Second fight over union rights comes to Wisconsin as right-to-work debate looms

The fight over union rights returns to Wisconsin this week.

The first step is a public hearing Tuesday before the state Senate's Labor Committee before the Senate takes it up for debate on Wednesday.

The 2011 battle over collective bargaining for public sector unions sparked massive protests and catapulted Gov. Scott Walker onto the national political stage, setting up his likely presidential run.

This time the argument is over private-sector unions and whether to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state.

Right-to-work laws prohibit unions from reaching labor deals with businesses that require private-sector workers to pay fees to the union.

It's unclear what form the opposition will take this time around, but Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he doesn't think it will be similar to four years ago.