Opinion of the Court
Washington Can Prohibit a Labor Union From Using Nonmembers' Fees for Political Purposes
Davenport v. Washington Education Association — This casewas granted certiorari on September 26, 2006, and was vacated and remanded onJune 14, 2007. In a 6-to-3 decision, the Court held that a State can prohibit alabor union from using nonmembers’ agency-shop fees for political purposeswithout the nonmembers’ consent. Featured in Political Advocacy by Unions,Sup. Ct. Debates (Feb. 2007). The following is excerpted from the summary of themajority opinion written by Justice Scalia, as prepared by the Court Reporterof Decisions: Itdoes not violate the First Amendment for a State to require its public-sectorunions to receive affirmative authorization from a nonmember…
