Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, a case that challenged a long-standing precedent that protected union funding. AAUW signed on to an amicus brief urging the court to uphold the precedent. Union bargaining power is crucial for women in the workforce, particularly women of color and LGBT women.

Following Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, the now eight-member court issued a 4-4 decision upholding the rule (because when the Supreme Court is tied 4-4, the circuit court’s ruling remains in place).

However, the challengers filed a petition for a rehearing, which would allow the Supreme Court to reconsider the case. The court has agreed to consider the petition but may continue to delay the case until a new chief justice is appointed. Stay tuned next term for more information.