WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT) today filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States supporting Rocklin Unified School District in its case against the Public Employment Relations Board and the Rocklin Teachers Professional Association.
The brief urges the Court to review a California system that allows the state’s powerful labor board to act as investigator, prosecutor, judge, and final authority in disputes involving public-sector unions while severely limiting meaningful judicial oversight.
AFFT argues that this structure undermines basic constitutional principles and denies employers a fair and independent review of agency decisions.
“This case goes to the heart of whether government agencies can operate without real accountability,” said Chip Rogers, CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment. “When a single labor board can enforce the law, judge the case, and effectively shield its decisions from independent courts, that’s not due process. It’s government power without checks.”
In its filing, AFFT argues that California’s system raises serious concerns under the Constitution’s Guarantee Clause and threatens the principle that government power must ultimately be subject to meaningful judicial review.
AFFT works nationwide to promote fairness, accountability, and balance in labor policy, particularly where government policies grant special privileges to union organizations at the expense of employers, workers, and taxpayers.
“The Constitution guarantees a republican form of government,” Rogers added. “That means power must be accountable. This case presents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to reaffirm that principle.”
The Court is now considering whether to grant review in the case.