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In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Communications Workers of America v. Beck, that employees could not be compelled to pay dues to their union which were being used for political activities. The State of Washington has since enacted legislation prohibiting the use of dues collected from non-union employees to cover political activities without their express consent to do so. The Washington Supreme Court vacated the statute on constitutional grounds, and the State of Washington appealed. The case will be argued next Wednesday before the United States Supreme Court. Our panelists, some of whom will argue the case that morning, will explore the merits of the case, including its First Amendment implications, and answer questions not addressed during the oral arguments.

Speakers Included:

  • The Honorable Rob McKenna, Attorney General of Washington
  • Milton L. Chappell, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation
  • Frederic Freilicher, Hunton & Williams and Professional Lecturer in Law, George Washington University Law School
  • Mr. Erik S. Jaffe, Law Office of Erik S. Jaffe, P.C., Moderator

Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Location: The National Press Club

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