The Brief A Wisconsin appeals court restored a 2011 law that abolished collective bargaining rights. A Wisconsin appeals court on Wednesday restored a 2011 anti-union law that abolished collective bargaining rights, in a setback for unions and public workers. The lower court "had no legal basis" to declare the law unconstitutional, the appeals court said. The Wisconsin Legislature had a "rational basis" for only placing certain public safety workers under the law, the appeals court said. Appeals Court Judge Lisa Neubauer, the lone liberal on the three-judge panel, dissented, saying the lower court was correct.