In its first high-profile decision since the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia last month, the court deadlocked, 4-4, on Tuesday, handing at least a temporary victory to California teacher union members in a dispute over fees paid by nonmembers.

The court issued a one-line per curiam or unsigned decision stating, “The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.” The case was Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association.