Strong Unions, Strong Democracy--Op-Ed from NY Times on Friedrichs
Last edited Tue Jan 12, 2016, 10:02 PM - Edit history (1)
What I like about this piece is how Kahlenberg seems to be writing to conservatives--and I do hope those conservatives on the Supreme Court read this. He reminds us that Reagan said this about unions: “where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.”
It's a quick read (3"
:
snip:
IF the questions that came up during oral argument in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association on Monday are any guide, the ruling bloc of conservative justices appears ready to render a decision later this year that would significantly weaken public sector labor unions.
By stripping these unions of key financial resources — their fair share of fees provided by nonmembers — the court would upend a longstanding precedent. A decision in favor of the plaintiff would effectively slam the door on an era in which some conservatives joined liberals in recognizing that vibrant unions help make our democracy work. This is radicalism, not conservatism.
Public sector unions — representing teachers, firefighters and the like — are the remaining bright spot in America’s once-thriving trade union movement. In the case before the Supreme Court, Rebecca Friedrichs, a dissident teacher in Southern California, argues that she should be able to accept the higher wages and benefits the union negotiates, but not help pay for the costs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/opinion/strong-unions-strong-democracy.html?ref=opinion&_r=0
snip
The article points out the wisdom of this law. Essentially, when humans are allowed a free ride, they'll take it. Thirty-four per cent of workers will take that free ride, the article states.
Please note the author calls Rebecca Friedrichs for what she is--a would-be freeloader.
Cher
= new reply since forum marked as read
It's there now. Thanks for the reminder. 
Cher