BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts lawmakers have sent a bill to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk that would give the state’s public labor unions a little relief from a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that threatened to weaken their finances and political clout.
The bill would let unions representing public workers charge non-members costs associated with representing them through the grievance process. It was given final approval Wednesday in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
The bill is a response to the high court’s 5-4 decision that found government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions. Labor supporters said the ruling empowers free-loaders to profit off of the backs of dues-paying workers.
A Baker spokeswoman said he’ll review the bill. Baker said Monday his biggest concern has been around confidentiality and personal privacy issues.
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