Case Challenges Employees’ Ability To Opt Out Of Workplace Union
A case that could have significant implications for the state of public unions in the US will be decided by the US Supreme Court. On Tuesday NBC Nightly News reported that the Supreme Court announced that it will hear the case Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which “challenges rules that make teachers pay fees to unions even if they aren’t members or they don’t agree with the union’s positions.” The Washington Post reports that the court will consider “whether public employees can be compelled to pay fees to unions they do not want to join, a provision that union leaders say is vital to their continued success.” The justices “will consider a case from a group of California teachers who say paying fees violates their free speech rights when they disagree with the positions the unions take.” The court “nearly 40 years ago said that states may allow unions to collect fees from non-members to pay for collective bargaining costs, but not for the unions’ political spending.”
What Happens Next
Arguments before the Supreme Court will be heard this fall, with a ruling to be handed down at a later date.
What This Means For Small Businesses
This case is significant for small business owners in California and across the US because, as the Wall Street Journal editorializes, it might provide the court with a means to end forced union dues for public sector employees. If unions are dealt a blow in the public sector, private sector businesses might see decreased pressure from pro-labor forces on issues ranging from the minimum wage to paid sick leave and other employee benefits.
Additional Reading
The New York Times, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal are among the outlets also covering the story.
Note: this article is intended to keep small business owners up on the latest news. It does not necessarily represent the policy stances of NFIB.
