MADISON, Wis. -- The state Senate approved a measure on Tuesday that would allow University of Wisconsin System faculty and academic staff to form unions.

The plan would change state law to give about 17,000 faculty and academic staff the right to decide whether to form collective bargaining units to negotiate their salaries, benefits and other employment conditions.

State Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, said that faculty and academic staff have waited long enough for the chance to form a union, which he called a universal human right.

The law isn't likely to change any time soon since the proposal is being considered in the Republican-controlled Assembly.

The bill would allow the employees to form up to 31 separate bargaining units across the state.