4-19-14 federal appeals court upholds walker's union law

MADISON, Wis. (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 appeals panel affirmed Conley's ruling Friday, saying the U.S. Constitution doesn't require the state to maintain policies that allow certain associations to thrive.  Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen calls the ruling "a victory for the law and for Wisconsin taxpayers."  An attorney for the unions says he needs to talk to his clients before deciding whether to appeal.