Lawsuit challenges forced union dues used for shareholder activism
San Bernardino, CA — The Freedom Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on behalf of Karima Tarbah, a San Bernardino County employee who is being unconstitutionally forced to support the union’s shareholder activism through mandatory paycheck deductions—despite never joining or consenting to be part of the union.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the complaint challenges provisions of California’s Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), which allow public employers and unions to compel nonmember employees to financially support union programs—even when those employees choose not to be union members.
The lawsuit argues this violates Ms. Tarbah’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Although Ms. Tarbah is not a member of the Teamsters, a portion of her wages is automatically deducted every pay period and directed into the union’s “Health and Welfare Trust Retiree Plan.” While the plan is presented as a retiree health benefit, the lawsuit alleges that the funds are routinely used for union-driven initiatives that include political and ideological activity.
“Karima Tarbah has a constitutional right to decide where her money goes and what causes she supports,” said Timothy Snowball, Litigation Counsel for the Freedom Foundation. “This case is about the fundamental right of every public employee to make choices that align with their own political conscience. California’s laws must align with the Constitution—not empower unions and governments to coerce funding.”
Background:
California law binds Ms. Tarbah to the union’s collective bargaining agreement simply because she accepted a public-sector job. That means she is forced to associate with and financially support the union—even though she never joined it.
Central to the legal challenge is the Teamsters’ use of funds for shareholder activism—purchasing shares in public companies and pressuring corporate boards to adopt extreme political positions aligned with union, not employee, interests.
The lawsuit argues that this kind of activism constitutes political speech.
San Bernardino County and its Board of Supervisors have also failed to implement safeguards or provide recourse for employees like Ms. Tarbah. The deductions of her hard-earned wages persist without her consent and often exceed the 1.5% cap established by law.
The Teamsters’ past mismanagement of pension funds and historical ties to corruption only intensify concerns about how these contributions are being used. The lawsuit raises questions not just about compelled speech, but about transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and misuse of public workers’ wages.
The Freedom Foundation remains committed to defending the rights of public employees across the country and will continue to challenge laws that infringe on constitutional liberties. For more information or to schedule an interview with a representative of the Freedom Foundation, contact: abrown@freedomfoundation.com
