Jack Goldsmith is the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches and writes about national security law, international law, internet law, and, recently, labor history. Before coming to Harvard, Professor Goldsmith served as Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel from 2003-2004, and Special Counsel to the Department of Defense from 2002-2003.
A series of post-Knox cases were filed this week in Michigan. The lead plaintiff (or “charging party”) is Miriam Chanski, a public school kindergarten teacher. She claims that after Michigan enacted a right-to-work law last March, she opted out of the Michigan Education Association, a public sector union, in May. She says she later discovered that the union had imposed (with no notice) a window of opting out only in August. Because she did not opt out in August, the union claims she is still a member and must continue to pay dues for another year. Chanski has challenged this procedure under Michigan state labor law, including the new right-to-work law. But her charge contains this statement about Knox: “There are indications from the federal courts that unions requiring an employee to ‘opt out’ to preserve their rights is disfavored; and rather, that requiring employees to affirmatively ‘opt in’ is the option which preserves the employees’ rights. See, SEIU v. Knox, 132 SCt 2277 (2012).” If the matter gets beyond state law, what appears to be potentially at stake here is whether public sector employees have a First Amendment right to opt out at any time.
Chanski’s claim is one of several brought by the Mackinac Center. Its page on the case is here. The Detroit Free Press story is here. A collection of the various charges can be found here and here.
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April 1
DOL proposes 401(k) rule; Starbucks investors reelect controversial board members; Washington passes workplace immigration warning requirement.
March 31
In today’s news and commentary, the Supreme Court hears a case about Federal Court jurisdiction over arbitration, a UPS heat inspection lawsuit against OSHA is dismissed, and federal worker unions and NGOs call on the EPA to cease laying off its environmental justice staffers. A majority of Supreme Court justices signaled support for allowing federal […]
March 30
Trump orders payment to TSA agents; NYC doormen look to authorize a strike; and KPMG positions for mass layoffs.
March 29
The Department of Veterans Affairs re-terminates its collective bargaining agreement despite a preliminary injunction, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority announces new rules increasing the influence of political appointees over federal labor relations.
March 27
“Cesar Chavez Day” renamed “Farmworkers Day” in California after investigation finds Chavez engaged in rampant sexual abuse.
March 26
Supreme Court hears oral argument in an FAA case; NLRB rules that Cemex does not impose an enforceable deadline for requesting an election; DOL proposes raising wage standards for H-1B workers.