Supreme Court decision over union dues sparks division

By Joe Teehan June 28, 2018 8:55 am

KGMIAP Photo/Frank Franklin IIProtestors gather near Foley Square to oppose a recent Supreme court ruling Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in New York.

6-28-2018

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that non-union members do not have to pay union dues, dealing a blow to unions’ bottom line, especially in states without right-to-work laws, like Washington.

KOMO reports hundreds of people who were expecting this decision gathered in Seattle yesterday to protest, including city councilmembers and the King County Executive.

The decision means public employees can’t be required to pay union fees.

Washington has the fifth highest rate of union members, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

KING 5 reports supporters of the court’s decision, including the Washington Policy Center, believe this will make unions less political and make them show members that they’re getting a good service.