Scalia’s Death a Respite For Labor in Dues Case

While President Obama is preparing for what could be a lengthy Senate confirmation battle when he nominates a successor to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died Feb. 13, public-sector unions were relieved about a reprieve from a ruling that would have undermined their financial security.

The pending decision in Friedrichs v. California Teach­ers Association could have wide-ranging consequences for public-employee unions that require all members to pay for their collective-bargaining, grievance and administrative costs. Last week, prominent Republican lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and virtually all those running for the GOP presidential nomination, said Mr. Obama should instead let his successor choose Mr. Scalia’s replacement.