Teachers Take Union Dues to Supreme Court By Allie Bidwell
A group of California public schoolteachers petitioned the Supreme Court on Monday to hear a challenge to change laws requiring teachers to pay union dues even though they may disagree with union positions. If this continues to the Supreme Court this could change the way unions operate throughout the country. The lawsuit is aimed at the California Teachers Association and Christian Educators Association International. The ten plaintiffs claim that California's "agency shop" law is unconstitutional and violates their First Amendment rights because they force them to pay union dues regardless if they are a member. Teachers in California pay almost $1,000 annually in union dues.
If this case wins in favor of the plaintiffs there could be drastic changes to the way unions operate in the U.S. "Agency shop" union laws would be considered unconstitutional, so teachers who do not support the union can save their money. I think that teachers have a right to decide whether or not they participate in union activities and programs. Also, they should not have to pay almost $1,000 every year for something that they do not believe in. I hope that this case continues to the Supreme Court and the teachers petition is heard.
I hope that the teachers win this case. I don't think it is right that teachers, who don't get paid very much in the first place, should have to pay every year for something that they don't want to support. Teachers deserve to have the right to save their hard earned money.
ReplyDeleteShould they be able to benefit from the union's negotiations on their behalf then if they do not pay the dues? Do they get the pay raises, better working conditions, etc that teacher's unions negotiate for?
DeleteLearning about unions during Personal Finance, I thought that required union dues was one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. I understand unions are necessary to keep salaries and working conditions favorable, but being for to pay money that you don't want to is just dumb. However, I also realize that without required dues certain teachers may take advantage of the situation and claim to disagree with the association just to avoid paying extra money while still receiving the same benefits. If the plaintiffs to win the case major policy changes are going to have to be made.
ReplyDeleteIf a union is suppose to be there to benefit the employee, in this case, the teachers, why has a union become a burden for employees? I agree with Ashley;required union dues are simply dumb. We each should have the right to fair wages and working conditions, and we each should have the right to do what we please with our property-- our money.
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