Document: 426 U.S. 283 96 S.Ct. 2036 48 L.Ed.2d 636 CITY OF CHARLOTTE et al., Petitioners,v.LOCAL 660, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FIREFIGHTERS, al. No. 75-250. Argued March 3, 1976. Decided June 7, Syllabus Petitioner city's refusal to withhold from the paychecks of its firemen dues owing their union, which represents about 351 543 uniformed members fire department, Held not violate Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Such must meet only standard reasonableness, and this is satisfied by offered justification that practice allowing withholding when it benefits all city or department employees a legitimate method for avoiding burden money persons organizations request checkoff. Pp. 286-289. 4 Cir., 518 F.2d 83, reversed remanded. William A. Watts, Charlotte, N. C., petitioners. Jonathan P. Wallas, respondents. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 The refuses firefighters Local International Association Firefighters. We decide whether violates Eql 2 * 660 Charlotte Fire Department. Since 1969 union individual have repeatedly requested those who agree has refused each request. After learned could obtain private group life insurance policy membership if had checkoff agreement with city, officers filed suit in federal court alleging, Inter alia, violated Amendment.1 complaint asserted since withheld amoun employees' payment various other organizations, arbitrarily refuse amounts union. 3 On cross-motions summary judgment, District Court Western North Carolina ruled against city. determined that, although no written guidelines, "practice been allow check offs pay programs as required law where off option available City within single employee unit such Department." D.C., 381 F.Supp. 500, 502 (1974). further found "not allowed options serving are either engaged particular section employment." Ibid. Finding, however, would be more difficult than processing any deduction concluded rational explanation Accordingly, held moneys do so respondents benefit "constitutes violation (respondents') rights equal protection laws under Amendment." Id., at 502-503. ordered long continued "without clearly stated fair standards, purposes," was enjoined refusing 503. Appeals Fourth Circuit affirmed, 83 (1975), we granted certiorari. 423 890, 186, 46 121 (1975). reverse. II here reject contention were made respondents' status interest obtaining entitle them special treatment Clause, relatively relaxed reasonableness order survive constitutional scrutiny.2 5 presents three justifications First, argues, makes illegal enter into contract municipal N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 95-98 an provide checkoff, third-party beneficiary, effect contract. See 40 N.C.Op.Atty.Gen. 591 (1968-1970). Thus, compliance state law, public discouraging dealing unions, said sufficient basis Second, claims, proper subject collective bargaining, asserts Congress may shortly require local governments. Under theory, desire preserve bargaining chip future collective-bargaining process itself adequate refusal. Lastly, contends, departmental Because find provides challenged practice, occasion address first two reasons proffered. 6 submitted affidavits show unduly burdensome expensive every organization person it, App. 17, 45, 55, did contest showing. As concede, therefore reasonable, permissible develop standards restrictions determine eligible withholding. Mathews v. Diaz, 67, 81-84, 1883, 1892-1893, 478. Brief Respondents 9. Within limitations course, choice courts. our inquiry might drawn include but reasonable ones "some practical experience." South Katzenbach, 383 301, 331, 86 803, 820, 15 769, 788 (1966). Of fact applied rather pursuant articulated guidelines import purposes. 7 allows taxes, retirement-insurance programs, savings certain charitable organizations.3 These categories, found, e can, must, availed employees, entire department. Although classification present rejecting requests, F.Supp., 502, disagree. will general without more, participate. Employees can participate they join outside does fit category groups withhold. cannot say denying associational claim some before being marks arbitrary line devoid reason Clause. Rather, division seems providing while limiting number instances financial administrative burdens attendant thereon. 8 Given permissibility creating created, Court's conclusion deductions import. accept, Arguendo, difficulty involved neither great nor different kind deduction. However, lines exclude deductions, avoid cumulative time made; inherent line-drawing choices harsh apparently consequences . ." - U.S., S.Ct., 1893, L.Ed.2d, 492. 490-492; Dandridge Willams, 397 471, 485, 90 1153, 1161, 25 491, 501 (1970). Cf. Schilb Kuebel, 404 357, 364, 92 479, 484, 30 510 (1971); Williamson Lee Optical Co., 348 483, 489, 75 461, 465, 99 L.Ed. 563, 573 (1955). 9 recognize legitimacy concede "is free possible cost problem." wholly failed, why them. This fact, insufficient transform violation. classification, judgment reversed, case remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 10 It ordered. 11 STEWART concurs upon ground invidiously discriminatory not, therefore, brought 42 U.S.C. § 1983, grounding jurisdiction 28 1331 1343. noted, insofar Council, 1343 corporation "person" meaning 1983. Kenosha Bruno, 412 507, 93 2222, 37 109, (1973). need allegation $10,000 damages confer over council, see Bivens Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 388, 91 1999, 29 619 Bell Hood, 327 678, 68 773, 939 (1946); Note, 89 Harv.L.Rev. 922 (1976), also sued council unquestionably consider claims. Lynch Household Finance Corp., 405 538, 1113, 31 424 (1972). For convenience, shall refer petitioners collectively "city." motion dismiss respect certiorari sought on ruling. Relief who, capacity denied Memorial Hospital Maricopa County, 415 250, 253-254, 94 1076, 1079-1080, 39 306, 312 (1974); Dunn Blumstein, 330, 335, 995, 999, 274, 280 (1972); Kramer Union School Dist., 395 621, 626, 1886, 1889, 23 583, 588 (1969); Williams Rhodes, 393 23, 30, 5, 10, 21 24, (1968). following payroll law: (a) income tax; (b) (c) Firemen's Retirement System; (d) Government (e) county, tax levies. permitted employees: United States Savings Bonds; medical insurance; Aetna Deferred Compensation Plan (a program); Way. firemen: Benefit Fund Credit loan Voluntary Pledge survivors deceased firemen).

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