standwithwork, Author at Stand With Workers

Too little too late

It is always interesting to see how unions react when notified our clients are suing to be let out of the union. These government workers have tried multiple times to exercise their rights to resign and stop paying dues to no avail. But once we get involved and a lawsuit was filed, the government unions suddenly try to pacify them.

Not even the letter of the law…much less the spirit

I still find it surprising the lengths some politicians will go to ensure that government union interests prevail and that state employees’ constitutional rights are

The cases you’re not hearing about

I’ve been filling you in on what’s going on with our cases, but I haven’t mentioned what is going on “behind the scenes.” The people we

Hawaii is not a paradise for government employees

Patricia Grossman’s story is not a new one, but that doesn’t make it any less poignant. Thirty-five years working at University of Hawaii at Hilo was not long enough for her employer and her government to put her First Amendment rights above the interests of the union.

Taking the fight to Illinois

We have filed a lawsuit in Illinois on behalf of Erich Mandel against his government union, SEIU Local 73. Erich is a diesel mechanic in the transportation department of Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine, Illinois.

He first asked to leave SEIU in August 2018, after learning about his rights in the Janus decision. The union responded that Erich must wait until an arbitrary time period to resign his membership and stop dues collection. This is unjust and unconstitutional.

Reflecting on the Past Year

The holidays are a great time to be with friends and family and reflect on the year that was and the year that is to come. Around this time last year I know I wasn’t prepared for the exciting developments that were about to happen.

Latest case: a refund for New Mexico workers

We’re taking the fight for workers’ rights to New Mexico!

Brett Hendrickson is an employee for the state’s Human Services Department. When the U.S. Supreme Court decision was delivered on June 27, he asked to end his union membership. Brett was told he could only opt out during a two week period.

I may sound like a broken record, but that’s wrong. Unconstitutional.

Meet Tommy Few

I’d like you to take a minute to meet Tommy Few, a special education teacher in California whose request to exercise his constitutional right to leave

California: teachers only have consititutional rights 30 days a year

I have exciting news — in partnership with the California Policy Center, we’ve just filed a lawsuit in California, Few v. UTLA, to restore the First Amendment rights of special ed teacher Thomas Few.

As you know, earlier this summer the U.S. Supreme Court struck down mandatory union membership for all teachers, and government workers, in the U.S., yet the United Teachers of Los Angeles refuse to let Few out.
UTLA has insisted that Few can only exercise his constitutional rights opt out once a year during a brief, 30-day period which they define.

What do the elections results mean for workers’ rights

There is a question that is probably on many of our minds this week – what impact will the midterm elections have on workers’ rights?

In the 13 states where we’re pursuing justice for government employees, nine have just elected governors who oppose workplace freedom. Fortunately, we’re already working to address these developments. When politicians refuse to implement the Supreme Court ruling, litigation is needed to make them pay attention.