Unions - Wisconsin

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Wisconsin has its own labor relations laws regarding union activity in private sector employment; however they provide similar protections as those of the National Labor Relations Act or Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

The state’s labor relations law covers all private sector employees except domestic service workers, any individual employed by his or her parent or spouse, or any employee who is subject to the federal railway labor act.

Right to work

Wisconsin has a right-to-work law. A private employer may not enter into an agreement with a labor organization that requires employees to join a union as a condition of employment. An individual may not be required to:

• Become or remain a member or a labor organization,
• Resign or refrain from membership in a labor organization,
• Refrain from voluntary financial support of a labor organization,
• Pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges to a labor organization,
• Pay a third party an amount that is equal to or in place of the duties, fees, or assessments required of union members.

Public employees

Wisconsin has specific labor relations laws for state and municipal employment.

State

Contacts

Employment Relations Commission

National Labor Relations Board (Region 30)

Public employment

Office of State Employment Relations

Regulations

Wisconsin Peace Act

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 111, 111.01 et seq.

Fraudulent advertising for labor

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 103, 103.43

Contracts; promises to withdraw from or not to join labor, employers' or cooperative organizations are void

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 103, 103.46

Restrictive covenants in employment contracts

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 103, 103.465

Collective bargaining; definitions

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 103, 103.505

Public employment

Municipal employment relations, Chapter 111, 111.70 et seq.

State employment labor relations, Chapter 111, 111.80 et seq.

Federal

ContactNational Labor Relations Board

Regulations29 U.S.C. §§ 151-16929 U.S.C. §401 et seq.