Press Release
FOR RELEASE: June 30, 2014
CONTACT:
Marcus Mrowka
202-879-4447
202-531-0689 (cell)
mmrowka@aft.org
AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Harris v. Quinn Decision
WASHINGTON—Statement from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the Harris v. Quinn decision. Today’s Harris v. Quinn decision upholds the right of public sector unions to represent public employees, including their right to collectively bargain, but the Supreme Court refused to extend the right for a union to collect fair share fees for that purpose from Illinois home healthcare workers who are not members.
“While the court upheld the importance of collective bargaining and unions to families and communities, let’s be clear that working people, who have aspired to the middle class and tried to make a better life for their families, have taken it on the chin for years. Stagnating wages, loss of pensions and lack of upward mobility have defined the economic distress they have experienced. Today’s decision makes it worse.
“The Roberts court has consistently ruled in favor of corporate interests, while diminishing the rights of labor. This court has built a record of weakening the rights of both voters and working families; no one should be surprised by this decision.
“America’s workers have gone through the crucible of tough times and adversity—that’s why they formed America’s labor movement. Workers did not start off with their rights being protected by government. We had to—and still must—organize ourselves, our families and others to secure good jobs, great public schools, prosperous communities and opportunity for all. While disappointed in the court’s decision, the American Federation of Teachers will do what we have always done: redouble our efforts to empower and engage our members around the issues they care about and the work they do, and to serve as a strong voice for our communities, our democracy and opportunity for all.”
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
Summer is a great time to spread the word about Red River United, build momentum, and share our vision of Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education. We are looking for RRU members and leaders to volunteer in our outreach and organizing efforts. We will be talking to people at their homes, during orientations, in-services, and other trainings from 
Beginning the 2014 – 2015 school year, all Red River United members will be covered under Nation Safe Drivers’ Road Side Assistance program which will enable all Red River United members to recieve two (2) free tows a year for a distance of twenty – five (25) miles each tow.
especially affected our new mothers, whom, after being forced to use all of their annual sick days before they could go into their extended sick leave, were being forced out of the classroom for 10 days when taking their newborn for checkups that they would otherwise only need one day for. Yvonne Barrier, a Caddo high school teacher and Red River United member, presented video testimony to the House and Senate floor that was instrumental to the rule change. 
in line to eat.