ALEC Statement on the Janus v. AFSCME Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Anna Tarnawski
atarnawski@alec.org
973-879-2273    

Janus Decision Win for Free Speech  

Decision Gives Rights Back to Workers

Arlington, VA (June 27, 2018) — The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) applauds today’s decision in favor of Janus in Janus v. AFSCME. This ruling is a victory for free speech and individual rights. Teachers and other public sector members will now have freedom to choose to voluntarily join a union if they decide it will serve their interests, rather than endure compulsory fees to unions that put their own agenda first. Public sector unions will no longer be able to force non-members to pay bloated “agency fees” as a condition of employment.

“This is a great day for Freedom.  The Supreme Court finally recognized that it is unconstitutional to force public employees to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment,” said State Representative Ron Hood of Ohio.

“Today’s Janus decision overturns a precedent set 41 years ago. This will allow workers to keep their pay, they will no longer be forced to pay fees that support a union’s collective bargaining efforts and administrative work,” said Robert Ordway, Director of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force at ALEC.

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The American Legislative Exchange Council is the largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the United States. The Council is governed by state legislators who comprise the Board of Directors and is advised by the Private Enterprise Advisory Council, a group of private, foundation and think tank members. For more information about the American Legislative Exchange Council, please visit: www.alec.org.