Unions file respondents’ brief in Supreme Court case that threatens working families
Friedrichs v. CTA seeks to undermine public-sector collective bargaining
WASHINGTON—The National Education Association and the California Teachers Association, together with a number of unions, today filed the union respondents’ brief with the U.S. Supreme Court inFriedrichs v. California Teachers Association, a case backed by corporate special interests who are pushing their own agenda by asking the Court to overrule the sound law of Abood v. Detroit Board of Education.
In their brief, the unions argue that the rule established by Abood is constitutional and a common-sense principle that supports the rights of workers to come together, speak up and get ahead. Where employees have chosen to elect a union to represent them, employers have a strong interest in ensuring that all employees contribute their fair share of the costs of that representation.
“Everyone who works should be able to make ends meet, have a say about their futures, and have the right to negotiate together for better wages and benefits that can sustain their family,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “Fair share fees allow Americans to have better public services, stronger public schools and more vibrant communities.”
Strong collective bargaining relationships support high-quality public schools and services. Maryland’s Montgomery County serves as an example where labor-management relations are strong and its public schools are leading the nation.
“By standing together with my fellow teachers, we have been able to address issues such as funding sources and classroom sizes,” said Ambereen Khan-Baker, an Advance Placement English teacher from Rockville, Md. “In Montgomery County, our union collaborates directly with the superintendent to ensure that cuts made in our system are far removed from the classroom. The superintendent, along with the three unions in our county, actually all sit at the table together to create a budget each year that tries to keep necessary cuts away from directly impacting students. This collective action benefits my students.”
The thumbprints of those behind Friedrichs are evident and unmistakable.
“This case is really about corporate interests who are attempting to tip the balance of power in their favor,” said CTA President Eric C. Heins. “Our economic rules unfairly favor corporate CEOs and the rich Unions file respondents’ brief in Supreme Court case that threatens working families - California Teachers Association: