Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision in Tuesday’sFriedrichs v. California Teachers Association is a big victory for teachers' unions, and said U.S. Secretary of Education, for educators overall. 

• As reported earlier by HR Dive, Conservative justices, who had a 5-4 majority on the court prior to the death of Antonin Scalia, looked ready to rule that such mandatory fees were in violation of the First Amendment.

• Public-sector unions were concerned a ruling in favor of the teachers would have weakened the unions' bargaining power, as those who work in a union workplace but opt out of union membership still benefit from the union's existence.

Dive Insight:

“Millions of working people who understand the importance of their unions in bettering their lives and the wellbeing of their communities are breathing a sigh of relief today,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten via email.

U.S. Education Secretary John King heralded the role of labor unions in the education landscape and hailed the decision for allowing educators to focus on student success.

“Labor unions have helped to build our nation's middle class, playing a critical role in increasing workers' wages and ensuring there are workplace protections,” he said in a statement. “Today's announcement that the appeals court ruling in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association will stand means educators will continue to be able to focus on what is most important—helping students learn and prepare for success in school and in life.”

Weingarten said even though educators are exhaling today, “we know this fight is far from over. Just as our opponents won’t stop coming after us, we will continue full speed ahead in our effort to mobilize our members and their neighbors around a shared vision to reclaim the promise of America.”

She called on members of Congress to “do their job and appoint a new justice to the Court,” but said in the meantime, AFT will continue “working hard for the future we want to see — one with vibrant public education from pre-K through college; affordable, accessible healthcare; public services that support strong neighborhoods, and the right to organize and bargain for a fair wage and a voice on the job.”

Dissenters are expected to petition the court to re-hear the case once it is again fully staffed.