They can collect from whoever wants to pay them, but they can no longer use the government to compel payment by deducting the dues from paychecks and forwarding them. So, their income took a huge hit.
To compound that huge diminution in income, the unions just spent millions from their savings in the recent recall elections, without winning.
Now, with income devastated and savings simultaneously depleted, they're laying off many staffers.
Perhaps we should take up a collection?
They have also lost the no bid union run health plan scam that they were running. Fewer dollars there also.
Formally it was written into some of the school contracts that they use the union health insurance. Competition saved schools millions and balanced their budgets.