Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is vowing to appeal a judge’s ruling that knocked down much of the state’s controversial anti-union legislation passed last year, which effectively banned collective bargaining and vaulted Walker to national stardom within the GOP.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is vowing to appeal a judge’s ruling that knocked down much of the state’s controversial anti-union legislation.

The 2011 law, which effectively banned collective bargaining, vaulted Walker to national stardom within the Republican party and sparked months of union protests and lawsuits.

One of those cases was heard by a state judge who late Friday deemed the law unconstitutional.

Anger over the anti-union legislation prompted an effort to dump Walker, but the governor survived a recall vote this summer. He pledged to keep fighting.

“The people of Wisconsin clearly spoke on June 5th - now they are ready to move on,” said Walker in a statement released Saturday. “We are confident that the state will ultimately prevail in the appeals process.”

While unions declared victory over the judge’s ruling, Walker suggested that he would leave the law in place during the appeals process.

The bill had dramatically restricted collective bargaining, only allowing unions to negotiate wage increases no greater than the rate of inflation. They were not permitted to bargain for any other benefit.

The Wisconsin law’s passage prompted other GOP governors to fight for similar legislation but some states - like Ohio - defeated the measures.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-appeal-court-decision-overturning-anti-union-law-article-1.1160363