A recent Supreme Court decision has changed the way Payroll deducts union fees from workers’ paychecks.

 

Because of the outcome of Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, employees who aren’t members of public unions no longer have to pay extra fees.

 

The rights of nonmembers

 

The case centered on an Illinois law that required “fair-share fees” to be deducted from the pay of those who opted out of union participation.

 

Nonmembers of unions have had to pay similar fees for years. However, the High Court just ruled this practice violates the First Amendment, since it forces employees to financially support a union that my make statements they don’t agree with.

 

Twenty-eight states and the federal government already have labor laws prohibiting these deductions. Now, in states without an existing rule, fair-share fees can’t be deducted from nonmembers’ paychecks without their consent.

 

Unions are still allowed to require members to pay dues and fees. But as with any deduction, double-check state rules on notification.

 

Cite: bit.ly/union558