The following interview is a Center for Worker Freedom exclusive with Rebecca Friedrichs, the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association.  Friedrichs has gained national attention because it questions the constitutionality of mandatory “agency fees” as a condition of employment.

Ms. Friedrichs answered CWF’s questions via email and some of her remarks have been edited for clarity.

CWF:  You were on the executive board of your union for three years.  How did you find that experience?  Did you feel that you and other members were able to make positive changes and progress? 

RF:  My experience serving on my local union’s executive board was disappointing.  I served in order to gain a voice for myself and my colleagues, but sadly, what I experienced was that even teachers in local leadership have no real voice when they disagree with the union’s status quo.  On behalf of many of my colleagues, I spoke to the union board and came up with action plans, but even when the board seemed to be listening and in agreement with me, I would end up dismissed in the end.  

[While on the executive board] I tried to work on improving morale for teachers and classified staff in our district.  I presented an action plan that was whole-heartedly accepted by the teachers on our local board and I was promised action by our CTA representative, but action was never taken. I was ignored and dismissed when I attempted to follow up on the issue and there are still morale issues in our district.

I also tried to save the jobs of several outstanding, newer teachers in our district when we were facing a budget shortfall. Although many of my colleagues wanted to join me in taking a small pay a cut to save the jobs of our fellow teachers, our union board would not even discuss the idea or allow a vote within the district.  Our voices were never heard. All of the teachers lost their jobs, morale dropped even lower, families lost outstanding teachers and those fine teachers were demoralized.

CWF:  Your challenge to union fees is now before the Supreme Court.  How has the case affected you personally?  Have you lost friends or felt punished at work?  

RF:  When I decided to file this lawsuit with my fellow plaintiffs, I thought I would experience all sorts of attacks from people at work and in my community. Thankfully, I have experienced quite the opposite.  Although there are a few naysayers, many people are grateful that we’re fighting this battle.  Many teachers cheer me on quietly because most of them are too afraid to support me openly for fear that they will be harassed.  People have reached out from all walks of life to thank us for taking a stand for individual liberty.  

I have felt punished by a few people at work, but I don’t let them bother me because I know what I am doing is right.  Freedom is always hard fought, and I feel honored to get to be part of this battle.  

CWF:  Finally, how were the responses from your students and their parents?  Has the classroom dynamic changed since the before the case?

RF:  Since I teach elementary school (third graders this year), I’ve never mentioned our case to my students or their parents.  I’ve sought to be professional throughout this journey.  When I returned to class after our oral arguments [at the Supreme Court] however, my class knew about the case because most of them had seen me on television.  The children had lots of questions and were so very sweet.  They’re little, so I didn’t want to get into the details of our case or get them involved, as that’s their parents’ decision, so I used the opportunity to remind them of the importance of standing up for what we believe... I told them that I was fighting for liberty for teachers and other workers.  They cheered, and one of them wrote me the cutest note telling me how proud she was that I was fighting for what I believe.  A few parents came to talk to me, and all of them were incredibly supportive; I even got some hugs.  

According to Friedrichs’ legal representation, The Center for Individual Rights, the Supreme Court justices are expected to render a decision sometime before the end of June 2016.

The Center for Worker Freedom would like to thank Rebecca and her colleagues for their time and dedication; we wish them the best of luck.