Union Fees Debated in Supreme Court Case Over Labor Power
Source: Bloomberg News
The U.S. Supreme Court debated whether public employees can constitutionally be forced to pay fees to a union, weighing a politically tinged case with the potential to undercut the power of organized labor.
Hearing arguments today in Washington, several justices voiced skepticism about Illinois rules requiring union dues from people who provide in-home care for disabled Medicaid recipients. More than 20,000 home-care workers pay such fees in Illinois, totaling $3.6 million each year, according to lawyers for workers who filed the case.
Other justices suggested they didn’t see any infringement of the First Amendment rights of workers who object. Justice Elena Kagan said the arguments made by those workers would “radically restructure the way workplaces across this country are run.”
The justices are considering whether to overturn a 1977 decision that said public employees could be compelled to pay for union representation as long as they don’t have to cover the cost of political or ideological activities. The purpose is to finance the expense of union negotiations over pay and working conditions.
Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/union-fees-debated-in-supreme-court-case-over-labor-power.html
Chicago Tribune: Supreme Court considers striking down mandatory public union dues
NPR: A Union For Home Health Aides Brings New Questions To Supreme Court
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