Late last month, the conservative right wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court did what most expected, ruling 5 to 4 against public sector unions in Janus v. AFSCME.
The court’s decision means that workers can enjoy the higher pay, better benefits and secure retirement fought for – and won by – their unions without having to pay union dues. Already in New York, we are seeing a multi-million-dollar campaign by big business and right-wing billionaires to try to convince union members to drop out of their union.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: It’s not going to work.
They will fail.
Members of New York State United Teachers are sticking with their union.
They know that being in a union means having a loud voice to fight for what they and their families need.
They know that being part of a strong union means power – both in the corridors of Albany and in their own schools, colleges and hospitals.
They are justifiably proud and value the work that we are doing – together.
In fact, in the two weeks after the Janus decision, just nine members quit our union.
However, more than 9,000 NYSUT members signed new union cards re-committing to our union, even as another 1,200 fee payers decided to join NYSUT – some for the first time.
Make no mistake, the Janus decision poses a threat to our ability to advocate for our members and for economic justice for all Americans – but only if we don’t adapt and change.
A year and a half ago, NYSUT began making that change.
We launched a major campaign to re-connect with our rank-and-file, making internal organizing our highest priority. We are placing person-to-person contact and relationship-building at the heart of all that we do, aiming for one-to-one conversations with all of our members.
We’ve trained more than 500 members to visit with their fellow unionists in their homes and at their work sites -- to talk to them about the value and advantages of being an active member of their own local union.
So far, we’ve knocked on more than 100,000 doors. If you’re a NYSUT member out there listening today, don’t be shocked if one day you find someone at your door asking you if you have a few minutes to talk about our voice, our values and our union.
I have to confess: I’m not sure we would be doing this if not for the Janus case.
And, that’s why I’m starting to think that Janus may be the kick we needed to re-energize our union – and the labor movement across our great nation.
I’m energized and filled with hope and optimism … and that hope and optimism are embedded in a conversation we had recently with a member on her doorstep.
She said she was worried about the direction of our country. She feared the unrelenting attacks on ordinary workers like her by the wealthy elite. She feared for her pension.
And, she recognized that her union gave her a strong voice … and empowered her to fight for herself, her students and her profession. Her union was her staunch ally if she wanted to climb the economic ladder to a better life.
She knows – as we all do – that our contracts and power are earned.
She knows that being part of a strong union is the path to higher pay, better benefits and a dignified retirement.
She knows – as I do – that by staying together, our union will never be defeated.
Andy Pallotta, a former elementary teacher, is president of the more than 600,000-member New York State United Teachers.
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