Federal appeals court upholds Governor Walker's union law

MADISON (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld Republican Gov. Scott Walker's public union restrictions.

The restrictions stripped most public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights. Two unions representing city of Madison and Dane County public workers filed a lawsuit in 2011 alleging the law violated their right to freely assembly and equal protection.

U.S. District Judge William Conley found the restrictions constitutional in September. A three-judge 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed Conley's ruling on Friday, saying the U.S. Constitution doesn't require the state to maintain policies that allow certain associations to thrive.

The unions' attorney didn't immediately respond to an email message.

A 7th Circuit panel upheld the restrictions in a separate challenge from the state's largest teachers union in January.