Two teachers explain why they want to take down their union
Ten California teachers and the Christian Educators Association have sued the California Teachers Association in a case that could eliminate public employee unions’ right to collect fees from all workers. Many observersbelieve that the case, to be argued before the Supreme Court this fall, could seriously undermine public sector unions nationwide.
So who are the teachers who want to take down their union?
One of them is Rebecca Friedrichs, the lead plaintiff in the case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. She also is a 28-year veteran of elementary-school classrooms in Orange County. Another is Harlan Elrich, who teaches near Fresno and has been teaching for nearly 30 years.
Both of them say that they decided to become plaintiffs because they don’t want to support a politically powerful union with which they frequently disagree. Current law allows them to opt out of paying for the union’s political activities — about 30 percent to 40 percent of annual dues. But they must continue to pay “agency fees,” which support the union’s collective bargaining activities.
The plaintiffs are asking the Supreme Court to strike down public sector unions’ right in California (and 25 other states) to collect agency fees. Unions say that doing so would create a class of “free riders” who benefit from union representation but don’t pay for it.
“We feel strongly that they should pay their fair share for their representation that they’re receiving and continuing to take advantage of,” said Frank Wells, a spokesman for the California Teachers Association.
Friedrichs and Elrich each agreed to interviews with The Washington Post; they were interviewed separately. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Why did you become a teacher?
Friedrichs: I love imparting knowledge. I love watching little kids get that sparkle in their eye and that smile on their face when they get it. When I was a little kid I always felt like adults didn’t explain things very well and I was always lost.
Elrich: Up until college I never wanted to be a teacher. My father was a teacher and I watched him and said “I never want to do that.” In college I Two teachers explain why they want to take down their union - The Washington Post:
