and mutually satisfactory employment relations.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (60)

Clint Anderson (D)*,  Deb Andraca (D)*,  Margaret Arney (D)*,  Mike Bare (D)*,  Jill Billings (D)*,  Brienne Brown (D)*,  Ryan Clancy (D)*,  Angelina Cruz (D)*,  Karen DeSanto (D)*,  Ben DeSmidt (D)*,  Steve Doyle (D)*,  Jodene Emerson (D)*,  Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,  Russell Goodwin (D)*,  Kalan Haywood (D)*,  Francesca Hong (D)*,  Andrew Hysell (D)*,  Jenna Jacobson (D)*,  Alex Joers (D)*,  Tara Johnson (D)*,  Karen Kirsch (D)*,  Darrin Madison (D)*,  Renuka Mayadev (D)*,  Maureen McCarville (D)*,  Tip McGuire (D)*,  Vincent Miresse (D)*,  Supreme Moore Omokunde (D)*,  Greta Neubauer (D)*,  Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,  Lori Palmeri (D)*,  Christian Phelps (D)*,  Pricilla Prado (D)*,  Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,  Ann Roe (D)*,  Joe Sheehan (D)*,  Christine Sinicki (D)*,  Lee Snodgrass (D)*,  Ryan Spaude (D)*,  Angela Stroud (D)*,  Shelia Stubbs (D)*,  Lisa Subeck (D)*,  Sequanna Taylor (D)*,  Angelito Tenorio (D)*,  Randy Udell (D)*,  Robyn Vining (D)*,  Tim Carpenter (D),  Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D),  Dora Drake (D),  Jodi Habush Sinykin (D),  Dianne Hesselbein (D),  LaTonya Johnson (D),  Sarah Keyeski (D),  Chris Larson (D),  Brad Pfaff (D),  Melissa Ratcliff (D),  Kelda Roys (D),  Jeff Smith (D),  Mark Spreitzer (D),  Jamie Wall (D),  Bob Wirch (D), 

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 10/10/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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