Washington, DC – On March 29, 2016 a Supreme Court vote of 4-4 upheld a 40-year-old ruling temporarily ending a decade-long campaign by anti-union special interest groups to weaken unions that represent teachers, police and firefighters, government workers, and other public service employees. APALA stands alongside the entire labor movement in celebrating a victorious pro-union ruling that protects the rights of all workers and their families. In particular, this ruling is important for women and people of color who make up a majority of the public sector workforce and rely on public sector unions for a pathway to the middle class.
"The is a huge victory not only for public sector workers but the entire labor movement," said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. "The Supreme Court's decision in upholding our rights for collective bargaining sends a strong message that our democracy cannot be controlled by the wealth of select corporate interest groups.
The case known as Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association would have restricted the ability for working people to come together in unions and assert our collective power to improve lives, workplaces, and communities. This is especially important for low-income, women, immigrants, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) communities who are still faced with discrimination in the workforce daily
This decision comes shortly after the death of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, proving even more what is at stake with whoever is appointed as Scalia's replacement.
"While we recognize the importance of this decision, we also know that our fight to protect working families is far from over," said Gregory Cendana, APALA's Executive Director. "Working families are at the heart of what has made the country prosper and we will continue to fight for justice in the streets, at the voting booth, and in our places of work. This Supreme Court victory is an important reminder that when we are united, we win.”
"The is a huge victory not only for public sector workers but the entire labor movement," said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. "The Supreme Court's decision in upholding our rights for collective bargaining sends a strong message that our democracy cannot be controlled by the wealth of select corporate interest groups.
The case known as Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association would have restricted the ability for working people to come together in unions and assert our collective power to improve lives, workplaces, and communities. This is especially important for low-income, women, immigrants, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) communities who are still faced with discrimination in the workforce daily
This decision comes shortly after the death of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, proving even more what is at stake with whoever is appointed as Scalia's replacement.
"While we recognize the importance of this decision, we also know that our fight to protect working families is far from over," said Gregory Cendana, APALA's Executive Director. "Working families are at the heart of what has made the country prosper and we will continue to fight for justice in the streets, at the voting booth, and in our places of work. This Supreme Court victory is an important reminder that when we are united, we win.”
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