In just five days the United States Supreme Court will hear a case that could financially ruin public unions nationwide and spell an end to Big Labor’s influence in politics.
But critics are arguing that the case is a stunt meant to attack unions, which typically support Democratic candidates, ahead of a presidential election cycle.
On January 11, the Supreme Court is slated to hear the controversial Friedrichs vs. the California Teachers Association.
The case involves Rebecca Friedrichs, a teacher in Orange County, who alleges that a law requiring her to pay union dues violates her First Amendment rights.
Nearly two dozen states require all public employees to pay a “far share fee” for the costs unions incur by representing them, even if those employees choose not to belong to the unions.
These so-called agency-fee payers are a major source of revenue for labor unions. But some workers like Friedrichs have argued that unions have essentially become political vehicles, and her money shouldn’t go toward causes she doesn’t support.
If Friedrichs prevails in the case, the entire country could essentially become “right to work” for public employees, where they would no longer be forced to hand over any money to unions.
A decision from the Supreme Court is expected by June.
Unions are needed in unfair work environments. However, too many union leaders took unionism to further their own agendas. Unions forgot working people.
Not at all there are State and Federal laws on the books already and have been for some time. Unions are just part of the Mafia.
The Federal government is one of the biggest violators of workers rights. Recently I read that they cut the pensions of military and other workers. I wouldn’t trust them to look out for the rights of workers.
When did they ever start looking after military or seniors. But you can bet your sweet bippy they will increase their salary this year. However there is money to move Syrian refugees into America by the thousands. It is reported that UPS has converted some of its planes to transport passengers thereby bi-passing airport security and then private agencies, that are not required to report to State agencies place these Muslims in government paid for housing. We have money for that…check it out.
You are correct.
Only after equivalent private-sector wages got slashed. Why should they make 25-50% more than everybody else for the same work, and on the taxpayers’ dime, to boot?
The whole society is enjoying the benefits of unions gain but some like you criticize them because you think that your voice is louder alone
part of! theyare the mafia!! just for fun, go check out…cpus.com, and cpca.ca, are do some reading…
correction the unions were needed at one time as the laws had not caught to the changing as the manufacture industry grew rapidly toward modern time the laws hesitated at gristmill mentality and workers needed help getting FAIR AGES FOR FAIR LABOR now the laws have caught up with everything and mandatory breaks overtime and days off are covered in every state so now the useless unions strong-arm businesses to pay people after they no longer have a job there no matter why they were let go and then line their ( unions ) pockets with a % of the members income and in this case the non members as well so the unions need to go the way of the dodo bird !!!!
Unions have been working for the employer more and more these days, it should be up to the employee on whether they join the union or not, of course if they choose to not join then they cannot enjoy any of the benefits afforded by the union! There should be a Law nationally that unions cannot use the funds they receive from union dues to pay for or be offered as a donation to any political party! It is time that businesses got out of the Political arena! This Country is supposed to be run by the People for the People NOT by the business for the business!
The Chiefs make a good wage but most get a reirement from their trade plus on for been in the B/A president add this up and it’s a ceo wage.thats ok but to make me pay when I don’t want to rubs a lot of people
There are two kinds of UNIONS in America today. Type (A) Union that represent workers in INDUSTRY. These force the cost of goods to go so high that it forces the jobs to go over-seas and bankrupt the Industry. Type (B) Union that represent workers in PUBLIC Works, such as Teachers, State and all other Government employees force the cost to increase out of control and increases our local and State and Federal Taxes and add to the Nations Debit, now at $19 Trillion and soon city by city will result into another DETROIT BANKRUPTCY and continue to crush not only cities but State by State, example: Calif. and New York for starters. LABOR UNIONS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED. THEY PAY-OFF DEMOCRATES DURING ELECTIONS FOR FAVOURS TO APPROVE HUGH BENEFITS THAT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED BY THE STATES OR CITIES INVOLVED. IN TIME IT WILL DESTROY AMERICA !!……………………:(:(
AMEN !!!!!
Well this is not entirely correct in that unions in private sector is for the work force that needs health care and retirement. However in the public sector they do not provide either.
Unions need to be regulated toward there unfair practices yet we still need then to control out right slavery for those company’s who think they own you. Also their should not be unions in poblic services let the paying tax payers decide what’s fair
There are labor laws today to protect the workers. Unions are not needed today. They have become gangs to force companies to pay what they want, and it is almost impossible to get rid bad union employees.
Owned by the company or owned by the Unions. Some choice.
