Justices disregard facts, law with its ruling that strikes down 40 years of precedent
CONCORD- The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a 5-4 decision in a case that had been bankrolled by corporate interests who wanted to rig the economic system even further in their favor. The ruling is a radical interpretation of the First Amendment and is a sweeping paradigm shift as it will make it more difficult for public workers to bargain collectively.
Since 1854, a strong NEA-NH has helped create strong schools for students and even stronger communities that benefit all of us, because we know that our working conditions are also your child’s learning conditions.
“For generations, unions have been the best path to the middle class for working people like you and me, said Megan Tuttle, NEA-New Hampshire President. “But in this highly-rigged economy, unions like ours are under attack, from the White House and Capitol Hill, and now the Supreme Court. These attacks are designed to make it harder for working people to get ahead. The top 1% want nothing more than to silence us from fighting for our students, our schools, our paychecks, and our benefits.”
Make no mistake: The Janus case isn’t about what’s good for educators or our students; this case is about corporate special interests who want to shift the balance in their favor. They want to make it even harder for working people to come together, speak up for each other, and get ahead.
By overturning Abood, the court eliminated non-members’ fair share fees, but unions are still required by law to represent them and, as a result, some workers would be paying more than their fair share. Allowing some to opt out of paying will make it harder for all public employees to provide the services that everyone depends on.
“Many of our schools have faced serious funding cuts that are likely to grow even worse. We’ve seen it in the resources available to our students, and we have felt it in our paychecks,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “All over the country, they are cutting funding for arts and PE, up-to-date textbooks, recess, and class sizes that allow for one-on-one instruction. A strong union and collective bargaining agreements are what help to ensure students receive the tools and resources they need to succeed in school and in life.”