Catherwood LibraryILR School

A case argued before the Supreme Court on Wednesday about how labor unions must handle the fees paid by nonmembers could turn out to be little more than a footnote to a long line of decisions about the respective rights of labor unions and dissident employees. Or the case might turn out to be a good deal more consequential, the first step toward a recalibration by the court of the constitutional balance between the two. Each of these contrasting outcomes appeared plausible during an argument that had a bit of something for everyone: First Amendment law, labor law, election law and an animated performance by the court?s newest justice, Samuel A. Alito Jr.