Editorial: Free the (union) workers
It is always a little problematic to read too much into Supreme Court justices' questions and comments from the bench - although not so much with this current court, which often wears its views proudly.
And yesterday it certainly appeared a majority of the court was leaning toward dealing a blow to public sector unions that have been collecting fees from government workers who may disagree with the policies they pursue.
The case involves a group of California public school teachers who charge that paying a mandatory fee to the California Teachers Union is a violation of their First Amendment rights.
Justice Anthony Kennedy - an all-important swing vote on the court - seemed to agree, noting, "The union basically is making these teachers 'compelled riders' for issues on which they strongly disagree."
After all, he said, bargaining issues like teacher salaries, merit promotions and class size are inherently political in nature.
And what about the mindless opposition of some teachers unions to charter schools or even standardized testing - something the Massachusetts Teachers Association locally seems to spend an inordinate amount of time and effort on.
Witness this comment by MTA President Barbara Madeloni: "Standardized testing is distorting the goals of public education and choking the creativity and joy that should be at the center of teaching and learning."
So, as much as California Solicitor General Edward Dumont argued yesterday that collective bargaining is largely about mileage reimbursements and working hours, Chief Justice John Roberts countered that at the end of the day it's really about how state money is spent.
"That's always a public policy issue," Roberts said.
Maybe in Massachusetts for teachers or other public sector workers there wouldn't be a rush to the exits if mandatory fees were abolished by a high court ruling (not anticipated until June). But wouldn't it be interesting to see how the rank and file react.
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