Public sector employees in Ohio won a deal to be able to cancel their labor union memberships, making good on the promise of a Supreme Court ruling last year that gave them permission to do so.
The National Right to Work Foundation announced Thursday that the workers reached a settlement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8 that lets the workers cancel their union dues agreements, and claw back any money they’d paid in the months since the high court’s ruling in June.
Some unions have argued that despite the court’s ruling, employees who signed contracts that included paying the dues could not withdraw from the agreements until a 15-day period prior to the expiration of the union’s bargaining contract.
But under the settlement, AFSCME union officials won’t enforce the “window period” policy and will refund the employees dues taken from paychecks after the employees expressed their wishes to withdraw.
“This group of workers bravely challenged union bosses’ ’window period’ scheme, and successfully protected not only their rights but also the rights of tens of thousands of their colleagues,” said Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation.
The settlement comes after the high court ruled in June that forcing non-consenting public sector employees to pay union dues violates the First Amendment.
Sean Grayson, who works in the legal department for AFSCME Ohio Council 8, told The Washington Times they did not admit any wrongdoing in regards to the policy, but decided to reach an amicable settlement.
“Rather than litigate, we decided to settle the case,” Mr. Grayson said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.