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A West Virginia judge has invalidated portions of a state statute that allowed private-sector employees in union-represented jobs to avoid paying union dues, fees, or other assessments for collective-bargaining representation or instead pay an equivalent amount to a third-party charity.
A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 27 that unions representing public-sector workers can’t collect fees from those who choose not to join the union—a decision seen as a major threat to the financial structure of unions representing government workers, but also being called a rallying point for unions.
by Richard I. Lehr —“I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places, lookin’ for love in too many faces, searchin’ their eyes and lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreamin’ of.” The song “Looking for Love,” written by Wanda Mallette, aptly describes the circumstances of organized labor. Despite labor’s political expenditures and substantial […]
Employers—especially public-sector employers—are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a case going to the U.S. Supreme Court that may deal a blow to unions’ ability to collect dues. On September 28, the Court announced that it will hear Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Counsel 31. The case, out of Illinois, […]
by Jennifer Suich Frank On November 8, South Dakota voters rejected Initiated Measure (IM) 23, which would have allowed unions to charge nonmembers reduced “fair share” dues for services like collective bargaining. An overwhelming 79 percent of South Dakotans voted against the measure. A right-to-work law means employees have the right to work without being required to […]
A 4-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a closely watched case on public-sector unions leaves previous legal precedent intact, effectively sealing a union victory. On March 29, the evenly split Court issued a one-sentence ruling in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association that allows the decision of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to stand. […]
by Judith E. Kramer The first Monday in October (October 5) marked the beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term. While during the course of the 2015-2016 term the Court could agree to hear additional cases, these are the labor and employment cases currently on the docket, as well as a case involving affirmative […]
by Mark I. Schickman In June, the U.S. Supreme Court finished one of its most interesting terms in recent memory when it comes to employment law. While it’s difficult to find a consistent pattern in the multiple waves of rulings that were issued, one theme emerges: a limitation on governmental authority in areas that have […]
by Gary Fealk On December 11, Michigan passed Senate Bill 116, commonly known as the right-to-work law. In accordance with the Michigan Constitution (Article IV, Section 27), the law will go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session. Under the law, an individual cannot be required to do any of the […]