We will weather the Janus storm, says WEA President Kim Mead
As expected, the US Supreme Court has decided the Janus v. AFSCME case by ruling against the interests of working families.
Under the decision, public sector unions can no longer collect fair share fees from non-members who benefit from a locally negotiated union contract.
Here is a statement on the Janus decision from WEA President Kim Mead:
“Washington Education Association members cherish our freedom to stand united together to support our state’s public schools, our students and our families. We are proud of our advocacy for what our students need to be successful, including fully funded public schools, smaller class sizes and safe classrooms.
“The U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision is an attempt to limit the freedoms of working people like educators, firefighters and nurses to come together to fight for what we believe in. It is part of a national campaign to take away the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions, because unions give workers a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families and their communities.
“Though the extremist billionaires and corporate interests who funded this case want to make it harder for us to fight for our students and our schools, this decision only strengthens our resolve to remain united and strong for our students.
“In Washington, WEA members have joined together to achieve huge successes for students and public education. WEA members initiated, funded and fought for the McCleary case, which resulted in over $8 billion in new state public education funding. WEA members led and won other critical campaigns to benefit students, including the class-size initiative and the “simple majority” rule for passing local school levies.
“The Court decision comes at the same time hundreds of WEA local affiliates are negotiating contracts with their school districts and are working together to meet the needs of students in each community. Our freedom to negotiate a fair contract is at the core of what it means to be a union member in Washington.
“Because we are strong and united, WEA members will weather this storm. WEA will continue to be Washington’s most powerful advocate for public schools, educators and our students.”
Founded in 1889, the Washington Education Association is the state’s largest education union. Our members include K-12 teachers and certificated staff, classified education support professionals, college faculty members, retired educators and students studying to become teachers.
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