10-5-13 wisconsin unions appeal collective bargaining ruling

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two union chapters have appealed a federal ruling uphold Republican Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining restrictions.  Walker signed a law in 2011 that stripped nearly all public workers of almost all their union rights. Union chapters representing city of Madison and Dane County public workers filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law, arguing it violated their rights to assemble and equal protection.  U.S. District Judge William Conley upheld the law last month. The two union chapters filed a notice of appeal with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday.  A 7th Circuit panel upheld the law in a separate lawsuit in January. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to hear yet another challenge to the restrictions. A fourth lawsuit is still pending in Dane County Circuit Court.