Two big backward steps on unions

The late Justice Antonin Scalia’s absence was felt acutely on the Supreme Court this week. The remaining eight judges deadlocked 4-4, thus sparing public-sector unions the fate they feared most — being stopped from plundering government workers’ paychecks against their will.

Because the court lacked Scalia’s vote, state and local governments elected with union money and union backing can continue to give unions a sweetheart deal at the expense of unwilling workers. They can let unions compel financial contributions from government workers who just want to do their jobs and would rather have no part of a union.