You can find an updated story on the Supreme Court's decision in Janus v. AFSCME here.
As this issue of Voice went to press, the U.S. Supreme Court had not yet handed down an opinion on a major case affecting PSEA and public employee unions.
At issue in Janus v. AFSCME is whether public sector unions can continue to charge a “fair share fee’’ to non-members for the benefits and representation they receive under collective bargaining agreements. The fees are lower than members’ dues.
Mark Janus, an Illinois state employee, contends he should not have to pay a fair share fee because he disagrees with AFSCME’s positions. The Supreme Court ruled in 1977 that since unions must provide representation to non-members in a bargaining unit, it is fair to charge fees to cover that representation.
Janus is backed by well-heeled, anti-union forces who have been mounting an overall assault on organized labor in recent years for ideological purposes.
“Whatever the court decides, I know that PSEA is ready for it,’’ said PSEA President Dolores McCracken. “If the goal of the people who funded this lawsuit is to silence us, I can tell you that it’s not going to happen. We will be as forceful as ever in advocating on behalf of our members and the students they serve.’’
