SEIU use of member dues and 'assessments' for political spending now before Supreme Court

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"A decision is expected by June."

1/10/12, "Supreme Court hears case of workers fighting union over dues spent on political efforts," Fox News, Shannon Bream

"State employees in California have two options: join the Service Employees International Union or refuse membership and still be required to pay non-member dues. Either way, union officials must provide very specific notice and accounting information

• if they intend to use non-members' dues money for political purposes.

One group of non-members says the SEIU failed to do that when it levied a mid-year special assessment in 2005 -- specifically used to fund political initiatives. Those state employees have been waging a legal battle that landed at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. They argue that the SEIU failed to give proper notice and that their

• First Amendment rights were violated when their money was used

• to support political speech with which they disagree."...
  

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