Knox v. Service Employees Int’l Union, Local 1000

Holding: The case is not moot, and the First Amendment does not permit a public-sector union to impose a special assessment without the affirmative consent of a member upon whom it is imposed.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Alito on June 21, 2012. Justice Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which Justice Ginsburg joined. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Kagan.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

• Opinion analysis: Knox knocks unions on mid-year assessment for non-members (Ross Runkel)
• Argument recap: Mootness could squelch union fees case (Ross Runkel)
• When union fees go up, must a “Hudson notice” go out? (Ross Runkel)
• Granted case challenged as "moot" (Lyle Denniston)

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for Petitioners

• Brief for Diane Knox et al. 
• Reply brief for Diane Knox et al.

Amicus Briefs in Support of Petitioners

• Brief for the Pacific Legal Foundation et al. 

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for Service Employees Int’l Union, Local 1000

Amicus Briefs in Support of Respondent

• Brief for the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
• Brief for the National Education Association

Other documents

• Respondent’s motion to dismiss as moot
• Petitioners’ opposition to Respondent’s motion to dismiss as moot
• Petitioners’ reply to motion to dismiss

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (9th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner's reply