It doesn’t matter, the company owns the unions these days!
There are laws now that accomplish exactly what the UNIONS were needed for ages ago! NOW all Unions are for is to collect money for the Democrats! I worked in a right to work state..we had a union which simply was used to represent a person if they felt they were treated unfairly. It actually was just a mediator between employees and their bosses. BUT the dues were used strictly for the Democratic Party and that was where I fought against and eventually being a member! I still get my retirement as anyone else does. I worked for my pay and it did go up each year I was in service. So today UNIONS are not needed anymore only to bank roll the Democratic Party!
When you have a person that did not even finish HS making more money, because of the Union forcing a company to pay these high hourly wages, than a person that put in the hard work to Graduate from College is complete BS! This causes all goods and services to sky rocket! The Unions pushing this BS is one of the main reasons that the dollar has lost 95% of it’s value in the last 100 years! I know of 2 people that only graduated from HS, but because of the Unions they had been making between $105K and $125K. They have both since retired and have really nice Union funded Retirements! The rest of us don’t get that, and because of the Unions a loaf of bread that should cost .20 Cents, cost $2.69, and rising, that says it all..!!!! Just another example of how “We the People” have been screw*d time and time again by these Commie/DemoRat/NWO Satan driven Monster..!!!
You sound like a college professor touting the glories of a college degree. Maybe you have a degree and think you are smarter than a person with a H S diploma. Maybe you were passed over by such a person.
Let me tell you what I have experienced. A college degree does not guaranty intelligence. I have known many college educated individuals who do not possess the sense to pour water out of a boot. Most cannot even do the simplest tasks, like spell correctly. A technical degree should and does give one a headstart on those with only a H S education. Beyond that it should be up to the individual to improve and advance themselves based on merit. A Liberal Arts degree is next to worthless in the higher paying industries.
The problem is that the aforementioned college professors tend to blow smoke up their students rectums. They convince them that they should come out of college and step right into a CEO position. Most are greatly dissapointed when reality sets in.
You misspelled guarantee.
…and disappointed.
If you put up the money to get a college degree, it’s with the understanding that you’ll be able to get a higher-paying job than someone with less education. That’s how the American education system is SUPPOSED to work. It NEEDS to work that way, or how will you get the money to pay off your education? And because it’s NOT working that way anymore, our economy is screwed.
If you work at a trade for four years instead of, blowing your money to have your mind bent by a bunch of left wing weirdos ! you not only get paid while learning, you also don’t have a large debt to pay and, you have a head start in life…..
At one point you sound like you are for Unions then you end like you are against..Can;’t make up your mind?
Amen!! There are enough laws in place to protect the workers. A union represents only its own interest and not those of the ones they supposable pretend to represent! We no longer need them and yes we can thank the unions for sending American jobs over seas! And why would we in our right minds have a union involved in our government jobs? There is no place for unions in the government! Government employees up to the President of The United States should have the same benefits as the people they represent!
Chet, if you believe that Unions are the reason for high prices, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you. The Corporations that take work overseas pay NO taxes on the money they make overseas, which is in the billions. They abuse the workers overseas by not paying them enough to live on. Remember when all the Unions are gone, invest in cardboard boxes because the majority of workers in the US, WILL BE LIVING IN CARDBOARD.
How’d you like to be paying a guy to find a guy to do work you could do yourself if not for Union rules? True story: a vendor setting up for a Chicago trade show needed to plug something into the building’s power. Can’t do it himself–Union rules. Finds a Union guy who, it turns out, is getting paid $20/hr (this was 20 years ago, certainly more now) to find the Union guy whose job it is to plug in power strips.
I can tell you about some of the STUPID THINGS unions have gone on strike for: locals that are making BETTER than the prevailing wages and wanting more when their corporation is teetering on bankruptcy. the union my sister was in when she was doing millwork would get requests from ther locals throughout the country; most of them were striking for better conditions than she had, and her union was happy with its arrangement. And the National Union got mad at her local for using the local portion of their dues for a semi-annual picnic.
There’s a lot of communities in my area where the top-paying employers are union workplaces, and even though a plant-closing would devastate the community, the unions are striking for higher wages. They don’t care about the domino effect of all the other jobs that depend on that plant being there, they just think if they’re having a hard time making ends meet, the company must not be paying them enough. Never stop to see they’re better off than the rest of their community.
Let this collective belief of demonizing union happen then it will be a race to the bottom then the first victims will be “foreigners”
then minorities
then women
then the weak
then a police state
then the Revolution will be televised
I guess your equation is neocons
You are 100% correct!
