Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers,
I want to start by thanking those of you supported our April 20th activism day by wearing your orange t-shirts or wearing your own orange to support ending gun violence in schools. I also want to thank those who came and supported our happy hour as well. It was a great time, and I hope to see more of us the next time one is planned. I have included pictures below.
By now you have heard about the Janus case either from an ambassador who came to inform you, a building meeting, or from a previous message from me or our political action VP. It is our aim to have all the ambassadors get to you before May 1st. Please let us know if you have not had a 'one to one' contact or haven't updated your information with us. This US Supreme Court case called Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 threatens to affect not just our union but all unions nationwide. Hard fought protections could be repealed because the unions could lose their ability to provide the effective representation that members are used to. It seems like a simple matter of basic fairness. If you are getting something, you should pay your fair share and contribute, but this case is ready to do the opposite. The unfortunate thing for unions in this case is that at least five of the Supreme Court justices seem more sympathetic to Janus' arguments against paying his fair share. The reason this is so frustrating is that he is really being funded by groups like The National Right to Work Foundation. Groups like these are made up of corporate billionaires that are using small parts of their wealth to break down the unions and everything they have done for working families. Imagine not being able to fight for a living wage, retirement security, health benefits etc. The Supreme Court was going to stop agency fees two years ago in a case that ended in a tie because of Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death. Scalia's replacement, Justice Neil Gorsuch, seems every bit as willing to rule against the unions in this new case.
Over the next few weeks, you will be getting a removable oval car decal that says either "Proud Union Family" or "Our Voice Our Values Our Union". Please proudly display these as we stand TOGETHER in this fight. The more these are visible we bring attention to the fact there is power in numbers and that more people will support unions no matter the outcome of this case. If you are interested in making a personal order for other PRO-UNION gear, lawn signs, or t-shirts please click here.
