Almost eight years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that government and other public sector workers can’t be forced to pay union dues. That’s because unions frequently spend the money on politics and not all of the members agree on who’s supported. But all these years later, the battles between employees and their unions continue. Today, Mikinzie Frost reports on a legal challenge mounted by two teachers in New Jersey.Marie Dupont has been a teacher for 20 years in New Jersey, spending the majority of her career at this school near Newark.

The following is a transcript of a report from “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.”
Watch the video by clicking the link at the end of the page.

Marie Dupont has been a teacher for 20 years in New Jersey, spending the majority of her career at this school near Newark.

Until recently, she was also a member of the New Jersey Education Association – the state’s largest and most influential public employee union with more than 200,000 members.

Her obligation to the union hasn’t come cheap – with dues to the tune of $1,500 annually.

But now – Dupont and fellow New Jersey teacher Ann Marie Pocklembo are suing their union – alleging leadership siphoned members’ money to support the union’s president – Sean Spiller – in his unsuccessful run for governor of New Jersey in 2025.

Sean Spiller for NJ Campaign Ad: We got to make sure we’ve got quality early education, child care. That is why I’m asking you to stand with me right now as I run to be the next governor of New Jersey.

Marie Dupont: We did not give them permission to do that, to use our money to back up President Spiller’s political campaign.

Dupont says when she joined the union – she was given options about campaign cash.

She could either check a box to voluntarily contribute to the union’s political causes – or leave it unchecked. Dupont says she left the box unchecked.

Marie Dupont: When we check that box and say that we are not voluntarily giving our money to do certain things, that’s exactly what we mean.

In 2018 – the Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court decision fundamentally changed labor law – ruling public employees cannot be forced to pay union dues.

CBS News: The Supreme Court has just handed down a decision involving unions.

The court found that forcing public employees to pay mandatory fees to unions is the same as compelled speech and violates their First Amendment rights.

But in New Jersey – Dupont argues her rights are being ignored. Her lawsuit claims the union’s use of millions of dollars in member dues has been deceptive.

It says the union steered the money to Garden State Forward, a political group created and controlled by union officials.

Then – Garden State Forward sent $40 million to Working New Jersey, a super PAC run by union insiders – and another group called Protecting Our Democracy.

Both groups spent millions of that money on Spiller’s campaign efforts.

All while Dupont says – some union members had no idea their dues were being funneled to fuel their union president’s political aspirations.

Mikenzie Frost: Has anyone from the union explained how this money from your dues went to these organizations when you made it clear that you opted out of that?

Marie Dupont: No. No, never. We didn’t get an answer.

David Osborne: There is not a lot that union members can do to stop their union from sending their money to politics.

David Osborne, from the Commonwealth Foundation, focuses on public employee rights and says the violations involving union spending are part of a national pattern.

David Osborne: Unions have increasingly found themselves dipping into union membership dues as a source for political funds. What union officials have found it far easier to do is just take the really big pot of money, take a little bit off the top, and send it to another political organization, who can do all the political spending from there.

Osborne says the Janus ruling from the country’s highest court decided the work of the unions is political.

David Osborne: Unions are still using the same lines that they’ve always used to convince people that they’re not spending money on political matters. Truth is they’re spending tons of money on it.

That’s exactly what Dupont says happened to her, and why she says she’s suing.

Marie Dupont: Trust, integrity, transparency. That is what really my lawsuit is about.

Osborne says nearly 98% of the union’s federal political spending went to Democratic candidates and causes. On the state level about 96% of spending benefits Democrats.

Mikenzie Frost: If the teachers are successful in this lawsuit, could that set a precedent for other unions and how they’re able to spend their money?

David Osborne: One of the things that I hope can come about from this is that a union that’s faced with a lawsuit like this and may have to reevaluate their own internal practices.

In protest, Dupont decided to leave her union last July—a process that Osborne says unions intentionally make difficult.

Mikenzie Frost: How difficult is it to leave a public sector union?

David Osborne: So it’s like a full-time job to leave your membership. I think union executives are terrified that ultimately they will lose their position and their power as a result of members leaving the union.

Despite believing in the power of what unions can provide – Dupont says without honoring the will of members, like herself, it was too difficult to stay.

Marie Dupont: There’s a slogan in the union that the teachers and everybody in the educational field, especially with the union, use “You and I make the union stronger.” I believe so, but it will be stronger if the “You and the I” respect the voice of the teachers.

Sharyl (on camera): What does the union say about the allegations?

Mikenzie Frost: Well, Sharyl, a spokesperson for the NJCAA calls this lawsuit baseless and without merit, saying that it’s a member led union with decisions about endorsements and spending coming from its elected leaders. The union did recently ask a judge to dismiss this lawsuit, but that motion was just rejected and an appeal is expected.

Watch the video here.

The post (WATCH) Teachers Union Lawsuit appeared first on Sharyl Attkisson.

 

IPAK-EDU is grateful to Sharyl Attkisson as this piece was originally published there and is included in this news feed with mutual agreement. Read More