The Supreme Court & Unions | National Catholic Reporter

The Supreme Court & Unions | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem here is that union membership in these cases is optional - so non-members are outsiders in debates on educational policy issues.  Something has to give. In other words, the problem is an open shop.  In a closed shop, teachers could be heard on these issues in democratic discussions.  One could argue that because they have no voice, they should not have to pay.  I would counter, however, that the aggreived teachers have their own remedy - join.  When they declined to do so, they gave up their right to speak.  Membership has its privileges - and non-membership should not benefit from a free ride.  Indeed, their problem of not being able to help make education policy for the union is not grounds to stiff the union.  The best answer is a closed shop.  And Catholic bishops should quit resisting unionization in their schools.  Until they do, they, they don't get a place at the table in this debate either.