Right on! The public unions were brought in by an executive order by JFK and have contributed to the US bankruptcy. The public employees have huge benefits and can’t be fired. From what I have seen first hand, half of them could be fired and never missed. Unless you’ve been there, you wouldn’t believe it. The same can be said about defense contractors that we also pay for. There is much house-cleaning to do!
Amen!!!
they don`t pay off democraps, they buy them!
UAW: United Against Workers says it all.
Unions wont Co Fund HC or Voc/Tech Ed for members for more income IE being more skilled.
Its the Labor Union mindset for this demise since the 70s.
Scrap Labor Unions, NON innovative, creative, Pro active
Oh yes Proactive for dues for Politics vs Healthcare & Training Voc Ed.
Workers lose & does the nation.
ALL Unions should fund HC & Voc, Tech Ed for members.
NO exceptions.
the unions are important in the private sector. It is a fact that the
USA and it’s union trained and skilled labor force “in the private sector” is the most productive skilled in the world. However when the unions stepped in to perform collective bargaining in the public sector it has has the reverse effect. All they serve is assistance in raising hourly and salaried rates with total disregard of the “entitlement/retirement” cost that are bankrupting out nation. These government employees are “civil servants” and should be proud to serve. However this is not the case at all. Unions do not belong in our government except for all of our vendors who perform the same duties as a government employee. Only thing is faster, better and with out waste.
Unions are important to retirees who depend on them for an income. Also we have been paying into them since we joined the union. If yhis were taken away not only would we not have money for food and bills but it would be highway ROBBERY! Personally I am sick and tired of being robbed. What happened to our great country? I feel like I am living in another world!
Unions spent more than a billion dollars to get democrats elected in the last presidential elections, why wasn’t that money spent to benefit it’s members?
It was spent to help union members by electing Democrats
OH YEH and how is that working out now?
I assume you are talking about losing your retirement benefits that were collected and controlled by a union. Not requiring all employees to pay dues to a union will not affect your retirement. You seem to be crying wolf for no good reason. If you feel the unions will stop paying the retirement that you paid into and were promised, your complaint should be with the union, not those that are trying to control the out of control actions by unions. Stopping the retirement you paid into would fall under the classification of “out of control action”.
Unions have lost their appeal for the working people of America. Unions have become a monopoly just like any monopoly in America except they don’t pay Taxes and are view incorrectly as a not for profit corporation. Unions use their political power in unjust and self-serving ways. Unions must be controlled by the government as any Corporation or business in America. But they are not. Unions get a free ride by government sanctions on Obama Care, the IRS, they become exclusive clients for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and can do no wrong as far as the Obama Administration is concerned. The Union efforts due to their protection of the NLRB are actually supported by American Tax payers without their consent. The present case of Friedrichs vs the California Teachers Association is the first time and most importantly that this type of oppression by a government sponsored business can be brought down within Constitutional law. If the Supreme Court fails the effort of a free people we are doomed as a country of laws.
If the Unions had done something for the workers, that would be one thing however, now it is just to collect money and sway politics. They do nothing for the workers. The only Unions that are worth a dam are the Trade Unions such as Labor, Carpentry, Iron Workers that actually take care of the workers. They train them. The individual starts out as a Apprentice, then after so many years becomes a Journalist, and then a Master. Each step has its rewards as far as pay. Then the biggest thing is that the dues paid by the employer pays for their health and welfare, retirement and vacation time. I never could understand the use of the Unions for Government employees as according to the constitution, you cannot strike against the government. If you will remember the Air Traffic Controllers that struck against the government of what that end result is. If you are a good worker, one never has to worry about getting fired. In my whole working career, I was never layed off or fired, in fact, every time I left a position, I was begged to stay. I was my own Union and didn’t have to pay a cent. If you don’t like your job, leave and get another. Educate yourself so that you are valuable. I only had a high school education and achieved back in the 60’s things that women could only dream of because I was good at my job. I always made in salary what a man in the same position would make even working for the Government in my earlier career.
Correction, not journalist but journeyman.
Just wanted to say that the word is Journeyman not journalist. Don’t mean to be the spelling police but the difference is substantial.
Unions are in the process of cutting back on pensions that were collected over the years . Stealing from their members as the Govt is stealing from social security. Lindon Johnson Democrat started stealing from social Security and it never got paid back and each year they steal more. Do not trust the Union or Govt with YOUR MONEY..
Unions are meant to be a balance between labor and management for fair treatment and wages! If you lose balance, you get what we have today! Let’s restore the balance!!!
