A controversial collective bargaining law goes into effect Wednesday in Wisconsin after months of protests and debate.

The new state law that brought thousands of demonstrators to the state Capitol cuts pay for public employees by about eight percent. It also strips them of almost all collective bargaining rights, leaving only the right to negotiate wages.

According to Wisconsin AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale, the unions aren’t done fighting.

“This union-busting measure will not go unanswered,” Bloomingdale said. “We are going to continue to fight back in the courts and the streets and in the recall districts this summer.”

Republican Gov. Scott Walker has said the plan will help fix the state’s budget deficit.

Earlier in the month, the law met some legal hurdles. A lower court declared the Wisconsin Legislature had not given enough notice before passing the measure. The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently overturned that decision, allowing the law to take effect on Wednesday.