Supreme Court Deadlocks on Friedrichs Labor Union Case

The U.S. Supreme Court announced a deadlock, 4 to 4 decision, in a major case involving forced labor union dues, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. CEI experts commented on what this effective loss means for government labor union power and free speech rights of workers:

"With a divided court, thousands of public servants around the nation must still financially assist a government union that they disagree with, and more than likely, never voted for," said Trey Kovacs, CEI labor policy expert. "Now it is up to state legislatures to provide public employees with the freedom to choose whether or not to pay for union representation."

“The death of Justice Scalia has proved a disaster for public sector workers who have their paychecks raided by unions," said Iain Murray, CEI vice president for strategy. "With the court gridlocked, government unions will continue to take dues from non-members, whether they like it or not. Four justices have voted against the free speech rights of workers to prop up labor union power.”

"As a result of the Supreme Court's deadlock in the Friedrichs case, public sector unions will continue using involuntary dues to advance a political agenda," said Ivan Osorio, CEI labor policy expert. "Public sector collective bargaining influences government policy as effectively as electoral politics and legislation. It's public policy conducted through the allocation of government funds Fortunately, state lawmakers have the opportunity to protect their own states’ residents from having to pay for union representation they don’t want, as the four states that have enacted right to work laws in recent years show." 

Related:
Will SCOTUS Friedrichs Case Lead to Member-Only Unions?
In Friedrichs v. CTA, Supreme Court Can Strike a Blow for Free Speech