The Association of American Educators (AAE), the largest national, non-union teachers' association, and eight of its California member educators recently filed a lawsuit against the California Teachers Association challenging the constitutionality of California's "agency shop" law. "Agency shop" arrangements violate educators' First Amendment guarantee to free speech and free association by forcing public school teachers to support powerful teachers' union efforts to advance their political agenda through collective bargaining.
The lawsuit, Yohn v. California Teachers Association, asks the courts to respect the teachers' First Amendment right to choose without fear or coercion whether or not to join or fund a labor union. The hundreds of dollars non-members are forced to pay to the union as a condition of employment in California schools is a clear violation of educators First Amendment rights, since the unions used those coerced payments to advance their policy agenda when bargaining with the government.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of AAE and eight California public school teachers by The Center for Individual Rights (CIR), the same non-profit public interest law firm that represented Rebecca Friedrichs and other California teachers in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which was heard by the United States Supreme Court last year. That lawsuit ended in a tied, non-binding opinion following the sudden passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, leaving the matter unresolved, but drawing significant attention to this important issue.
Following the case filing, AAE Chairman and President Gary Beckner issued the following statement:
"This is an historic moment for the Association of American Educators and freedom of choice for educators in California¬ and beyond. Founded as alternative to the partisan politics and collective bargaining of the teacher labor unions, AAE has provided a professional option for teachers seeking a voice that puts students first for over two decades. This lawsuit is a monumental next step for those educators seeking true freedom of association.
Our member educators have been vocal about the injustices of agency shop laws for years. Teachers are diverse individuals who deserve the right to select an association that matches their budget and beliefs. For far too long, the political activity of the teachers' unions has been prioritized over the rights of universally-respected professionals.
AAE was proud to rally our members for this worthy cause. Mr. Ryan Yohn and the other longtime AAE member plaintiffs are champions for the rights of all California educators. We are honored to stand together and we look forward to this case progressing in the months ahead."
Ryan Yohn et al. v. California Teachers Association et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division.
(Source: Association of American Educators)
