US Supreme Court Hears Case Challenging Fair Share/Agency Fees

Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Harris v. Quinn.The case itself concerns homecare workers in Illinois who are considered state employees under that state’s collective bargaining laws.More broadly, Harris has the potential to significantly change the manner in which agency fees can be administered by labor unions throughout the country, including here in California. As we previously explained, in Knox v. Schwarzenegger,in 2011, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court made multiple comments that suggested it was looking to dramatically change, if not completely eliminate, agency fee arrangements under the guise of protecting First Amendment rights.After speaking with the attorneys representing SEIU in Harris, we put together a nationwide coalition of unions and associations who represent approximately a million public safety employees on behalf of the following associations:    

• International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1775
• Fraternal Order of Police
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• National Association of Government Employees
• International Brotherhood of Police Officers
• International Brotherhood of Correctional Officers
• National Association of Police Organizations
• National Troopers Coalition
• Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Assistants of the Michigan Corrections Organization
• California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association
• CDF Firefighters
• Engineers & Architects Association
• San Jose Police Officers’ Association
• Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Santa Clara County

The brief stressed the critical importance of the agency fee system within the collective bargaining structure throughout the nation, but particularly here in California.A copy of the brief is available here.We will keep our clients apprised when the Harris ruling is announced.Please contact Gregg McLean Adam at 415.743.2534 with any questions.