Federal Unions Drop Challenge to Rule That Eased Dues Opt Outs

Federal employee unions are dropping their U.S. appeals court challenge to a final rule that allowed federal workers who quit their unions to opt out of paying dues anytime after their first year of membership, and not just during a specified period each year.

The rule, issued by the Federal Labor Relations Authority in July, codified an earlier 2-1 decision from the agency’s three-member appellate panel. It was immediately challenged by labor groups led by the National Treasury Employees Union, which argued that the unlawful rule would harm them by making it tough for unions to maintain long-term financial stability. ...