Unsurprisingly, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that public sector employees can't be compelled to pay dues to the public sector unions that negotiate collective bargaining agreements on their behalf.
This could be disastrous for those unions. On the other hand, most teachers and police officers I know do value their union's efforts to negotiate for them and may not want to be (or be perceived as) free riders, for reasons both moral and social. Many of them do, however, live paycheck to paycheck and may be tempted to seize any opportunity to increase their take home pay. If they decide not to pay dues, however, I presume the union would be within its rights not to offer them individual representation should they face disciplinary action or wish to file a grievance.
This could be disastrous for those unions. On the other hand, most teachers and police officers I know do value their union's efforts to negotiate for them and may not want to be (or be perceived as) free riders, for reasons both moral and social. Many of them do, however, live paycheck to paycheck and may be tempted to seize any opportunity to increase their take home pay. If they decide not to pay dues, however, I presume the union would be within its rights not to offer them individual representation should they face disciplinary action or wish to file a grievance.
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