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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

MT Union Head: Schools at Risk in Supreme Court Case

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Monday, February 26, 2018   

HELENA, Mont. – Public employee union members in Montana and across the country have their eyes on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Justices on Monday will hear Illinois employee Mark Janus' case against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) over so-called fair share fees paid by non-union members to unions for their representation in matters such as collective bargaining.

If the court sides with Janus, he'll still get representation but won't have to pay for it. And it also could deliver a big hit to public sector unions' coffers.

Eric Feaver, president of the MEA-MFT, Montana's largest public employee union, says public schools could be at risk if AFSCME loses this case.

"I would worry about the future of public education in America, as I would worry about it right here in Montana, because there are folks that see us a primary obstacle to the privatization of public education,” he states. “So I see the agenda. I get what's going on. But we're going to put up quite a fight."

Supporters of Janus say he shouldn't have to pay fair share fees on First Amendment grounds.

Twenty-eight states are known as right to work states, meaning people who are covered under public employee contracts don't have to pay the fair share fee for representation.

Montana is not among them, although that could end if the justices side with Janus.

With calls to arm teachers since the shooting at a Florida high school, Feaver says there may be another reason to fear the demise of unions for those that don't believe guns should be on school campuses.

He says MEA-MFT has been a staunch opponent of firearms in schools at the legislative and executive levels in Montana.

"Kill MEA-MFT and maybe you in fact have just now armed up schools in Montana,” he points out. “I see these things directly related."

Feaver says this case is part of a long fight to weaken unions across the country. He adds there's no question less money will hurt their operations, but it's not going to stop them.

"Those who think that Janus by itself is going to kill MEA-MFT or other public sector unions in Montana I think are going to be sorely unhappy about the result," he states.

In a similar 2016 case, justices ended in a 4-to-4 deadlock over the fate of fair share fees.


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