Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Janus vs. AFSCME, ruling that public-sector unions’ fair share fees, collected from employees who decline to join a union but still benefit from their negotiations, are unconstitutional. The decision essentially brings so-called “right to work” to public sector workers in Ohio and across America.
In response, Ohio state Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement:
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus vs. AFSCME is but another blow to working families led by a corporate-funded agenda. The decision further rigs the economy against working families to benefit CEOs and large corporations. The result will be lower wages and a weakening of the rights of workers.
“When the first right-to-work effort came to Ohio in 1958, as Amendment 2, and proposed changes to Ohio’s Constitution, it was defeated by nearly a two-to-one vote. The second major attack on workers’ rights occurred in 2011 with the passage of Senate Bill 5 in the Republican-led Ohio General Assembly, which was overwhelmingly repealed by Ohio voters. Unsuccessful at the ballot box in Ohio and elsewhere, corporate interests have now been successful legislating from the bench.
“In a time where workers across the country are united in their calls to make organizing easier not harder, a corporate-led assault on working families seeks to turn back the clock on workers’ rights. Our public sector workers make Ohio strong by teaching our children, providing police and fire protection in our communities, caring for the disabled and delivering essential services to our residents. These committed public servants deserve good pay, good benefits and safe working conditions. I will continue to work with our labor partners and stand in solidarity with Ohio’s workers.”