In a ruling that will affect how unions conduct business and collect fees, the U.S. Supreme Court held (pdf) that non-member employees represented by a public-sector union cannot be compelled to fund the union’s political and social speech without proper notice. Knox et al. v. Service Employees International Union, Local 1000, slip op. No. 10-1121 (June 20, 2012). A central issue in the case was what notice was required to be given to non-members by unions as to how their money would be spent. The Supreme Court previously held that unions are required to issue notices to non-members as to how their dues would be spent, to allow them to opt-out of non-collective bargaining activities. These are often referred to as “Hudson Notices” based on their decision in Teachers v. Hudson, 475 U.S. 292 (1986). Continue reading this entry at Littler's Labor Relations Counsel.