Judge won't block policy on union dues from state workers

A judge has refused to halt a new policy that will reduce the flow of union dues paid by thousands of Michigan state workers unless they personally authorize them each year. The rule by the Michigan Civil Service Commission was challenged by labor unions as a violation of the U.S. Constitution's contracts clause and the First Amendment. But federal Judge George Caram Steeh declined a request for an injunction. He notes that the commission has sent several emails to workers about how to renew their payroll deductions.