Oral arguments were heard Monday, Jan. 11 for Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association – a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that aims to restrict the rights of people who serve the public from having a say in their wages and how to protect their communities. In essence, this case has the potential to create a national so-called Right to Work law – a bad decision that will hurt working people.
A group of super wealthy corporations and individuals have pushed this case to the Supreme Court. They are behind the lawsuit because they know that when DOT workers; corrections officers; teachers; public health nurses; nursing home workers; mental health workers; case workers for neglected and abused children; and other people serving the public join together, they can make gains for their families and communities. The extremists do not want working people to have these victories because they interfere with their agenda to keep all the wealth for themselves.
The wealthy special interest groups know that when people form unions; they make major gains, like higher pay, and investing in public education and in public safety for every family and community.
“Groups like Americans for Prosperity and the Center for Individual Rights don’t care whether people can join together to build better lives,” said SEA/SEIU Local 1984 Director John Hattan. “That’s what is driving people across the country who are standing up in numbers we haven’t seen in decades to make change in their lives and neighborhoods.”
“No matter what any court decides, hardworking moms and dads across the country will continue to push for fair wages, decent benefits and a dignified retirement,” Hattan said. “We will keep taking action in the streets, our worksites, and at the ballot box to stand up for jobs that give everyone a fair shot at a secure future.”