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Last week, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira submitted a letter to the editor of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser regarding right-to-work laws and the U.S. Supreme Court case, Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association. As expected during Monday's oral arguments, questioning by the justices appeared to favor the plaintiff Friedrichs. However, historically oral arguments are not always predictive as to the court's decision.   This case is just the next step in a decades-long campaign by corporate CEOs and wealthy special interests trying to make it even harder for working people to come together, speak up, and get ahead. POLITICO: Conservative group nears big payoff in Supreme Court case.  

The text of Perreira's letter appears below or click here to read the letter online. (Staradvertiser.com login required.)

 GOP dinner speaker notorious union buster

We are lucky to live in Hawaii, where we have a long and strong history of protecting worker rights.

But we must not be complacent and think change cannot happen here. Our middle class is already struggling with some of the highest costs of living in the nation.

Shockingly, the Hawaii GOP is bringing anti-labor Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to Oahu as its keynote speaker for a Lincoln Day Dinner in February.

Just ask any worker in his state how Walker’s policies are working out for them.

We can’t afford to have the gap between the super rich and everyone else continue to escalate.

Additionally, an anti-worker case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, could make all states “right-to-work,” which is a sly misnomer. Studies show workers in so-called “right-to-work” states have lower pay and fewer benefits.

We must all speak up to keep anti-worker policies out of Hawaii.

Randy Perreira

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Additionally, HGEA members Joshua Capp (Unit 3, Kauai) and Kaipo Ballungay (Unit 3, Oahu) submitted letters to the editors of The Garden Island and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser expressing more concerns about right-to-work laws and the current Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case.

Click here to read Josh Capp's letter, "Middle class under attack" in The Garden Island.

Click here to read Kaipo Ballungay's letter, "Don't impose Hawaii 'right to work' here" in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. (Log-in required.)

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City stands behind labor unions as best way to serve the public

On Sunday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an editorial by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell in support of the middle class, working families and labor unions.

Click here to read Mayor Caldwell's editorial (Staradvertiser.com login required) or here to watch the clip on Hawaii News Now.