In Office Workers Association of Michigan v. Renner, the Michigan Supreme Court held charging service fees for non-paying members of a bargaining unit is a violation of the duty of fair representation. The Court reasoned that an exclusive bargaining unit takes on the responsibility to represent all members, regardless of whether or not they pay dues.
In Addeo v. Philadelphia Firefighter and Paramedic Union, a firefighter sued both the City of Philadelphia and his union for violating his due process rights and his right to fair representation. Addeo had been fired following a DUI, and when the Union decided not to pursue his grievance, he filed a personal lawsuit that accused both the City and the union of misconduct. However, a federal judge dismissed all of Addeo’s lawsuit, finding that both the City and the Union had behaved properly.
