On March 1, 2019, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that agency fee objectors (“fair share members”) cannot be compelled to pay for union lobbying expenses. The NLRB held that lobbying activity is not part of the union’s representational function, and therefore lobbying expenses are not chargeable to such nonmembers. Furthermore, a union must provide fair share members with a verified audit of the information that it provides to them. The NLRB noted that its usual practice is to apply new policies and standards retroactively.
If you believe that this ruling affects amounts currently being paid by your labor organization’s fair share members, we recommend that you consult with legal counsel and as always, contact your Legacy representative if you have further questions.