NLRB Sets Standards Affecting Beck Objectors, Union Lobbying Expenses Are Not Chargeable

Washington, DC—Nonmember objectors cannot be compelled to pay for union lobbying expenses, the National Labor Relations Board ruled today.  The Board majority held that lobbying activity, although sometimes relating to terms of employment or incidentally affecting collective bargaining, is not part of the union’s representational function, and therefore lobbying expenses are not chargeable to Beck objectors.  The ruling relies on relevant judicial precedent holding that a union violates its duty of fair representation if it charges agency fees that include expenses other than those