Janus “has allowed some unions to have more ongoing conversations with represented workers,” said Brenda Muñoz, the executive director of the UC Berkeley Labor Center. “Because they have to be able to demonstrate the value of being part of a union.”

Per EdSource, Ken Jacobs, a senior policy adviser at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, likened the campaign to the “Unite Here” labor union, which successfully negotiated new contracts for SF hotel workers at Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott after 93 days of striking in 2024.

Danielle Mahones on The California Report. SF teachers are in their third day of a high stakes labor fight with the district, and they’re not alone. Across California, more local teachers unions are in active disputes right now, from bargaining breakdowns to strike authorizations and walkouts.

“There is already a problem with sufficient staffing, and will that get worse if workers don’t have the wages and benefits they need to provide for their families?” Lucia wondered.

Miles noted that revenue sharing tied to media rights, ticket sales, and merchandise is standard practice in professional sports. “They’re not asking for NBA salaries,” she said. “They’re asking for a fair share of the pie. And unlike many other industries, these players are both the product and the public face of the league.”