ANA Hails Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Unions' Right to Collect 'Fair Share' Fees

CONTACT:
Jemarion Jones, 301-628-5198
jemarion.jones@ana.org

Steve Carpinelli, 301-628-5034
steve.carpinelli@ana.org

SILVER SPRING, MD — The American Nurses Association (ANA) hailed today's 4-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case. At issue was the right of public employee unions to collect 'fair share' fees from non-members to support collective bargaining. Given the 4-4 tie, the decision returns the case back to lower courts and leaves in place the nearly 40-year-old precedent that public employees, such as nurses and teachers, need to pay fees to support the unions that represent them for collective bargaining.

"The American Nurses Association is gratified by the Court's decision in the Friedrichs case, which upholds public employee unions' right to collect 'fair share' fees to support collective bargaining," said ANA President Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. "This ruling is a victory for hard-working Americans who benefit from better wages, benefits and improved working conditions achieved through collective bargaining. Despite this win, we know that efforts to erode hard won rights will continue, and we remain vigilant and committed to protecting nurses' legal right to organize and bargain collectively."

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The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.4 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all.