October Term 2015 · Docket 14-915
Can states force public employees to fund union speech?
the sides that brought the case argue mandatory fees violate free speech. The union and state claim fees support lawful workplace management.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Carvin argued the sides that brought the case subsidize opposing ideological views.
Mr. Frederick argued Abood permits reasonable fee collection.
Mr. Dumont argued the state manages the workplace like a private employer.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 12-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 6-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 6-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether public-sector unions can compel non-members to pay fees. the sides that brought the case say this forces them to subsidize ideological speech. The union and state say fees cover necessary representation costs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 11, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-16
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down mandatory union fees.
The union and state want the Court to keep the fee requirement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue compelled fees violate First Amendment rights.
The union argues fees cover lawful representation services.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
What the justices asked
Justice Kennedy asked why the government must manage employee views.
Justice Scalia questioned the relevance of employee opposition to fees.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 12-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 6-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 6-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-10
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of compelled speech in public employment. It determines whether workers must fund union advocacy. The outcome shapes labor relations across the country.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 24-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 24-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 12-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 26-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 26-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 6-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 6-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-16
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 16-26
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.