Two business groups claim that Wisconsin enacted an unconstitutional law that prohibits employers from "conducting mandatory meetings with employees to communicate the employer's opinion about the advantages or disadvantages of joining or supporting a union." The 15-page complaint does not mention any advantages to joining a union.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce sued Gov. Jim Doyle and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman in Federal Court.

Gov. Doyle signed Senate Bill 585 into law in May. The law prohibits employers - and unions and hiring and licensing agencies - from discriminating against anyone for "declining to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious or political matters."

The business groups claim SB 585 violates the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act and the National Labor Relations Act by failing to allow employers to communicate with their employees. And they say the state exceeded its jurisdiction.