Come on people!!!
If our politicians were not so corrupt and corporations were not treated as people , and if heads of these big companies ( including non profits ) were not gathering millions of the backs of the common citizen there would be no need for unions. Of course that would be utopia. .yes , politicians and unions have become too powerful. SO, LET’S limit term limits of government provide them with the same benefits as the reason of the people and see where that leads us.
I’m sure it won’t happen because that is not the nature of the human being. It does not satisfy there greed or need for power.
We all know why unions were originally formed. They have become nothing more than a Ponzi scheme. I believe a significant percentage, of union members are hired, because they know another Union member, and not, because they are the most qualified, for the position. I believe the country would be better served were Government jobs limited, to providing services, for police, fire, education, and health related needs. Every other Government service should be put up, to a bid, in your local community. We do not need lawyers, in Government, but rather they be hired, on retainer, to provide legal advice, as needed. Our forefathers could not have envisioned this existing conflict, of interest, where the preponderance, of our laws are created, by lawyers, and then voted, into effect, by those same individuals. It would be vastly more effective were lawyers unable, to run, for elective office, and remove this conflict! They could be hired, to create a law, however those representatives, elected, by the voters could decide, if we want that law passed. Does anyone grasp this concept?
The unions had a place back in the day now all they want is to line their pockets. They don’t care about the worker. Oh if you want to join you need to put out if you are a woman. Just saying
Why should a person be forced to join a union or financially support a union in order to work somewhere? To me unions are nothing more than parasites which feed off the workers and the business owners. Today’s unions are more about enriching and empowering the union leadership than in helping rank and file workers.
Roosevelt had forbidden government employees unions, stating that the employer of government workers is the people and that therefore such unions cannot act against their employer. That was changed by an executive order issued by Jack Kennedy and implemented by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. To survive we must render such unions illegal again. One result is our schools which used to be among the first in the world; now under union goons it has fallen to the level of Zimbabwe.
Most of you haven’t lived in a time like the 40s to 60s when you was owned by the Company Store. I grew up as a Coal Miners Son and later joined the Teamsters of which I retired from.
If we loose the right to represent our-self and the right to bargain for benefits you better get ready to sell your kids future.
I’m not saying Unions are perfect because they are not but have the crooks in Washington done anything except to gain more control and power over you?
They hate it when We control our own lives and look at what they are doing with the Constitution.
UNIONS ARE A FARCE. I HAVE NEVER STAYED AT A JOB THAT REQUIRED ME TO PAY FOR SOME FAT-CATS VACATION TO GOD KNOWS WHERE LOCATION. AT MY EXPENSE, OUT OF MY POCKET. I FIGURED THAT IF I WASN’T DOING THE JOB GOOD ENOUGH TO GET PAID A DECENT WAGE, I SHOULDN’T BE THERE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM GOING TO THE BOSS AND ASKING FOR A RAISE AND GETTING IT! BECAUSE I DID THE JOB RIGHT. I DIDN’T NEED SOME LAZY BA$%$%D STICKING HIS HAND IN MY POCKET AND TAKING AWAY MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO GO AND SMOKE SOME EXPENSIVE CIGARS AND LAY AROUND ON SOME NICE WARM BEACH SOMEWHERE. UNIONS SUCK! STICK IT TO THEM. MAKE THEM WORK FOR A CHANGE, INSTEAD STEALING SOMEONES HARD EARNED MONEY.
Sounds like your talking about bho in dc.
people need no unions they need to wise up they can negotiate by themselves we have one government already don’t need 2 crooks that steal and take are monies that they don’t work for
When I had a union job all they did was take my money, they fought for druggies who were fired. I also worked my tail off while lazy high seniority individuals did nothing. Than overtime came and these people who milk it all day would bump me to get over time or to work holidays to receive triple pay.
