---
[ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive)
# ‘StudentsFirst’ Sues Teachers Unions Over Dues
April 20 2015
Written by Bill Raden.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
VOICES-The latest [legal assault](http://www.scribd.com/doc/261131723/Bain-v-CTA) on the right of the state’s public-sector unions to collect dues was filed in Los Angeles [earlier this month](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lawsuit-union-dues-20150408-story.html) by StudentsFirst, the Sacramento-based, national school-privatization organization.
The federal suit, *Bain v. California Teachers Association*, was brought on behalf of four California public school teacher union members who claim that the state’s current “fair share” rules infringe on their rights by forcing them to choose between paying for union-supported political causes with which they disagree or quitting the union. It seeks to bar unions from collecting dues money earmarked for political purposes as a condition of membership.
At stake are an estimated tens of millions of dollars — and a corresponding political clout — that unions stand to lose if the suit succeeds in making voluntary the 30 percent to 40 percent of dues that members currently pay for political activities.
In addition to California Teachers Association and its parent organization, the National Education Association, the suit names as defendants the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and its parent, the American Federation of Teachers, as well as United Teachers Los Angeles. (Disclosure: The CTA and CFT are financial supporters of Capital & Main.)
Also being sued are the union locals where three of the teachers work along with the superintendents of Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD), West Contra Costa Unified and Arcadia Unified school districts. *[(Read the rest.)](http://capitalandmain.com/latest-news/issues/education/studentsfirst-sues-teachers-unions-dues/)*
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 33
Pub: Apr 21, 2015
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/115 "Brian Goldsmith Vertical R. Col")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/114 "McKinney Campaign")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")
## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays
Last Name
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/113 "Rhonda Haymon campaign")
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/110 "Something You Should Know")
---
## Featured CityWatch Stories
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
### [Here’s What Zionism’s Got To Do With It](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
ICAN - The anonymous website “BHUSD Watch” recently published a long, detailed article about the current BHUSD board an…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33655-two-democrats-one-senate-seat-candidate-brian-goldsmith-on-why-his-approach-makes-sense-for-voters)
### [Two Democrats, One Senate Seat: Candidate Brian Goldsmith on Why His Approach Makes Sense for Voters](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33655-two-democrats-one-senate-seat-candidate-brian-goldsmith-on-why-his-approach-makes-sense-for-voters)
ELECTION 2026 - The race to succeed retiring State Senator Ben Allen (D-24) pits two Democrats with different political…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33649-high-ladwp-bills-how-politicians-decry-the-rate-machine-they-built)
### [High LADWP Bills: How Politicians Decry the Rate Machine They Built](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33649-high-ladwp-bills-how-politicians-decry-the-rate-machine-they-built)
CITY BLUES - Many of the employees at Canter’s Deli in the Fairfax district have worked there for 30 or 40 years. Owner…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33650-how-charter-amendment-ee-would-make-the-los-angeles-city-council-less-accountable-to-the-public)
### [How Charter Amendment EE Would Make The Los Angeles City Council Less Accountable To The Public](https://www.citywatchla.com/election-2024/33650-how-charter-amendment-ee-would-make-the-los-angeles-city-council-less-accountable-to-the-public)
LA CHARTER AMENDMENT - At a time in Los Angeles when public trust in local government is low, LA Charter Amendment EE h…
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33642-charter-amendment-la-end-the-paid-board-end-the-excuses-make-public-works-work)
### [Charter Amendment LA: End the Paid Board. End the Excuses. Make Public Works Work](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33642-charter-amendment-la-end-the-paid-board-end-the-excuses-make-public-works-work)
NICK’S VIEW - Los Angeles voters finally have a chance to address a persistent city problem: the Department of Public W…
---
## [ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15339-early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles)### [Early Intervention and Jobs are Key to Stemming Chronic Homelessness in Los Angeles](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15339-early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles)
### [Tucker Carlson and Gay Rightwinger Blame California Wildfires On Hiring LGBTQ People](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/18755-tucker-carlson-and-gay-rightwinger-blame-california-wildfires-on-hiring-lgbtq-people)
### [Anti-LGBTQ Veep Just Can’t Stop Talking about Mayor Pete](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/17690-anti-lgbtq-veep-just-can-t-stop-talking-about-mayor-pete)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15316-news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties)### [NEWS PULSE: ‘Corrupt System’ Reason for Not Voting in 2018 … Majority Wants More Than Two Parties](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/15316-news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties)
[  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/10245-dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles)### [Dead Dog Set on Fire … Sparks Fears for Strays in Los Angeles](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive/10245-dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles)