United States: Supreme Court again to examine payment of union fees (brief)

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to once again study the obligation for public-sector employees to pay union fees. So-called fair share fees are paid by non-members to unions that strike a collective agreement, in order to cover the costs of collective bargaining. However the Supreme Court will once again assess whether this obligation runs counter to the US Constitution, and more specifically the First Amendment, on freedom of speech. In March 2016, the court looked at the issue but failed to reach a decision, with the judges divided four on one side and four on the other. Since then, however, President Trump has added a very conservative judge to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, which may tip the balance. Those bringing the case hope to curtail the influence of unions, by limiting their financial firepower. The issue will be examined over the coming months.