WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday dealt a blow to organized labor, ruling that non-members cannot be forced in certain states to pay fees to unions representing public employees such as teachers and police, shutting off a key union revenue source.
On a 5-4 vote powered by the court’s conservative majority, the justices overturned a 1977 Supreme Court precedent that had allowed the so-called agency fees that are collected from millions of non-union workers in lieu of union dues to fund non-political activities like collective bargaining.
Continue reading: U.S. Supreme Court rules against unions over non-member fees
The Secular Jurist 
I’m depressed, discouraged, enraged, and I feel utterly hopeless as our country fades away right before my eyes.
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Hang in there, buddy.
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I’m trying.
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This Supreme Court is proving to be another tool for Donald Trump and company. As far as the union issue is concerned, the non-members could be excluded from the union contract and left to fend for themselves with contract negotiations.
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That would be appropriate. Although, it could open up other legal issues concerning existing collective bargaining agreements. Also, I’m not sure if union leaders would want to do that. Thanks, John.
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I think labor laws are somewhat different up here. If I apply for a job in a union shop and get it, I must join the union. I don’t have to work there, but if I do, I become a union member.
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It used to be that way in America, I believe. But, since the election of Ronald Reagan, the power of labor unions has been systematically assaulted by corporatist interests.
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Thanks for that explanation, Bob.
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The Supreme Court Inc. strikes again. I hope people are watching and learning. And I hope they get off their lazy asses in November to say something about it.
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