Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association could have turned public sector labor law upside down. In an unsurprising move the Supreme Court issued a non-precedential 4-4 opinion affirming the lower court’s decision by an equally divided Court. This opinion continues the status quo. Had Justice Scalia not died in February this case almost certainly would have had a different outcome. Continue reading
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Supreme Court Didn’t Overrule Abood
Supreme Court cases are usually known for what they hold.
Harris v. Quinn will forever be known for what it did not hold. The Court did not overrule Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, a 35-year old precedent that is a cornerstone of public sector collective bargaining. But it certainly foreshadowed its demise.
In Harris v. Quinn the Supreme Court held 5-4 that the First Amendment prohibits the collection of an agency fee from home health care providers who do not wish to join or support a union. Continue reading
Monday Morning Review: Local Governments in the Federal Appellate Courts
Here are last week’s published decisions involving local governments:
Third Circuit
- Delaware County v. Federal Housing Finance Agency, No. 13-2163 (Mar. 18, 2014) (finding that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are exempt from paying real estate transfer taxes). The decision is consistent with recent decisions from the Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Circuits.
Seventh Circuit
- Mulholland v. Marion County Election Bd., No. 13-3027 (Mar. 20, 2014) (finding that federal-court abstention is not appropriate in case challening local election restrictions).
Ninth Circuit Continue reading