We live in West Hawaii, a happy, protected enclave of liberalism, where our democratically elected officials speak, and endorse “support for public education.” But sadly, sometimes, our protective enclave isn’t enough. The Supreme Court decision this week regarding Janus and public sector unions will have deep repercussions throughout the country, and yes, could even strike a blow to unions here in Hawaii.
We live in West Hawaii, a happy, protected enclave of liberalism, where our democratically elected officials speak, and endorse “support for public education.” But sadly, sometimes, our protective enclave isn’t enough. The Supreme Court decision this week regarding Janus and public sector unions will have deep repercussions throughout the country, and yes, could even strike a blow to unions here in Hawaii.
Teachers in Hawaii know firsthand the power of collective bargaining, and are now benefiting from the hard work of a collectively bargained contract, that gave teachers in Hawaii a much-deserved raise, after years of zero or sub-cost-of-living raises. The collective bargaining process was only possible through the intervention of the teachers’ union — the HSTA (Hawaii State Teachers Union).
Without the power of collective bargaining, we have seen across the country the impact on education and teachers’ contracts. For many states with imposed bargaining restrictions (aka “Right to Work” states), teachers’ input into their contract is minimal. Often working hours and conditions are boiled down into a one- to two-page contract, with little input from those working in the field — the teachers.
The impact of the Janus Supreme Court case may force many of us in states that have successful teachers’ unions to focus our time and energy on getting teachers to sign on, and become members. That focus will inevitably take away from the larger task that unions are faced with: protecting workers’ rights (and fighting for equality, students’ rights, safe and healthy schools, more community input, and clear and transparent management of our school districts.)
Unions helped create the middle class in America and have protected the rights of teachers for more than 50 years throughout this country. Not too long ago (in this author’s lifetime) teachers in California had few, if any rights to being re-hired. Teachers (like my own mother) were informed they would face the risk of not being rehired if they got pregnant, or sought other additional employment. My mother hid her own pregnancy for several months to finish teaching through the school year (and therefore receive the pay and benefits she was entitled to.) This is but one example of why teachers’ unions were created, and are necessary to protect teachers’ working conditions.
Teachers are on the front lines of social change, and often have to take the uncomfortable position of opposing school or district policy when asked to stand up for student rights. That is why we have teacher unions. And that is why the Janus case is so disturbing. The Janus case involves a self-serving individual (who was funded by deep-pocket conservatives) who wanted to strike a blow to state and federal employee unions. He was offered (as are most state workers in “right to work” states) the option of opting out and getting his dues money refunded at the end of the year. However, in these politically heated times, Mr. Janus became the litmus test for unions in America.
He obviously doesn’t believe in the compelling evidence that unions have helped create the middle class in America. Unions provided job opportunities and worker protections to millions of middle class workers; many of whom came home from serving in our military and benefited from the GI bill to become – teachers!
Unions have helped create the great diverse middle class we now enjoy in America. Unions have fought for workers’ and consumers’ safety rights, fair living wages and decent work conditions throughout many sectors, private and public. Unfortunately, the Janus case has set in motion a whole new set of conflicts: Unions will have to spend more time recruiting and maintaining membership, rather than their primary purpose: protecting workers and consumers’ rights.
If you or your family have benefited in some way through the efforts of unions in America, then you should be disturbed by the Janus decision, and be ready to advocate for unions in the fight ahead.
Antoinette “Toni” Reynolds is a resident of Kailua-Kona.
