Lehnert V. Ferris Faculty Association - Rationale

Rationale

The following cases are cited in the judgment of this case:

• Machinists v. Street, 367 U.S. 740 (1961), states that "a union may constitutionally compel contributions from dissenting nonmembers in an agency shop only for the costs of performing the union's statutory duties as exclusive bargaining agent."

• Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977), upholds the constitutionality of compulsory "service fees" for collective bargaining services.

• Ellis v. Railway Clerks, 466 U.S. 435 (1984), allows local unions to support their national affiliates through nonmembers "service fees" since they often provide support to the bargaining table in a variety of ways both direct and indirect. However, this case does not allow free spending by the unions but limits it somewhat.