OSBA updates Janus guidance for union members’ dues authorization

OSBA Labor Services has updated its Janus guidance to clarify signature requirements for dues deductions.

The Supreme Court’s Janus ruling declared it was unconstitutional to require every employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement to pay union fees, known as “fair share fees.” OSBA and districts have been working with union representatives to update collective bargaining agreements and dues deduction procedures as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The updated guidance also emphasizes that districts should not discuss with employees the Supreme Court decision or topics related to union membership. The Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act prohibits employers from encouraging or discouraging union membership, and such communication could lead to an unfair labor practice claim. OSBA’s guidance is designed to be helpful for all districts, but some districts have unique collective bargaining language that might need additional consideration. Contact your district’s attorney or OSBA Labor Services at 503-588-2800 with any questions.

Additional resources:

• Janus v. AFSCME: U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
• National School Boards Association FAQ: It should be noted that the FAQ is national and is not specific to Oregon. Additionally, please note that in this document, fair share fees are called agency fees. For the purposes of this document, these two terms are interchangeable.