FORCED MEMBERSHIP AND DUES CASES
Union officials forced Wayne Wong to jump through hoops during the pandemic to resign his union membership—and still ignored him. ​Jane Ladley fought for eight years to defend her rights under Pennsylvania law and the Janus decision. Tina Curtis’s union ignored her rights as a public employee. Through the Fairness Center’s representation, these and other employees have held union officials accountable.
Former union vice president vindicates right to resign membership
Welch v. CSEA, Local 1000
Amber Welch became a union official to make positive change. But she resigned when the union refused to live up to its values. It took a lawsuit to force the union to acknowledge her resignation and refund dues she didn’t owe.
Jane Ladley and Chris Meier objected to paying union fees on religious grounds. After eight years of litigation—and more than 40 media appearances—Jane and Chris won a unique judgment applying Janus to state law.
Sage Collins and local ICE officers alleged union officials spent dues on tickets, strippers, and jewelry. The union “disclaimed” Sage’s bargaining unit, but he and other officers were still charged dues, which Sage seeks to recover.
Andrew Tower objected to mandated Covid-19 shots for federal employees. Union officials buckled and didn’t support him, leaving him to face losing his job. Andrew resigned his membership, but his request was denied and officials kept taking his money for a year.
NYC train operator Wayne Wong wanted to resign from his union, but union officials strung him along and even forced him to hand deliver a form in the middle of the pandemic. And they still ignored him—until he filed a lawsuit.
Pennsylvania education assistant Curtis Thompson grew frustrated as he watched his union’s priorities drift. He resigned his union membership but had to file a lawsuit to convince union officials to respect his rights.
Cheryl Spano-Lonis fought for years to resign from her union and stop paying dues after finding out her union supported causes that violated her religious beliefs. Officials ignored her for three years, until she filed a lawsuit.
School cook Tina Curtis is represented by a union that largely deals with private-sector employees. Union officials ignored the constitutional rights she is entitled to as public employee, and her lawsuit freed herself and her colleagues from union coercion. (Note: Photo is dramatized)
Greg Hartnett realized teachers’ union officials were negotiating for themselves. He wanted to resign from the union, but he would still have to pay fees and accept their representation. Greg brought a lawsuit to end this practice in Pennsylvania.
Former union vice president vindicates right to resign membership
Welch v. CSEA, Local 1000
Amber Welch became a union official to make positive change. But she resigned when the union refused to live up to its values. It took a lawsuit to force the union to acknowledge her resignation and refund dues she didn’t owe.
Jane Ladley and Chris Meier objected to paying union fees on religious grounds. After eight years of litigation—and more than 40 media appearances—Jane and Chris won a unique judgment applying Janus to state law.
Sage Collins and local ICE officers alleged union officials spent dues on tickets, strippers, and jewelry. The union “disclaimed” Sage’s bargaining unit, but he and other officers were still charged dues, which Sage seeks to recover.
Andrew Tower objected to mandated Covid-19 shots for federal employees. Union officials buckled and didn’t support him, leaving him to face losing his job. Andrew resigned his membership, but his request was denied and officials kept taking his money for a year.
NYC train operator Wayne Wong wanted to resign from his union, but union officials strung him along and even forced him to hand deliver a form in the middle of the pandemic. And they still ignored him—until he filed a lawsuit.
Pennsylvania education assistant Curtis Thompson grew frustrated as he watched his union’s priorities drift. He resigned his union membership but had to file a lawsuit to convince union officials to respect his rights.
Cheryl Spano-Lonis fought for years to resign from her union and stop paying dues after finding out her union supported causes that violated her religious beliefs. Officials ignored her for three years, until she filed a lawsuit.
School cook wins First Amendment lawsuit, frees colleagues from forced union membership
Curtis v. UNITE HERE
School cook Tina Curtis is represented by a union that largely deals with private-sector employees. Union officials ignored the constitutional rights she is entitled to as public employee, and her lawsuit freed herself and her colleagues from union coercion.
Greg Hartnett realized teachers’ union officials were negotiating for themselves. He wanted to resign from the union, but he would still have to pay fees and accept their representation. Greg brought a lawsuit to end this practice in Pennsylvania.