Washington News: Free-speech dispute over union fees

US Supreme Court to look at how much permission unions need to put nonmembers' dues toward political causes.

By Warren Richey | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON – The US Constitution forbids unions from using fees collected from nonunion workers to finance political activities unless the nonmembers grant permission.
Without consent, such action would raise the specter of nonmembers being dragooned into subsidizing political efforts they may not support. And that would violate the free speech and association clauses of the First Amendment. >>