Unions Tune Up for the Freeloader Blues

For public-employee unions, the gearing up of the race for President that began 2016 prompted less anticipation and anxiety than another major issue that helped launch the new year but whose outcome will not be known for months: the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing on fair-share—known in New York as agency-fee—payments required of Teachers in California.

Based on the reactions of the Justices during the Jan. 11 proceedings, there was reason to be pessimistic about the decision, which is expected to come shortly before the High Court adjourns for the year in June. While the four reliably left-of-center Justices seemed likely to uphold the California law requiring that public workers who are under the banner of unions pay the equivalent of dues even if they choose not to become members, there was no sign of the fifth supporter needed to produce a majority in favor of preserving that statute.