Workers elated by Supreme Court decision on Friedrichs

For more information, contact:
Chris Williams
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)

Megan Boldt
651-292-4818 (work)
651-245-9163 (cell)

St. Paul, Minn. (March 29, 2016)- The U. S. Supreme Court affirmed on Tuesday that public employers have a compelling interest in having strong and effective collective bargaining.

The 4-4 decision in the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case leaves intact a law that allows public-sector employee unions to collect fair-share fees from all employees they represent.

The following is a statement from Education Minnesota President Denise Specht on Tuesday's decision.

"We are elated the Supreme Court upheld nearly 40 years of legal precedent and realized the Friedrichs case was really about politics and weakening the voice of working people. Wealthy special interests want to make it harder for public workers to come together and speak up for better schools, better patient care and safer neighborhoods. 

"The Constitution, the law and the facts are on our side. But we know the attacks against workers aren't over. 

"This split decision highlights the importance of the upcoming presidential election. We need to elect someone who will stand up for working families when it comes time to nominate the next U.S. Supreme Court justice.

"When working families do better, our communities are stronger. Educators will continue to stand together to fight for the things our students, our schools and our profession need."

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.