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Friedrichs and the Freeloading Ten

Mooch. Leech. Freeloading bum.

Parasite on two legs.

Human sponge.

So many words, so little time.

It’s hard to settle on just one word or phrase for workers like Rebecca Friedrichs and the other nine California teachers who don’t want to pay a fee supporting their union’s core functions like negotiating contracts with raises and representing workers in disciplinary hearings.

In the lawsuit, Friedrichs v California Teachers Association, the teachers argue it’s a matter of free speech. Friedrichs and the other plaintiffs don’t agree with everything the union leadership does, so they shouldn’t have to pay a so-called “agency fee.” 

Call them the Freeloading Ten, and put them in the category of workplace fringe curmudgeons: the pain-in-the-ass few who just have go against the grain, who wouldn't pay for something - anything - if they don’t have to, even if it was detrimental to the greater good, their larger community of workers, even if that forces others to shoulder a greater burden.

Friedrichs v CTA had rightwing fatcats and ideologues giddy with anticipation. They fully expected a 5-4 Supreme Court decision restricting how unions collect revenues, which would reduce their effectiveness and further diminish their role in society. 

God forbid there be a real check-and-balance mechanism for the little guy, and gal, doing all the shoveling and lifting and trucking for corporate and government executives, many of whom would much rather to issue decrees without opposition. 

A 5-4 majority from a conservative block of justices would have forced public sector unions to provide services - like negotiating contracts and enforcing safety rules– to non-members in the bargaining unit for free, potentially opening the floodgates to mooches like the Freeloading Ten.

That didn’t happen. But only because the big justice in the sky called Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia home. Scalia, 79, passed away in his sleep in February of natural causes, after an afternoon of Quail hunting in Texas. 

Laws in 23 states allow public sector unions to collect “agency fees” from workers who join their labor organizations, and from non-members who also benefit from union activities like negotiating contracts.

By law, unions can’t spend the money on traditional political purposes like supporting individual candidates for elected office. Separate union dues that members pay cover those expenses.

Governor's Win on $15/hour is Also a Win for TWU Local 100

A large turnout by TWU officers and rank and file at the Javits Center on Monday gave credit to Governor Cuomo for his successful passage of a law making $15 an hour the minimum wage in New York City by the end of 2018. It was also a reflection of the Union's long and ongoing fight for better wages for our members toiling as Call Agents at GCS/Access-A-Ride, who will see their wages -- now at $12 and less -- rise in tandem, unless we notch a higher figure in contract negotiations.

TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips was joined by other officers including MABSTOA VP Richard Davis. Also present were GCS workers including longtime employees and Shop Stewards Sandra Lennon and Patricia Edwards. Cuomo's bill makes $15 an hour mandatory first for businesses with more than ten employees, and then phases in that rate for smaller businesses in 2019 and for Long Island and Westchester County in 2021. In the rest of the state, the minimum will increase to $12.50 by the end of 2020, mainly because of wage scales for agricultural laborers upstate. Read Governor Cuomo's letter to Sec-Treasurer Earl Phillips here. Sent back in October, it highlights our continuing fight for $15.

This April, Retirement Options At Nearly Every Work Location

In April, Prudential and the MTA are partnering to give our members information about retirement options. Reservations aren't needed. Just download the flyer here to find out when there's a presentation near you. Plan for your retirement now -- and make sure you have financial security when you need it.

Liberty Lines Members Vote “Yes” on New Contract; Pact Gives Raises of 11% Over Five Years

 MARCH 29 -- TWU Local 100 Members at Liberty Lines in Yonkers have approved a new five-year contract, announced TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux. The vote was 162 to 70, and was certified by the American Arbitration Association this morning at its offices in lower Manhattan. Liberty Lines operates the Bee Line System which serves Yonkers and adjacent communities.

Under the agreement which runs through February of 2021, Liberty Lines Bus Operators, Mechanics, Cleaners and other workers will be getting 11% pay raises as well as other benefits including pension enhancements.

“I was optimistic that the contract would pass because it’s a good agreement that gives raises in every year,” said AVP Giboyeaux, the ranking officer on the negotiating committee. “Moving with the economy, the pension workers will earn is going up as well, and we have protected our health benefits. This is a solid win for workers.”

The raises are 1.75%, 2%, 2%, 2.25% and 3%, with the first increase effective on today’s ratification. Other benefits include better uniform allowances and nighttime differential pay. Local 100 represents approximately 600 members at Liberty Lines. Mr. Giboyeaux gave credit to the Union's negotiating committee, which included Private Lines VP Pete Rosconi, Division Chair Bill Mooney, Exec Board Member Manny Agosto, Carlos Bernabel, Janet Rosa, and Tom Monaco. The union's attorney at the table was Denis Engel.