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Monday, January 11, 2016
Urgent Union Information, posted 1-11-2016
Teachers are deeply committed to the success of every student.
Today the Supreme Court listened to oral arguments regarding the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case.
In this case, the appellants believe they should not have to pay fair share fees. These fees are the cost of union representation and bargaining. No one is required to join the union, but unions are legally required to represent all workers.
Right now, the appellants are basically saying they should get these services for free. They believe union members — like you and I — should pay for them.
Unions are made of people who join together to make their voices heard on issues that affect the entire group. For teachers, that includes fighting for things like smaller class sizes and healthy learning environments, in addition to collective bargaining for salaries and teaching conditions.
Make no mistake, this lawsuit is an unadulterated attempt by big money to weaken unions, reduce wages of the middle class and increase income inequality. In right to work states, workers earn an incredible $5,971 less per year, and have fewer protections in the workplace.
As a history teacher, I know how hard our country has fought for union rights and what life was like before unions protected workers, including sweatshops, child labor, and starvation wages. I am proud to share that 96.2% of our colleagues have chosen to become members, and we expect that number to be even higher by the end of the year.
We, the members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, are stronger when we unite together to fight for better schools for our students and our children. The Supreme Court will most likely decide this case in June. In the meantime we can take action. Sign up non-members, prepare for potential attacks, and most importantly let’s stand together.
Thank you,
Corey Rosenlee
HSTA President
HSTA: United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools.
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