Supreme Court May Determine Fate of Forced Unionism |
posted by: Guest contributor | July 06, 2015, 03:37 PM |
By Conner Dunleavy
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that it will take up the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case. This landmark case challenges the ability of unions to collect dues from employees who may not wish to be a part of the union or object to the use of their dues on issues which they fundamentally disagree with. This case lays out a First Amendment freedom of speech challenge to the long standing forced unionism policy.
Friedrichs will be heard in the coming year and a ruling could be handed down as early as June, 2016. The implications of a potential ruling in this case are far-reaching as millions of teachers and other public employees are subject to compulsory union fees in various states.
Should the Supreme Court rule in favor of teacher freedom of choice, agency fee payers would be free from their obligation to pay to a union they feel does not represent them.
The Association of American Educators is proud to have joined an amicus curiae (friend on the court) brief on behalf of the plaintiffs in this case because we believe teachers deserve choices. Karen Cuen, an AAE member and plaintiff reacted to the decision:
“I got involved in the Freidrichs vs. CTA case as a plaintiff because it finally gave me a chance to say enough is enough. The shenanigans of the teachers' unions must be stopped. If we prevail, teachers across the country will finally have the right to choose whether they give their hard-earned money to their union. It will no longer be taken from them by force."
This practice is big business for the unions and is still law in 22 states. In 2007 alone, teachers unions collected $2 billion in union dues. $1.3 billion of those dues came from states with compulsory unionism. Union dues are highest in states where there is compulsory unionism – sometimes twice as much as compared to states where teachers have the option not to join the union. The numbers speak for themselves.
“This is a step in the right direction for teacher freedom of choice,” stated AAE Founder & President Gary Beckner. “We’re pleased the Supreme Court has decided to hear this landmark case.” Click here for more information about compulsory unionism and teacher rights.
What would it mean to you if SCOTUS rules in favor of teachers? Tell us in the comments below.
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