Freedom to Stand United

WEA President Kim Mead released this statement regarding U.S. Supreme Court case

"Washington Education Association members cherish our freedom to stand united together to support our state’s public schools, our students and our families. Together, we have the power to achieve good things for our students. We are tremendously proud of our advocacy for fully funded public schools, smaller class sizes and student safety.

"The Janus case before the U.S. Supreme Court is part of a national campaign to take away the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions. Unions give workers a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families and their communities. These attacks on our freedom to negotiate a fair return on our work are funded by wealthy CEOs and corporate interests who want to rig the system further in their favor.

"Unions have played a critical role in helping and protecting working people in the United States and in Washington. They provide hard-working people economic stability for their families and give them the tools to build a good life, home and education for themselves and their children.

"Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides later this year, WEA will continue to focus on organizing, listening to and building a deep relationship with our members. We stand together united for quality public schools and a fair return on our work. Together, we can accomplish things that we couldn’t achieve by ourselves.

"These attacks affect all workers, whether they are represented by a union or not. Along with our public- and private-sector labor allies, we will do everything in our power to fight back against those who aim to take away our voice, both in Washington, DC, and here in our own Washington."

WEA represents K-12 certificated educators, education support professionals, college faculty members, retired educators and students studying to become educators.