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Bill > SB458

WI SB458

WI SB458
Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE)

summary

Introduced
10/02/2025
In Committee
10/02/2025
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 LRB-4607/1 MIM:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 458 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 repeals Wisconsin's right-to-work law and modifies state labor relations policies to allow for more union-friendly workplace practices. The legislation creates a new declaration of policy that emphasizes protecting the interests of employees, employers, and the public, and recognizes employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain. The bill permits employers to enter into "all-union agreements" (contracts requiring union membership as a condition of employment) under specific conditions, including obtaining majority approval through a secret ballot referendum conducted by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC). The bill allows employers to encourage or discourage union membership within unionized workplaces and enables automatic dues deduction from employee earnings when an all-union agreement is in effect. Additionally, the bill provides mechanisms for periodic review of all-union agreements, including the ability to petition for a new referendum if there's reason to believe employee attitudes have changed, and requires the WERC to terminate an all-union agreement if the union unreasonably refuses to admit an employee. By removing right-to-work protections, the bill effectively gives unions more power to require membership and collect dues as a condition of employment, potentially strengthening labor organizations' position in workplace negotiations.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (60)

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)*,  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), 

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 10/17/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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