MADISON, Wis. — A federal appeals court has upheld Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's contentious law stripping most public workers of nearly all of their collective bargaining rights.

Seven public unions, including the teachers' union and the largest statewide public sector union, challenged the law's constitutionality in 2011. U.S. District Judge William Conley in March overturned part of the law requiring unions to hold elections each year for members to retain their official status.

The judge also said the law illegally halted the automatic withdrawal of union dues.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals released a decision Friday that upheld the law in its entirety. The court says the law is constitutional.

First Published January 18, 2013, 7:30 p.m.