Janus vs. AFSCME
On June 27, 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that employees who decline union membership are not required to pay “fair share” dues to the union that collectively bargains on their behalf.
The SCOTUS ruling is a hard blow to unions who negotiate for the working class to ensure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Limiting the ability of unions to collect dues hinders the ability to negotiate and leaves workers vulnerable to the whims of management. The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling and will continue to fight for the rights of unions and workers.
Who Will Stand Up For Workers’ Rights?
The Janus decision sets the stage for nationwide anti-worker policies that have been proven to lower job standards and hurt communities.
In states like Wisconsin that already have similar anti-worker legislation on the books:
Average wages are nearly $6,000 per year less
Poverty increased dramatically
Overall, declining union membership contributed to one-third of the disappearance of the middle class
Health benefits decreased by nearly 3%
Workplace fatalities jumped by an incredible 49%
Unions have been the greatest champions for the working class.
In addition to support provided to countless individual work place battles, unions are responsible for:
Enactment of the 40-hour work week
Creation of overtime pay
Ending of child labor
Increases to the minimum wage
Creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) agency
The PA Senate Democrats will continue to empower the middle class and fight for workers’ rights.
Priorities for the Senate Democrats that protect workers include:
Protecting prevailing wage laws
Working to raise the minimum wage
Requiring paid sick days and family leave
Protecting workers from wage theft
Fighting for local governments to have the right to raise local wages that differ from the statewide minimum
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Combat Janus Ruling
Terrible, but expected news from #SCOTUS on #JANUSvsAFSCME . This is a blow to ALL workers, not just #union workers, who fight on the front lines for living wages and fair conditions. Workers in #righttowork states make 3 to 12 percent LESS. #Unions protect the middle class. -@SenTartaglione
#Solidarity
Today’s Janus decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is disheartening for the millions of workers who depend on strong unions to advocate for them in the workplace. It’s time to do more at the state level to protect the middle class and their rights. #union #1u #solidarity -@Senator Costa
#45’s continued war on the middle class revealed itself again today in the Janus case. But together #WeRise – @SenatorHughes
Today’s SC #Janus ruling is yet another attack against workers at the hands of corporate special interests. We will continue to fight! #UNION -@WayneDFontana
The U. S. Supreme Court has undone over 40 years of fairness in collective bargaining. We must stand with labor now more than ever. #Union #UnionStrong -@SenJohnBlake
#Union #UnionProud #UnionStrong -@daylinleach
The #Janus decision not only erodes fair working conditions and equitable wages for #union members, but will impact workers across the board. In Right-To-Work states, workers earn 12.1% less on average than in other states. Let’s stand up for the workers of PA. #u1 #solidarity -@LarryFarnese
In non-union workplaces women earn only 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. The wage gap between women and men in unions is 9 cents!#UnionStrong #UniteBlue #thankaunion -@SenJudySchwank
Strong unions make a strong middle class. We must make it easier for workers to collectively bargain and not put up road blocks that make it harder for workers to organize. #Unions #TeamStreet -@SenSharifStreet
Protest Against Janus
Member Statements
Workers need a Pa. Workplace Freedom Act
The following op-ed was posted by PennLive.com.
As expected, the Supreme Court voted against unions and working people in the Janus v. AFSCME case. This landmark decision makes it easier for anti-worker extremists to rig the economy and try to divide working people.
The outcome of the Janus case will harm public servants such as nurses, teachers, school district workers, police, firefighters and social workers, in addition to driving down wages for everyone, eliminating health insurance for many working families and making workplace accidents and deaths more likely.
Haywood Comments on Supreme Court Janus Decision
Philadelphia – June 28, 2018 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following statement regarding the Janus v. AFSCME decision from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). “The Supreme Court just made it easier for anti-worker...
Leach Comments on SCOTUS Decision in Janus v. AFSCME
State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today commented on the United States Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME : “Today's US Supreme Court decision in Janus vs. AFSCME is a sad and disheartening blow to the middle class,” Leach said. “At a time...