Teachers union wins case over dues

COLONIE — The state’s largest teachers' union has won a lawsuit in which two teachers, one from Long Island and another from upstate, sought refunds of dues or fees they had paid prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Janus decision.

In that landmark 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory collection of dues-like fees for people represented by public employee unions such as New York State United Teachers, was unconstitutional.

The decision blocked public-sector unions from charging mandatory “agency fees” to employees they represent but are not members. That has changed the landscape for public-sector unions which now must work harder to convince members to pay dues voluntarily.

Absent the mandatory fees, public employee union members can stop paying dues and still get most benefits. There hasn't been a mass defection among teachers and NYSUT launched an aggressive outreach campaign to retain members.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Teachers-union-wins-case-over-dues-15245359.php
(Albany Times Union)