Wis. doesn't have to bargain with biggest unions

During a news conference Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker holds up a flyer Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis., produced by a union from last November's election for reasons not to vote for Walker. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin will no longer be obligated to bargain with its largest public employee unions after the weakened labor groups decided Thursday against seeking recertification votes in the state at the forefront of this year’s fight over union rights.

The unions representing about 50,000 workers opted not to file notice of an intention to hold the complicated and expensive votes required by Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s sweeping collective bargaining changes passed by lawmakers earlier this year. The unions still will be able to request informal talks with state agencies, but formal negotiations will go by the wayside.