160 local bargaining units want to remain

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - One hundred and sixty local government bargaining units have notified the state that they want to take a vote on remaining officially recognized under Wisconsin's new, more restrictive collective bargaining law.

Monday's filing deadline applies to all non-school district local bargaining units, including cities, towns, villages, counties and technical colleges. Only those that did not sign a new contract by June 29 or had an extension that expired by Monday are subject to the deadline.

The new requirement was part of the law proposed by Gov. Scott Walker and passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature last year despite massive protests that made Wisconsin the center of the national debate over union rights.

Votes on staying officially recognized will take place in February and March.