Judge blocks contentious labour law

A JUDGE in the United States last night issued a temporary restraining order blocking Wisconsin's new and contentious collective bargaining law from taking effect.

Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued the order to temporarily block the law as District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat, had requested.

Mr Ozanne filed a lawsuit contending that a legislative committee which broke a stalemate keeping the law in limbo for weeks met without the 24-hour notice required by the Midwestern state's open meetings law.

The Republican-controlled legislature passed the measure and governor Scott Walker signed it last week.

A spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald declined to comment, citing the legal fight. Messages left with Mr Walker's spokesmen were not returned.