Unions seek veto pledge over bargaining rights

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin union leaders are asking Democratic candidates for governor to pledge that they will veto the next state budget if it doesn't restore collective bargaining rights for public workers.

The limitation of those rights is largely what motivated the petition drive to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday that Democratic candidate Kathleen Falk has agreed to the veto promise. The other announced Democratic candidate, Kathleen Vinehout, says she would work to avoid the threat of a veto to restore bargaining rights.

Both houses of the Legislature are currently controlled by Republicans. The promise of a budget veto from a Democratic governor could be one way to force a compromise on the collective bargaining issue.