Supreme Court to weigh constitutionality of mandatory union fees for government employees

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would consider whether the Constitution bars states from requiring government employees to contribute to collective bargaining costs, casting a cloud over the strength of public-sector unions.

The lawsuit, brought by the Christian Educators Association International and 10 California public school teachers who object to paying union fees, asks the court to overrule a 1977 precedent allowing states to grant that right to public-employee unions.

The case contends unions effectively engage in political lobbying when they negotiate with school boards and other government agencies over contract terms. The plaintiffs say that amounts to coerced political speech which violates their First Amendment rights.

The Supreme Court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.