My husband is a member of the teamsters union. He works for UPS. They work well with the Union. If it was not for the Teamsters we would not be able to have affordable health care and the workers would have no protection from these greedy corporations. I live in a right to work state. They can fire you for any reason with no cause. As far as our health care, the teamsters work closely to get the best insurance possible. With so many teamsters nationwide, companies have to bid on proposals for our health care. Our unions dues are less than 80 dollars a month and we have great insurance and in outer case they do a great deal to protect employees. Corporate America is the problem not the Unions. They back the Democratic Party because they represent the middle income Labor Force. The Republicans are puppets to these greedy corporations that put share holders first and workers last. And nothing “trickles down” from the top. If you think the years of failed trickle down economics works you are either stupid or misinformed. Just another political talking point for the GOP that does not support the middle class, equal pay or a raise in the minimum wage. In 2016, the minimum wage is below poverty level. Its ridiculous. But we live in a Plutocracy now in America not a Democracy.
trade unions stink worked over twelve years have enough points for pension but was told even if you had over 1000 points in one year they only count 1000 rest get thrown away so they told me I do not have enough points for pension they call it a break in service that is bull I paid my dues up until I quit I thought I was going to get a pension but they say no, so what good is pension when i worked those years payed into then and work hard they keep what ever was paid in they are crooks
People do have the right to where their money goes. if their money is being used to support a candidate whom they don’t support than this claim should be valid
I was forced to belong to the cwa ,it held me back to a lower wage because we had so many people who did not do a very good job,but were protected by the union,it is like socialism.
its the fall of a nation to much inflation
unions cause inflation its the fall of are nation
Unions have outgrown there usefulness, the right to work should be in ALL states.
Unions are now a deep pocket for its leadersto vacation and live high on the backs of workers.
FDR said that Government Employees Should NOT BE UNIONIZED.
As for private unions NO US CITIZEN SHOULD BE FORCED TO JOIN A UNION OR ANY ORGANIZATION TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT. Upon returning from serving in the Infantry in Vietnam I got a job and was told I could not continue to be employed unless I paid an initiation fee of $100.00 plus monthly Union dues. As a 21 year old veteran I couldn’t believe this could be in the USA.
Then I found the union giving my money to political groups I was giving money to support. Then I learned of ghe Beck law which is a farce as there is intense peer and Union leadership preasure on anyone trying to reduce their support through the Beck amendment.
Hopefully the Supreme Court will allow employees to work without paying a union for the privilege to earn a living.
You unions in a government facility are like a Ponzi scheme why should people have to pay money to a union when I support another party that they don’t believe in Democrats or Republicans no one should have to be forced to pay something that they have no control over whether money went I believe this for years that the unions are corrupt in the field most all government unions do not supply health insurance or pensions that is done by the government they’re just done they’re just there for political views this needs to be stopped should be stopped by all this will make the field a little bit more fair without big unions government unions supporting a democrat or republican .. when people give money to the government for unions they should have the right to say where their money goes this would never happen with the crutches in the government and unions so the best way to fix the problem is it make it illegal in United States for union support or find any campaign of any kind either side democrat or republican thank you for listening to me Roy
Unions originally worked to secure fair treatment (working conditions, compensation for on the job injuries, wages etc.) in exchange for insuring competency, attendance etc. of their members. One of the biggest reasons they formed was job safety. Today it seems they have forgotten the latter. But Unions are a necessary evil that have to be because of the other necessary evil, management.
I think that unions have a place in protecting workers safety and unfair business practices. However they should be banned from any and all political involvement.They have no place in politics.
Its not only public unions that destroy this country. Don’t forget the !@#$ing crazy pension. Rand Paul 2016
Under the present administration I find it hard to believe anything Government does or says, look at the times lies have been told by the President, Vise President and Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton). All they know is lies.
and mission was accomplished
and the WMD were found that why more than 1 million people died and are still dying
When President Trump takes office, maybe he can bring Scott Walker in as Labor Secretary!
The US Chamber of Commerce is mostly responsible for the misuse of the H-1B issues (Disney IT workers were replaced by foreigners, and that is against the spirit and the letter of the law – Rubio favors expanding it, by the way.)
American workers are being shat upon by both Big Labor AND the Chamberpot of Commerce. (Ask any Verizon employee how they like working for those a-hats, and whether the union does them any good!)
What is needed is competition: smaller businesses can sometimes compete capably, except where the govt. (such as the EPA) set up ridiculous barriers, which sometimes penalize bigger employers, but keep little employers from surviving at all. Crony Socialism is what it is.
Let people compete! Let businesses compete! And stop bringing in unfair competition.
YES! Why is union membership involuntary?? Why do their bosses end up in glass buildings and helicopters and allowed to bankrupt many governments and companies so they can live in their glass buildings and have jet planes??
I have to agree unions are no longer there for the people,,Just business.
Where i live there have been 2 protestors from a union holding a sign saying labor dispute
in front of a new building was built by non union, with a pre existing car dealership for over a year
Now this dealersrship sells jeeps , 76% american made.
You would think being a union they would not be out there protesting against a company
with one of the highest percentage vehicles made in america and going against a the auto union