International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 v. Schimel

**What Happened** The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 and other unions sued Wisconsin over the state's "right-to-work" law. This law allows workers in unionized workplaces to choose whether or not to pay union fees, even if they benefit from union-negotiated contracts. The unions argued this law was illegal under federal law and violated their constitutional rights by forcing them to represent workers who don't pay dues. **What the Court Decided** The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the unions and upheld Wisconsin's right-to-work law. The court relied on a previous similar case (Sweeney v. Pence) and rejected the unions' arguments that federal labor law should override the state law. The court also dismissed claims that the law amounted to an unconstitutional "taking" of union resources. **What This Means for Workers** This ruling reinforces that states can pass right-to-work laws that give workers the choice of whether to pay union dues, even in unionized workplaces. Workers in Wisconsin and similar states can receive union representation and contract benefits without being required to financially support the union. However, this may weaken unions' funding and bargaining power over time.