Political Implications Of Rulings On Union Dues, Birth Control

The Supreme Court ruled today that “partial public employees” cannot be required to contribute to union collective bargaining fees. State-supported caretakers are represented by unions and all are required to pay a fee, whether they want to be members of the union or not, in an attempt to avoid freeloading.

The suit came from Pamela Harris, who argued that her association with SEIU Healthcare Illinois-Indiana is forced, and therefore violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

The Supreme Court also ruled that for-profit employers, like Hobby Lobby, cannot be required to include birth control in the health insurance they must offer workers under the Affordable Care Act, if the employer has religious objections.

NPR’s Ron Elving discusses the implications of the outcomes of Harris v. Quinn and Burwell v. Hobby Lobby with Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson.